Beautiful weather

We have been so thankful for these last few days of nice weather! Last weekend/week Ed was motivated to finish painting the last few places of the house - which included the tall peak he couldn't reach on his ladder and taking the screens off and painting the window trim (the fun stuff, ha!).

After much thought, he decided the only way he was going to get the tall peak painted was to sit his ladder on top of the picnic table. He didn't feel good about it - he just wanted it done.



Luckily our neighbors came over and offered their ladder pretty quickly. Aw, much safer!



Ed took Friday off to work on the house/leaves so he rode Brady to school on their bike. I've heard several people mention the "boy who rides on the tandem bike with his dad" :) And Brady is definitely getting interested in riding his bike - he wants the training wheels off. We will conquer that next spring!

True Colors

I wrote about the first book I read of Kristin Hannah's - Firefly Lane - awhile back and wanted to mention the 2nd (one I've read) as well in case anyone is looking for a great read. I thought it was just as good as Firefly Lane (my manager disagrees). I think it might be a book that some think is great and some think is just good (depending on where you're coming from.) Either way, you'll be glad you read it!

Here's a description of the book.

Halloween 09

It was magical! Well, I probably wouldn't go that far . . . . .but the boys enjoyed wearing their wizard costumes and got to wear them at least 7 different times the week of Halloween and most of the events were fun. So I think we it's safe to say we had a pretty good Halloween!

The Friday night before Halloween we went to a pool party and carnival in Mission. We got to swim in the dark and they had spiders and pumpkins around the pool. It was fun to go swimming in October and the boys loved jumping in.





Wednesday night we went to the Merriam Marketplace and enjoyed their Halloween activites - pumpkin painting, pumpkin bowling, candy scramble, etc.





Brady & Cameron (our neighbor) finding candy during the flashlight candy scramble - I think Brady found 25 Airheads! He thought he hit the jackpot.





Thursday afternoon we went to Ed's office party.

Brett had a school party Friday afternoon that Brady attended as well (since his school was closed). And then Friday night we went to Brady's school's Trunk or Treat. They were asking for more "trunks" so we volunteered at the last minute. I had no idea you were supposed to decorate your trunk! Oh well, the kids didn't care as long as they got candy. It was a cold night though!





Thankfully Saturday was a warmer day and we found our neighbor's shortly after going out so the boys had a lot of fun. Brett was wound up! He would run back after getting candy at each house screaming with joy.





After trick or treating, the Lee's had everyone over for treats/drinks. The kids had a lot of fun playing and decorating cookies!



And that was the end of our Halloween festivities - THE END.

Halloween Parade & Party!

Brady's school had a Halloween parade, assembly and party this morning. It was a lot of fun and what a beautiful day to have it!

The 6th grade band led the parade and played throughout the entire thing.

Brady seemed to love being in the parade. (The witch is Dr. Tinsley, his principal :)

The music assembly was very cute. The 2nd graders were the "star" performers. They did a couple songs and each of the classes had memorized a Halloween poem. All of the kids helped with the choruses. They did a really cute version of Ghostbusters.

Brady's class played Halloween bingo and decorated sugar cookies during their party. All of the kindergarten teachers were from the Wizard of Oz - Ms. Nelson was Glenda, the good witch, of course.

Josie's Story

I'm reading Josie's Story. There was a short article taken from the book in one of my magazines last month and when I saw it again on the new book rack at the library I picked it up.

It's a heartbreaking story about a family losing a child in the hospital - not for what she went in there for, but for the medication she was given and breakdown of communication between the nurse/doctors. An incredibly sad story for sure, but I think one that mom/dad's should read in case their child is in the hospital and they feel something just isn't right.

Taste Tested

I made Paula Deen's Wild Rice & Shrimp Casserole last night after seeing it here. It was quite tasty/easy and you could easily substitute chicken for the shrimp. Yummo!


Picture from Paula Deen

Witch Hats

Brett's school was closed today so he went to Sandy's and took Halloween treats. EASY Halloween treats! Idea (and picture) came from here.