A Themed Halloween...

For Taryn's first 3 halloween's we had all the kids go together in costume as a theme. I found these pictures and they were so cute I just had to show them all to you!

Taryn's first Halloween: The Wizard of Oz, Taryn was Dorothy (of course), Andrew was the Tin Man, Ethan was the Lion and Alex the Scarecrow.

The 2nd Halloween: Superheros, Taryn was Wonder Woman, Alex was Batman, Ethan was Spiderman and Andrew was Superman.The 3rd Halloween: Captain Jack Sparrow (Andrew) and his band of pirates!Last year we let them pick all their own costumes and didn't make them fit a theme, but seeing these pictures I really need to find another foursome for them to go as! Any suggestions?

Like Mother, Like Son...

As I was sitting here in my office I get a phone call from my son Alex, who said "Mom, I have something to tell you and you are going to be so happy..." I of course wanted to know what this big news was. In September Alex filled out a job application at the school to be a member of his elementary school's new recycling program's team. A couple of weeks ago, he had an interview with the principal and the teacher that is heading up this program. He had a little mock interview with me, so he could practice. He has such great interviewing skills! A trait he no doubt gets from me! :) So he called me today to say that he had gotten the job! He is so excited, and we are so very proud of him! So he is the 3rd grade representative for the recycling program. The only one out of 3 classes! Good Job Alex!!!!!

This weekend...

On Saturday night my very best friend Laura came to visit us from Des Moines. Our friends John and Karly came out to the house and we all had some cocktails, played some Wii and had a really good time! On Sunday morning Laura and I got up and went over to my mom's house to pick up Taryn (Laura is her godmother). Taryn was SO excited to see her! It makes me feel good to know my kids love Laura as much as I do! The boys came home later in the afternoon (they had been at their grandparents house since last Thursday), once Ethan found out that Laura was there, I barely got a half-hug before he was hugging Laura. When she left, Ethan cried and he and I laid in my bed for the rest of the evening, watching TV and eating sunflower seeds. It's those special one on one times that I love with my kids. When it's just the two of us, watching Extreme Makeover-Home Edition, and Bettlejuice. Later of course we were watching Iron Chef. Ethan loves to cook, so the food network is one of his favorite channels. With everything that we are going through as a family with Andrew, Dave and I are trying to spend some quality alone time with all the kids. It's really tough to do with our schedules but we are making an effort. We of course are in the midst of Halloween preperations. We will have a princess, an Air Force Pilot, a vampire and one undecided at this point (I know, nothing like waiting until the last minute) I will post pictures of the kids in their costumes next week!

What's going on in my life....

I realized that I hadn't posted for awhile about some other things that have been going on in my life.

1. Dave has been working at H&H Chevrolet in the detail shop, he has had a really crappy schedule 1-9:30 Mon-Thurs and then 8-7 on Saturdays. Has not been fun. But...YIPPEE! Today he got the good news that he gets to switch to the day shift so we are putting Taryn in preschool and Dave will be home before the boys get out of school. It will be much better for us as a family.

2. Andrew (our oldest) was diagnosed with Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD) it would take much too long for me to explain what this is, so if you want to know the hell we have been going through google it. He seems to be doing better and is in regular therapy, and getting ready to start EMDR (again, google it) therapy. It will be a slow road, but anything is better than what we have been dealing with. There is nothing worse than knowing your child is in emotional pain and you can't do anything to help them.

3. School........there is nothing to say here.......school is school...at least I'm not taking Math.

4. Bridal Shower coming up this weekend! My sister (Rachael) is getting married on New Year's Eve and we are hosting her bridal shower and bachelorette party in Grand Island this weekend. Should be a good time!

5. My BFF Laura is coming to visit in 2 weeks!!!! YIPPEE AGAIN!!!! We will be having a fun night of beer drinking and Wii playing with some friends.

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend! I know I will!

It's that time...

When I think back to the 5th grade I remember that was the year I started band. Well here in Elkhorn, they do not start band until the 6th grade and every 5th grader learns how to play the recorder. So on Monday I filled out a permission slip and sent $5.00 with Andrew so he could purchase his recorder and song book. I can't tell you how excited I am to have the sounds of the recorder filling my house at night. I'm sure we are in for a bumpy few months with this. It all culminates with an ALL recorder concert in February. Can't wait! ;)