Two weeks later...

Go ahead and read the title like the voice over on Spongebob Squarepants.   The fact that I haven't posted anything in two weeks gives a major clue to what has been going on in our lives - nothing, yet complete craziness.  No major happenings just the normal frenzy of our everyday existence.  Throw into that mix the fact that I am hosting a small Thanksgiving gathering next week, I am completely stressed about how to take care of the mountains of leaves in our back yard and the days before Christmas are ticking away without me managing to get much accomplished.  

Last night the kids went back to the library for "dog read".  Since they were scheduled right after each other I figured we would use their down time to work on their homework.  It was pretty funny as they were both walking in with their back packs on their backs and Evan asked me "Are you allowed to bring back packs in the library?".  

I didn't get any pictures of Evan reading this time.  He was in a different area of the library reading to a dog named Ginger who was wearing a little dog dress.   It was pretty ironic that he got that dog and Hailey was assigned to read to Corey who was a giant German Shepard that was taller than she was.

I tried to peek in on her reading, but she was reading really quietly.  She told me afterward that she was a little shy but she still liked to do it. 

One more thing of note around here is how great Evan and Hailey have been getting along with each other.  We are truly in a season of peace with these two and their relationship.  I pray it continues.  I made a comment the other day about how much I loved seeing them play well together and that it was great how they were becoming best friends.  I expected that statement to be met with icks and gagging sounds, but they both just nodded.   Evan told me the other morning that he was saving up his money so that he could buy Hailey an Indian outfit for her American Girl doll.  How sweet is he?  I told him that they were very expensive and suggested that maybe he could help me sew her one.  He liked that idea too, but was not sure it would be fancy enough.  The one he has his eye on is full of beads and other embellishments. 

So for now we keep plugging away.  Getting things accomplished little by little.  I'm off to rake some leaves.  See you in two weeks....

A dog in the library

We love the library.  There is always a stack of books on the counter either waiting to be read or ready to be returned.  The ironic thing is when Trent and I lived in our apartment, we were about a block and a half from the library and we never used it.   I cringe at the amount of money we spent on hard cover books that had just been released because we didn't want to wait for them to make an appearance on the old shelves. 

I don't mind buying books.  Not if it is a book that you love and will read again and again, but to pay over ten dollars for the latest paperback novel and then have it take up space in your home only to maybe get a dollar for it at a yard sale a year later just seems so silly to us now.    Even with Spencer's Kindle, there is less clutter, but it still costs to purchase the books.  We utilize the library as much as we can.

The library also has a lot of events that as a childless couple living in an apartment I could see how we would not be the least bit interested.  But now, with three kids, any kind of free, educational experience is right up our alley.   Right before the school year started, Trent came home from a trip to the library with a flyer for all their upcoming events.   One of the events that stood out as something the kids would like was called "Bow Wow Readers" where kids could come to the library and read to dogs.  

I mentioned it in passing to Evan and Hailey and they were all about it.  Trent called to try to get them in that week, but they were filled for months.   The kids were bummed.   They really wanted to do the "dog read" as they called it and six weeks away seemed like forever. 

Finally, last night, the night of the "dog read" arrived.  The kids gobbled up their dinner in anticipation of getting to the library early.  They only had a spot for Evan to read, but Hailey was an alternate if someone didn't show up.  

Evan waiting for his turn to read.   Finally it was his turn.  He picked out some books about dogs because he thought Bailey the dog would like those the best.

Seriously, how cute is that? LOVE!

He loved his "dog read" experience and can't wait to go back in two weeks.  Hailey and Evan are both signed up for next time.  The librarian asked me if she could take some photos of Evan reading and use them on the Facebook page.  Luckily my kids are pretty used to being in front on the camera!

Picture heavy Halloween post...

I figure I better post these now and just do them altogether or heaven knows when I will ever get around to it.  We carved our pumpkins a few days before Halloween.  All three kids still love to do it.  I know these years are fleeting - so we do up the holiday festivities while these kiddos of ours are still into it.  

Hailey wanted hers to look like a kitty and Mommy helped her with it.

Spencer carved his all on his own and then quickly turned our pumpkin carving party into a dance party with "What does the fox say?" on repeat.

The kids pose with their spooky jack o' lanterns.

I love how when the kids saw me snapping pictures they immediately grabbed their itouchs to do the same.  Hailey, never wanting to be left out, quickly rounded up her Barbie camera.  Oh these times they are a changin'. 

The best part of Halloween hands down?  The costumes!  I came up with the idea for Spencer's (after many other GREAT ideas that he didn't want to do - maybe next year....).  He is carrying on the family Clark Kent/Superman tradition.  I wish I wasn't so lazy.  I would go dig out the pictures of Trent dressed as Clark Kent and the ones of Spencer's first Halloween as Superman.  Maybe I will be inspired later this weekend.

He fit the look to a T.  Trent found him a sold blue hat after these pictures were taken that looked even better.

The always creative Evan scoured Pinterest and told me that he wanted to be a Pharaoh.  My sewing is beginner at best so I knew it would be a big undertaking.  Since he chose what he wanted to be so early on, I was able to find a Pharaoh costume on eBay that was quite cheap - the only issue being it was a size six.  Figuring he is small and I could do some tweaking, I got it and tweak I did.  My big score was to find those gold lame pants at the thrift store.  They totally made the outfit.  We made the golden staff - that was his favorite part.

Oh Hailey!  How much do I love her bike chic costume?  She was owning it too!  Her current favorite movie is Teen Beach Movie which is sort of a West Side Story knock off of bikers versus surfers.  When I dug her brother's old Harley jacket out of the closet her dreams of being a biker were made a reality. 

She looks about seventeen in these photos.  Speaking of photos, I am once again so glad I did the pre-Halloween costume try on photo shoots.  Yesterday was miserable - any pictures I took were horrendous.

Ready to trick or treat in the pouring rain!  At least it was fairly warm and not too windy.

It was a fun night and Halloween season.  Evan commented to me last night that it seems like waiting for Halloween to get there took so long and then it was the night and then it was all over like a blink.  I told him that is why we have to enjoy all the time up until Halloween.  The actual day is fun, but it is only one part of it - that is why we have to do our best to enjoy everyday.  In reality it all goes by in a blink - I didn't tell him that because most likely he wouldn't believe me.  That is just something that as you get older and time seems to go by faster and faster, you have to learn for yourself.