Happy Halloween

 Halloween is just so sad because of Covid.  I did my best to make it lovely.

Maddie's party proved to provide the candy haul.

Haircuts for all.  It was very sad to cut off his white summer/Mexico tips.

Little Miss ran through the sprinklers.

I made dinner in a pumpkin. 

Witches' brew.

Those little bags Maddie sewed earlier in the week were filled with candy and beside everyone's plate.

The older kids had a stake-youth function.  Austin took the four youngers to Grandma's house to trick-or-treat.  We found costumes in the bucket and make them work.

Ryan in the morphsuit.

Eddie as Captian America.

Molly as Anna.

Maisie and her friends were hydroflasks.

Andy didn't dress up.  

Maisie and her girls.

She snapped a picture of the "blue moon."

Nick and Maisie played tag and really enjoyed themselves at the event.  Andy took off early to find other fun.

Meg went to a party in Pocatello with friends.

Halloween Week

 We just survived this week.  I did not do anything special for any day.  It seems like I was pulled away ministering every moment of everyday.  We did spend the afternoons schooling, and I did make time to read at least 30 minutes aloud everyday.  

Molly and I matched.  I had several members ask if I sewed our dresses.  Nope.  Molly's was Maisie's 12 years ago.  I just finally uncovered it.

Austin and Andy had a planning meeting.  We waited.  It's still like 80* around here.  We're not complaining.

Sunday afternoon we were all in the same space, just busily engaged in various tasks.  Maddie made these pumpkins.

Maisie painted.

The boys played cards.

Molly helped me in the kitchen prepare to feed the missionaries and Grandpa.

Monday and Tuesday were COLD.  We made hot chocolate.  Molly spilled hers three times.  I quickly remembered why we don't drink with spoons in cups.

50* proof on the Home Hub.

Austin and I voted early.  I dropped our ballots off.

Ryan lost his first tooth!  The tooth fairy remembered -- $5 later.  His lisp is so sweet.

(Austin pulled it.  He was busy putting canned lighting the the basement, so that's why he has pliers.)

https://photos.app.goo.gl/sr23Y7QvUPvXysXd6

Wednesday Molly and I went to the preschool party.  

She's Anna.

Eddie turned himself into a vampire, 

while they engineered temples.  Thank you, Friend, magazine.

Selfie.

We also learned about cartography.  Molly drew her room. (I like the ruffled quilt and polka-dot sheets. She also drew herself and Maddie.)

Eddie had me tape these eyes and mouth on his hood.

The dental office had a lucky visitor.  Ugh.  I really do brush and floss and mostly eat lots and lots of cookies.

Home again, but I actually did put makeup on and shook out my hair.  My teaching uniform is sweats and a braid.  Don't worry, I changed back into that when Austin got home, so that life would feel more normal.

Look at this dinner!  We are blessed to have such lovely whole-grains and vegetables.  Thank you, Mel.

Friday was a mess during school -- they couldn't focus on anything but this car ramp Nick and Eddie made.  They spent hours engineering and propelling cars down the ramp and onto the grass.  I did call them in a few times, but I wanted them to play and play.  It's still hard for me to know when to let creative play happen, and when to reel it in.

Maddie went to a halloween party Friday night.  Putting that good ol' poodle skirt to yet more good use.

Maddie runs on all fours.  Try it.  You'll see it's a mad skill.  Here she is in action.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/FJWE6ses3GcJZkWG9

Meg is running fast and dating lots of boys.  She's very happy when she calls; I hear the youthfulness in her voice.  I am so happy that she knows life is all about family -- even when right now her life is all about her.

Opotober Twenty-One -- Molly's #4

I want to forever remember how Molly declares her birthday, "Opotober Twenty-One." 

Nice Grandma B. hosted birthday dinner.  Molly requested chicken and rice.  Her dreams came true.

Molly's song.

Luckily Maddie covered Ryan's mouth so Molly could blow out her candles.

Earlier in the afternoon, Eddie carved and roasted his own pumpkin seeds -- a huge success.

While that was happening, Maddie and Molly make lego birthday cakes.

We spent the morning in the park.  Look at her grins!  She was laughing so hard and was every bit four.

Train crash.

Everyone was home for breakfast.  

Baby Emily is now a matching unicorn.

Morning presents.

A whole-lotta four.

• Dad likes Molly because she's happy and she rolls all over him during scriptures and CFM.
• Nick likes Molly because she's his best friend and let's him carry her all over the house and outside.
• Ryan likes Molly because she lets him push her on her bike and wrestle her.
• Eddie likes Molly because she's creative and they spend many hours creating pictures on ArtHub for kids.
• Maddie likes Molly because she makes Maddie read books to her and allows Maddie to clean their room for her.
• I like Molly because she spontaneously gives kisses and hugs and  shares happiness.
• Maisie likes Molly because she visits her in the library during school, is her companion while cleaning her room, and lets her braid her hair.
• Andy likes Molly because she draws pictures for him and his friends, then requests a cash donation.

Molly learned how to skip and sashay! = FOUR YEARS OLD! 

https://photos.app.goo.gl/orFAB1v2ARSrga6m7