Halloween 2011

This is my fourth Halloween post on this blog.  I can't believe I've been doing this for this long.

Last night we carved pumpkins for Halloween.  A was at a friend's house so I drew the face.  She got home in time to finish carving.



B drew his face all by himself and I carved.



J, after lot of coaxing and telling him he could do it by himself, finally came up with a face design.  He carved about half and his hand got tired so I finished it up for him.





The kids and their pumpkins



Here's pretty much the same picture from two years ago. My how they have grown.



Here are my trick or treaters, Purple Cow, Scary Frankenstein/Black Hood Guy and Desert Commando



Here is J scaring the neighbors



They closed off a couple of blocks to cars for trick or treating.  We went to friend's house for pizza & bbq dinner.  After an hour or so of kids running around like crazy, I headed back home to hand out candy.  DH stayed with the kids.

Handing out candy was interesting.  I had just as many adults not in costume begging for treats as children.  I really wanted to say something but I was nice and handed them one piece instead of two!

Nest

Friday night the boys were playing in the backyard at the cousins' house. B found a cool bird's nest under the tree.  The bottom was full of plastic bits and fluff.  It was very neat to see how they build a nest with anything they find.

Croque Monsieur

A's volleyball team made the playoffs.  The game was scheduled Wed night at 6:30 in BFE.  Really far south and east, across the city in the middle of rush hour.  Fun!  In addition to the playoff game we had an appt for J at 4 and a rescheduled soccer game for B at 5:30.  Originally the Rangers were suppose to play game 6 of the world series.  Thankfully it rained in St. Louis and helped me out.  DH took A to the game and didn't miss the any of the playoffs.

They won the game and stopped at La Madeline for dinner.   A had a great night.  DH had a croque monsieur for dinner.  One small bite and A was totally in love.

So much in love that she requested it for dinner last night.  I said sure and she could help make it.




With sauce for A


Without sauce for the boys


A handled the salad and making some of the sandwiches.  I handled the sauce.  It was delicious.  I told A that next time she needed to make the bechamel herself.

Her volleyball team plays again on Tuesday night.  They play St. Marks, the first team they ever played, the team that beat them in the preseason tournament and went on to win the whole thing,  the team that is 7-0 for the season.  Doesn't look for got D2-White, but it could happen.   Go Bearcats!

Disappointment

That's DH and A's celebration dance. I took this picture convinced that it was going to be a celebratory "We won the World Series!!!!" post.  Josh Hamilton had just ended his post season home run drought to put the Rangers up by 2 in the 10th.

Unfortunately, those Cardinals tied it up in the bottom and then got a home run in the 11th to win game six.

It was just one more strike.  That's all we needed.  Twice.  And it didn't happen.  We're so sad.  And tired from staying up late.  And unsure if they can come back from that disappointing loss.  I hope tonight's game goes better.

i feel awful

Today is 3rd grade farm day.  They go to school dressed as farmers and do pretend farm activities.  Part of it is a pie contest.  They try pies and vote on the best one.  J had to bring in a pumpkin pie from a specific store.  I went to purchase it last night and they didn't have fresh pumpkin pies, it was a premade, prepackaged pumpkin pie.  I talked to the bakery manager and he said they only make fresh pumpkin pies at holiday time.

I came home very worried about the pie.  I know I shouldn't be worried about the pie, but the mom in charge of Farm Day is a bit of a stickler and I'm being very nice with my adjectives.  I decided to call another friend who also volunteered to bring a pie and see if they had found one at another store. 

I called the dad, no answer.  I called the mom's cell, no answer.  I called the house.  Lots of ringing and then finally the boy answered.  I asked if I could speak to his mom.  He said he wasn't sure.  I heard him asking her if she could talk.  Then he asked me to call his dad and have him call home.  I really didn't know what was going on.  I asked again if I could speak to his mother.  She finally got on the phone and sounded awful.  I asked if everything was okay.  She said she slipped trying to get to the phone and hit her face.  I asked if she needed to me to come over.  She asked me to call her husband who was up at school.  I told her I had just tried his cell but no answer.  School is notorious for bad reception.  I hung up and tried him again but no answer so I sent him a text.  I called back to let them know and the older brother said they had talked to the husband and he was on his way home.

This morning, the mom called.  She needed some extra stuff for Farm Day.  I immediately asked how she was doing.  She had to go to the hospital and got 20 stitches in her nose and lip. 

I feel awful.  She was going to get the phone because I was calling.  She was rushing to get to the phone because she was on call and was worried that it was work.  Nope, it was me calling about a silly pie.   I practically punched her in the face and split her lip open.   20 stitches.  Oh my.

I think I'll make some chicken soup for her tonight. 

World Series Game 4

I still can't believe the Rangers made it back to the World Series.  So exciting.  We sold our tickets to game 3 on Saturday night.  We had Autumnfest.  DH couldn't leave.  We made enough money to pay for all our post season tickets.  It was a hard decision but it worked out great.  I'd much rather have the 4K then have watched that debacle.

DH and I had tickets for Sunday night.  Honestly, after the long weekend, I felt cranky and tired and not altogether excited about going to a baseball game.   DH and his father wanted to go sit in the parking lot and watch the Cowboys game on tv.  I had no desire to spend the afternoon sitting in a parking lot.  I don't like the Cowboys that much.  Part of me wanted to skip the game completely.  S#5 was coming over to babysit (on her birthday no less) but her friend was coming into town at 2pm.  I didn't want to make her spend all day with the kids and miss seeing her friend.  I finally decided to meet DH out there later in the afternoon.  It all worked out for the best.  I got there early enough to get a parking space and enjoy a brat and a port-o-let before the game.





They did a live Stand Up To Cancer event in the 5th.  Not sure how it played on tv, but we held up our sign for our friend Michelle.





I was nervous about attending this game.  I hadn't seen a playoff win in Rangers history.  That goes back to 1996.  I definitely felt like a jinx.  I went to the Rangers game last year when poor "cousin" Derek Holland was drubbed in relief.  Memories are still strong.  Luckily the outcome was better this time around.   Derek pitched so well.  Despite the smarmy mustache, he had a really great game.  The stadium was so loud when they pulled him in the 9th.   Feliz came and closed it out.





I finally got to see a post season win.  The jinx is over and it was a fabulous night.  I'm so glad I didn't let my grumpy tired self ruin the evening.   I'm tempted to take our extra ticket for tonight and go again.  The practical mother side of me will probably win out.  I'll drive the kids to the doctor and volleyball and ballet and feed them and finally settle down on the couch to watch another good night of baseball on tv.

Autumnfest

Saturday was the PTO's big fall fundraiser, Autumnfest.  DH was the man in charge of Dad's Club volunteers.  It sounded like a harmless job when he took it a year ago.  Not so much.  It put him in charge of set up and break down and clean up.  He pretty much spent the weekend at school.  He's already taken himself out of the job for next year.  He volunteered to head up the beer tent, much more his style.

Saturday was a long day.  We started at 8am for A's soccer game.  Then headed to A's 9:45 volleyball game.  We had a quick stop at home to change and play with the dog a little bit.  Poor Frankie has spent a lot of time alone this week, he needed attention.   Finally after 12:00, we headed up to school. 

A took off the minute she got there and I don't think I saw her until she wanted more money a few hours later.  The boys discovered the beauty of going to Autumnfest early, no lines.








We left mid afternoon to go to J's baseball game.  Boys weren't too happy about leaving but at least J's team won.  We went home to change and headed back up to the school.  Boys ate junk food.  B played in the video game truck.  J won at the cake walk multiple times.  The secret is to get in line 30 minutes before it closes when they draw 10 numbers each round.

I finally took the kids home around 10pm.  DH stayed to watch the end of the Rangers debacle and then helped with break down.  He was out until almost 1am.  It was a long day but a good one.  I'm glad we have another year to rest before we have to do it again.

State Fair field trip

J is in 3rd grade this year so he got to go on the State Fair field trip.  A's class was the first one to go on the field trip and it has become a tradition.

This year was even easier than when I went with A.  So many parents volunteered to chaperone that I only had to watch over J.   I think he had a good time.   We went later in the run of the fair so most of the show animals were gone.   I wish we had been able to tour the animal rather than the cotton gin demonstration we went to instead.  Oh well, at least there weren't any awkward questions about bull body parts this year.


J at the milking demo



Boys at the Mounted Police sessions



Boys in front of Boris



Boris (who is amazingly still alive after seeing him in 2008 with A)









J feeding a llama



Evil ostrich pecking at the feed.



We did get to experience nature in the petting zoo. A goat gave birth.  We were across the pen so the pictures are great but if you look closely you get the idea.



It's coming





And it's born





The boys thought it was cool until the nanny goat stood up and there was placental matter still exiting.  That grossed them out and we moved on.

State Fair 2011

We had a long fun day at the fair.


 
Butter Statue



Dog Show



Goat Judging



Chinese Acrobats



Giant Swing



Motorcycle ride



Pumpkin Carving



Lost tooth



Big gap



Fletcher's Corny Dogs



Deep Fried Grilled Cheese

My Friday Afternoon

This afternoon I was suppose to get a whole lot done.  Figure out Halloween costumes for kids, make rice krispie treats to get rid of extra marshmallows, learn how to plant garlic, plant said garlic, etc

Instead my car battery died while picking the kids up from school.  Fortunately I was down the block from my mother who loves jumper cables.  The oldest niece was at home and she happily drove me back to my car to jump it.  Unfortunately, my battery was way dead.  Niece's jumper cables didn't work.   Fortunately, the crossing guard from school hadn't left.  He had super duper jumper cables and got me back in business.   Unfortunately, the battery was so dead I still couldn't get the sliding door to close.  I had to drive with it half way open until I turned a corner and centripetal force helped me out.  Fortunately, Mom watched my kids and Firestone wasn't too busy and could take my car right away.  Unfortunately, Firestone cannot tell time and I found out 30 minutes really means over an hour.

By the time I got home with a new battery, I had just enough time to feed my children Caeser Ceasar $5.55 pizza and take the boys to the Cub Scout Pack 712 meeting.  I don't normally do cub scout stuff.  I do girl scouts, DH is in charge of all things in cub scouting.  Tonight he was out, we had to go turn in the popcorn sales stuff, so unfortunately I went to my first Pack meeting.






Fortunately, soon after we arrived, DH showed up.  I waiting to see J carry in the flag, saw the Den 9 presentation and headed out.

I still have time to read up on growing garlic before bedtime.  Not all was lost.

Lazy Sunday Afternoon

Since school and sports have started, our lives are back to crazy busy.  We were lucky this weekend to have a very quiet Sunday.  We did nothing.  Well, not nothing, but nothing organized, pre-planned, sport or school oriented and it was lovely.

DH went tail-gating and camping the last two weekends and enjoyed smoked pork butt both times.  He decided he had to try smoking some himself.  Not only did he make a delicious dinner, he made the boys laugh all afternoon any time anyone said "pork butt".




The boys re-discovered their dried out sunflowers and harvested them for roasting.




The kids convinced Frankie to climb on the loveseat.  I wasn't thrilled that they were encouraging him to climb on furniture.  I will give them credit for putting a blanket over the cushion wouldn't be covered in dog hair.




I'm not sure when we'll get another free day.  So glad we got to enjoy this one while it lasted.

The Last First Camp Out

DH & B went Y Guides camping this weekend.  B has been looking forward to this first camp out since J went on his.  He was probably 2 years old.  That's a lot of anticipation.  Luckily I think the weekend lived up to his expectations.


They did absolutely everything.

Fishing







Horseback riding on Lefty




BB guns




Archery




Rock wall climbing




Hiking




He had so much fun!