What I learned from Halloween this year...

Every year I think Halloween is going to be fun and calm (I know, that's an oxymoron)...and every year I just seem a bit disappointed, you know??  And so, I have thought long and hard and have come up with a few things to try next year...ha ha ha

1. Pick up kids from school and bring home a pizza at that point.  This will give us more time to get everyone dressed and will also ensure that they eat a decent meal before trekking it out on the streets.  Tonight, it took us 50 minutes to get everyone dressed and out the door...I know, there are 4 kids involved but I think we can improve on this.

2. Give hubby something to calm him down so he doesn't get annoyed at everything they do... you know, like running to the next house w/o waiting for the little ones??  Or asking each kid to get dressed more times then necessary... they are excited about this time and I think get so caught up in the act of Trick or Treating that they can't concentrate on the task of getting ready??  Perhaps some kind of organization on my part would help..ha ha.. laying out costumes and stuff...

3. Drink heavily and make a To Go cup... ok, so I did make the To Go cup tonight but I should have started drinking earlier... seriously, it would have helped me deal with the Big Kid (you know, hubby)

4. Move to a neighborhood like place for the week.  It would just be so convenient to be able to walk out our front door and come back when we are tired and/or hungry.

5. PEE before we leave.  Not just the kiddies either... man, I had to go so bad by the time we got back!!

6. Pack HEALTY snacks for the trek...perhaps that would deter them from wanting every piece of candy they get.  ha ha ha Who am I kidding...

7. Invest in some hand warmers... especially if there is a snowstorm just before Halloween... Franny Girls hands were so cold...

8. If that To Go cup doesn't do it just bring a flask... ha ha ha ha ha

9. Go with the flow and make sure your kids know they might NOT win the costume contest... Kyra was a puddle b/c she didn't win anything... but she did get over it quickly, thank goodness..

I can't think anymore... here's to a better Halloween next year!!  Though, on a good note, Franny won $10 in the costume contest tonight... I think she needs to take me out for coffee...lol

Hope you all had a GREAT night and stayed nice and warm..

Birthdays and a Snow Storm...

Whew...long weekend but a much needed break in there!!

Did my first b-day party at the preschool (I've been training to do them).  And, it just so happened that it was also my birthday!!  So, I got to host a princess tea party for a beautiful 5 yr old!!  Had fun and will totally be able to do them.  Now, to just fit them into my schedule..lol

I also got a huge snowstorm for my birthday.  Geez, I really don't like winter and snow and ice and sleet and all that crap.  I hate the cold...and boy is it cold out there!!  I'm really not ready for it.  But, on the plus side, we had a major break in rehearsals and rehearsals and rehearsals and some work.  I got to spend more time with my mom while she was here and was able to clean a small part of the house!!  I was also able to make cookies with the kids and decorate them...something I wanted to do for Halloween but I didn't know how I was going to manage it.  Turns out the snowstorm made that happen.  And so, while I am praying for all my friends and neighbors with no power I am also happy to have had the extra time this weekend!!  My mother (yes, my mother, not my husband) made me a birthday dinner and it was YUM!!  I do love a good steak and baked potato:)  Speaking of good old hubby...I didn't even get a card from him nor did I get any home-made cards from the kids.  You know, the stuff I make sure he gets.  Does this mean I don't have to worry about that stuff when his bday rolls around or is this part of 2 wrongs don't make a right??  Not really disappointed that I didn't get cake b/c I enjoyed the whole cookie thing better and I got to try out some of my new molds...but, an effort from hubby might have helped???

This snowstorm really pissed me off too.  As I shoveled out the cars and got all the snow off them, I stewed with resentment towards hubby.  He can be so infuriating sometimes.  Thank goodness rehearsal didn't happen and I didn't have to go in to work yesterday b/c there was no way I could have gotten the rest of the driveway cleared.  Hubby, in the midst of an allergy attack, decided that the rest of the driveway didn't need to be cleared b/c it was going to be melted in a few days anyway.  Nevermind the wetness that creates ice and the fact that I have people driving onto our driveway to drop off babies.  And what pisses me off more is the fact that he tells me I never help with this stuff!!  More times than not I am out there shoveling something or hacking away at the ice.  And so, this is the start of me keeping track of all the times I do go out there and help!!  You read it here first:)

Snowstorm makes for a very cold Halloween...brrrrrrrrrrrr... next post is all about Halloween:)

On a positive hubby note- he did make sandwiches for school tomorrow!!

Family Portrait and a little Friendly's

We went yesterday for a 'family' portrait.  Haven't done that since Kyra was about 1...wow...that's been like 6 years.  Now, we've had out picture taken as a family at all those fun events like baptisms and communions and stuff.  But, we haven't been anywhere to have it taken, you know??  Pictures are so freakin' expensive.  And I take pictures of lots of families but we just never get our own done.  So, now we have one (or we will have one when they come in).  I feel like I've cheated too... we went the cheapo route and went to...wait for it... Walmart Picture place.  Yup...totally cheaped out.  I would love to be able to hire a real photographer and stuff...but they can be a bit pricey and once you pay for the actually sitting you have to go ahead and pay for any pictures you want.  Stuff I do for other people on occasion.  But, alas, I don't even think I could afford myself and I'm pretty cheap!!  I guess it doesn't matter b/c we actually will have a picture of all 6 of us.  Holy cow...we have 6 people in this family!!  Where did that come from.  Ok ok... I know where and how it came to us but WOW...

Anyway...that's done and we can hang some new pictures in this house soon!!  To be honest, I have to say hubby was a real sport about it too.  He had taken the day off to go hunting and what do I do but make an appt for it on that day.  Originally he was going to hunt in the morning and go meet with his Mom, brothers and her lawyer to discuss that whole sticky situation and her house and the big D word.  Yup, even people in their 70's talk about separation and divorce and all that crap.  Strange, right??  The lawyer cancelled and he was expecting to go out hunting in the afternoon too...but, he came with us so we could do the whole family and not just the kids!!  Thanks hubby!!

Afterwards, we headed to our seasonal trip to Friendly's.  We always go to Friendly's when momma visits.  It's like our 'thing', you know??  At least it's not Chuckee Cheese or something like that...lol..  service was mediocre and the food was the same as always.  Though, the burgers were better (they are supposedly fresh now as opposed to frozen).  And we do love the ice-cream there!!  Of course we ran in to 2 ladies who used to work in the daycare DJ/Kyra went to when I worked and their kindergarten teacher showed up too.  We had to get out of there before any other teacher showed up and they could see just how unruly my children are.  Ice-cream to go was in order b/c they just weren't going to make it through!!

Long weekend ahead of us (of course no break).  Franny is not feeling well...think she's teething.  Her cheeks are rosy red and she may be running a slight fever.  She has been sleeping since about 8:30 and hasn't stirred.  Wonder if she will and how our night will be.

Hope you are all enjoying this snow if you're in the Northeast with us.  I know I'm not... just a little wet flurry tonight but I really could use the sunny warmth again.  I do hate the winters and snow and ice and cold.  I must retire to a nice warm climate!!

Good hubby- well, he went on a family portrait journey and didn't go hunting instead... that's Great!!

Later