Haunted woods and Halloween parties

Life has been crazy this week.  Caitlyn's play rehearsals seem to be taking over our life.  I get overwhelmed and stressed very easily and this week we have had so much going on.  You add in the anxiety that seems to be my constant companion lately and it is a bad combination.  I have learned this week that I have to stop volunteering for things.  Sometimes I think I can do more than I really can.  It was a good reminder for me that it is okay if I can't do everything.

Last night the cub scouts went to the haunted woods at Camp Tracy.  They needed a driver and Jonah was nervous about it so I went with them.  Jonah was embarrassed that he was scared, but it turned out that a lot of the boys were nervous.  They told them to wear Halloween costumes.  Jonah was a baseball player.  Look at this kid, he is so handsome!

Jonah and Ashton were the only ones that dressed up.  Our group wasn't scheduled to go until 8:00 PM.  It was a really late night, especially for a school night!  They have a guide that takes you around to different cabins.  The theme was Hotel Transylvania.  It was pretty cute and not too scary.  Jonah was relieved that he didn't think it was scary.  We were supposed to have the boys home at 9:30 PM.  We didn't finish until 9:30 PM and then the leaders sat down and ate treats with the boys.  I was getting all nervous and started calling all of the parents to tell them we were late.  We didn't get home until about 10:15 PM.  The boys had fun though.

Caitlyn and Jonah had Halloween parties today.  I volunteered because Keith was going to take time off of work for it.  It turned out that he had a meeting that he couldn't get out of, so I had to take Hallee and Wyatt with me.  Mel and mom offered to watch the kids, but logistically it would have been tough because they had Halloween parades at the same time.  I decided to just take them along.  It worked out great in Jonah's class.  I was worried about his teacher because she is a little on the ornery side, but she was really nice and even had Hallee and Wyatt join in.  His classroom is really big so there was plenty of room.

Jonah's favorite activity was the pumpkin bowling.  I'm so glad there are mom's out there that will plan these parties.  I can go and help, but I would hate to plan the whole thing!  Jonah had a lot of fun and I had fun getting to know some of the kids better.

Here he is with his best buddy, Gaven.  I texted Gaven's mom some pictures since she couldn't be there.  Have I mentioned that I love my new phone?

After Jonah's we headed up to Caitlyn's class.  Her classroom is a lot smaller and there were a ton of parents there to help.  We kept getting in the way so we just stayed for a minute.  I felt bad because I know she was disappointed, but it just didn't work to have Hallee and Wyatt in that crowded room. 

Caitlyn is always good at being positive and she said it was fine even though I know she wanted us to stay.  Caitlyn has been really struggling with her teacher being out on maternity leave.  She was so sad to hear that her teacher isn't coming back, which is what I figured all along. Caitlyn got a new substitute today that will be there for a month and then Jonah's old Kindergarten teacher who has been on a mission will be taking over the class on December 8th.  I'm thrilled that Ms. Jen will be Caitlyn's teacher, I just wish we didn't have to wait another month.  She is still on her mission for a few more weeks and they are holding the position for her.  I hope she can come in and clean up the mess from all of the substitutes and inconsistency that these kids have had.  Jonah is a little jealous that Ms. Jen will be Caitlyn's teacher.  I'm pretty sure he has a big crush on her and thinks he has a shot since she isn't married! Ha!

Costume Parade

Yesterday was Wyatt's Halloween Party at pre-school.  He was so excited!

Wyatt loved his Fantastic Four costume, especially the big muscles!

Wyatt's teachers told me to bring Hallee in her costume for the trick-or-treating and costume parade.  Hallee looks so adorable as Doc McStuffins.  I found this costume for really cheap after Halloween last year.  Hallee likes the show now, so it worked out perfectly. 

The parade was supposed to be the first thing, but they had to change it to the end of pre-school.  Unfortunately, Keith was already on the way there and he didn't hear his phone.  They were having free breakfast at Chick-fil-A so we went there instead.  Keith was disappointed that he would miss the parade, but he had to get back to work.

My mom came to watch the parade too.  The kids love when grandma comes!

I was surprised to look up and see Keith right before the parade started.  He said he didn't want to miss it so he just left work again. He is such an involved father and I love it!  I'm so glad that his job is flexible and allows him to do things like this.

Wyatt was so cute.  They walked around the fitness center and went trick-or-treating to all of the employees around the fitness center.  Wyatt was smiling the whole time!

Hallee loved it too.  She has a major sweet tooth so she is always thrilled to get some candy!

I have to add this other picture from the pumpkin patch.  Somehow I missed it for the other blog post.  This picture captures Hallee so well.  She is usually happy, but when she gets mad you better look out.  She can give some nasty looks!  It makes me laugh!  I don't even know why she was mad in the picture.  Half the time I don't even know why she is mad!

FHE

Last night we had our Halloween meal.  We had mummies, ghosts, fingers and pumpkins.  The kids thought the meal was fun.

After dinner we made and decorated cookies.  I got pretty frustrated with my kids this weekend and their lack of appreciation.  I know it is very normal for kids, especially these days, to not appreciate what they have and realize how good they have it.  I realized the other day that I need to point out things they should be grateful for.  They don't think about all of the things that people do for them.  We had a lesson about showing gratitude and made cookies to take around to their primary teachers.  It was fun to go out together and deliver them.  The ones that were home were really excited and loved seeing the kids.  Keith and I also took some cookies to our visiting and home teaching families.  While we were out I had the thought that we needed to take some cookies to a family that we both used to home and visit teach.  We had a really good visit with this guy and I felt really good after.  Sometimes I hear other people's experiences with following the Spirit and wonder why I don't have big experiences like that.  I am realizing that I have them too, they just aren't huge things like I think they should be sometimes.  They are small little things that make my life and hopefully other people's lives a little bit better.  We all felt good last night and I hope my kids learned something.

Wyatt made the cutest card for his teacher.  I love the size of the letters and letter placement on his card.  I love the stage where the kids think they can put the letters anywhere and they still make words. 

Caitlyn and Jonah were excited for crazy hair/pajama day.

Hallee cracks me up.  She acts so old sometimes.  In the car she sings along to the radio.  She knows so many of the songs.  Today she was running around telling me that she had to do her French homework.  Today she kept saying she had to do her Barbie's hair.  She kept going into the bathroom and grabbing brushes and hairspray and rubber bands.  She has also started singing the ABC song, it is adorable. She could entertain me all day.

Field Trip for Wyatt!

First I have to show off this adorable picture of Hallee.  Look at that hair.  I love her hair, it is so beautiful!  She wants braids all of the time now so her hair was curly when I took the braids out this morning.  Love it!

Today was Wyatt's first field trip.  He was so excited.  He got to ride on the bus.  I was a little nervous about sending my four-year-old on the bus.  He wasn't nervous at all and couldn't wait to get on. How did he grow up so fast?

Hallee was so excited that she got to come too!  We followed the bus.  Hallee gets mad at me when I stop in the car, she will  yell, "drive mom!"

We went to Peterson Family Farms.  They had one of the farmers talk to the kids.  He was so good with them and all of the kids were listening to everything he said.  Here is Wyatt, who apparently forgot to button up his jeans!

They also had a petting zoo.  Wyatt got right up there and pet the goats.

We got to go on a wagon ride around the farm.  Of course Hallee was scared!  It was so great to watch Wyatt interact with the other kids.  Sometimes I worry about him because he is so sensitive, I go back on forth on if he will be ready for Kindergarten next year.  The more I watch him the more I realize that he just isn't a rough and tumble kid.  He is very different from Jonah.  He loves to sit down and learn and listen.  He doesn't have a problem holding still or following directions.  He does get overwhelmed with a lot of people and he doesn't like crowded places. He likes to rough house, but only in a controlled environment.  I love his funny, happy personality.

They each got to pick a pumpkin to take home. 

Hallee was so excited to get her own pumpkin.

Here is Wyatt with his class and his two teachers.  I am really impressed with his pre-school.  He loves it! 

Busy Weekend!

We had a crazy weekend.  On Friday night while we were at the hockey game Caitlyn was at Grace's party.  These two girls are so cute.  They are so similar and such good friends.  I love listening to them talk.  Allison was so great and brought Caitlyn home after the party since we were out. My mom came over and watched Hallee and Wyatt while we were all gone.  They were so excited to play with grandma.  Caitlyn was sad that she missed being here with grandma, but she had a blast at Grace's party.

On Friday right before Jonah's party we had Keith's company Halloween party. The kids love this.  We didn't stay too long this year because we had to get home, but they had fun trick-or-treating.

They were all excited to see Mcgruff the crime dog.  Hallee wanted to talk to him from far away, but she didn't want to get close to him.

The kids all looked cute in their costumes.  We have Doc Mcstuffins, Gordon Hayward, a doctor and the thing from fantastic four.

Saturday was crazy.  Keith had to work and all of my kids had something.  Caitlyn had play rehearsal in the morning.  Jonah had a soccer game and Wyatt had a birthday party at the same time.  Luckily I was able to carpool to the birthday party so I could get Jonah to his game on time.  Jonah is so excited to be playing sports again. Sitting football out because of his leg was so hard for him.  We both really liked the coach and he is playing with some friends from school.  Jonah played a great game! 

Saturday night Katelyn invited Caitlyn to her ward Halloween party.  They had a lot of fun.  I love when people send me pictures!  I started at 8:00 AM and I didn't stop or even sit down until 5:00 PM.  It was a long day.  I'm still getting used to my life revolving around the kids' schedules instead of the other way around.

Scouts and Activity Days

I can't believe that Jonah is in cub scouts.  He sure is a handsome one!  When we moved in this ward six years ago I was in scouts and it is crazy to think that I have a boy that old now.   He loves scouts.  He has had a lot of fun so far.

We had his first pack meeting last week.  He got some belt loops that he had earned from camp.  He had fun doing the skit with the other boys.

On Thursday we had our Halloween party for activity days.  Caitlyn loves activity days.  It is fun to be in there with her.

We had a fun party, we played a few games and decorated cupcakes.  It is hard because we have all of the girls 8-12 years old and they are all on different levels.  I think they all have fun though.  I have a new partner and I love working with her.  She is always there and fun to work with, it makes a big difference!

Friend Party

Jonah had his birthday party with his friends on Friday.  I always stress about these parties because I worry about entertaining kids, especially rowdy boys!  If I could guarantee good weather I would just let the boys play outside.  I think they could do that for hours and be happy!  Anyway, this year I had the idea to take the boys to a hockey game for Jonah's birthday.  Ben used to work for the Grizzlies so he got us free tickets.

He also got them to wish Jonah happy birthday on the jumbo tron.  I think Jonah was more excited about that than anything else.  I was so grateful for Katie and Ben for arranging all of this for us.

I told Jonah he could invite four friends since that is how many kids we could fit in our van.  He ended up inviting two boys from school and the two boys from next door.  All of them were so excited and were going crazy in the car on the way to the game.

They all enjoyed the game.  After listening to them in the car I was worried they would be crazy at the game, but they all sat down and loved watching it.  We had really good seats. 

Because we didn't have to pay for the tickets it was easy to justify buying treats for the boys while we were there.  I told them they could all have some money and pick one thing or we would buy them all a soda and a few popcorns to share.  They all voted for the soda and popcorn.  Jonah loved every minute of it.  He loves sports and he loves being with his friends so this night was perfect for him.  It was great for me because I didn't have to stress about planning or hosting a party. 

Is it tomorrow?

Wyatt is such a funny kid.  He always makes me laugh.  He gets so excited about everything.  When I tell him about something fun we are doing the next day he always says, "is it tomorrow?"

My mom made Halloween cookies with the little kids this week.  Hallee and Tessa were hilarious to watch.  They both kept eating the dough and licking the forks.  The girls had so much fun and we all had fun watching them.

I love this girl.  She is a spit fire!  While we were shopping this week she got mad at me and took off running in the store.  It took me a minute to find her a few isles down.  She was pouting and giving me the evil eye.  I kept her in the cart for the rest of the shopping trip!

Wyatt and Rockwell had fun making the cookies, but they were anxious to get back to playing.  I love all the fun things my mom does with the kids.  They will have so many fun memories with grandma.

Today we had to run over to my mom's so Keith could help with their computer so the older two got to make cookies with grandma too.  Caitlyn adores her grandma.  In school she had to write about someone she admired and she wrote about my mom.  It was so sweet.

The kids had fun making cookies.

Hallee was so excited with her treat bag from nursery today.  They spoil the kids on holidays and give them a ton of treats. 

Jonah bought a kindle yesterday.  Someone was selling one with a case for $25.  He had some birthday money so he bought it.  It is a nicer one than mine.  Caitlyn is so sweet and was so excited for him to have his own even though she had to pay a lot more for hers.  Wyatt took over my kindle and everyone was happy!

Keith and I have had some fun dates lately.  We went and saw Meet the Mormons one night. It was a great show.  I didn't really know what to expect, but I loved it.  On Friday we went to Olive Garden for lunch.  Keith's team gave him a gift card for bosses' day.  We decided we were just going to splurge and use the whole gift card for lunch so we both got extra things that we normally wouldn't.  We ended up getting free dessert too.  It was so nice to go to lunch and not worry about prices!