The Halloween Party 5 years in the making...

We were finally able to throw a Halloween party for the kids. There are 6 of them (at this point) and for about 5 years my sister and I had been talking about throwing a Halloween party for them. It started when her Ryan was born, really.

This was the year. Jen and Jeff were even able (and willing) to drive from Denver to celebrate the best holiday ever (in my opinion). The big night was set to happen on Saturday, October 30th.

It was difficult to get the kids to hold still for paltry pictures when there were Pixy Stix to be devoured. Here we have Tinkerbell, Storm Trooper, and Blue Crayon.

We played games. This one quickly turned into a marshmallow fight. I mean, come on. It IS more fun to throw marshmallows at your uncle rather than a pumpkin bucket.







Then it was time to decorate the cupcakes. Simple, really. You only need frosting,  oreos, candy corn, and Junior Mints. Oh - and a cupcake.

We later went trick-or-treating. We ended up in Farmington to do this. You should have seen my brother's house. Very cool. Pictures do it no justice, I'm afraid. This is a video of a window scene they had playing all night. Me likey.

Getting Schooled

Emily started preschool. Her first day was September 1st. And I heard everyone talking about how they grow up so quickly, next thing you know, they'll be graduating from high school. But I will be honest, she couldn't get in there fast enough, as I couldn't drop her off quickly enough.

Now I am not sure if some of the mothers were tearing up was because of the emotional moment they were having, or if it was from the dust my car kicked up as I sped off....either way, I'm still a good mother.

Haunted by Ritz Crackers

Here's a strange story.

Some years ago, not too long after we had just moved into our house, I came home from work and went downstairs to find a small but noticeable pile of cracker crumbs in the middle of the family room floor. Centered in front of the TV and between the ottoman and the sectional. Upon further inspection, they were Ritz Cracker crumbs. There they sat, no other sign of crumbs or disruption anywhere else in the room.

A week or two later, I was doing laundry. While folding the whites, I pulled out a pair of underwear. (Tighty-whities, as you've probably heard of.) Now. Andrew does not wear this particular style . I do not wear this particular style. They were quite small, and this is way before we even had Emily. They were the size of a pre-teen boy. The waist size was faded, and I could not read the tag.

There are 3 explanations to this. 1- The house is haunted by white things. 2- Andrew is secretly eating Ritz in his underwear when he comes home for lunch (in underwear 3 sizes too small, mind you). Or 3- the teen girls that used to live with their family here still have keys and have cracker parties with their boyfriends while we're at work. Now you choose. Of these three explanations, is there one better than the others?

Regular Suits

We were lucky enough to be invited to go the Bear Lake condo that family of family has access to. Emily and I practically invited ourselves, but nonetheless, we got to go. When I was rounding up the (it seems like) millions of things that a preschooler needs for a simple overnight trip, I got Emily's Charlie and Lola backpack to put her things in. She was just falling asleep as I was taking it from her room, and she quietly asked why I needed it. I told her that I needed it to pack her swimsuit. She said, "Ok," As I was walking down the hall, she quickly added, "But I need some just regular suits, too."

Sign of the Times

I know you've all seen them. The signs. Do they really think that's what I was waiting for? Do they really think that a guy dancing on the corner waving at me holding his sign for a free cell phone or tax preparation assistance would be the final straw to get me in the door? If anything, it's deterred me from doing so.

I almost feel bad for these guys. Not so much on those days with fantastic weather. But for the most part, I bet they don't get paid enough to wave at perfect strangers while "shaking it". And then I think, with some headphones and some over-sized sunglasses, I guess it wouldn't be THAT bad. Get a nice tan from the sun (albeit one with some evil farmer lines), fresh air by being outside all day (although you mostly just breathe the car fumes at the assigned intersection), and listening to tunes all day (hope they didn't forget to charge the ipod or Zune last night).

My favorite is a guy that works not 4 blocks from our house. He works for Big Daddy Pizza (which is really not ANYBODY'S Daddy when it comes to good pizza). He is on the corner of 7th West and 5th South every weekday and sometimes Saturdays. He appears to be about 45-50 years old. He has a big yellow sign advertising the $5 pizza being offered (may as well eat your $5 bill). This sign is on a big wooden stake, and it stands a bit taller than his 6ft frame. He has his sign and his supplies, usually consisting of a water cooler, a fat book, and a bag with snacks, etc. I don't have a problem with him being there overall, but I am really curious as to what he gets paid hourly. He takes his sign, sticks it in the ground and it stands independently. He then settles in for a hard days work and sits to read his book. He gets paid to read his book, while the guy working next to him literally dances for his peanuts. Is it because the deli (employer) of the guy #2 is within eye-shot of his employing establishment? Pizza man is getting away with something.

I've thought of calling Big Daddy's and letting them know they may as well just post a sign there. Not pay anyone because he doesn't do anyone any favors. (The dancing deli guy is doing all the work, attracting all the attention with his boot-scootin'-boogie moves.) Then again, I could also ask if they were hiring for a sign position. I could post one in my yard and get paid by the hour whilst eating bon bons and watching Oprah. Because that's what stay at home mothers do.

The Birds and Bees

12/03/08 (3 years 6 months)

At one point, Emily made it clear to me that she believed that her dad and I had purchased her in the hospital. (Worth every penny!) I started to explain where babies come from, and told her that she grew in my body until she was big and strong enough to come out. She then asked me how she got into my body. For some reason I had not seen the red flashing lights before I started the conversation that I would have to explain this in some way. Another "gift" that Emily has is that she is VERY logical. This is a pro and a con. At this given point, I could not explain it in some fantasy that involves fairies, cabbage patches, or storks. I've always wanted her to know things. I just wasn't sure I wanted her to know THIS quite yet.

Unsure as a mother can be, I proceeded very slowly on the matter with no plan. My own voice started to get muffled in my head, being drowned out by the voice yelling: "WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO REALLY TELL HER?!" And bless her heart, she stopped me with, "You gotta hear this. What do you get with a door in a belly?" Somewhat relived, I asked, "What?" "A door-belly!" she exclaimed. Now although this was especially funny because she stated she made it up, I was sure to laugh EXTRA hard and loud so she would forget about our conversation.

The Birds and Bees can wait.

21 AAA

February 25, 2008 (2 years 8 months)

I have always enjoyed the fact that Emily has a very good vocabulary and she is able to speak well. Her Grandma was able to enjoy this fact in the middle of a department store.

Emily was shopping with her Gammy (read: Grandmother) at Dillard's. At one point, Emily needed to use the restroom. As we all know, in department stores, there is usually a restroom in the ladies lingerie department. After using the facilities, Emily became aware of what section of the store they were exiting. She had an announcement to make. She pointed to a particularly lacy bra and exclaimed just loudly enough to make nearby customers pause and turn, "When I get big and I get boobs, I'm going to get one of those!"