Ward Halloween Party

We went to the Ward Halloween Party tonight. The kids were anxious to go, and so we were waiting outside for Daddy to come home. I was videoing while we were waiting. This video is just too funny. I had to share it. I ask Katelyn what she is going to be for Halloween and then Sam prompts her on what a skunk says by saying "PU" and Katelyn thinks it is so funny she can't get over it. She says "PU" and then "P U STINKY!"

This is Katelyn still not getting over her silliness....

The party itself got off to a rocky start. We got there and just sat down with our dinner (in the hall, because it was so crowded, this was probably the best attended party I've ever seen) when the fire alarm went off. The YW&YM were doing a spook alley with a smoke machine. I am not exaggerating, the alarm went off for probably 20+ minutes. Sam kept on asking why were weren't going outside, and if there was a fire, and then he said he wanted to go home. Finally, they got the alarm turned off and the kids got their donuts and all was well. The kids went to a fishing pond and played a few games. The highlight of course was the "train" (a riding lawn mower I think). It was an awesome party! The kids loved it. There was a trunk or treat at the end, and we almost made our kids miss it... but we caved at the end and they ended up hauling off tons of candy. The kids had such a great time. On the way home they both said "That was AWESOME!"

Carving Pumpkins!

Last night we carved pumpkins. First of all, I should say we grew all of the pumpkins (overachievers!). I think there were 10 or 11 in all, our pumpkins just took off. I should mention too, that Sam thinks we are going to carve ALL of the pumpkins.
I don't have many memories of carving pumpkins. I know we did, but most of all I remember painting pumpkins. We did this every year for some sort of FHE in October. I am guessing that painting pumpkins was probably the smart way to go with so many people, so many kids... too many knives. So, maybe that's how the painting came about. But we had a whole pumpkin patch of painted pumpkins on our porch growing up. So, maybe we wont carve all of the pumpkins... but maybe we'll paint some.
Sam, LOVED it. Michael cut the tops off (I hate that part) and then we let Katelyn dig all of the seeds out. I know it looks like she didn't like it... but she did. At first, I think she was a little grossed out. But she got all the seeds out and this was a fun job for her. I helped Sam with the hard parts. His favorite part was the finished product I think. He loved turning the lights ALL off (not just some) and seeing the pumpkins. This scared Katelyn though (especially after Michael grabbed the one with face and had it float around the room). Then the kids got in the bath while I roasted the pumpkin seeds. Yum. The kids were dying to try them, however, Sam decided after a few of them he didn't like them. Kate did... and so do I, I've been munching on them all day. So, that was our pumpkin carving... maybe to be continued if Sam has his way and we carve all of them. Or, I figure a way to harvest them for pumpkin bread or pumpkin cookies. Or they'll be painted. We'll see.

Daily Grind Part 2

Well, it didn't take Katelyn that long to blow it... like I said I knew I wasn't green enough to think she'd be potty trained. But without too many details... I spent a half an hour cleaning up a mess and I'm done for a while.

As for the flu shot (AURGH!) maybe I should have listened to Michael and gotten the shot because Sam and I came down with what I think is the flu. Probably because we got the mist and not the shot. Katelyn has been perfectly fine. Last night Sam and I had a horrible night. Sam was throwing up and shivering and crying. I was just as sick - minus the crying :) my whole body ACHED. I went to be about 9:30 but didn't sleep much because I was so achy and hurting, and hot and cold. Michael was very sweet and took care of Sam because every time I stood up a wave of nausea hit. We all got up this morning and Michael got the kids breakfast, and I munched on a couple of crackers and then went back to bed. Then he let me sleep in until 11. Sam feels a little better today. I'm getting there. Maybe because I'm old it's taking me a while to bounce back. But I don't think I'd do the flu mist again... since I'm convinced that's what did it.

Daily grind...

Nothing really exciting has happened this last week. We've just been doing the same old same old...
We did go get flu shots at the flu shot clinic at our pediatrician's office. Sam was so nervous going there. "Why are we going to the doctors?" "Am I getting a shot? I don't want a shot..." I just bypassed his questions for the most part. When we got in there I asked for the nasal spray flu shot (WHY don't the OFFER it without you asking for it??? Why would the shot be standard?) Anyway, I was hoping for the flu mist but when I asked on the phone they said they couldn't guarantee it because they had limited amounts and I'd just have to see when we got in there. When we got in there she said they had enough of the mist, but that since Katelyn had a history of respiratory problems and asthma she couldn't get the mist. Poor Katelyn. Michael's getting his flu shot at work so he was just there for moral support? Is that what it was.... Michael tried to tell me that I should get the shot too since Katelyn had to get a shot. No thanks, I endure and endured plenty of pain for my kids. Anyway, Sam and I got the flu mist (again... WHY is this not offered instead of the shot?) and Katelyn got her flu shot with and I was glad Michael was there... he helped hold her down (both of us had to) while she was kicking and screaming. She's strong.
Then we went to go vote at early voting... but the line was SO LONG! We didn't do it. I'm depressed about the elections. I hate voting for the loser and I'm afraid of who is going to win and what it will mean. I can't stand watching the news or anything anymore. It makes me sick how unfair and biased it is. So here's my shout out to go and vote... unless you're voting for that other guy ;)

So... to end on a good note of my week's ramblings... KATELYN WENT ON THE POTTY! Hooray! I have been asking her for a while now when she wants to go on the potty. Her answer is always "Tomorrow" So this morning I changed her diaper and said, do you want underwear on today and go on the potty? (Again, her usual answer is: "tomorrow") but today she said "Yes, like Sam" So, I put on her underwear and after and hour or so, I asked her if she wanted to go. (Which, when I've tried this in the past it was, "No, tomorrow!") She said yes, and we went on the potty and she did it!!! Small miracles. She promptly asked for her sucker that I've been bribing her with (she never forgets). Sam insists he gets one too? Why? How do you do that? How do you praise one kid and show them what a good job they did without the other kid feeling bad? How do I show Katelyn that her treat was a result of her going on the potty?! Any suggestions... Anyway, I'm not as green at this that I will think she'll be potty trained... far from it, but at least there's an interest! She just turned 2 not even 2 months ago so I'm not going to push it.

So this is why my kids aren't hungry for lunch...

These are the apples we picked off of our trees. They've been in our garage. These past 2 days my kids have been playing in the garage (peace!) it's been so cold outside, they've been riding their bikes in there with the doors shut. Anyway, the last 2 days they haven't acted hungry at lunch.

By chance today I went out there today and saw WHY they haven't been hungry.

Nice huh?

First Snow and Rabbit for dinner!

We woke up Sunday morning to snow. I am sad that winter is coming. The kids were so excited though. They couldn't wait to go outside and play in it. It was kind of an ordeal trying to find the winter stuff. Sam thought that it should be his birthday. He keeps on asking when his birthday will be, I will say stuff like, "After Christmas" and he will say, "When is Christmas?" and I will say stuff like 2 months, and he wont get it, so he will say, "how many days?" and then the amount of days frustrates him "Ahhhh... That's FOREVER!" So finally I said, there will be snow on the ground... Anyway, the snow was exciting for him anyway, so he didn't dwell too long on his birthday because he just wanted to play outside. The last picture is of the yard in the afternoon, so the snow didn't last long. Don't let the picture fool you though, it was still FREEZING!!! We spent the day inside with the fireplace on. Trying to keep from turning the furnace on... but we caved and did it.

I made "rabbit" for dinner. It's not really rabbit, I don't know how my family grew up calling this stuff rabbit, but we did. All it is is tuna on toast (I guess that's the term for it). My kids LOVE it, but I don't know if I feel like my kids can't handle it, or I don't want to explain it to them, but I don't call it rabbit to my kids. I will say to Michael, "we're having rabbit tonight" and he knows what I'm talking about. But for some reason, maybe because I'm worried Sam may not eat it anymore if I tell him we're having rabbit... Anyway, Sam will eat it and ask for seconds, and then throughout the meal he will say stuff like "I love you Mom" and "I love this" (I think I have mentioned that he gets affectionate when he's happy.)

Sam was trying to figure out who should be first to get something at dinner and said, "Mom you're the oldest" and then Katelyn (my kids are competitive and was trying to outdo Sam I'm sure) says "You're honkin Mom" (with a big smile on her face). I had to say, "thank you" even though it hurt my feelings. I'm feeling a little insecure lately about my size and age!

Project Done! (Almost)

So, I finished one of the wingback chairs I have been recovering. I would be more excited, except I have one more to go! Here's a pic of what it looks like (it's not the greatest picture since it was taken with a cell phone). I should wait to show BOTH of them finished. But right now I am having a really hard time getting motivated to start on the other one. This was such a big project, more than I anticipated and it's daunting to think of doing it all over again. Jerusha helped me (and by helped, I should say did) the cushion for me. I probably could have figured it out, but it would have taken a LONG time, and she's such a great seamstress. At every phase of the project I would think to myself, "Wow, this is really hard. This must be the hardest part." I think that thought came to my mind a million times. Before I even attempted this project, I asked ladies at fabric stores if they'd ever reupholstered, and I would get comments like, "Oh yes, it's very easy. I recovered a chair in 2 days, blindfolded and with my hands tied behind my back." Which, needless to say, gave me a false sense of ability when I did this project. Michael would probably throw in his 2 cents here that he thinks I have a warped sense of how long it should take to get things done. (One instance he still brings up is when I told him I thought he should be able to install a ceiling fan in a couple of hours after work one day.) Maybe part of my lack of motivation is that I still have 2 bar stools in the garage that I purchased at the DI, intending on refinishing. When I'm done with these wingback chairs... I guess I have to start on those ...