Halloween

The kids had a fantastic Halloween. AJ had a class party on Thursday and he and Erin went trick-or-treating on Friday night. AJ collected his candy in his kangaroo pouch. Once it started to fill, the joey got ousted. Erin just had dad carry her basket. It was just a beautiful evening to be outside with all the happy kids and parents.

Slacker

Please email/call/facebook,etc. me if I'm not keeping up on posts. I don't always remember that I'm aiming at blogging at least once a week. Obviously, I'm not meeting that quota... the reminder would help :)

AJ has his Halloween party at Little Turtle tomorrow with his class and he's totally excited for it. Erin won't understand until tomorrow that she doesn't go to the party, but she does get to hang out with Katie and cruise the mall. Fingers crossed that she's well-behaved for Katie.

Matt's in Mexico again, returning on Thursday though.

If you live here, you saw the snow flurries today, if not- we had flurries today! It's a little early for my taste, but it's supposed to be in the 50's for Halloween night, so that's tolerable.

I thought I'd include the dogs in this post. They're still around and kickin' it. Sparky thinks his rightful sleeping spot is in the bed with me each time Matt's gone. He warms me up at first, but totally hogs the bed later. Definitely not a lap dog. Frankie's almost to hibernation state since it's cooler out. I have to force her out in the mornings before we leave for school. I swear she can hold it for 37 hours.

We haven't been to Grand Rapids in a while and we're missing everyone there. I may take the kids for a visit during Matt's next Mexico trip. I hope it works out that way. I also miss my new nephews! Hugs and kisses to Brady and Will!

I'll post some recent pics!

A Big Week

Matt was in Mexico all week. We missed him being home, but it's better that he's gone only a week or two here and there instead of six months or more.

AJ had his birthday at school, firefighters' visit at school, apple orchard field trip and his birthday party this week. It may have been the best week ever ;)

Matt took the kids to Lowe's to build a project on Saturday, there are pics from that as well.

It was fun to have everybody over for the party to hang out. We have great families. No lie.

Aaah, the weekend.

Our house was overrun with toys. "Overrun" is probably even an understatement. So, this past Saturday we cleaned out the toys. Some went to storage, some went to Goodwill, some went to the trash. It's much better now.

Saturday night G&G Wolski had a sleepover with the kids, so Matt and I went out with Colleen and Adam and had dinner and spent some time at a local pub. It was fun to get out!

AJ is ready to make birthday cake for his party. But, he's going to bring Rice Krispie treats to school Tuesday, so we've got to make those tomorrow as well.

Erin is doing really well potty training. The kids were wiped out from their sleepover and had a bath and were in bed a little early toight.

Matt goes to Mexico Monday through Friday this week and we'll miss him. When I say, "Dad's at work" Erin says,"Mexico?"

We're looking forward to having the family over for AJ's party on Saturday.
"

The big O-6.

It's six years for Matt and I. We weren't able to get out by ourselves, but we took the kids and went to dinner on Saturday night. Their behavior was spectacular. Not even an instance of arguing or wet pants. Then on Sunday, Gram asked us to go to dinner for our anniversary, so Dad, Andi, Gram and the four of us went out. It was really nice to just be with family (Jess come home).

Mom's making AJ's costume and will bring it home with her in October. She's relocated to Florida and is loving it. I do miss her, but I know she is there with her mom, so that's okay with me.

Matt began a project to have the downspouts drain further from the house. Matt says,"Can you come help me for a minute?" That really meant,"Can you shimmy under the deck on your belly, attach the drains, screw them together and then find your way out?" Anyway, I did that and then Matt did the muddy work of burying the drains. It turned out good and I'm not at all bitter about the shimmying. Not at all.

Erin's finally wearing underpants instead of diapers. She told me a while back that she'd wear underpants when she turned four. So, I just stopped buying diapers and there we go. Erin's doing a great job.

AJ is completely ready and excited for fall because it means his birthday and Halloween are coming up.

School Time!

AJ is in Young 5's kindergarten this year and LOVES it. He asks every day if it's Field Trip day yet. He's counting until the apple orchard trip.

Erin and I go to storytime each Wednesday at the library. The first time she looked at everybody like they were nuts, but she got into it eventually.

AJ and Erin got two new cousins in the past two weeks, Brady Patrick (Nancy & Andy) and William Matthew (Kristy & Matt). We got to see Brady for a few minutes when he was born, but we haven't seen Will yet. Tomorrow we go to Grand Rapids for a visit.

Matt's been in Mexico again this week and I'll be happy when he's back home :)

I will figure out the Picasa albums site again and post recent pics. Mom Ply took a cool one of Matt and I tubing with the kids, so we've got to get that out there.

I'm a little sad the past couple days because Jess and Tom's move to Michigan is postponed again until April. I miss my sister dearly. It's just not the same talking on the phone. It just isn't.

Love to everybody.

As Summer Goes...

Labor Day weekend was spectacular. The weather was perfect for our last boating weekend. AJ was out there like a crazy man. And, suprisingly, Erin got on a tube with me and liked it a lot! I wasn't sure what her reaction would be. She was a trooper as AJ and Matt bumped us and the spray was in her face and we crossed the wake. AJ and Matt dumped me off my tube more than a few times and AJ laughed hysterically the whole ride.

I'm sad that this part of summer is over.

AJ started Young 5's Kindergarten today. His teacher is nice and he had a great day there. Also, a friend of AJ's from the gym is in his class, so she was excited to see AJ in class.