In. A. Week.

Every year since, my second son was born, the end of October and beginning of November have been a very fun but FULL week for me.  So in a week this is what happens.

Jayson's Birthday.
Halloween.
Tyler's Birthday.

And it would probably be fine if it were just those three, but there is always more going on.  Friend parties (not every year), family parties, halloween parties, here and at school.  It has always been a week that wipes me out and so it has been a challenge for me, but as I type that I feel like I wouldn't change it, if I could.  So here we go!

Jayson.

Yes, we still do" heavy, heavy hangover" at our house (it is a Dean thing).  This year Jays received a lot of money for gifts, which he later spent the majority on DR. WHO memorabilia because well he is a FAN.  He also requested a TARDIS cake, so I did my best.  He didn't have a friend party this year but I still owe him a day at the movies with a friend.  He has changed a lot over the past year.  He now wears shoes larger than his Father and is taller than me and quickly gaining on his older Brother (they are just 2 inches apart).


Halloween.

Who are these two monkeys!

Halloween was thankfully a low-key day because all the HALLOWEEN activities had been done earlier in the week/month.  So after eating some mummy pizzas, we got all dressed up and one by one the kids took off to be with their friends so we didn't get a group picture.

We have Dr. Who (the Tenth Doctor).

A Ninja.

Batman.

And Snow White.

We also took a few pics with the PUMPKINS they carved and then it was time for TRICK-OR-TREATING!

Tyler.

 

 

The Lego was created by his youngest brother as a surprise.   This young man is pretty simple.  I made him choc chip cookie-oreo brownies for his birthday served with his fav ice cream, mint choc chip.  He also received a bit of money but is saving it for something special.  He really wanted to get his license on his birthday but had to wait two days longer because the DLD is not open on weekends.  He spent his special day with a good friend hanging out at Boondocks.  He too has changed quite a bit these last few years, of course he is taller than me and about the same height as his dad.  He grew out his hair and now it curls and waves every which way.  And he is looking forward to getting a job to earn a little money for a car and a phone.

I feel so blessed to be able to celebrate these two young men in my life but I also fear that if I blink they will be gone having new adventures in their lives, not under my roof and that makes me sad.

October Happenings.

Baby Cousin Lovin'

Halloween Lunchin' with the Governor

 

 

 Where after the luncheon,

the kids got to meet the Governor and received a book from him.

(Did I ever mention that back when Phil celebrated entering a new decade, he also changed jobs.  He now works for the Governor's Office of Management and Budget.)

Pumpkin Carvin'

 

 

Halloween Craftin'

 

 Crazy Hair Wearin' - by Soccerboy

Corn Maize Attendin'

with my Brother and his brave Wife, who is fighting cancer for the fourth time in her young life, and their family.  Hanging out at this Maize is becoming a tradition.

 

 

where there was also pipe sliding, hay jumping and corn pit playing, pumpkin blasting and a few other activities.

 and Teenage Drivin'

him.

He had the opportunity of being one of the scouts from the 50's in the 100 Years of Scouting Celebration yesterday at the Conference Center.  It was a very busy two weeks of practice, practice, practice, rehearsal and more rehearsals, another practice and then the final show.

So grateful he got to be a part of something so special.

her.

She had to wait to start school a week after all the other children.
She was not happy about that.

I still cannot believe that my youngest is in school.  It seems just last year I held her in my arms as a baby.  And now I spend a few hours each weekday with no kids in the home.  A weird feeling.

 

But I have also come to realize a few things in this "new" phase of life that I am in.

• Going to Costco and other stores takes a lot less time and energy when I don't have any kids with me.  But it is also a lot less interesting and more lonely.
• I spend more time at the elementary school now than I ever have before.  At least two, sometimes three days a week volunteering with the reading program in my two youngest kid's classes.
• I have crossed off a lot of the "to-do" items on my list that I have been meaning to get around to, some items have been waiting for years.
• The house is really, really quiet with everyone gone but me.  Sometimes too quiet.

Right now the three youngest are actually off-track, which is nice because it breaks up those long, long school weeks where we are so busy doing school work and extra activities-sports, scouts, dance, etc., that we sometimes don't get the chance to just play.  And for now we can do just that.