Our Halloween Weekend!

We had a super productive weekend! We were able to make several freezer meals for our friends who just had a baby, clean our house, go grocery shopping, do all the yard work, and have some fun as a family.

On Saturday we went to "the pumpkin patch." Okay. It was our local garden center. But the garden center has all sorts of activities for kids and no one was there. The thing about Fall is that everyone is a rush about it. The first cool weekend and everyone heads to the orchards/pumpkin patches. Which is fine by me! I don't like crowds!

We spent a good long time playing on their plasma cars, corn bin and other things to do. They were already well on their way to setting up Christmas so C even sat in Santa's chair.

It was such a good weather day, I think it may have set a record because it was in the upper 70s. Which is crazy for us. So we decided after picking out our pumpkins to go get ice cream at Whitey's. This is the big ice cream in town. The Camp Patton family loves it, I swear. I mean, it's pretty much just ice cream but I haven't really met an ice cream I don't like so... ANYWAY. We realized that we had actually never brought our kids to Whitey's. Ever. We actually couldn't decide the last time we had been, the two of us. (Husband does sometimes do a nice ice cream run for me occasionally.)

It was a great morning of fun! Yesterday we carved our pumpkins. It was still in the 60s yesterday so we did the hallowing out of the pumpkins outside! I have never ever been able to do that but it was awesome to just leave the mess out there for the squirrels. 

After dinner we got to carving. I was in charge of M's pumpkin and we used a stencil to create Elmo. 

This year we bought new carving tools. We save them from year to year and that had been really good. But last year a couple of pieces finally bit the dust. The book our new tools came with said to wet the paper template, and then put saran wrap over it. Then just carve it through the paper and plastic. This is a smart idea. I will absolutely do that again! 

Husband was commissioned to do a polar bear pumpkin. But not like a polar bear walking silhouette, which is what I imagined. Nope. Husband spent a good long time working on it and I didn't even get a picture of it all lit up because it was past bedtime. I will get one tonight. In the mean time, it looks like this in daylight: 

And now it is Halloween! We are ready for trick-or-treating tonight! (It's actually on the holiday this year!) Happy Halloween to you! 

7QT: Halloween

one. Wednesday evening was the school Trunk-or-Treat and pizza/glow party. We went and the kids loved it. We actually didn't stay for the glow party but we had a lot of fun. Happy first Halloween event from Abraham Lincoln and Strawberry!

No lie, this is what C wanted to be. And he owned it. Every single person adult manning a trunk commented on his costume. I dare say he had the best costume. It was fun to see him shine.

two. I have written that our good friends are moving to Oregon. They leave tomorrow. We had one last playdate with them at Burger King yesterday morning. They had a lot of fun. Marlee is C's best friend and we are going to miss her. He dictated a very sweet note to her and I wrote it out for him. Then he signed his name and he put in his school picture.

These two have come a long way. M has ALWAYS admired Marlee but Marlee wasn't the biggest fan of M for a long while. But now, they get along well. M is going to miss her a lot.

It's so hard on my mama heart. We have found Oregon on the map and C knows that she is moving. But I don't think he really comprehends that today was very well the last time he will see her. I am just sad to see his good friend leave. And of course I will miss her mom too, who has been a great friend to me. The kids really just got each other and have always played really well together. It's tough to say goodbye.

three. Yesterday C's other best friend had a Halloween party. It eased the sting for me to see him happy with friends who are not moving. M had a very good time at the party because there were three other kids about her same size and she thought that was pretty good. It was a lot of fun! There were crafts and games and just a lot of running around like crazy. Once again his costume was a hit.

four. Our weekend plans involve cleaning and getting some pumpkins and carving them! I bought a cheap pumpkin at the grocery store for a decoration, but the kids knocked the stem off and now a squirrel has begun to eat it! So we need a few extra pumpkins.

five. Since C is out of school until next Tuesday, he joined M and I for art class!

It was fun Halloween crafts this week and the snack craft was a bagel, with chocolate chip eyes and fake vampire teeth. Super cute. And tasty too. All the excitement of the past few days meant that my kids slept in for the first time I can remember! 7:50! So I was glad the snack was something that could feasibly pass for breakfast since ours was a little lacking. 

six. It is literally blowing my mind that November is next week. The upside to that is that the election will soon be over! Providing of course the toddlers who are running don't throw a temper tantrum and try to challenge the results. I actually read a very thought provoking article that, if you ignore the title and some of the language, makes some interesting points. 

seven. So that's kind of what we have been up to and what I know. It's not a whole lot but it's enough to keep us busy and happy which is about as good as it gets. Have a wonderful weekend!!

We Made It!

Every week, I tune in to 'This Is Us.' And every week I am pretty sure that it will be the week I am sorely disappointed and the show is going to suck. But no, the show holds up. It continues to be amazing and wonderful and pack in all the feels. I am not usually one to use the phrase "all the feels" but truthfully I know no other expression that conveys exactly how this show can hit every little emotion every episode.

We survived our first Parent Teacher Conference! It sounds funny I am sure, but this was our very first one ever and I was a little nervous. My best friend told me about a week ago that parent teacher conferences should be thought of as an annual review. Any problems or concerns should have already been addressed and it should not be the first time you're hearing it.

That advice took the edge off and I think the conference was successful. We have another conference in February where they make the kindergarten recommendation. Our school offers "Transitional Kindergarten" which is a half day program. We would have the option of choosing that for next year and delaying kindergarten for a year. I don't consider it "red shirting" exactly since it is more academic than preschool, just less demanding. We are torn on what we would prefer for him and have decided to trust the school's evaluation.

We set some good goals for the upcoming months and I am excited to see how he progresses. And overall I am pretty happy to hear how my guy has settled into school. It does a mama's heart some good hearing from the people he spends hours with each week and getting the insiders perspective.

And now it is Wednesday. It is rainy and dark right now, which makes me even more glad we don't have school! C doesn't have school again until next Tuesday! So we can just focus on Halloween and celebrating together.  Tonight is the school's Trunk-Or-Treat and the rain should be over by then. Last night after 'This Is Us' I ironed all the costumes and got everything together. We are ready!

Have a cozy Wednesday everyone!

How We Celebrated

My girl turned two on Saturday! I can't believe it!

We celebrated up at Husband's family orchard. My parents were able to come down too which was great! We met them in town for lunch and then we headed out to the farm and the kids went apple picking.

I am getting my money out of these pumpkin shirts let me tell you. They are wearing them today for "Black and Orange day" at preschool. Which was the reason I bought them in the first place. 

Saturday evening was her birthday party. She wore her Daniel shirt and had her Daniel and Trolley cake. It was pretty spiffy. She loved it! 

Sunday we went back to the farm for more orcharding. Which was good. 

I have never met a kid who doesn't like a corn bin, but this kid could have stayed in all day long. Except for when he got to go on his tractor ride with his uncle to go get the hay for the hay ride. He "helped" load all the hay on the wagon and got to ride back on it. 

Because we didn't want to take all of our gifts up there and back we gave our presents to her both on Friday (her new trampoline in the back) and yesterday. 

She's two! We had a great fall weekend with family and fall fun! 

Happy Birthday Baby!

My Sweet Girl,

Oh honey, I cannot believe two years have passed since you decided it was finally your birthday! You have been rocking our world and bringing spunk to our family every day since then and I am forever grateful for that. I never knew how much I needed you, my sweet girl, but you just balance us out so much. 

I am overwhelmed by how much you talk and how well people can understand you. It is such a difference from how your brother was and I don't even know if you're advanced or right on track or what. It doesn't matter anyway but I just love talking with you. I ask you many times per day if "you're my girl?" And you always say yes. I love it. 

You have the fiercest spirit. You think that you are so much older than you are and you keep up with the big kids pretty darn well. I love watching you dance, jump, run, hop like a frog... pretty much I just watch you all day in awe of your propensity for physical strength. I love playing catch with you and I love going to music class with you. You are in your element and you just get it. I focus on you of course because it's our time to bond. But I truly don't see any other kid who is as excited to sing, dance and smile as you are. When you sing along it just slays me. 

I have to hand it to you, you love fashion more than I could have anticipated. You love tutus, socks, shoes... pretty much if it can be put on, you're for it! Your hair is really growing in and it curls in the length. It's adorable. All the long hair is in the middle of your head, ala a mohawk so you can't really pull off pigtails but your sprout ponytails are pretty cute. 

Getting to spend four mornings a week with just you has been so much fun. I love going to art class with you. You are such a good helper at stores and for the most part you are pretty agreeable. But even the days when we just come home together are special. I have really enjoyed getting to see your personality and what interests YOU instead of what your big brother wants. You amaze me daily.

Little Miss, you love your daddy. Every day you need two hugs and kisses before he leaves and usually before he's even in the car you ask "Where'd Daddy go?" Then only 45 times throughout the day do you ask about his whereabouts. It is partly incredibly annoying, but heartwarming that you love him so much.

I cannot wait to celebrate you today. We gave you your big present yesterday, a little indoor trampoline. It's really selfish of me. I mostly wanted you to stop jumping on the couch and also burn some energy this winter. But oh  goodness, you loved it. Your curls flopping just a second behind you and a smile so bright. You are my favorite girl.

Happy second birthday M! I love you more than words can say!

Love, Mom 

Wonderful Wednesday

Today I made banana bread.

I once read an article, and I talk about it a lot so forgive me if you've heard this story, that says that baking banana bread is one of the best ways to de-stress your life. Baking anything is good because you can follow the rules by following the recipe. It was something like reestablishing some order in your life. But bananas are especially helpful for managing stress, because of the potassium I gather. Then because banana bread bakes for such a long time and has a pleasant smell something about that is supposedly calming. Ergo: banana bread to ease stress.

Of course with this impactful article I've never been able to find again so I am paraphrasing something fierce and it could all be a bunch of hogwash.

I made banana bread today. I used the recipe my dad used my whole life so there was some sentimental value there too. While I didn't feel particularly stressed this morning, I do feel calmer so there you have it. It made a very pretty loaf.

Today my LuLaRoe Carly came. I know. I just wrote about trying to find the right one on Friday. Well, I did. And it came and I love it! Ladies, if you need a dress in your life to feel good in find yourself a LuLaRoe Carly! It is cut generously so you can wear a multitude of sizes depending on your preference. I am very happy with mine. 

This is the up close of the pattern. It is teal with a purple pattern. The purple perfectly matches the first pair of LuLaRoe leggings I bought. Which is good. I really wanted a dress I could wear with leggings and this one is perfect. Full outfit pictures to come. 

So those are really the two highlights of my morning. Besides, you know, not having to go anywhere or do anything and having my kids home together. Which makes Wednesday a top contender in my book!! Have a good one!

We Feed Dreams

It's that time of year again. Food show time.

I know, this means nothing to you. But it's Husband's big event at work. They put on what is essentially a trade show for their customers. Only since they are a food distributor, every single booth is food. Ice creams to carving stations, if you leave hungry you weren't trying very hard.

Sunday they had set-up. Yesterday was more set-up and the preshow party. Today is the actual food show. And next year the whole shebang is his deal. From beginning to end. But this year it isn't all his to figure out and so tomorrow we all breathe a sigh of contentment because it will be over! I am sure the drama will start up again shortly but tomorrow will be good.

A picture from the food show. 

The kids and I are not going this year because M is still not feeling well. Luckily for us, C has no idea we were going to go so he is not disappointed that he is missing out. Husband will probably bring home some cookies. Or something. One year he brought home multiple single serving Dipping Dot's cups. And I am pretty sure I am going to get a sleep eye mask because it was my idea to give them away in the first place.

I really love my eye mask and I feel very passionate about the fact that unless you have blackout blinds and no light in your bedroom at all you should wear one. It makes such a difference to my quality of sleep. This year the corporate theme is "We Feed Dreams" so sleep eye masks fit right in.

Anyway, that's what's been going on in our neck of the woods. Have a great Tuesday!

Friday! Seven Quickish Things.

one. My girl isn't feeling so well so we are staying home from art class today. Poor sweetheart. She is getting all of her canine teeth in right now and she has a bit of a cold. She has been waking up sad in the middle of the night which is not the norm for her, it's breaking my heart a little.

two. I went out with a friend last night and we went to Carter's because I was trying to find these pajamas:

They didn't have them so I had them shipped to the store for free. Because that spending $50 for free shipping thing is criminal. But I did get a few things for M. Including a "pun-keen" (pumpkin) shirt and it is making her day a little brighter today. Carter's is so tricky because you think you don't need anything and then you walk in. And even though 75% of the things are seriously ugly you still find at least $30 worth of stuff. I wouldn't have even gone except for those pajamas. But I really was in need of a pumpkin shirt for her and it was only $5 so...

My pumpkins in their pumpkin shirts

three. I am pretty proud of myself, I talked to one of the moms yesterday at school pickup! We don't get out of the car so it's not ideal for socializing. But there is a mom who walks to get her daughter. Well, she had on LuLaRoe leggings and I complimented them. She is a consultant! So that is kind of fun. I joined her fb group. She had an online sale last night that goes until noon, there is an Irma that I kind of like, but I am really hoping for a Carly or Nicole that I love. It's hard! I want to jump in but I also can't spend lots of money on things I won't wear! 

four. I am not sure what our plans for the weekend entail exactly but I am hoping it involves some sort of pumpkin purchasing and yard clean up! Free yard waste pick up starts next week and that makes we want to clean up all the things! Plus the kids can do the ever popular jump in the leaves thing. 

five. I am a firm believer that happiness isn't happiness without a violin playing goat. (Notting Hill.) 

The true keep it real of the reflection of the blinds in the one piece of actual art in our home. My mom got me this print and had it matted and framed. The frame is gorgeous and pulls out all the blues and purples in the print. I love Chagall. 

Well, M is a firm believer that breakfast isn't breakfast without a stuffed goat. 

Last year, C really wanted to get her a mountain goat stuffed animal for her birthday because we called her our little mountain goat. So he gave her this goat and it is her sleeping lovey. She will not go to sleep without her goat! I don't actually think it is her favorite animal ala the walrus but it's adorable how much she loves "Goat." My kids have such creative names for their favorite stuffed animals. Walrus and Goat. It makes me chuckle. 

six. I don't want to toot my own horn or anything, but I am fairly sure I just made the best peanut butter and jelly of my career. I managed to get the exact right amounts of both major ingredients and I remembered to flip the bread pieces so they would match up correctly. I am pretty sure they're going to contact me to be on The Food Network soon. I mean I even paired the sandwich with an apple, penguin crackers, string cheese and chocolate milk so...practically a culinary specialist over here.

seven. Have a wonderful weekend everyone! I hope it involves something fun and chocolate. Because a good weekend should really probably include chocolate.

Zoos and Music

Yesterday afternoon we went to the zoo. Our friend is moving to Oregon at the end of the month and we are trying to squeeze in as much fun with her while she is still here.

It was a perfect day. Sunny and almost hot in the upper 70s. But these days have been few and far between and we are going to slip into the 30s tonight and tomorrow morning when it's time to leave for school so, I embraced the experience for sure!

Our zoo is so little and really just not that great but it is a great way to spend a few hours. Plus it tires everyone out which is a win in my book. The kids had a great time and that's what really counts.

C has been singing songs all year from preschool by Greg and Steve. I am familiar with them because they used to use some of their songs in the music class when C went. (Now M goes and they still use one of them.) I was really hoping I could buy some tracks on itunes or Amazon music but leave it the world to let truly un-annoying kid music be unavailable digitally.

In his class they have done: Animal Action, Bean Bag Boogie, Going On A Bear Hunt, This is the Way We Do. From music class we know: The Freeze and Listen and Move. And because I love my kids and winter is coming (insert the meme only not really) I just bought two CDs. I honestly could not tell you the last time I bought a CD.

But they are on the way to me so that's good. And my kids will love it. The few songs we can hear on YouTube (not good quality and with talking over it or you better believe I would just video to MP3 them) we listen to repeatedly while they dance around. Plus, the songs tell you what actions to do so that's good listening ears practice. I am sure "cognitive listening skills" is how it would appear on some checklist of goals for a classroom but whatever. I am going to call it listening ears practice. 

In other music related things to talk about. C is currently on a Carmen kick. Like "Les Toreadors" from Carmen Suite 1 by Georges Bizet. It's kind of hilarious because he just walks around the house singing it and the cymbal crashes are the best! 

I wish I had more to tell you but I really don't. Hope you get to listen to some favorite music today. I am bowing to my kids and will be listening to Carmen and Greg and Steve today. But they will be so happy and that is my favorite. 

Happy Wednesday! (Which is also pajama day in our house so... a win.) 

The Microwave: A Play

Once upon a time, in a far away kingdom... nope I don't even have the patience to make this a funny or interesting story. So let me tell you some facts:

• We needed a new microwave. 
• I had something to return to Home Depot. 

After music class, M and I went over there. We made our return and all was well. Then we headed back to the microwaves. We had previously scoped out which one we wanted. (Picking microwaves is hard, so many features and ones that meet all your needs are incredibly elusive.) Wouldn't you know it, there were none on the shelf!

But there were a whole bunch of boxes WAY UP HIGH that were the right cubic inches and watts. So I waited in the spot hoping to catch someone walking by. I didn't see anyone so M and I walked around the appliance section, talking about how we needed help and making those passive aggressive "help me please" eyes. But it was to no avail.

So we waited back by the microwaves and looked for a "help" button.

Then I decided to just find someone. It went like this:

Me: "Hi, I need help getting a microwave down."
Guy: "Okay." (Does not move.)
Me: "It's way up there."
Guy: "Okay."

He follows me back to the microwaves and looks stunned that there are microwaves.

Me: "So I wanted this one, and it looks like it's out but those boxes up there are the same name."
Guy: "Okay." (He gets the giant rolley stairs. And goes up.) "This one is black."
Me: "Oh darn, I wanted white."
Guy: "This is black too. This one is stainless steel?"
Me: "Oh, well I really wanted white. Is that one white?" (Pointing to the last one up there.)
Guy: "Nope, this one is black too."
Me: "Well thanks for looking for me. Do you know when you'll be getting in any more? Or if there's any somewhere else?"
Guy: "No."
Me: "Okay, have a nice day. Thanks again."

M and I went back to the car and I went on my phone. I looked at the microwave I wanted and wouldn't you know, they had one I could order with "in store pickup."

I ordered it. From the parking lot. Then we went home, had lunch and watched Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. And I got the "your item is ready to pick up" email. So M and I headed back out. Brian at the customer service desk was courteous and fast. Less than 5 minutes later he loaded the microwave into my card, gave us a thank you card with Starburst and sent us on our way.

So I have a brand new microwave that has all but one of my "new microwave criteria" met. And I will probably never actually go in and shop at Home Depot again. In-Store Pickup was so easy and fast, it costs the same and I won't have to deal with people who aren't actually helpful.

All in all, I win!

In other news, our tornado Thursday night was confirmed as an EF1, which is the lowest tornado level but still there was obvious rotation based on where the storm was coming from and where our grill ended up. I am glad it was a baby tornado and I certainly hope we don't have any grown up tornados in our future.

7QT: Last night's storm.

one. Last night as Husband and I were watching Survivor, which is my current binge-watching phase, the sirens went off. We switched to TV and they were just doing the news like normal. And in the corner was a severe thunderstorm warning. So we closed some windows and went back to Survivor.

two. Then about ten minutes later, the sirens and our phones went off for a tornado warning. We live in a pretty big county so I switched over to TV and the yellow line the weather man had drawn tracking the storm went directly over our house. Like he named our street and neighborhood. So... Husband ran upstairs to get the kids  while I closed our porch up. It was already crazy windy. And we headed into the basement. We got down there and promptly lost power. Luckily we have awesome LED lanterns.

three. We didn't have internet obviously, and even the cell network wasn't working so we just hung out. The kids drank some water and played megablocks. We heard some banging. We stayed down there until about 11:30 when I had my mom check the weather for us, since in Minnesota the internet worked just fine.

four. It took us a while to get resettled. We had to put batteries in the white noise machines and luckily we had enough! The kids got a bonus story by lantern, then M went right to bed. C, was a little less excited about the situation. M doesn't like any light at all when she sleeps but C likes a nightlight. As fate would have it, my brother gave him a marquee light up C that runs on batteries. So I turned that on and moved it to his bedside table. I was so glad we had that.

five. I fell into a very disjointed sleep and kept waking up to see if school was delayed or cancelled. Just after 5:00 the power came back on and I walked around turning off lights. Then got a couple hours of not worrisome sleep.

six. The storm pushed out all our hot muggy air and brought true Fall in so that's something. We lost some smaller branches, a ton of leaves and our outside toys blew around our lawn. Also our grill somehow made it to the middle of the yard and now there is charcoal in a big pile. But small potatoes I am sure.

seven. And luckily it's Friday so that's awesome. Since we do our grocery shopping on Saturdays the food in the fridge was minimal. And freezers keep food cold enough without power for 24-48 hours so all of that is fine!

Coffee, Big Cup and Hello!

In 2005 my friend Corey sent me a text message that said "Eating at Lukes." I saved that text message for as long as I had that phone. Then I forwarded it to my next phone. Corey was very good at keeping secrets and even though I BEGGED for him to tell me what he knew he wouldn't budge. SPOILER: Luke and Lorelai did in fact get engaged. And Corey would have known because...

That is his head directly over the cash register in the scene where Kirk sells Luke the engagement ring.

I do not need to explain to you my love for Gilmore Girls. In my heart I know that I am an honest, true fan. I am pretty sure that Amy Sherman-Palladino and I would actually be best friends. She is my spirit animal.

If you do want some knowledge of my fandom, know that I have been watching the series since it was on television. I had every season on DVD as soon as they came out. The show was and is sacred to me. Some people have birth playlists; C was born to the Gilmore Girls. (M probably would have been but we hit pause and then she came so fast.)

Well today, my friends, it was finally my turn.

A slightly different experience to be sure, but a fun one just the same. I rocked my "Super Cool Party People bid you super cool adieu" shirt and it was excellent. 

The upside here is that I don't have to keep a secret because I know nothing. Except that at 2:00 AM on November 25 I will be awake and watching Gilmore Girls. And thanks to Netflix and this promotion, I was able to use the code on the cup for 3 free months of Netflix! How generous? I was just excited about the cup and sleeve! 

Two Things on Tuesday

Can I get a Hallelujah!?! C has had 22 days of school. That's it. And 22 days had made such a difference already. He is writing his name pretty well now and super quickly by his standards! He has started coloring in pictures. Don't get me wrong, he is not staying in the lines perfectly just yet, but he has finally started to understand the concept of coloring in pictures over just scribbling on top of them.

He has also finally started to create art. He did a family portrait for his "All About Me" block but he was definitely prompted. Yesterday he brought home this:

And I know it doesn't look like much to you. I get that. But I asked him what it was and he said "a rainbow and a pumpkin." Well, of course it is! Lines of different colors is totally a rainbow and the orange blob at the bottom with green coming out is a pumpkin. 

It's just the first time I've asked him what he drew and it, even a little bit, actually looked liked what he said. It's not even a major milestone in the world but it is making all the difference to me and I am so happy! It's so reassuring when noticeable progress is made. 

I would love to say that I am enlightened and educated and very much looking forward to tonight's Vice-Presidential debate but really... I am just totally bummed that This Is Us isn't going to be on. Even though I do think that Pence and Kaine are generally less repugnant than their running mate, I just don't really have the want to know what they're going to say.

I saw a meme during the presidential debate that basically said the only people who watch the debates are people who hate their lives and enjoy yelling at the TV. I think that must be true. Especially this year.

So I am going to go read my book and enjoy my Tuesday. I hope yours is wonderful and brings you some progress of your own!

Skol!

It's a Vikings Monday. Which is a real bright spot in the gray Monday we are experiencing here today. But really, I know we're only three days in but where is my crisp sunny October? I'm waiting for you!

We are all wearing our Vikings purple today. C and I are rocking our new Vikings shirts. I scored mine at Old Navy last week during the great sock hunt of 2016. It too was in the check out area. So Old Navy managed some major last minute purchases from me. I won't say impulsive since I bought socks which was the reason for the trip and the shirt I saw on the mannequin on the wall but couldn't find. Mostly they should just reorganize!

C got an identical shirt to his last seasons shirt. (Bad lighting, trust me, we are in purple. He wouldn't pose with me again.) He is apparently between sizes because his 4T is too short on him and the 5T I ordered is HUGE! 

M is supporting her Vikes with a Minnie Mouse dress and Vikings socks. Because that's how she does it. 

She has just now started to get really into baby dolls. Now she makes crying noises and says "Oh no! The baby's crying!" Then she gives them a bottle. It's very sweet. 

In school news, it was library day today and I am being beckoned to read the chosen book. So I am off. Happy Monday and Skol Vikings!