I survived

another night of Trick or Treat!! I'm always solo that night because the fire department patrols the town to keep the little ghosts and goblins (these days more like the power rangers and princesses) safe. Mike came along and picked up Laiken after about an hour and she helped patrol the rest of the evening. The kids had fun, but you can tell they don't walk a whole lot, but ride their bike about everywhere. I think they were more tired than I was. I'll put up pictures as soon as I get them downloaded. Yesterday we did a marathon clean of about half the house, the rest will have to wait until tomorrow. Mike and the older three are butchering a hog today so I'm cleaning out the freezer to get ready to stock up. We still have about 1/4 of the cow and 14 chickens so it'll be tight getting the hog in there too. The bacon and hams won't be ready for about two weeks though so we'll be having chicken a few times to make more room. Since the freezer is in the laundry room, I'm cleaning that out as well. What a job!! Oh well, it always makes me feel better to be tackling some sort of project. Just seems like I end one only to find another couple dozen waiting!! Oh! I forgot I have a cake in the oven and I just heard my timer so more later

Logan is halfway to 18

I was teasing Logan the other day and telling him that he was halfway to 18 now, then it hit me like a punch in the gut... my baby IS halfway to 18. Technically our time with him in our home is halfway over. I just can't believe it. We had a family party on his birthday and then had a party with friends and extended family this past Saturday. He had a good time and it was nice to see my parents and in-laws make it in from PA. Haven't seen them since Labor Day.

Birthday down, Halloween to come. I've gotten the kids costumes almost completed. I have a girls night out tomorrow night for a Women Who Wine night at a local winery, so actually I only have one more night to get them finished up. I'm excited though, even though I know it means less sleep this week. I'm babysitting for a friend this week, had her today, tomorrow and Thursday. So.... I really should be working now, but just wanted to update before I let it go too long again and then give up.

Special school lunch

The parents of the first graders were invited to have lunch with them today at school. It was really nice to have lunch with Morgan. My neighbor was kind enough to put Austin on the bus for me and keep Laiken for a little while. We had lunch and then went back to the classroom for a little while and then we were asked to stay for recess. It was nice to be able to see a little bit of their day and chat with the teachers and other parents. Most of the parents were able to make it, but one little girl whose mother wasn't able to be there was feeling especially left out and by the time we went out for recess she was crying. I felt so bad for her. It is times like that I am so glad I am able to work from home and make sure that I don't miss anything like that for my children. Sometimes I feel guilty for not being able to do as much as some of the other parents, like volunteering on a more regular basis, but with little ones still at home it makes it difficult, but for anything special like that I do whatever I can to be able to be there for them.

It was nice because I actually got to see all three of them today for a little while without them knowing, to see the "real them". While we were having lunch Austin's class came in to get their drinks. As he was walking back out I waved to him and he came over to the table with a disgusted look on his face and said "What do you want mom?" I said I just wanted to say hi and have a good day. He gave me a kind of funny look and walked away. When Logan saw me out on the playground he ran over and gave me a hug, but when they were going back in was too cool to say good-bye, well at least until they were almost back in the school and then he turned and yelled bye mom!! Morgan, of course, didn't want me to leave at all and took a little convincing from her teacher to stay for the afternoon. I'm just so glad I was able to go and am already looking forward to when they have one for Austin next year.