HAPPY HALLOWEEN......

Halloween is definitely my least favorite holiday but watching the kids and just hanging out as a family sure make it a lot more appealing.  The fun all began the night before last as Terry carved pumpkins with the kids.  I am super happy my job is to take pictures because the rest is sooooo messy.  Raelynn, of course, takes charge in the design of the pumpkins.  She brings out the notebooks and pens and starts drawing what she wants Dad to carve.  Coop's a little more easy going about it and doesn't insist on perfection.

Once the plans were drawn it was time to start cleaning out the pumpkins.  As you can see this was not Raelynn's favorite part but Coop sure got some good laughs.  I don't know if they had more fun with the pumpkins or with the camera!

It took two nights of carving to get them all done but they turned out pretty cool!  Way to go Terry!

Today the kids both had Halloween Parties and unfortunately I only made it to Raelynn's.  I felt horrible for Coop but one of the other Mom's consistantly sent me pics so I did survive but it was really hard.  I was only able to stay for Raelynn's parade but did not get to stay for the party.  Raelynn was so sad I couldn't stay and so was I.  These are the days being a working Mom is so tough.  We all made it though and went on to a wonderful night of trick or treating!

Raelynn at her parade

Mrs. Mitchell (Raelynn's wonderful Teacher)

This year there were so many kids around our neighborhood and it seemed like we knew them all.  It is really incredible how your kids friends become your friends too.  It is getting better and better to live in our neighborhood as the kids grow.

At the end of the night we visited a local Haunted Yard!  This place was crazy and beyond scary.  Coop and I never made it through and Coop couldn't wait to get home!!!  Raelynn had been there the week before but said it was much more scary tonight.  We did make it home shortly after that and ended our evening sorting our candy for the Witch Fairy.  The Witch Fairy has been a tradition since Raelynn was a baby.  We leave all (or most) of the candy out for the Witch Fairy and in the morning we find that the Witch Fairy has left a present in return for the candy.  This year I have a feeling the Witch Fairy will leave a couple fun Halloween Books!!!

**Check out someone's new photo over to the right! Unbelievable to me that she is in second grade and growing faster by the day!

TIME FOR AN UPDATE....

Where does one begin, 2 weeks since my last post and I probably have missed 100 funny things the kids have said or done.  I so wish I could find the time to post each night.  It doesn't seem like a day goes by that we don't laugh at a comment or sigh at an action that appears way too mature.  Yet all I can post is about the boring events themselves when I only post ever 2 weeks!  I get so frustrated with myself.

So backing up to last week, Raelynn had her music program which was cute as it always is.  Raelynn suffers from a little stage fright so these nights are slightly painful for her but we are very entertained.  Not only that she is adorably cute but also the though of our Orange Leaf treat afterwards makes anything bearable.

Wednesday night was a little more eventful for us.  Coop's soccer team was invited to Kansas City to play against a team there.  It was a huge deal to the kids and turned into a huge deal for the parents.  We get there and the other team was so much bigger and more aggressive than we were.  The boys did amazing.  There were so many differences in the game they were not used to doing yet they learned and played hard.  I was so proud of all of them.  Coop is such a scrapper and he played hard and had the time of his life.  After the game we learned the kids they were playing were 7 and 8 year olds while our kids were 5 and 6 (except Coop who is 4)   It was really something.  I never imagined kids this age could be so good and so aggressive.   Coop has a few weeks break and then the winter league begins.  Keep the soccer coming!!  Although today he did inform me he wanted to take Karate.  I asked him if he wanted to take Karate more than Soccer.  He said right now yes but when soccer start no.  I think he might have missed my point.

Last weekend was booked solid but I actually got a little time to my self and I spent it the best way possible, shopping!  Saturday Terry and I went to a wine tasting which was pretty fun while the kids hung out with Aunt Karli.  It is so much easier to leave them when I know they are having a blast.

This past week was really pretty lo key which was nice.  We really didn't have much excitement until Wednesday which was my birthday.  I once again turned 29 so it wasn't a milestone or anything :)  The kids both greeted me first thing in the morning with a Happy Birthday which makes the day perfect. Everyone acknowledge my birthday throughout the day so it was pretty nice.  Then Steph and Karli came over and we all went out to eat.  I love that they are close enough and choose to spend my birthday with me.  I am so lucky to have such a wonderful birthday.  Terry got me what I had been wanting for quite some time.....pint car harts!!!  I know that is so funny but who would wear the standard color and they look so warm and cozy so I thought if they came in pink them maybe I would wear them.  Well Terry found them in pink and I was right, they are super cozy.  The kids think I will actually go outside with them this winter.  I guess we will wait and see.

Thursday I had a hair appointment and decided to change things up a bit.  I was shooting for a really dark deep red/brown but it turned out a very dark maroon almost black or as my kids stated, "Your hair is purple!)  My family is less than complimentary with my new color.  Raelynn called me a traitor because if my hair is purple I must be a K-State Fan.  Coop just continues to say I look like Aunt Steph and when Raelynn asked Terry if he liked my hair he replied, "it's not my favorite color."  So needless to say, the family are not pleased.  It is just so very different but I think it is growing on me.

Politics continue to be a big topic for discussion around here.  The night of the final debate Terry and I hadd to promise to record it so Raelynn could watch it later since she had to go to bed.  We have had numerous conversations about the election but I am always blown away but what she knows.  She told us how one of her classmates was born in Russia but is now a US Citizen and that he can vote but cannot run for president because he was not born in the US.  Then she tells of another class mate from Africa that can't even vote because he is not a US Citizen.  As if that was not enough, today she had me look up a comparison of the presidential candidates views.  I pulled up a simple chart that would state a topic and then if each president was for or against it.  We went through them all and broke down what they were saying or even what the topic was regarding.  Some of the topics were difficult for me to explain to her so we googled a few of those.  Anyway by the time we are done, I am convinced she knows more about it then I do.  We discussed a lot about what people were unhappy with President Obama about and what I thought Romney would do if he took office.  I explained it was hard to judge because the things they are saying in the debates are what the people want to hear but you really don't know until they have been in office for a while whether they really are going to do anything. After our conversation Raelynn says, "You know Mom the ballot is kind of like a test but you don't know how you scored on that test for a couple years. "  I thought her analogy was right on.   She is also insisting on going with me to the polls which I love and will definitely take her.  My only fear is that she will argue with me if I don't elect her choice which could be embarrassing because I am sure she would point out my error in judgement to the entire group of people there.

Cooper on picture day.  He insisted on wearing his tie!

Terry spends Tuesday at Raelynn's School as a Watch DOG

Well as you can see, things continue just as always.  No matter how boring that may sound, everyday is an adventure that is sure to have some mountains to climb but worth every difficulty step one might take.

PUMPKIN PATCH WEEKEND....

Last week flew by it felt like.  We had things going on every night as usual but we also had some fun.  On Tuesday night the kids and I went Halloween Costume Shopping.  Raelynn knew she wanted to be a Cowgirl Angel and Coop wanted to be Jake the Pirate.  We are still working on completing Raelynn's but surprisingly I did manage to put things together for a Cowgirl Angel :)  Coop however had too many choices.  We went from being Jake, to Spiderman, to IronMan and who knows what else.  He finally settled on Iron Man.  After shopping we stopped at Subway as a treat.  As I was getting Coop's drink I hear and "Uh Mom!" from the table.  I turn to see Raelynn holding something.  She bit into her sandwich and her loose tooth fell right out.  It was pretty funny.  You think of that happening on an apple or something but not a sub sandwich!  So for the 6th time the Tooth Fairy came to visit.  Raelynn always finds different ways to hide her tooth from the Tooth Fairy.  This time she put it into a zip lock bag FULL of water.  She said there was no way the Tooth Fairy could get the tooth out without spilling some of the water.  She also left her a 3 page note to respond it.  But as always, the Tooth Fairy did get the tooth without spilling the water and did respond to Raelynn's note.  The Tooth Fairy Rocks :)

On Wednesday night, as Terry was putting Coop to bed, Coop brought up girls.  He told Terry he was never going to have a girlfriend because then he would have to kiss her and he was NEVER going to do that.  He went on to say that girls are bossy too.  He has a little "girlfriend" at school and she apparently is getting a little bossy.  Terry did as any good Father word and agreed with Coop and told him to just get used to that!  Hahahaha!

We had a great family weekend!  My Mom, Sherri, Kendall, Chandler, Hunter, Karli, Steph, Cody and my whole family made our yearly visit to the Schaake's Pumpkin Patch.  We always have a great time.  This year it was raining off and on and sometimes very hard but it was still a good time.  The kids love the pumpkin patch and we do too.  We went right after Coop's soccer game and then we were off to do a little birthday shopping for Sherri and I.  After all of that we headed out to Steph's for soup and snacks.  It was a great time.

The Family

Coop working for his pumpkins!

Hunter's face after his first cookie (Shhh don't tell Mom)

Happy Fall!

Even though Saturday was a little wet, Terry, Coop and I were used to it.  Friday night our agency held a little contest at half time of the Free State Football Game.  It was raining hard at times and we did not even have an umbrella.  We stuck it out until half time though but headed straight home after that.  It was pretty fun even though we were drenched.  Raelynn had spent the night with Aunt Steph since all the family was coming in and staying there.  I was pretty happy because I am pretty sure Raelynn would not have made it :)  Coop however loved every cold wet minute of it.

Still smiling after getting soaked!

Yesterday was a catch up day.  Terry continues to work on the deck and I even mowed the yard so he could just focus on the deck.  I don't think I have mowed the yard since Raelynn was born so it felt pretty good. When I was finished and went inside, our living room had been converted into a Family Fun Zone complete with a board game area, dance area and movie area.  The kids had even made snacks.  So needless to say I took time for some family fun.  We played board games, ate popcorn and watched the Little Rascals.  I love doing things with the kids and love it even more when what we are doing is all their idea.

A QUIET WEEK.....

Another week has passed and new stories are here! I don't think you can ever run out of stories with the kids I have. 

Tuesday night Raelynn had a Brownie Meeting at her school at 6:30pm.  She is always wanting to ride her back to school and I could really use a run so we decided Raelynn and Coop would ride their bikes and I would job to her Brownie Meeting.  Then Terry would pick Coop up when he got done with golf.  Her meeting lasts until 8pm so the one thing I did not consider was how dark it would be on the way home.  Terry picked up Coop around 7 or so and when the meeting was over Raelynn and I headed out.  I walked outside and it was dark!  Raelynn immediately started to question our choice.  I assured her it would be fine, we had street lights and the dark doesn't really bother me.  As we went on our way and turned down a street on our route, there were few street lights and I looked up and saw the beautiful stars.  I told Raelynn to look up and she did.  However, she was riding her bike so looking up did not really go so well.  A few minutes later we passes a fenced backyard with an attach dog.  The dog hit the fence barking and Raelynn about had a heart attack.  We were laughing hysterically but with each step we went the scary it got.  I finally called Terry and asked him to come and get us which he did.  Raelynn and I couldn't stop laughing though,  Even though it may have not been the best idea to run and bike home in the dark, the memory will last forever!

The rest of the week was a little different than usual.  It turned cold, Coop got in trouble at soccer, Raelynn got in trouble at home, I lost my voice but by Friday these all turned into good things, except the turning cold.  So yes, it has been very chilly and I am not a big fan of that.  I guess the one good thing about the cold though is that Raelynn actually wore something other than one of the two pairs of shorts and flip flops she ALWAYS wears :).  Coop was getting a little rowdy in his school's soccer class.  He is getting very familiar with his coaches as he is on the Future Legends Team and he practices once a week and has games on Saturdays.  The same coaches have an introductory soccer program at his school and they always ask Coop if he wants to go which he always does.  However it is very basic and he apparently is getting a little bored.  Anyway, I was talking to his coach and it came up in conversation that he was running around a little during this beginner class.  He was laughing about it and said it was no big deal but a little distracting for some of the new kids.  I, of course, thought it was a big deal as I expect my kids to behave regardless if they are bored or not.  So Terry and I talked to Coop and explained how his behaviour was distracting to the others and if he could not participate as he should than he would not be allowed to go to soccer at his school.  He was very sad and said ok.  So Wednesday rolled around and I asked him how it went and if he was good.  His response, "Yea I was really good, when I was running around when they were talking and they told me to sit down, I did right away!"  He was so proud of himself never mind the fact that he shouldn't have been running around in the first place.  I complimented him on sitting when asked but reminded him he shouldn't be running around in the first place.  Raelynn piped in, "Baby steps Mom, Baby Steps."  Coop just giggled and I gave Raelynn "the look" to which she replied, "Just sayin'."  I did talk to the coach though and he said things went great so I guess our talk did help some.  After all that with Cooper, I was cleaning out Raelynn's homework folder to see what she had done that day.  I find a note to one of her Boys and Girls Club leaders, it read:

Dear Mr. Adam:
 I hate your stinkin' guts. You make me vomit. You are the scum between my toes. Love, Raelynn

Now, I was a little confused and shocked.  This is a direct quote from the Little Rascals Movie that my kids say in full accent often.  It is truly Hilarius yet when I read it written directly to Mr. Adam, who Raelynn speaks highly of, I had a bad feeling.  Raelynn was right there and she saw my face and tried to grab the letter.  She insisted, in tears, that it was a joke.  That she and Mr. Adam joked about this and said it to each other all the time.  She insisted I was overreacting but if I was, why was she crying and begging me not to talk to Mr. Adam about it.  Anyway, my feelings about it were very jumbled.  That night I emailed the director of Boys and Girls Club and let her know the situation and asked her if she could talk to Mr. Adam and see if he knew about the note and if they joke about it.  The next day I received an email confirming that they did joke about it all the time and that he was indeed sitting right there when she wrote it.  It was all in good fun just as she had said.  I was more relieved to know she hadn't lied to me than anything.  That night I let her know Mr. Adam confirmed her story and that I was sorry for not being confident that what she told me was true but asked her why she got so upset.  She finally looked at me and said, "We are not supposed to say hate and I thought you would be mad that I said hate when we joke about the movie. I thought when you found out I don't change the words to "I don't Like" you would be mad but it's just not as funny that way."  It is amazing the things that stick in their minds but I was relieved to know it was all in fun.

This weekend was full of events.  Friday, Terry and Coop, went the Schaake's Pumpkin Patch with the preschool and they picked the perfect pumpkin and even brought one back for me since I could 't go.  Coop picked Terry to go with him so my feelings were a little hurt :)

Coop and the Forrest Friends

The Perfect Pumpkin!

Trouble

Saturday, Raelynn and I, went to Arrowhead Stadium to participate in the JDFR Walk.  It was soooooo cold.  We made it though and had a lot of fun.  We left home at 6:45am though and were exhausted when we got back.  The rest of the day was filled with cleaning and errands.  Then we met up with a great friend at the KU Vball Match for her birthday.  Raelynn and Coop had made her cards that had to be delivered :)  It was a lot of fun. 

More Trouble

Sunday we had our final big fundraiser for the foundation.  It was a CCF Trail Ride.  It turned out to be a great day.  The kids loved it and it went very smoothly and was a huge success.  I hope we are able to continue it.  It is completely different than what we have ever done and was just a great family event!

Raelynn and Marty at the Trail Ride

The Band at the Trail Ride.  One member actually had open heart surgery at 18 months!

Now it is back to work and I actually have a little bit of my voice back, yea!!!