Fun night of fright

Happy Halloween!!! We went trick-or-treating last night for the first time in our new neighborhood. It was quite the experience. I kept thinking that we were on a set of a movie......like ET. There were literally hundreds of costumed little and big kids running from house to house collecting candy. The "tradition" in Stone Brook is to set up shop at the end of your driveway. We were fortunate to have Poppa here to represent 401 Stoney Path Court while Dave and I cruised the neighborhood with our motley crew and friends.

The ghost couldn't see very well....we fixed it!

Dr. Powell carryied John's bag because of the crutches.

J stayed in character all night with those silly crutches.
People actually thought he was hurt.

"Vampire" Anna and "Mummy" Sydney

The fruits of their labor divided and picked through.
Each kid got to keep their # of years in candy.
The rest will go to the troops and then we will
head to Target for the annual "Halloween" gift.

Forgetmenots

There are a lot of things I'd like to remember from this particular time in my life. I know that I will forget most of what goes on - as I have limited memories of my past as it is. I mean I remember the big stuff, like certain times of my life during my school-age years, a few college memories, ranch memories, wedding day, early marriage, pregnancies, births, and so on. But what I'm talking about is the detailed stuff that occurs daily. I probably won't remember them in a few years or even in the morning for that matter. Sad but true. I remember my mom telling me to write down all the cute little things that my kids would say and do when they were little because I wouldn't be able to remember them all. Even if I had had the time, I didn't do it because I clearly thought my memory was that good or thought I would eventually get around to it. Thirteen years later isn't all that bad.

I hate to admit that I don't have the sharpest mind in the house anymore. It PAINS me - really! I can stand in the laundry room and wonder what I was going to do. I mean seriously, if it's not automatic, then surely by the process of elimination I should be able to figure it out - right? How many possible reasons does one need to go to the laundry room? It scares me to death when Dave tells me one Saturday afternoon that he forgot to attend the Alzheimer's fundraiser walk earlier that morning. I see two very serious problems with this statement. One - he's worse than me. And two - we are both gonna need that fundraiser support to help find the "cure" before it is too late.

Here are a few things that I would like to remember today.

• Anna is running for 3rd grade class representative and is giving her speech TODAY.
• While wishing EB happy birthday this morning, John said that he loved her on the phone. So sweet - those two have such a special bond.
  
• William's CC awards ceremony is tonight (not last Wednesday, which we showed up for - at least I was early and not a week late.) Where's that cure?
• As annoying as this next one can be when I want a clean house - I sure do love the way David still plays with his little figures (ie...Star Wars, army, Lego's, or knights - it doesn't matter).

Dragons in the dungeon.

X-Wing Fighter on the backstairs.

Ninja in the bathroom.

Knights in the kitchen.

• And finally, mornings just run smoother when Dave is here.
  

Runners take your mark

Cross Country running is not an easy sport. It takes a lot of discipline. This is Williams first year. He did run the mile in track last year, but wasn't sure he wanted to join the CC team. I mean let's face it - hot or cold, up or down, long runs or fast runs - it's all up to you. Even though he is on a "team", there is no one to push or pull him across the finish line. But with a little encouragement and some new friends he is enjoying himself. He has the perfect runners body - long and lean! He continues to improve his time and is becoming more and more aggressive each meet. I love watching him run. This coming weekend marks the end of his first season. I hope he to continues to run even in the off season. I can no longer run and keep up with him. His pace far exceeds mine. It saddens me a little to think that I will never-ever be able to run faster or even catch up with him again. Not because I don't want him to excel, but because it's just another reminder that he is growing up. I guess that's how life takes it little turns. When he was a baby, it was his first time rolling over, first word and first steps. It is exciting to see him grow into the wonderful, fully capable young man that he is. His vice principal called me the other day to inform me that William was voted by his peers as the student with the most leadership qualities. I continue to be amazed by the great strides he is making not only in Cross Country, but in his life as well.

1 Corinthians 9:24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.








Seriously....look at that determination (and those legs)!
You go BOY!!!

Falsely accused

***Warning*** This entry contains graphic content. View at your own risk.

Last week John went on a three day, 6th grade field trip to Camp Campbell Gard. He had a great time! They pretended that they were run-away slaves in the underground railroad. What a neat and fun experience. We all missed him. I didn't even get to talk to him on the phone. I think he missed us too....even Anna (he confided in me on the ride home). He really is a great brother.
John is the one in the middle...of everything! Not only is he the middle brother, but most of the time you will find him in the middle of it all. He's the one everyone else goes to to play with. He's is a gamer - always up for whatever. He's smart, quick witted and sensitive all wrapped up in one great package. John rarely flies under the radar. He's wide-open, always ready with a comment or geared up for an argument - even when warned to keep quiet. He will defend his point, even if there isn't one. You have to admire him. I know one day all these traits will serve him well. Unfortunately, at the ripe ol' age of 11, he hasn't honed those skills yet. When things get broken or an argument breaks out or odd things disappear....I usually assume that John is culprit. And 9.9999 out 10 times....I'm right on the money. So of course, when I noticed a big booger flicked on the bathroom ceiling...I naturally thought of John. He did his normal little "song and dance" routine and I never got a full confession out of him. Without a DNA sample (don't think I didn't threaten it), I had to drop my case and believe his sob story. But sometimes, when my crystal ball isn't working properly, I've been known to occasionally be wrong. So while the defendant was on his camping trip with an airtight alibi, you'll understand my shock and horror at my findings while making up Anna's bed. There, in my sweet little girls room, the missing "dried" evidence. On her white ruffled pillow cases, her lavender wall, and even on her pink doll house....more dried boogers! No denying it....the evidence was crystal clear! What could I say? I confronted Anna (who sang like a canary) and prepared myself to eat crow when John returned. Sometimes we parents have to admit when we make mistakes and that's exactly what I did. John was gracious and forgiving and with his sly smile said..."it was Anna, right?"
He's gonna make a great lawyer someday.

Exhibit A