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I have a post written and ready to publish, but it doesn't feel right. In it, I lovingly complain about some of my kids' behavior and make jokes about their "difficult" phases. But now all that I can say, after the heart-breaking events in Connecticut, is that I love my babies and am so thankful they're home safe with me.

I've had more patience as I struggle to put pajamas on wiggly little bodies that refuse to cooperate or the repeated requests for just one more thing before bed. No matter how frustrated I can feel with my kids at times...there are parents out there who would love the chance to get their baby one more glass of water, read just one more story, or rock just a few more minutes.

I'm mourning those children and I can't fathom the grief their families are feeling. I don't have the right words to say, and looking for sense in the senseless is exhausting. I'm praying constantly for all those affected and hugging my loved ones even tighter.

Thankful

As you might imagine, our Thanksgiving was full. We were blessed with lots of family, food, and so much to be grateful for. 

Thanksgiving Brunch at Mimi's

 

(Photobombed by Spiderman)

Dinner at Grandma & Papa's

 (This was the best of about ten I took. Hard to get that many kids to look and smile!)

We also had an awesome pastie dinner at Peggy & Bob's too, but I never once took my camera out. Oops.

The Halloween Post (Alt. Title: Thank God It's Over)

I'm usually an over-the-top holiday lover. I like to decorate as soon and as much as possible. I tend to get overly-crafty and think I need to bake a few times a week. I listen to the corresponding holiday station on Pandora and plan special themed meals and projects for the kids. I over-do it and I love to.

This Halloween was no exception, except that we had so many parties and costume opportunities (not complaining, really!) that by the time the real deal rolled around, I was just kinda over it. A little worn out on putting everyone's costumes on for the fifth time. A little tired of the crazy-excited kids who couldn't wait for more candy and prizes and games. A little...well, pregnant. (I'm quite sure that had something to do with my waning enthusiasm.)

 

 Julian was a little freaked out by the pumpkin guts

But, all in all, everything Halloween-related was great. I didn't regret any of the cool stuff we got to do and the kids had so much fun for like, two weeks straight.

We went to Trick-or-Trunk at the church. On the way there, Julian was grilling us on what games they were going to have there. (I wasn't positive there were even any at all.) Would there be bowling? Do you think they'll have skee-ball? I tried to explain the whole way there that it wasn't like an arcade set up...maybe they'd have a little beanbag toss something...

Well didn't I look like the pessimist when we got there and not only did they have a bowling game, but skee-ball, ring-toss, and a huge bounce house! After playing, there was trick-or-treating in the parking lot. Cue the first haul of candy.

Next up was the Zoo Boo. Fun as always. Busier than ever. Aaaand second candy payload...

 Smoking out the bees to get them moving!

 

 Evie was a little moody and kept giving us this look...

 

 and required a lot of hugs from brother.

 But she did have fun too!

Dinner at Grandma and Papa's was boisterous as always with the kids all together. Lots of fun games and prizes. Props to G&P for sending home fruit roll-ups and Goldfish instead of more candy!

 Cute kids table

I think Eliana was nervous about Evie holding her!

Then the day of consisted of dressing J up for the preschool parade, games and more prizes at our own at-home party complete with spooky lunch, and after a blessed naptime...the real deal: trick-or-treating.

 Parade for parents

 Singing some Halloween songs

 Spooky lunch

 Their teeth were dyed green for a few hours...oops.

 

Trick-or-treating was cold and rainy, but the kids had fun and we didn't have to stay out long. One small neighborhood block filled both kids' pumpkins and we are now officially inundated with candy. The kids only get a piece or two each day, but never fear, Mommy and Daddy are doing their part.

Other highlights from Halloween 2012:

- When Evie says "spooky" it sounds like "fooky"...highly entertaining.

- Julian let me pick his costume again this year. He was happy with pretty much any ideas we had. Possibly the last time that will happen.

- We made it through the month of October without buying the completely inappropriate talking-skeleton-in-an-outhouse "decoration" that both Daddy & Julian had their eyes on.

- Ditto to any huge blow-up yard decor that Julian and Evie both coveted.

Election Night

I remember taking a month-old little Julian in his sling to the polls four years ago. 

(The baby I took this time was even easier to wait in line with.)

Then he had his "nakey time" while we watched the returns later that night.

This year, we all watched together. Well, for about five minutes until the kids begged for Mickey. We gave in and took a welcome break from politics to do the Hot Dog Dance.  

An Out-Of-This-World Party

Julian requested a "rocket ship" birthday party this year and though we ended up with crummy weather, we still had a great time celebrating our big preschooler. He seems so grown up to me these days and is learning something new everyday. 

At four years old, he is sweet and kind-hearted. He is rambunctious and wild and very boy-ish. (Read: loves potty humor, likes to turn everything into a weapon, his new favorite word is "bash!") For the most part he is patient and loving with his little sister. I love to hear him answer her questions and teach her new things. He loves school and making new friends, having plans and places to go, and thinking about what people or objects might say in any given situation. (ie: "Momma, what would my hair say if I cut it all off?") 

Or...

Me: Julian please quit throwing your shoes across the room.

J: What would you say if I did it again? And again and again and again? What would you say if I never quit throwing my shoes ever, ever again?

Me: sigh

 

 

 

 

Should've gotten a haircut before his party.

\

 

 Eliana clearly enjoying the party

 Blast off!

 He was a little excited about the bounce house.

 Good thing Uncle Tyler was on hand to save Evie after Daddy tried jumping in. It did say "5 and under" on the side.

 Uncle Deej cracking J up with "earthquakes"

 

 Goody bags!

 And cake!!

 Surfin'

 The big boys liked this racetrack just as much as the little boys did!

Well, maybe not quite as much.

 

The cake is in effect!

He even got to celebrate a couple more days after his party. We had the requested pizza and a pickle cake for his actual birthday dinner. I don't know where the idea for a pickle cake came from, but he was sure that was what he wanted. It was even stranger that I used the heart-shaped pan (I just came across it first) and the mix he picked out was a Halloween confetti cake.

 

 They made a big deal out of it at preschool on Friday and gave him a crown and sang to him.  

And if you think that cake sounds random, you should have seen the gifts we got him. I hid about 10 little gifts all around the house for him to find and they included, but were not limited to: a mini Christmas nutcracker, Halloween window clings, and multicolored skeleton lights for his room. He loved every single thing and that is one of the things I love about this kid and his current age. He loved the homemade decorations I made for his party and came out saying "Oh my goodness! Look at this!" He got a huge kick out of anything wrapped up just for him and was thrilled with any small gesture for his special day. 

In all honesty, it's pretty hard to sum him up. He's becoming more wonderfully complicated as he gets older and I can't just list his favorite things and make a list of his new accomplishments and feel like it explains him. He's coming into his own and it's been so amazing to watch him grow and reveal more of who he is and will be. I love this kid.