Happy Halloween!

Well, it's 9:15 pm and it's finally all quiet upstairs in the kids room. They were so hyped up about today. They have been counting down the days to Halloween since last weekend. I guess I can't really blame them considering all the fun stuff they get to do - make jack'o'lanterns, dress up, and let's not forget the candy!!!! 


Candy! Candy! Candy!

But, first let's start with the carving of the pumpkin.....

Scott got all wrapped up in 1) his power tools....and 2) this Star Wars thing....

Any guesses as to what this is?

Scott did most of the carving out in the garage - mostly to save me from having to clean up the pumpkin spray mess....notice the shirt and half of Scott's face (he was wearing goggles :)

Our two Captain Rexes met up with their friend Eliza who lives down the street, and then we were off prowling for tricks and treats.....


After about 30 minutes, Ian said, 'I'm done. I want to go home!' He was ready to dive into his loot already. I do have to admit that Ian's pumpkin was about half full and was pretty heavy for him. Payton wasn't tired, yet. We pushed Ian a little longer and in the end, Ian and I came home early while Eliza's dad took her and Payton around to other houses for a little while longer.


Ian and I handed out more treats while we waited for Payton to come back home. Then Payton wanted to hand out some candy. 

Happy Halloween Everyone!

Halloween fun has already started.

Last Saturday, our gym held a Halloween carnival with big bouncy inflatables, decorating pumpkins, face painting, balloon creations, games and a DJ playing loud fun music. Of course, the kids wanted to go. Both kids decided to be Captain Rex this year. For those who don't know who he is...he is a clone trooper from the Clone Wars.  I'm not completely sure how clone troopers were good guys and then became bad storm troopers later. But whatever..... Here's some pics....

Then at Ian's gym class, the kids were invited to wear their costumes this week. Most of the pics were of a blurry clone trooper. The cute thing was that one of his teachers was Princess Leia. Ian all of a sudden became shy around her. (He never was before :)

Payton's on a team....

The team is actually a group of girls that play together on the playground. The call themselves the Power Puff Girls. Each one of the girls has a nickname, given to them by their leader. There are four of them. The leader's name is Blossom......Then there's Buttercups, Tangerina, and Payton's name is Bubbles :)

I asked Payton what the team does together, and she says that they chase boys. Oh, boy.....

The Boards and Scott's Isolation

October 13th, Scott had his Critical Care Board Exam. Leading up to this date, he studied for 5 days straight. The kids and I disappeared to Kevin's house for the weekend prior to his big test, so that he could study in isolation.

It was actually a nice trip and a good excuse for a change of scenery. I really love the rolling hills and larger trees that you find between Madisonville and Cat Spring. (Of course, these trees are no where the size of those from North Carolina, that I really loved, but they are bigger than the scrawny ones here in Plano.)

Anyway, the kids were VERY excited to play and be with their cousins.

On Sunday, we got to worship at Kevin's parish. It was a beautiful, foggy morning.

Texas State Fair with Grandma and Grandpa

Grandma and Grandpa made a pit stop here on their way up to Great-grandpa's house in Arkansas. They were here for 3 nights, so that they could go to the State Fair with us last Friday (Payton didn't have school).

We also recruited Conner and Aiden (new friends from school). Conner is in Payton's class and Aiden is Ian's age.

We got to go see more of the exhibits that we didn't have a chance to see on our first trip. One of my favorite was the Greenhouse. It had electric trains zooming in and out of the gardens, garden figures, and historic buildings found throughout Texas. The pumpkin carver was fascinating to watch. The kids seemed to enjoy this exhibit as well.

I promised the kids we could do one ride or game. I would have promised more, but the one they wanted required me to ride with them. Unfortunately - the cost of the games and rides is a drawback of the fair. But the ride the kids chose was this enormous slide. Don't get me wrong - it was fun. Thank God I have a strong stomach.

We stayed for almost 5 hours and were pretty worn out by the end of our outing - but the Fair only comes once a year.....It was worth it.

First Parent-Teacher Conference

This week marked the end of the first nine weeks of the school year. Kindergarteners don't get grades yet, but instead parents get to meet with teachers to discuss their kids. Our conference was on Thursday. I am pleased to report that Payton is doing fine in kindergarten. Mrs. Chiang said that she has no behavioral or social concerns regarding Payton. We discussed where she stands academically - and she's doing just fine.

Scott said," 'What did you expect she would say....'Payton's brilliant. She should skip ahead to the next grade?'"

And NO I didn't expect that. I was pleased that Payton is right on target.

Mrs. Chiang did say that Payton's strengths are being observant and story comprehension. Evidently, Payton lets Mrs. Chiang know every morning what has changed in the classroom :)

It was kind of strange sitting at the kidney-shaped table, in little bitty chairs, across from Payton's teacher - very surreal. I remember sitting across from my elementary school teachers at a table just like that one. Of course, the chairs didn't feel so small :) Am I really old enough to have a kid in kindergarten?

Outing to the Park

While the family was visiting, they had an outing to Russel Creek Park. It has a large number of soccer fields and lots of room to run First they tried sending up a styrofoam airplane. Evidently that didn't work so well.

Ian was also trying out his new Dutch soccer uniform pajamas (which are super-cute!) Harry and Opa were trying to play soccer with the kids. Opa had to come home early because he pulled something in his leg :( which left Harry to fend for himself......