I am taking Churchill carpool again because my kid driver, Hyrum, is doing school online this term. A nice thing about that is that he's available to help do carpool in the morning if and when I want. I had him take today so that I could help the girls do their hair and put on some make up for school. They were excited for this big day, it's so fun wear make up and costumes to school!
If 2020 were a normal school year, I would have had a Halloween parade to attend and a 2nd grade Halloween program to attend. But this year was a little less stressful for me since those things were cancelled. (I don't mean to be a grouch, but getting over to the school for those activities usually causes me stress). They still had classroom parties, so it was a win-win: they still got to dress up, and I didn't have to haul toddlers over to the school (like for Sophi's program last year). Sorry you didn't get a Halloween program, Natalie! She never mentioned any sad feelings of missing out on anything, yay. Natalie, you are a cute little pirate.
I'm glad we've gotten our money's worth out of that costume! Abi was the pirate first in 2017, Lily was in 2018, and Sophi last year in 2019, This year Sophi wanted to be a vampire. I had told myself that we were not going to buy anything for costumes this year. They could make due with the big box of costumes that we had. But Corey didn't know I had made that oath, so we bought some vampire teeth for Sophi on our date night with Mel a few weeks ago. Corey was just going to get her those regular kiddie vampire teeth, but I thought these bigger ones would be more official looking/better.
I think I was wrong. These weren't better, cause poor Sophi couldn't talk or open her mouth with them in.
Sorry Soph, that was my bad. I'm sure you'll get lots of little fake teeth today, and you can wear those trick or treating. Also a few weeks ago, she presented me with a drawing of what she was visualizing for her attire. I told her I didn't think I could sew that and tried to lower her expectations... but thankfully Kid to Kid came through and I found two things that I put together for her that was like what she wanted - with the high collar cape and the torn fringe on the skirt. Also the black boots were a good find. One last pic of Sophi sans the vampire teeth. There's my cute little vampire.
Sophi has been a little sad about covid cancelling stuff. She's sad we aren't having the annual pizza party at the neighbor's house, and she's worried that the wax museum and the "School House Rocks" will be cancelled. I tried to comfort her, saying that it's ok to feel sad, and that we'll see what happens, but I also tried to give some perspective that in reality, this trail we are all going through isn't bad compared to what other generations have faced. We can get through this! They will still have a fun day with classroom parties and activities. Off to school.
Last night I did a last minute run to Kid to Kid with Lily so she could find something to wear to school today. And this costume was more my style (aka frugal). Lily bought a "Cat in the Hat" had for $2 bucks (and 50% off!), then we found an old zoot suit from Wes' Little Big Band days, and a little black eye liner on her cheeks - and voilà, perfect!
Pretty cute! Lily showed me how her outfit doubled as a magician
After I got home last night with Lily's costume, Owen wanted to go get a lion costume. I had just seen one there on the rack... I think it was his size... ok - so I grabbed him and we hurried out to go back to Kid to Kid. We grabbed the lion costume. Then he looked around a bit more and said "I think I don't want to be a lion..." And he saw this dragon costume. It was for size 2-4. It kinda looked like it would fit him though, so ok, we got the dragon costume. It was too tight between his legs, so I spent this morning cutting it off and cinching the waist to make it it a dragon dress shirt.
He looked cute riding his bike to the bus stop - pedaling his little feet, in a dragon dress, with his big back pack. Cute cute kindergarteners. And with that, we're done with the school part of Halloween for this year! Now we just have to carve Natalie's pumpkin before trick or treating on Saturday. Should be fun.
We carved pumpkins today - I was very impressed with the children's work - Lily's sick pumpkin ~
Wesley's cannibal pumpkin and Daniel's Superman symbol pumpkin.
Wesley's is very impressive. (Now back to work! and go make your grades look that good!)
Owen is very proud of his Owen Pumpkin. It has his name and number carved in it - Owen 22!
Mel and Hyrum worked together on this "Elmo burning in El Infierno" creation
And Abi's and Natalie. Abi made me laugh so hard when I saw hers. She took FOREVER deciding what to do, and then it actually took her like 2 minutes, so funny, a little face with a carrot nose! Ha!
I helped Natalie draw on hers with our plan of a cat, and she is going to wait to carve it until next week, that way it will last until Halloween. So here's how the day went today - Corey and Mel were going to go to the store and run her errands, but the little boys were following, so we took them for a ride in the car instead. We drove up the canyon and dropped Corey, Sophi, Lily, and Mel off so they could ride down the canyon.
That was at like 11:30. But then I had a car full of little boys that were sad that they didn't go on a bike ride, so I told them I'd take them to the store. I needed help to take 3 boys though. Natalie and Abi came with me and ODP to Costco. We saw a Trump parade driving down state street as we went, Abi thought that was funny. When we got home at 1, our bike riders weren't back yet! But the arrived as we were unloading the groceries from the car. It was Sophi's first time down the mountain, and she did great!
Then it was time to carve.
Everyone working hard.
Owen, a very intense student of pumpkin art.
Hyrum and Mel working on their beautiful Elmo creation.
Testing their work in the bathroom with the candle behind. He like it, but might try to cut the pumpkin thickness a little thinner around the eyes to lighten them up somehow.
While they were doing htat, Corey ran an errand to the music store to pick up instruments that we dropped off for repair. I ran to Kid to Kid to buy Halloween costumes cause they were 50% off today - it worked out good cause Sophi needed some vampire attire. I also found this cute Sulley one for Peter for $3 bucks! (He's so cute!)
Then Corey said he'd take Mel and I up and drop us off. Ok!
That was really fun and beautiful ride, but very bumpy!
I kept thinking of a how President Nelson said recently: “the road ahead may be bumpy, but our destination is serene and secure. So, fasten your seatbelt, hang on through the bumps, and do what’s right. Your reward will be eternal.” Bumpy rides aren't scary or bad, and neither are the last days. Hang on! Do what is right! Be prepared, and it will be ok! Maybe it will even be wonderful. We stopped by the quarry to pick up some rocks for Mel to take on her mission (like Joseph got for his mission)
The granite rocks from the temple quarry, to me, represent: Work, Home, Family, Sacrifice, Commitment, Determination, Covenants, Truth, Eternity, and most obviously Temples!
After we arrived back at home, Corey said Wes had been working hard and they were going to take a quick biking break. I drove them up the canyon.
They made it back home in 20 minutes! "One more time?" Corey asked. "Want to come with us?" It was almost dark, but I said sure, and sure, so Hyrum took us up.
Wes sped home so he could get back at his chemistry homework. Corey went slow with me (but I went decently fast I think!) We were home in 30 minutes. And I didn't crash or fall, yay. The trees were so beautiful, and the sunset was amazing. My heart is full, life is just beautiful. Corey went to pick up Joseph at the Frontrunner Train Station. We are happy to have join us for Mel's "last" day tomorrow. Life is so good.
Well, I'm proud of the kids. I've been feeling like a Halloween bah-hum-bug this week, but they carried on without me, which I appreciate. I didn't want to buy anything new. ...cause we have two very large bins of dress up clothes, and I figured they should be able to figure something out from that stash, and they did or made their own. Natalie and Sophi - Tinkerbell and Jasmine. We went over to a neighbor's house for some pizza and quick pictures.
Hyrum had got Natalie ready for the fun, I got Sophi ready 5 minutes before we left.
Lily was a dog and figured out this costume by herself, even made her puppy ears. They wore their costumes to school today. I told them I wasn't going to make it to the parade but did snap these at the bus stop.
Abi got together her "random cowgirl" outfit. She had to keep clarifying for people at school that she was not Jessie from Toy Story, she was just a random cowgirl.
Wesley stole an idea of Melodie's and made himself a cupcake costume. As he cut and worked on it on Wednesday, I was being a scrooge and said I didn't think it was going to work... "can't you just be a vampire?" I pleaded. No, he wanted to be a cupcake, so I wished him good luck and he came up with this on his own. I did break out the glue gun this morning to help him attach his sprinkles, he didn't ask. They were stuck on with ducktape, but I thought little dabs of hot glue would hold them better and we were able to put more on. Good job Wes, way to keep with your plan even when the nay-sayers (your mom) tried to dissuade you. Never let people tell you you can't do something, and that includes me.
Hyrum didn't know what to be, so that's what he decided to be. He made a question mark out of duck tape on a shirt. When people asked "what are you?" he said "I don't know!" But he also had a few people think he was Dr. Who.
I went and bought candy this afternoon and ate too many KitKats. I finally got a little into the mood tonight and decided to dress up - put together a pirate outfit for myself and I carried Tinkerbell around. Melodie saw my attire and was inspired and got together a quick pirate outfit too.
Ethan and Joseph wore their Zoot Suits from their Caleb band. Melodie decorated our door step, the kids carved the pumpkins on their own tonight, I got the candles. It all came together and they are great kids. After about 10 houses, Lily, Sophi and Natalie were done, so we made out way home and listened to Thriller on the door step and danced our Michael Jackson dances as we passed out candy to trick or treaters.
Great kids. I love them and am glad they are patient with me. And I'm pleased that they are becoming such independent kiddos.
It's that time of year again, the day the kids most look forward to every elementary year - CraZy hAiR dAy! The kids are excited, Ethan's really hoping that he "wins" this year, however that process works.
Our busy and crazy birthday week is over - Sophia had a good birthday yesterday - she is super excited about this new little push or ride toy that Corey's parents gave her, super cute, she's like a queen on parade riding her royal throne, she loves it.
Abi had a happy birthday
too, I didn't share this yet, here's my favorite shot of her, sportin' her new outfit that she
is going to wear "forever" and even to church. Then I said "not to
church, but you can wear it forever." And how she learned to pose like this I do not know...
Lily
is just cuter and cuter every day. I love 3 year olds. Her little
smile and voice is just precious. She was having such fun in the tub
yesterday, very proud of herself that she could put her forhead in the
small stream of water coming from the faucet, it was so cute. I bought
her a little princess dress for Halloween that I gave to her early to
help her little 3 year old mind bear with the injustice of her sisters
getting all these presents without her.
My
mom gave Sophia some bath toys for her birthday, and yesterday as they
took a bath I realized it was the one chance I had where they are all
contained and happy and "cool - I have 5 minutes to read!" So we're
going to have baths as part of our daily afternoon schedule. Happy
Brithday girls.
Lastly, yesterday over at the blog "A Holy Experience" I read this post about cultivating a habit of focus in an age of distraction - she mentions this research that she read:
“So, a study at The British Institute of Psychiatry showed that checking your email while performing another creative task decreases your IQ in the moment by 10 points. This decrease is the equivalent of the effects from not
sleeping for 36 hours—and exhibits more than twice the impact of smoking
marijuana.”
I can believe that IQ drop that comes with frequent email checking. So today, I'm going to finish typing this blog post and then I'm going to turn my computer off and so help me leave it off, and we'll see what blessings come out of it! I'm sure I'll have more time to enjoy my little ones.
The kids had a fun day today. Although that's pretty easy when it's Halloween, right? The morning started with me using my exercise time to do hair and makeup on my girls. I was grateful for the quality time with them, and can I just say how incredibly long all of their eye lashes are! You're welcome, my daughters. I just want you to know that your father's eyes were one of the first things I noticed. I know you're grateful I chose a man with such lovely lashes, that was key in all of you getting those pretty eyes. I put mascara on all of them and just wow, if my lashes looked like that! Mine with mascarea barely look like theirs without. Ok, let's take a picture!
Sophi is Elena of Avalor, she got this costume from Corey for her birthday. She's just been waiting for this day!
Lily is a ballerina -
And Abi's getting older, so she didn't want to do the princess route this year. She's a pirate. AND she wore my boots! They were a little big on her, but still, how did this 4th grader get so big?! She shares clothes with Mel! She's already a young woman.
So after getting them out the door, I hurried and got the little kids ready so we could run out the door to see the parade. Natalie was still asleep. Luckily Corey was able to stay home, so I left her and took Owen and Daniel. Unlike past years, today I made it over with plenty of time to spare, go me. I saw each of the kids, they saw me, so I got credit for attending and my duty was done. Then we headed out.
I grabbed Abi on her way out the door so she could hold Daniel while I adjusted Owen, and took another picture...
One more picture when we saw Sophi in the hall watching the parade. Owen was excited "Sophi!!"
Sophi insisted on wearing her dress up plastic shoes. I told her that I thought her feet would get too cold and could even hurt from wearing those plastic shoes, but she had to be true to the costume and told me when she got home that her feet did not hurt. Ok, I'm glad.
After Sophi got home, I took her to an eye doctor appointment. They did vision screenings at the school and she got 20/50 in one eye and 20/80 in the other. They said I needed to take her in for an eye exam and bring back a signed note. So I made an appt. I was hoping it was just a fluke from her not understanding what was going on. Her eyes weren't that bad, but the opthamologist said it would be good for her to patch her eye again, 2 hours a day. So we're doing that again until her follow up appointment in 4 months. They dilated her eyes so the appointment took 2 hours. I was glad it's not a busy office. I was pretty tired after though. So were the kids! But the day's not over yet! Get dressed again, we're heading over for dinner at the neighbor's house. Wes was a "cool kid".
Owen and Wes eating pizza. Sophi and Natalie posing on the stairs for me.
I took Abi to get a costume yesterday at Kid2Kid and while we were there we saw this little snowman outfit... I couldn't resist buying it. We were excited to dress Daniel up and he didn't disappoint!!
He was the cutest little Olaf there! One funny part was when our old ward bishop came in a big black gorilla costume. Owen grabbed Corey's pant leg and panicked. Not our little D though - Daniel looked fear in the face and held his ground.
The gorilla jumping around trying to get some sort of a reaction...
It was so funny!!
Daniel didn't wet his pants, but he did spill his little cup of water.
Then the gorilla decided to wait for some pizza. Unfortunately for our meek little 2 year old, the gorilla was in line behind Owen.
Owen, you sure you've got a good enough hold of dad's leg?
Dad! Dad!! That gorilla's looking at me again!!!
He didn't yell or freak out, so he's getting braver. It's okay to stay close to dad, you were very brave Owen. All the little kids lined up for a picture. All the big kids still eating pizza.
It was pretty cold so we decided to keep the little ones home. Daniel would have been fun to walk around with, but he can't walk in shoes and so his feet would freeze in his socks. Owen was no good - he wanted Corey to hold him. You can't trick or treat if you won't walk buddy. So they stayed home.
Abi ran off with friends, Lily went with her friend Isa, I took Sophi and Natalie around. Wes joined us for a bit and then they went to watch a movie. So it was just the three of us going around the neighborhood and it was really cute. Not a lot of people home, so the kids mostly took treats from bowls.
We're going to try to get these kiddos to bed now, so I'll post a little more tomorrow, I got two cute videos of the kids after we got home from trick or treating. They are fun, love these kids
