Falling behind

Tis the season for life to get busy. And we have been, but when I skip blogging for over a month I can hardly remember what we've been doing. If I were better at writing Bradon letters on his mission I'd have things documented, but I'm no better at that these days than blogging. Poor Brado.  Halloween happened. Peter actually participated in the pumpkin carving and could not get enough of lighting the pumpkins. That kids has some serious piro tendencies that will need to be addressed.

 Andi's bat, Sammy's mean face, and peters happy face.

Our ward had a trunk or treat a few days before Halloween and Andi went as Maddelyn Hatter and Sammy went as a Pirate.They had a great time running around playing games and getting candy. Then they got to go around the neighborhood on the night of, and we've had candy coming out our ears.

Thad and I went to a grown ups Halloween party this year, which was a lot of fun. We took home the trophy for best couple costume.  I must say it was pretty epic, and we made that mask out of plaster strips molded to Thad's face.

Sammy's birthday was that week as well, and though we already did Disneyland and a family party for him, his class at school managed to make his day pretty special. That and I made him a cake roll.

Report cards came home and both kids did great this first quarter. Andi even made Principles list with straight A's and got a free pass for Johns Incredible Pizza. So we did that for FHE and the kids were in heaven. Peter ran from game to game and did several laps of the place before the night was over.

The kids have a new favorite game with Thad. War. They all have their own little nerf guns, peter included, and they use the couch cushions for bunkers and shoot each other. It used to be played by throwing blocks, but now we've graduated to real weaponry.

Both kids finished up their sport seasons the same weekend. Andi teared up a little leaving her game, but was pumped about getting a trophy.  She really enjoyed volleyball, so we may be looking for another program for her to do.

 With her coach

Sammy's team, minus one, at their pizza party.  Such cute funny little guys.

The fall carnival at school was a big hit again this year. They always have a bunch of blow up toys for the kids, from bounce houses, to jousting rings and giant slides. Andi & Sammy faced off in the jousting ring, and I think they both ended up falling without really hitting each other.

I love all the crafty things that happen in Sammy's Kinder class. Last week he came home one day in a pilgrim outfit which consisted of a paper hat, color and tie. But his Native American costume later in the week was even better. Complete with headdress, vest, and quiver of arrows.

We've been checking things off our project list again. Thad poured concrete on one side of the house, and I helped. For reals. I ran the concrete trailer and helped smooth it out once poured. It wasn't a whole lot of concrete, but it makes such a difference now that the bikes and scooters are parked out of the dirt. I've only taken one picture that shows any of that project, but really that picture goes with a different story.
We have a red neck fire barrel that we use to burn boxes and stuff. Yes we have a recycling trash can, but it's only emptied once every two weeks and that is not nearly enough to keep up with Thad's amazon habit. Anyway, Thad burned stuff last week and left the barrel on the side of the house. I was in the house one morning and realized Peter had been quiet too long and found him out in the barrel. Apparently ashes make a great sandbox substitute. Ugh.

We also built the window seat I've been wanting since we moved in. Okay, I've wanted a window seat forever. Clarissa had one in her room, Punky Brewster had one too, and I've always wanted one. And now I do and I love it. Thad doesn't love it like I do, but he's seen the value in the added storage, and he put it together regardless of his feelings about it, which I love him for.

Thanksgiving was at our house yesterday and it was a great day. None of our out of town family came in this year, but we did have both Thad's and my family over, so our gathering was sufficiently large. Not really large enough to justify the two turkeys that we cooked, but we cooked two anyway. It was the inaugural run of the deep pit, and just in case things didn't go as planned we also cooked one in the oven.  The deep pit worked out beautifully. Best turkey I've ever had. It literally just fell apart, no carving necessary. I think that will be the new tradition. But we had so much food left that I sent everyone home with 9x13 pans of all the fixings and we still had a whole 9x13 of just turkey when they left. Luckily it's amazing and we'll have no problem getting through the leftovers.

Fall-ish

The fall is flying by, and it is finally starting to feel like fall. At least Bakersfield fall, which means it's in the 70's and you can wear long pants, but only till noon, then it's back to shorts or capris. Our weekends have been filled with soccer, volleyball, and projects. Having to share project time with sports is new for us, and has been a bit of an adjustment. But the kids are enjoying their activities.
After game one Andi was already  having Olympic volleyball dreams. She has a good solid serve, but this far that's really all that happens. They had an official volley happen at this last game and the girls were so excited.

Something finally clicked for Sammy a couple of weeks ago at his game. He realized that if he just charged after the ball the rest of the kids would basically move out of his way. These actions shots make me laugh. It's a miracle he still has a tongue.

On the project front we are 90% done with putting crown molding in. We love it, and put it everywhere but the kids rooms. Now all that's left is the caulking, and I think that might take more time than the installation.

 Thad has been talking about putting in a deep pit since we moved into this house. I just kept waving it off like he'd get over it. But a few weekends ago he started digging a hole, and now there is a massive steel pipe in it.  I guess the upcoming thanksgiving dinner motivated him and we'll be smoking turkeys this year. In the mean time the kids have enjoyed the hole.

Oh, and this happens every time he's working on something. The kids love to "help" daddy. They help so much he can't get anything done :)

I finished a small project that I just love. I found this beat up old trunk at an antique store that someone had spray painted blue, even all the cool metal details! So I brought it home, stripped the paint off the metal and wood, and repainted the rest. My hands were blue for days. It's now a toy box in the front room and it's perfect.

Kelsie and porter have been here for a couple weeks hanging out. While they were here we took the kids to Disneyland for Porter & Sammy's birthday. I took the older kids while Thad stayed home with Peter and it was the best Disney trip we've had in a while. My kids have been tall enough to ride everything for a while, but this time they were brave enough to ride everything. Sammy didn't like Indiana Jones, and Andi wasn't in love with Splash mountain, but they both loved the Matterhorn. And the line was so short we rode it twice. We did all the usual rides too with everyone, but got to take off a few times to do the big rides with the big kids. It was a really good day. 

 Thad doesn't love Disneyland, but I really do.  We might have to make this a more regular thing. We had family birthday dinner for the boys while thy were here as well, and then a grown ups only dinner out for Dad's birthday. We've never really done grown up only things with my family, but it was great. Again, this might have to be a more regular thing.

It just keeps going and going

You know how life gets busy and you put things off till it calms down and gets back to normal? And then you realize that busy and crazy is normal now and they probably won't ever calm down? I'm there. Truthfully we aren't over-scheduled or running half as much as most people I know, but for us it feels like I need to stop for a breather.
Soccer started for Sammy the same week as school. We have realized that Sam is not competitive and has very little aggressive drive. Thad and I take turns going to games because there is no use in bringing Peter. So the first game my text report was "They are winning 3-1. Sammy is a sloth." Granted it's still upper 90's around here so it's hot, but Sammy would rather sit in the shade and relax then get after the ball. Game 2 we decided to bribe him, if he made a goal he would get ice cream. Not that we are super concerned with having to win, but just to encourage him to put forth some sort of effort and work hard. It worked, sort of. He scored a goal in the first few minutes of play and was really running and getting in there. But, once the goal was met, Sammy's efforts ended and we were back to sloth mode the rest of the game. One day we might find something that sparks his drive.

Action shot, tongue and all.

 

Andi on the other hand spent the game running the sidelines, yelling at the boys and generally acting like a lunatic. She got all the competitive drive, which may or may not be a good thing. She started volley ball this week, so we'll see what her team mates think of her need to win.
Thad turned another year older and told me no party. Usually we at least do family dinner, cake & ice cream, but he didn't want to spend his birthday getting the house and yard ready for everyone to come over. Solid reasoning. So instead we went out to dinner with some friends. After our summer of no date nights it was much needed and appreciated. 
The following weekend we went with some friends to the Pentatonix concert at the LA fair. The fair grounds down there are crazy and huge. The concert was so much fun, and the company even more so. And we had front row seats! I have only been to a couple concerts in my life and never ever even close to the front row,  it was fun being so close to the action. Thanks Divelbiss' for a great night!

 The next weekend we had a ward family camp-out at camp wilderness. It's a nice little facility that the church owns and some stakes use for girls camp. We left Peter behind with my parents because we wanted to be able to relax and enjoy the quick trip. Peter would have loved it, but several times during the trip Thad or I would say, "Aren't you so glad Peter is not here," or "Can you imagine if we brought him?"  He's just that crazy people.  We were the first family there, so after unpacking Thad helped the kids make a lean-to fort that was filled the entire time by some group of kids or another.

We had a campfire with smores, archery range, horseshoes, and just time to hang out with other ward families. The kids loved it, aside from Sammy falling out of bed three times in the night. And I loved the cool temps and clean air.  On the way home we stopped at the trail of 100 giants and went on a little hike. Sam was a bit disappointed when he realized that there were no actual giants, and that the name refers to the giant sequoias.

Thad helped the kids at the archery range while we were there and decided that "the kids" needed a bow of their own. Amazon to the rescue, and a few days later we now have a compound bow that adjusts for both kids and adults and a target to play with in the back yard. Totally normal right? I love the faces they are both making in this picture. Sammy could not be concentrating any harder, and I'm fairly certain he's holding his breath. Andi is anxious for him or something. I'm not sure.

Peter is up to his usual business. Stripping down at nap time if I forget to change him into his jail jammies.

And getting in to everything he's not supposed to.

I think I've mentioned before how much he loves playing in the car. Any car.

And this week he has decided everything belongs in the sink. It's nice that when he's done with a cup or silverware he puts them there, but last night this is what I found in the sink.

Sammy conversation of the week, happened on the way to the bus stop after I got on his case about putting his dirty clothes in the hamper so that he can have clean clothes. He was out of socks that morning and I found several pairs shoved in toy baskets and the closet.
S: "Mom, how about I get my own hamper in my room, so I don't have to walk down the hall to your room every night."
M: "Sam, you have toy baskets, and shoe baskets, and clothes drawers in your room right?"
S: "Yes."
M: "Do you ever put your clothes and toys and shoes in those baskets where they belong?"
S: "No, not really."
M: "So if I put a laundry basket in your room do you think you'll get your laundry in it any better than you do now?"
S: "Probably not. So how about we put in a tube or something that sucks up my socks and takes them straight down to the laundry room?!"
M: "You want a laundry chute?"
S: "Yes! Then I won't have to take my clothes anywhere. I just put them in the hole and they go to the laundry on their own."
M: "That's not going to happen. Just put your clothes in the hamper."
S: exasperated sigh and eye roll.
I can't make this stuff up. He is always saying the funniest things.

It has Begun

Summer went out with our family vacation to the beach last week. We go with my whole family, and it seems like the older the kids are getting, the easier these trips are becoming. Don't get me wrong, none of the parents sleep very well because we are sharing rooms with toddlers and children who talk in their sleep. But the older kids allow for more adventurous activities. And the weather this year was the best it's ever been. Beach weather is always great, but it's usually pretty grey and overcast when we go. This year, sunshine and cool breezes. I only have one picture from the actual beach because I never remembered to bring the camera down, but the kids loved it. Andi is getting really good at boogie boarding, and the boys just like all the playing in the sand. Peter thought it was great fun to chase and run away from the waves. This is from the first night there and he was still happy after face planting in a wave.

We went to the Avila valley barn this year and it was fun. There were all kinds of animals for the kids to feed, and a wonderful fruit/vegi market, and a hay ride through the farm.

After the barn we went in to Pismo for lunch and Old West cinnamon rolls. This was the cool table.

Right across the street from the house we were in was this open area with lot's of trees that the kids loved playing in. They even got Thad to help them build a fort in one.

There were also smores. Since we didn't have a fire pit, and no one wants marshmallows that taste like propane, we improvised.

All in all it was a great week and we are missing the cool weather already. School started for us while we were still at the beach, but monday the kids went to their first day.
Andi was very excited to get back and see her friends. It's been a long summer with just me and Sammy for company. 4th grade already this year!

Sammy is in afternoon kinder and it was a long morning of waiting for him. But as we got to the school he found his best buddy and the wait was worth it. He is the biggest kindergartener in the world.

Monday was a bit rocky, but here's to hoping for a better second day and a great year.