Halloween

Wow my kids love Halloween.



Finally an excuse to dress up -- not like they needed one.



The animation comes out full force.



Ashton goes to bed this year in peace instead of screaming (like last year) that all he wants to do is "smell his treats," when we won't let him sleep with his orange bucket.



Ruby comes clean when Jeremy finds Wyatt's full size Starburst missing. "How could you steal from your baby?" I ask, implying, "the brother you adore, the one you want to take into second grade for Show and Tell, the baby you wish I would let sleep with you."



As if that weren't enough...she almost was not allowed to go to school today (serious punishment in our household!) because I caught her chasing Cade around the kitchen and punching him in the back during breakfast. He was laughing, not crying, but still...I exploded! All this because she wasn't happy with her outfit for school. There's a lot of tude circulating our household. The drama.



What a relief to volunteer in Cade's class today where I'm treated like a celebrity because I bring my baby.



The moms had set up crafts at the desks and there was an enormous treat spread on the front table, but when the kids walked in the classroom from lunch all they cared about was Wyatt. People in this part of the country rarely have babies, and when they do, they go straight to daycare. Wyatt's a novelty. It's like the kids never see a baby and they couldn't keep away. He's full of cuteness.



And not to be forgotten, Ashton. When I dropped him off at preschool today he was the only kid in costume. Some kids would be shy. Some kids would be embarrassed. Ashton LOVED it. AND he decided this morning he was NOT a knight, but Captain Moroni.

In he runs to school. "Wow, Ashton," his teacher says. "What are you?"

"Captain Moroni," says Ashton.

"Who????" says his teacher.

"Captain Moroni," says Ashton, "You KNOW, from the scriptures, the Book of Mormon, the guy who was in all the wars." (I wish there was a way here for me to explain Ash's tone, as in, are you an idiot? How can you NOT know who Captain Moroni is?)



Best of all, Jeremy sets his all time record and gets home at 5:45 p.m. The kids are out the door by 6:00 p.m. and I even have time for some last minute pix. I'm savoring the moment.

Personal Responsibility

Just for the record: My kids get themselves dressed.



Ashton puts together a crazy get-up, wild socks, wristbands, and broken watches. On a lucky day this also includes rain boots even if it's sunny.



Ruby has an innate sense of style and fashion.



And Cade has no clue, but at least knows it, and has the good sense to ask Ruby's advice.

...just some of the little things I want to remember...

Ashton's cowboy boots with shorts.

The day Cade decided to grow out his buzz and use gel (still waiting for this on a REGULAR basis).

The year Cade (second grade) decided it was OK for shoes to "touch the sides of his feet" and could finally wear shoes his right size instead of boats two sizes too big.

How Ashton loves his Captain Heartbreaker PJ's and slippers and gave them so much love the soles fell out and it took me three trash days to get rid of them because he kept fishing them out of the can.

The way Ruby lays out her outfit for the next day not because she's rushed for time but because she loves to mix and match her options.

Wyatt rummaging through my closet to try on my high heels.

Picture Perfect

Not all days have to be crazy. Like today. Just a trip to Milburn Orchard and Farm.



Feeding the baby goats.



Coaxing Wyatt's hand open.



Swinging



Local wildlife. A chickenduck?



Chillen in the train.





Picking a pumpkin.



Basking in the sun.



But still a little crazy.

Cubbin'

There’s not much interesting to write about when all you do during the week is try to get the house clean.

Should I go on and on about how Wyatt follows me around while I Windex, licking the glass? Or how he follows me into the dining room when I clean the floors and wraps his chocolate covered chubs in the curtains?



No. I think instead I’ll talk about my one excursion this week, Cub Scout Training.

The minute I walked into the room I remembered from last year: I so do not belong here. The trainer thought so too. "If you're here for the clothing sale, it's downstairs," she said. To just me.

All premonitions were confirmed when the room stood to sing “I’ve got the Cub Scout Spirit up in my head” WHILE patting our heads (No escape. I was front row and center), I caught a glimpse of the hugo-mongous sweat circles under the arms of her uniform and I prepared myself for snippets of, “I camp in the pouring rain and I love it,” talk.

I could not make this stuff up. And this is before I find out the two-hour advertised training is whoops, really three hours.

…what a week… what a Saturday.

But I do got to say, I love those Cub Scouts. When I was Den Leader last year it was like having a birthday party every week. I loved the way they called me Akela in the halls at church. I loved the excitement they brought to birdhouses (“look Akela, I can hammer a nail in your table!”), food (Me: “Go wash your hands before refreshments.” Cubs: “Why?”), and skits – the lamer the funnier.



And I love what the program teaches my son and others – respect for God and country, service, and even things like take a shower and brush your teeth, EVERY day.



So now even though I only have a supervisory role in the program, I miss it. And I miss these boys.