Fall Festivities

It's Halloween night.  It's 10 o'clock and Kevin and I are sitting on the couch after a fun filled Halloween.  I'll admit, enjoying some wine.  I look back at the blur of the last 6 weeks.  A lot of good, some not so good (I could have done without that 2 week migraine, and I'm sure Kevin could have done without the unexpected extra night in Atlanta coming home from Puerto Rico).  But, still, we are blessed with great kids and great family.  Fall is such a nice time of year.  I love the change of seasons and find it interesting how much I crave that change with each passing year.  Summer into Fall is one of my favorite times.  And I really think the kids enjoyed the change this year too.  It was a hot summer.  I love pulling out the sweatshirts, I love the fall colors and I LOVE fall decorations (almost as much as I love Christmas decorations).  But it always goes so fast, and this one was no different.  For us, the last 6 weeks have seen 2 field trips (both of which I accompanied), a 5k (ran/walked by me), 9 parties (too many of which I hosted), a trip to the Pumpkin Patch, 2 weekends of a garage sale, a trip to Wichita for my niece, Ainsley's Baptism, 3 football games, Kevin's birthday celebration, Trick or Treating, and a trip to Puerto Rico for Kevin.  Schwew!  I'm tired.
As I mentioned above, we enjoyed many parties last month.  Some friends from Natalie's grade hosted some great parties.  The Brown's had an afternoon party at their farm, complete with bouncy toys, hayrides and a small pumpkin patch.  They had a fire pit set up as well, and the kids enjoyed making their first real smores.  Nate & Ty didn't eat theirs, of course.  But they sure enjoyed toasting those marshmallows.
And the night before Halloween, the Schwada's hosted a family Costume party.  The kids really enjoyed dressing up with mom and dad to go to a party. Kevin and I were Waldo and Wenda.  We felt it was fitting considering the number of hours we've booked searching for Waldo and his friends this past year.  The kids loved our costumes.  The Schwada's did an incredible job with decorations, and really threw a big bash.  There was a photo booth that the kids loved (we came home with many strips of pics), more bouncy toys, a cotton candy maker, a balloon artist and more.  Wow....needless to say, the kids had a blast.
But by far the most important party of the month, was the Halloween party that Natalie and Lauren hosted.  The idea was hatched one summer day in July (yes, July).  And Natalie, my little event planner, spent a good week or two (in July) planning the party to the tee.  Lauren, who's not quite as interested in making lists and planning details happily went along with what Nattie proposed (thank goodness).  So, there was no getting out of it for Terri and I.  And the invite list?  The ENTIRE 1st grade (of 40 kids!).  We planned to have it outside, so we didn't want to exclude anyone.  The day finally arrived and Natalie and Lauren were ecstatic.  The weather cooperated (Thank God!) even though it was threatening rain just an hour before the party.  Terri & Kevin made a spectacular assortment of Halloween cupcakes, I made popcorn balls (sticky, sticky mess!  But oh so good), we bought decorated cookies and Shu Shu made a Fall chex mix.  And of course, we had the Witches brew.  Keg & Shu Shu volunteered (that sounds so much nicer than forced) to help with crowd control.  While everyone was pretty well behaved, it was hectic at times.  Especially, when everyone wanted to paint their pumpkins first!  Craig was given the nice and tidy job of letting the kids search for eyeballs (grapes mixed into a bowl of spaghetti noodles).  Ewwww....the noodles were sticky and yucky - but the kids loved it.  They wouldn't leave him alone.  We had face painting and pumpkin weighing contests as well.  But, the saving grace of the party was the play set.  I'm pretty sure it was taxed beyond it's limits that day, but it held up.  When the kids were all done with the sweets and food, and were bored with the games they all migrated there.  And had a ball.  Eventually, the 2 hours was up and the parents picked up their kids.  We all took a deep breath and had a beer.  The girls loved it, and we had so many parents tell us how much fun their kids had.  It was a lot of work, but it was worth it.  I only wish Kevin could have gotten off work to join us.
In the midst of this crazy month was Kevin's birthday....#46!  So, we had the family (Boo Boo, K, LoLo, Baby Tsey, Shu Shu & Keggie) over on his birthday.  I made enchiladas and Natalie and I made a cake.  The kids got a kick out of putting all 46 candles on his cake and watching them be lit.  Of course, Kev had a lot of help blowing out the candles.
Finally, Halloween night arrived after a long month of festivities.  Natalie, along with Lauren were Brides this year and they looked perfectly beautiful.  Nathan chose to be a Green Power Ranger and Tyler was a Clone Trooper from Star Wars.  This is the first year they weren't coordinating.  They seemed to notice too.....as they were picking their costumes, they each tried to talk the other into their idea.  But each of them stuck to their guns.  That was a little bit sad for me because as they get older, I know my habit of coordinating their outfits is going to be rejected someday soon.  We continued with our usual Halloween tradition of everyone coming over to our house for dinner - straying from our usual Chili dinner and made Soup and Bread instead.  This year was really a milestone - I'm not sure why.  But the boys were more into Trick or Treating than ever and the girls had no interest in riding in the Red wagon like they always have in years past.  Even the boys rejected riding in the stroller until late in the night.  So, we headed out at dusk for the annual Candy begging.  Natalie and Lauren leading the pack and Nate & Ty close behind - with their usual entourage following (Me, Kev, Terri, Kevin, Trey, Julz & Craig). Our normal slow pace of going house to house, loading the girls in and out of the red wagon and the boys in and out of the stroller was long gone.  The kids dashed from house to house ringing the doorbell.  At one point, Nate excitedly came running out of one driveway into the cul de sac jumping up and down with his arms straight up in the air yelling "I wuv Hawoween!  I wuv Hawoween!) over and over.  It was so cute!  Then, at another house Ty was running towards the door yelling "I wunning supa fast"!  We made such quick time this year, we actually made it up the hill and hit a few houses up on the main street this year!  It was a special night.  And a fun (if not exhausting) month.

At the Pumpkin Patch

Ainsley at her Baptism

All 46 candles lit....Turn off the smoke detectors!

The Hostesses, Natalie and Lauren at their Halloween party

Group Shot of the Halloween party

Our Jack O' Lanterns

Wenda & Waldo

The kids in their costumes

Checking out their loot

Puppy Love

As a mom of 3 I knew I'd have to face the day when the kids started showing interest in the opposite sex.  I always assumed it would be Natalie first since she was the one who seemed so susceptible to a charming (usually ornery) boy who made her laugh. How she loves a good laugh.  But her affection seemed more directed towards the orneriness and laughter than the boys themselves.  Nate gave us our first sign -  this summer during our trip to the lake.  We docked at a restaurant with a beach so the kids could swim and play for awhile.  All of the kids, donned in life vests, were unusually entertaining themselves.  So, the adults decided to enjoy a cocktail on the beach and relax for a bit.  As I'm scanning the swim area for each of the kids, I noticed Nate approach a group of young twentysomething girls.  I couldn't hear the conversation, but quickly he seemed to think impressing them with his rock finding skills was the way to go.  Diligently, I think he found what must have been every rock in this part of the lake.  He then sweetly presented his treasures to each of the girls as if it was the most interesting thing in the world.  To him it was.  The girls seemed to be enjoying him, but I still made a few attempts to lure him away, not wanting him to be a bother.  This only seemed to draw his brother's attention to the situation.  Up to this point, Ty had been practicing his duck head bobbing skills, but now wandered over to see what he was missing.  I'm not sure, but I think I saw my first glimpse of a little wing man action (God help us all).
Nate also has a newfound love for Selena Gomez (actress from the Disney channel). He cut her picture out of a magazine the other day.  I didn't think much of it, since we are constantly cutting up magazines.  But he took that picture with him everywhere that day, showing everyone that would look.  
And the bug finally bit Tyler....at the daycare at my gym.  One day, when I was picking them up, I saw Tyler sitting against the wall with a cute, blonde haired girl reading to him.  He was so proud to announce to me when we were leaving that he made a new friend.  With a twinkle in his eye, he said "Her name is War-ren (Lauren).  Hers six".  Now, every time we go to the gym he wonders if Lauren's going to be there.  And I get the attendance report every time I pick them up.
As much as I'm not ready for this stage of crushes, I can't imagine what it will be like when the real thing starts happening.  Dates, proms, boyfriends and girlfriends, broken hearts.  And all the adult issues we'll have to prepare them for way too early, thanks to society.  I think for now, I'll just sit back and enjoy watching the sweet puppy love stage.  

What a difference a year makes...

Last week was a momentous week for us.  Nate & Ty started their 2nd year of Preschool and their first year at Corpus Christi.  Natalie started 1st grade.  While the routine of a new school year is welcomed, I'm amazed at how quickly the summer went.  It was our first summer "Off" as a family (well, that is, except dad, who is still hard at work taking care of us).  Last summer, I was still a working mom. And the kids were still in Daycare 5 days a week.  So, we went straight from the routine of work/daycare to the routine of school.

This summer, I wish I could say we all slept in every day but these kids aren't sleepers.  Every day seemed to be a race to wake up earlier and earlier to make sure they saw Dad before he left.  Our days were filled with coloring, watching TV, Tennis, TBall, and swim lessons. The kids spent 2 separate weeks at 1/2 day Gymnastics Camp (translation - a break for mom) and we spent many, many afternoons at the pool.  We thoroughly enjoyed the lack of structure (even though it provided so many more opportunities for bickering and fighting).

So, the new school year brings many mixed emotions.  Reluctance, readiness and nervousness for what the new year brings (who knows how many fire alarms there will be in 1st grade this year - more on that later).  I must say, Nate & Ty transitioned wonderfully from St. John's to Corpus.  They were very excited to be at their sister's school - I think it made them feel big.  So, on Monday morning, we all headed to school.  I'd like to say backpacks were in tow - but they weren't.  I guess we weren't quite in our routine yet.  Most importantly, we did remember the camera!  We arrived with the other excited 4 year olds, welcomed by smiling teachers.  We snapped a few pics, and headed inside where the Preschoolers were lining up.  Hesitantly, the boys allowed themselves to be led to the line.  Nate, who is always the more reluctant one to let us leave, ran back over to us.  But we led him back to the line.  My heart tugged just a little as I saw the unsure looks on their face.  With big eyes, they bravely walked with the rest of their new friends into the classroom.  3 hours later, I picked them up smiling and full of confidence, happily telling me about the things they did and who they saw that day.  

There was much excitement around Natalie's first day too.  She is such a planner, and likes to make lists.  So, she dutifully laid out her clothes on the floor the night before (accessories and all).  She made a list of everything she was going to do the next morning to get ready for school, not forgetting anything (even going up or down the stairs).  And let me tell you, she followed that list to the tee.  But if there was a cloud over her excitement, it was the fire drills.  She was excited about starting the 1st grade (after all, she'd been talking about almost being a 1st grader since the day after Christmas) except for the anxiousness of when that first fire drill might come.  If only they could have the drills without those loud alarms!  After many conversations, I still have no idea how to help her overcome this.
First day activities for Natalie proceeded in similar manner to Nate & Ty's.  Pictures, smiles, hugs.  No tears for me this year.

The next day, as we started to settle into a routine, I asked Natalie if she wanted me to walk her up to the school or drop her in the car line.  The same question I asked a year ago.  And I received the same answer.  Drop her off.  This time with much different results.  Last year, I pulled in front of the school and she slowly got out of the car.  She took a few steps, stopped and looked around completely unsure of what to do.  As I drove away, I looked in my rearview mirror and saw her start to cry.  I quickly parked the car, jumped out (leaving the boys behind....it's safe, it's a Catholic school, right?) and led Natalie to her teacher.  A quick hug and kiss later and all was fine.  This year, we pulled up and Natalie had already unbuckled yelling "Hurry, mom!  There's Lauren!"  As soon as I stopped, she confidently bolted out that door quicker than I could yell "Bye!  Have a good Day!".  And she was off with her friends, laughing and giggling.  Wow.....What a difference a year makes.

The Tooth Fairy visits....Finally!

Natalie, at 6.5 years old has been very impatient to enter that Big Kid status of losing a tooth.  Other kids in her Kindergarten class have lost a tooth, so "Why haven't I?" she asked continually at the start of the summer.  One evening, shortly after arriving at her Tball game in late June she comes running out of the dugout.  "Mom!  Wiggle my tooth.  Is it loose?"  Fully expecting to give the same ruling I'd given the previous 50 times she'd asked that question, I reached in and sure enough, wiggled a loose tooth.  Her beaming smile was priceless.  So, for the rest of the game, she had completely lost interest in anything but that wiggly tooth.  Which really isn't that unusual.  It usually only takes a pile of dirt in the outfield for her to become completely oblivious to the game around her, including that ball that whizzed right by her completely unnoticed.
Much to her disappointment (and efforts), about a month and a half went by and still that wiggly tooth was hanging on (with a second tooth joining the ranks as 'loose').  Reading book after book about characters with loose teeth was not helping, either.  And finally!  One Friday at the end of summer, Natalie comes barreling up the stairs into my bathroom to announce (with a smiling, and very bloody mouth) that she lost her first tooth!  She's so excited, she's not freaked out by the blood (thank goodness).  So, we clean the mouth, clean the tooth and gently place it in the tooth box, which has been patiently waiting on Natalie's nightstand all summer.  That night, around 2 am, I was woken up by Natalie excitedly telling me that the Tooth Fairy had come.  "She brought me some gold quarters (dollars) and she sprinkled some fairy dust all over!  Come see!"  I couldn't resist her excitement, but I'm sure I was mumbling loud enough for my husband to hear as I dragged myself out of bed wishing she had discovered the Tooth Fairy the next morning.  He didn't hear.....or so he pretended.
And the next day, at a sleepover with her friend (who also lost a tooth that night) the second one came out.
So, the weekend before she started the 1st grade, Natalie lost her first 2 teeth....officially becoming a Big Kid.