Halloween! Halloween! Halloween! Halloween!

Halloween started off with our Ward's Trunk-or-Treat.  We all ate soup, went through a haunted house, played some games, had a costume parade, and then collected candy outside.  Some people really went all out with decorating their trunks!  It was awesome.  We had some awesome weather too.  No jackets necessary.  The perfect evening.  The Doney's were cranking some Halloween music from their car, so Jane had herself a little dance party.  Way more fun than collecting candy.

Jane still fit into the same unicorn costume she wore last year!  Ha!

 Zoe went as Princess Poppy from the movie, Trolls.

Noah wanted to be a robber.  He got this shirt from my parents (it's a prison shirt), so that's where the idea came from.

Ellie completed her Wonder Woman outfit by making her own crown and armbands from paper.  Very industrious.  I didn't even know she was doing it until I asked her to come out for pictures.  The kitty socks really complete her outfit.

Jackson went to the Harry Potter Festival downtown with the Moores the afternoon of the Trunk-or-Treat and didn't come home in time to dress up, so he actually went as a "Gangster" that evening (basically he wore a backwards hat).  This picture was from today (school and Trick-or-Treating).  I think next year we will try to check out the Harry Potter Fest.  Lots of people I know went and they said it was awesome.  Not enough free stuff, but pretty cool nonetheless.  Had we not already had enough chaos from taking the whole family to watch basketball, I think we would have went.  Zero energy for it from Mama.

I went as a cracked-doll.  I got Jane up from her nap like this.  At first she was very concerned, and then she smiled when she heard my voice and gave me a kiss.

Somehow, one of the best parts of Halloween got left to the major last minute.  We stayed up late last night, pumped Halloween tunes, and carved all four of our pumpkins.  Ellie and Noah had already carved pumpkins at school, ...so basically, they stole mine and Joe's and got to carve twice.  I didn't want them to feel left out with it being a "family" carve and all.  And when I say "family" carve, I mean, "Daddy" carve.  Those pumpkins were SO big and my wrists are the worst.  I have had tendonitus since January.  And it stinks.  Sometimes I forget that I can't participate in things like this.  I tried scooping out Zoe's pumpkin---the smallest one---and I paid the price.  I don't think Advil even works for me anymore.  Haha!  I actually really DO enjoy this part of Halloween, so it was a bit of a bummer not to be able to participate, but I made myself sit down and be apart of our family time while we all watched Daddy do all the work.

Joe promised me he would be in town on Halloween---thank goodness!---which meant I was able to breathe a little today.  It also meant I was able to volunteer in Zoe's class sans Jane.  The kids had a Halloween Carnival and I got to take Zoe and a couple of her classmates around the school to do different fun Halloween activities.  And I ran into each one of my kids.  It was fun, loud, and chaotic.  After the kids were done with their activities, there was a classroom party with treats.  Halloween wouldn't be Halloween without endless amounts of sugar.  

Cru Taylor and Zoe.

Zoe was SO worn out by the end of the school day, I was worried she wouldn't be up for trick-or-treating.  I was dead wrong.

I tried to be a kind-of fun Mom.  Before I left the house I popped a little witch hat clip in my hair and tangled spiders and spider webs in and around it.  That's about the extent I went.

Time for trick or treating!  I felt like there was zero time between getting home from school to getting ready to go out trick-or-treating.  Man, I was exhausted!  I literally had to lock myself in my room for fifteen minutes so I could reboot.  It was gorgeous last year.  GORGEOUS!  This year it called for rain and snow.  Well.  We got very icy rain (which I'm sure will turn to snow later tonight).  Not the funnest of trick-or-treating weather, but that didn't stop us!  We just bundled up and went for it.  It's really not too bad as long as you are dressed properly and moving.  Jackson's not even in our family picture because he was already with his friends (Jack Doney and Will Moore).  This is where I was really grateful that Joe was around.  I get so overwhelmed sometimes.  Trying to make sure everyone is in the right place, well-fed, warm and happy AND that I'm prepared for any number of things that could go wrong.  Joe also did the dropping off of Jackson and picked something up for Zoe so I didn't have to.  He also did (and re-did) Jackson's zombie make-up so I could shove dinner in everyone's faces and layer everyone up.  I swear each year I lose it a little more and a little more.  I'm like a ticking time bomb!  Haha!  We finally got out the door though, and I restrained the heck out of myself so this could be a fun experience for the kids (and me), as Halloween should be.  Joe came along for the first fifteen minutes as a family.  And then he turned around at the end of our street and took Jane back home.  I met up with the Batemans down the street so we could continue our collecting of candy with friends.  

Jane was more interested in barking at each dog that came to the door.  More than once she turned away from the door without a treat because she was content just having talked to a puppy or a cat.   I had to keep reminding her that she was there to get a treat.  After Joe got back home with Jane he said she had such a fun time helping hand out candy.  That is one part of Halloween that I am not too familiar with as I am usually out with the brood.  But I enjoy it.  I love watching the excitement on their faces.  It brings back so many fun memories.  Plus, I got to go in a haunted house (garage) with Rory, and we both screamed.  Ha!

Lillian Bateman and Zoe.  

Our pumpkins.

 The girls didn't last too long.  I thought we could warm up at our house with some hot chocolate and then go back out, but they were done!  They had their hot chocolate, ate their candy and played for an hour until Noah and Baron were done.  And then Jackson was out even another hour longer!  Didn't get home until 9.  A part of me is a little sad missing out on his Halloween experience, but this is kind of how it goes as kids get older, I guess.  They won't always want to trick-or-treat all together as a family.  It just hurts my heart that they are all changing and growing up so fast.  They want to be with their friends.  And I totally get it.  But it's already so different from what it was even a couple years ago.  Our days of trick-or-treating as a family are gone!  But at least they have good friends to go out with and at least they come back with loads of candy for me to eat.

The Glue

 Zoe is the glue.  She is the perfect middle sister.  She's always making people laugh and has a super easy-going personality.  In the pictures above, we were making Halloween cookies for her class with Ellie.  She happily takes turns and doesn't get too bothered by being the little sister.   In the picture below, it is clear that she is happy to be the big sister.  We've had a bit of nice weather, so we went to the park just Zoe and Jane while the other kids were at school.  She just wants to love Jane so much, and Jane just wants to be her own little person.  "Jane!  Sit on my lap Jane!  Come down the slide with me Jane!"  Jane will humour her sometimes.  But only sometimes.  Zoe, I think I take you for granted sometimes because you are so content and happy.  There isn't really much that gets you down (unless you have been playing too hard and are just straight up tired).  Seven seems to be the magical age that all of my kids hit this gloomy teenager phase and it's so sad to watch them make that turn.  I hope it never happens to you.  Stay sweet and positive and happy forever please.  Love, Mom.

Complaints about Commotion at Costco of Course

You know when you go out but you don't shower and you choose to wear sweats and no makeup and opt out of doing your hair in the hopes that no one will notice you?  Well.  I tried that.  At Costco.  I was doing great until I decided, "hey, you two girls have been so good.  Why don't we have lunch here?"  That was my mistake.  You should always leave BEFORE the chaos.  Last time we ate here, Joe was with me and allowed Jane a little freedom.  That means she got to sit at the table like a big kid instead of in the cart, strapped in, where a one-and-a half year old should be.  So, like a good Mom I trusted her.  I took her out of the cart.  Because if I didn't take her out of the cart every soul in that building would be deaf from the screaming.  In fact, the only thing that would make her happy was clinging onto that darn lemonade.  Sweet, delicious, FILLING lemonade.  The moment Zoe tried to steal a sip was the moment we were all deaf again.  I even got some pity looks and comments from a couple of Moms sitting nearby.  "Totally know what you're feeling right now.  It's all good!  We've been through it!"  I know this is supposed to make me feel better.  I know it in my heart.  But I didn't really care until they pointed out that we were causing a scene.  And had I not also looked super haggard on top of also being caught with a child acting out, I wouldn't have felt so dumb.  I believe this is where I went wrong (with the help of Jenny who is the Queen of knowing how to not talk to people and ensure that people don't talk to you): 1) I made eye contact.  2) I responded with more than one word back.  3) I smiled.  I invited them into my bubble of chaos by doing those three no-no's!  Of course they are going to talk to me!  I wanted to tell them that I've done this five times and it was no big deal and I didn't really feel the way they assumed I was feeling, but then that would be code number four that I was breaking: 4) revealing more information than necessary!  Anywho.  The cherry on top was when I tried to put Jane back into the cart.  Oh.  Boy.  This moment reminded me of a talk that Sarah Curtis gave a while back where she saw a sweet picture of a kind and happy Mom putting her obedient and smiling child into a carseat.  She said, "When does this ever happen?  I have never had that experience.  They are always arching their backs and screaming."  This is exactly what was happening to me in this moment AND exactly what happened minutes later in the parking lot.  

The perk?  We ordered poutine.  Yum!

*     *     *     *

Okay, so it's been a couple days and I've had some time to chill.  And sleep.  I still want to kill my kids but that's besides the point.  The point is I've showered!  What's funny is Joe Face-timed me that same evening and the first thing he said was, "you look beautiful."  I laughed.  I knew I didn't look beautiful, but he thought I was beautiful no matter what I looked like.  That's a good husband right there.  Or perhaps the real reason he said it was because he knew I looked WAY off and he was like, "Woah!  Hmm, how can I make this situation better?"  Haha!  Either way, it was really sweet.  And that comment changed my day.  Those ladies at Costco were just trying to make me feel better.  And those "ladies" were probably younger than me, so I should stop calling them "ladies."  I think what it boils down to is I am tired.  I almost wrote, "I have never felt more tired in my life" but then I would be lying because I immediately recalled my entire pregnant-life and the after-math of having brand new babies.  Next to those things, I have never felt more tired.  Like, I-think-I-should-see-a-doctor kind of tired.  I don't know that I'm taking anything on that is more than my already crazy norm.  In fact, last month was far more stressful than this month.  So, this doctor's visit might just be him telling me to go to bed earlier.  Which wouldn't be the stupidest suggestion.  If he tells me I need to stop drinking Diet Coke, I will draw the line.  That is the only thing that gives me life these days!  Honestly, I'm worried I have a thyroid issue.  I have three sisters with thyroid issues.  And my Dad.  So.  That would stink.

September Snow

We've been getting some early snowfall this year which I am not in love with.  Thankfully it hasn't been the lasting kind, but it comes randomly nonetheless and it's not cool.  My kids need to bike to school for as long as possible!  I'm a little worried about Zoe having to walk to school in this stuff.  So far, the snow has always come on her day home so it hasn't been an issue yet, but I am sure to hear about how slow Zoe is, or she just sat down and didn't want to keep going.  You know.  That sort of thing!  Poor Jackson.  Just the other day Zoe told me that she wanted a ride to school because she hated biking!  Oh dear.  It already begins.  Honey, walking is going to be so much worse.  Wait.  Walking IN THE SNOW is going to be so much worse.  Haha!  Oh boy.  Whelp.  She's happy in this pic.  Maybe it won't be so bad?  These are pictures of our first snowfall this year.  And it came DOWN!  This is 8:30 in the morning because Zoe could NOT wait to play in this stuff.  I love how you can't tell where her hair ends and her toque begins.  Haha!  Jane, on the other hand, reacted more like I did upon my first glance out the window.  I know Babe.  It's called winter, and it lasts forever.

I made hot chocolate for Zoe.  Aaaaand then it got stolen by this little thief.  She is always climbing up on the table, so if you leave something there for a second, forget it.  It's hers now.

School Pictures

Having four kids in school means we don't order school pictures anymore.  Not even the smallest packages are worth it x4.  Not when your best friend just took amazing pictures of your family.  Do people even order school photos anymore?  Well.  Here they are.  I'm a little disappointed that there is not at least one very uncomfortable looking photo.  But I will take cute.  I guess.

Zoe (Kindergarten)  That hand on her hip!  Work it.

Ellie (Grade 2) She's my beautiful caramel-skinned Mexican child.

Noah (Grade 4)  The smirk.  Always with the smirk.  And always I melt.

Jackson (Grade 5) This boy has the cutest smile and yet he is too cool to show his teeth!  Bum.  Jackson was the only one who seemed to care about his appearance and was very involved in his own outfit choice.  And I didn't touch it.  He did great!

Happy School Pics kids!

Thankful

We had us our Thanksgiving weekend this past weekend.  And although my post is entitled "Thankful," I think I need more practice at counting my blessings.  I knew how this weekend was going to go even before I packed up the car and met up with Joe at his parents' in Lacombe.  I knew occasions for us to be our own "family" would be sparse because Joe is usually in the kitchen making meals for everyone.  So, instead of me being a single Mom at home, I get to be a single Mom at Granny and Grandpa's!  Such a bad attitude.  I blame it on my invisible period (I have an IUD, so, whenever I am especially grumpy or have the major snacks, I blame it on that.  "I MUST be on my period.... if I were to get one!").  What I should be saying is, I don't have to make the turkey!  And look at all the fun stuff there is to do here!  I am not going to lie.  I miss Joe.  I hadn't seen him all week leading up to Thanksgiving, and I knew we would be leaving him behind after the weekend was through.  It is the worst.  My period's talking again.  BUT, I could tell Joe was really doing his best to make it up to me, and make those times count when we DID have time to spend together.  A head scratch is the most telling way I know he loves me. And I got a few of those this weekend.  Plus, the kids never wanted for fun!  That is for dang sure.

Joe worked on Friday, so we had all day to do something and I chose the Lacombe Corn Maze.  Things like this aren't so scary to do by myself anymore because I have older kids who know how to find me, or can help take care of the littles, like Jane.  

This goat.  Ha!

When Jane discovered this goat, their interaction became my favourite part of our whole time here.  It would disappear, so she'd get more brave and inch closer, and then it would pop its head back out and out would burst a nervous-laugh from Jane.  Oh my.  

Jane did not care for the chickens.

I think the slides were Jane's favourite place to be.  She would climb up the stairs like all the other big kids and come down all on her own.  One time, as a parent was telling me how great of a Mom I must be to my five kids, Jane decided to come down a different slide.  The steep tube slide.  When I realized I couldn't see her, she swooped down head-first on her back and landed head first on the ground.  Proof that I am a great Mom.  Obviously.

I had to make sure I went to the bathroom before jumping around on this thing, but boy it is fun!  And surprisingly, Jane loved it too.  She was on her butt or face almost the entire time, just trying to get her feet under her.  She never did for long, but that didn't stop her.

During Jane's nap, Jackson and I went on a date.  I don't have much of an order with who I take on a date when.  I just trust my gut and hope that each of my kids knows I love them.  We decided to go on a walk in J.J. Collette.  It was so warm!  We were lucky to get such nice weather.  But nice weather also means flies.  That part wasn't fun, but we got some chatting in when we weren't eating flies.  Mostly talked about school and friends and nature and science.  He kept using words I didn't know.  It begins.  

I considered taking Noah on a date, but each time I found him he was happily playing with all the girls!  Legos.  Polly-Pockets.  Small action figures and Princesses.  It was so cute to listen to these kids make up stories and play together.  He only realized he was embarrassed when I nabbed this picture, otherwise, not a care in the world that he was the oldest and the only boy.  Love it.

I cannot get over Zoe's delicious six-pack.

The kids were never bored.  Always, always something fun to do.  Skateboard down a hill?  Why ever not!

This was day two of the day my man disappeared from my life.  But in the end, I got the most delicious turkey I've ever tasted.  I guess it cancels out.

Turkey nap.

Joe snapped this shot of Zoe laying on top of him while watching a show.  I love this girl.

Almost each night, Joe and I had some special time with the boys.  Twice we went out and laid on the trampoline to chat, laugh, and look at the stars.  Granny joined us on our first night.  I don't know why, but I love this so much.  Just bundled up and snuggled together, peering out at God's creations and talking and laughing about whatever.  I love it.  On one of the nights before bed we hot-tubbed and played truth-or-dare.  I asked Jackson who the prettiest girl in school and church were.  He died!  But he told me: "Brooklyn" and "Ali Leavitt."  I already tease him a bit about Ali, so he was not happy to admit that I was right!  I told him I wouldn't say anything or bug him, so I am just telling the world through my blog.  Noah also admitted to liking a girl named "Brooklyn" at school, but would not admit to any girls at church that I might know.  Haha!  His response was, "Girls?  Ugh!"  He's not quite at the phase where he likes girls yet and had to really think about it.  Haha!  I was bugging Joe about being boring because he kept picking "truth" instead of "dare" so he went to the extreme and dared himself AND the boys to jump in the icy pond!  Well.  I wasn't going to miss this.  So, we went out to the freezing pond but the water had gone down quite a bit and it was not going to be easy to get out without getting entirely muddy.  Plus, it was SO dark, it kind of made me nervous that they might panic and not be able to get out.  So, they chickened out!  (I was okay with that).  My alternate dare was to have them roll down the hill in the frozen grass which they did without blinking.

Grandpa was really into "Moana."  After a while, it was just adults watching.  Myself included.

Sunday walk with Grandpa (not in picture is Nicole, Marie and I).

Joe is just like his Mom.  He has to be immersed in a project.  Turkey dinner is done?  Why not put this kids-scooter together?  At first I wasn't sure how I felt about this.  I was worried about it being too dangerous, but then I watched the boys on it and took a few turns myself, and it was awesome.  Not too much for guts, so (hopefully) nothing to really worry about with potential injuries.  At least, nothing happened this weekend, so that's a good sign.

The tramp was a hit as per usual.  Joe was the double-bouncing master and pretty soon was surrounded by kids wanting their turn.

 Jane sat on Joe's lap for close to an hour on that lawn-mower.  She just laid back into his chest, played with his arm hair, and enjoyed the ride.  

We got a fire-pit going on our last day, which was BEAUTIFUL!  We couldn't have asked for a nicer day.  Granny was playing, "Name that tune" with the girls.  Ellie sat on her lap guessing forever.

We got a rain-check for the Corn Maze because it rained an hour into us being there on Friday.  Yay!  I almost didn't ask about it because I didn't think they would do anything for me.  Lesson?  It doesn't hurt to ask!  And it doesn't hurt to be nice about it.  The Corn Maze is expensive for our big family, so it was nice to be able to go again (this time with Joe) and get more time.  We were there for the last two hours.  A lot of people cleared out by that time, so we basically had the corn maze to ourselves.  One of the reasons why ticket prices are getting so expensive is because they keep adding on, and one of the fun activities was an obstacle course.  It was so fun.  The boys went against each other.  And then Joe and I even flirted and went against each other.  Joe's way more agile than I thought and beat me.  Just barely though.  Then Zoe wanted to go against me, and the entire time she kept shouting in a nervous voice, "Don't beat me!  Let me win!"  Haha!  At the end, there is a zip-line and she was so frazzled and intent on winning that she just jumped right on and didn't make sure she was sitting on it properly, and you can guess it.  She fell right off.  And then she was an emotional mess until we left.  Which thankfully was only fifteen more minutes.

Go-Carts!  

I am usually the one having to run around and spin everyone on this thing, so since Joe was there I turn me a turn!  I asked the boys if Dad's spins were faster or mine.  I thought mine were pretty fast!  But.  Joe won.  And yes, Zoe fell getting off this thing.  More.  Tears.

It was already 7pm at this point and I still had two hours of driving ahead (not to mention it was a school night) when Joe announced, "who wants to pick out a donuts at the Doughnut Mill?"  Me.  The answer is me.  Happy Thanksgiving!