Happy Halloween!

We started the day off with green monster smoothies....

When I gave B his, I said "It's a green monster smoothie.  Are you scared?"

He looked at me and with his dry sense of humor said, "Terrified, just terrified."

Because their class had projects due for a book of their choice, they had to dress as a character in their book.

Brian chose Caps for Sale

and AC chose an Amelia Bedilia book.

We had big plans to trick-or-treat downtown this afternoon, at our church's trunk-or-treat, stop for a quick dinner, and then I would get the baby girls to bed while T and my dad (thank goodness he was here! the extra hands were appreciated and loved!)  took the big kids out in our neighborhood.

This pretty much sums up the result of those plans...

It was proclaimed to be "the best Halloween ever" and now they are all tucked in their beds anxious for the Great Pumpkin to make a visit, take away their candy (minus 7 pieces, because they are 7 years old) and in return, leave a little happy.

Happy, happy Halloween to you all!

Saturday Ramblings

It was a chilly morning at the soccer fields this morning.

 The girls were entertained by B and his friend who pushed them up and down an empty field "playing soccer."  They were so funny kicking their legs and shrieking with delight!

At the fall festival yesterday, AC and B won a certificate for a free goldfish a local pet store.  Since we have given the dogs a new home, they have been begging for a pet. Nana and Papa were here visiting and bought them each an additional fish.

Meet Isabella and Elizabeth

and Phineas and Ferb.

Really hoping these fish are lower maintanence than the 2 puppies were.  At least they can't eat through the HVAC lines 3 times in the middle of the summer, so I like them already.

Phew!

Today was our school's fall festival....

as I whipped my camera out to capture the delights

, of course, no memory card was flashing on the camera...

at this point it's funny how often this happens.

So, I will capture the highlights:

• the kiss the pig contest, which included a 80 lb. pot-bellied pig wearing a gold and turquoise dress, a wig, and painted toes and lips was a complete hit and had the kids so excited!
• The weather did not work with plan and the cold, drizzly weather meant we had to rework the plan...it went off beautifully.
• I left feeling absolutely blessed to be part of this school...it is a rare and beautiful gift.

Goodness, where has the week gone?

Is it really Thursday already?

Between after-school activities, projects at school, appointments, homework, church activities, home projects (nothing exciting enough to share just trying to clear out the attic before Hoarders awards us as their next contestant), I don't know where the week has gone.

So, I leave y'all with a photo dump and great excitement for a fun (slower- paced?) weekend,

A Great E-Book

I have enjoyed reading Melissa's fresh and authentic approach to decorating at The Inspired Room for years, so I was super excited to have an opportunity to preview her new e-book, which is available today at http://notadiydiva.com/.


As a not-so-great-diy'er, I love the title!  Melissa's down to earth approach and advice to making a home beautiful is so refreshing at a time when many of us are bombarded with elaborate projects on Pinterest and shelter magazines...

Congratulations, Melissa, your book is fantastic!

Small(er) Town Living

When looking to relocate T's business and our family 4 years ago, we had the opportunity to choose anywhere in the Southeast....one of the small list of privleges in owning your own business during these times.
 After visiting many places we visited our current town...and then we visited again...and again.
We both agreed it just felt right for our family.
It wasn't a suburb (nothing wrong with the 'burbs, it just wasn't what we wanted), the pride of community was amazing, and it was very family-focused.
As we walked around at our town's fall art show and festival today, I was reminded of how blessed we feel to be part of this community. 
We know every other person we pass:  hugs are exchanged, we see teachers, Sunday School teachers, old friends, new friends, many laughs are exchanged because B dumps his funnel cake all over the baby girls in the stroller, a sweet friend has a booth with cameo lockets which AC has been dying for...
They know our story, we know their's.
It isn't perfect,
we have shed a lot of tears..over babies born too early, not at all...marriages that were facing trouble, marriages that didn't make it...financial troubles, children trouble, you name it.
But as we left the festival, T and I both looked at each other and said how happy we are with our decision to move here.
After 4 years, it still just feels right.

The Week in Pics..

This week is our school's homecoming, so the kids got to dress up every day for spirit week.

I'm especially grateful that we wear uniforms after the drama one of my children caused over finding an appropriate outfit for every day!

 Blast from the past day- the love for this costume hasn't faded.

Brian went as a 1980's boy, but he wasn't in a picture taking kind of mood Monday.

Tuesday was tacky twin day.  B and his 2 friends who also play football planned to wear their uniforms...done.

AC and her friend spent a hour on the phone coordinating....a very exhausting hour that had me thinking it might be best if we move to a deserted island for the teen years.

 Wednesday was crazy hair day.....they asked me to make thir hair really big...

 what they didn't know is I'm quite efficient at teasing seeing that I was slightly of the generation who had "the bangs."

 Thursday was dress as your favorite super hero, book/movie character.  B went as a Marine.

Apparently MC is loving the uniform and B is super happy.

 AC as Kit Kittredge and as equally happy.

 Today was spirit day and since I didn't get a picture this morning I got one at the pumpkin patch this afternoon.

 This is the best of the bunch for a group shot.  Fitting, really,  as it seems we are headed in a million directions lately.

a shot from last year at the pumpkin patch...

LJ was loving these little pumpkins, so she of course came home with one!

So excited for a great weekend and hope y'all have one too!