And just like that... November.

November. How is it possible?

If you missed it on the 'gram our Halloween was quite successful.

We did just the street behind ours in a loop and it was good. Their buckets were heavy. M had to give up carrying hers because it kept bumping her leg and she'd say "ow." Of course she didn't appreciate the help because she just wanted her candy. It was also the nicest Halloween weather I could have imagined. It was like 65. Which is perfect, not cold but just cool enough to wear a beard. 

Today was C's first day at school in a week so it's been kind of a harsh dose of reality. The holiday is over and then just like that all the normal! It sounds like the day was good and he brought home book order forms which are like his favorite things. He loves looking at the pictures of the books. 

M had her two-year-old well check today which included a flu shot for herself and C got one too. All was well with her. One kid yelped, one kid just looked mad and they both got yellow "bam-baids" so that's about as good as you can hope for at the doctor's office. We love Dr. Julie! I am so thankful that I know my pediatrician! 

November means Christmas shopping for me. I like to just sit back in December and enjoy. My shopping list is made for the most part so that's good. 

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!