Happy Halloween

We survived the day. I got party prep and costume finalization done last night, survived supervising a fifth grade Halloween party without looking like too much of an idiot, got pumpkins carved, handed out candy to a few hundred kids and even fed my family a healthy dinner -- well, healthier than bags full of candy, anyway.


Em just HAD to be a pumpkin this year. Did you know that they don't make pumpkin costumes for 9 year olds? So I had to use my very limited sewing skills to fashion one out of a huge t-shirt and a bag of batting. Its a little frumpy, but she loved it.

Dani really wanted to be Indiana Jones, but I wasn't too hot on the idea spending a zillion dollars on costumes this year and was trying to encourage the kids to come up with more creative, and inexpensive ideas. While walking through Party City, Dani glimpsed someone walking by with a handful of medals and suddenly, she wanted to be an Olympic Athlete. I loved -- we spend absolutely NO money on her costume!!!EEvan, for some reason really wanted to be a knight. His was the only costume I had to give in and buy.
Brendan wore a different outfit every time he got to dress up. For trick or treating, he selected a Power Ranger costume from the stash of superhero costumes we have, which made me happy because it hadn't been used very much up to this point and its one of the nicer dress ups we have

The kids stayed out trick or treating far longer than usual. Jason says that Emily and Brendan were the trailblazers, wanting to go on and on, while Dani and Evan skipped lots of houses and wanted to go home. At least it was a beautiful warm night, so that bitter cold didn't add to the conflict!

Some stories for Lani

I received a scolding email from my baby sister becuase I am not keeping the blog up to date. Admittedly, I'm a bit behind, but here are a couple of jewels that I heard today

We are driving in the car with the boys.... (for those who are unfamiliar with our midwest institutions, Menards is a home improvement store -- a la Home Depot, and Cicis is a pizza buffet).
Evan: (singing) Save big money.... save big money....when you shop Menards! Save big money, save big money, when you shop Menards! Save big money.... Save big money....
Me: Evan, you are a NUT!
Evan: What!?!?! I found this paper from Cicis!
Me: confused But.... you're singing the Menards song!
Evan: Cause Cicis doesn't have a song!


and later, driving to another destination
Evan: Mom, can we go to the store and buy a webkins today? I'll use my own money.
Me: Are you sure you want to do that? I thought you were saving up for a Batman Lego game.
Evan: No, I said webkins. WEBKINS. You know... webkins... batman... they rhyme, so you were probably confused.
Brendan: Mom, now you say, 'Ooooh."


And tonight, I was sitting on the couch with Brendan on my lap, watchin' a little Kim Possible together and Brendan twisted around to face me, put a hand on my cheek, looked lovingly into my eyes and said, "Mom, I like you."

Oh they have been in rare form today!

An excerpt

Evan: Mom -- I know what happens when you stretch your hands.
Me: Oh? What?
Evan: Your arms grow.
Dani: EVAN! In second grade you have to make your BRAIN grow! Its prrreeettty hard! You havve to write FIVE sentences!