San Antonio

We went to San Antonio for the mini-fall break the children had from school. Alex has been learning about the Alamo and Texas history this year and he was very excited to visit. We went to Sea World also. It was a great vacation. Our friends the deLucia's went down as well, so the kids had friends to play, splash, cry, and ride with.

Texas State Fair

 Because I am a crazy woman... I took my 3 kids to the state fair by myself, after school, on a school night! And we rode public transportation for an hour (we had to change trains even).

 The boys were thrilled to ride the train. When it wasn't crowded.

 Everyone knows the state fair is expensive. Yikes! We were there 3 hours; we didn't pay for admission or parking; we ate very little; we did ride kiddie rides and the boys played one game each; $75.

 Free! A BMX show. Ryan loved it.

 The kids did bumper cars, super slide, small roller coaster, fun house, balloon ride, and beetle bop spinner ride. I think that was a lot of great fun for them.

 I volunteered to ride the balloon ride with Macey. All was well. She and I had a balloon to ourselves.

 And then 2 boys jumped in with us. Ugh, that kid in the yellow was spining it as fast as he could.

 His friend in the gray was feeling very sick (as was I, but that is how it goes when you are old!)

 When we got off Macey proclaims, 'That was fun!' She is a tad adventurous.

 Macey wanted to go on a coaster and I sent Alex with her. She was scared after the first big drop, but so was Alex so they had to tough it out together.

 Ryan went on this fun house because he was disappointed that Alex won a prize and he didn't and that I didn't have enough cash to buy another game card for him. Sorry, buddy.

It was a crowded place on a Tuesday night. Which is probably good for me since waiting in line kept us from paying to ride more rides! On the way out Ryan was complaining that other kids had glow in the dark swords. I said that his mom was too lame to buy him one. And for once I was defended. Alex chimed in, 'Mom is cool. She did bring us to the fair after all.' Thanks, Alex. I do hope that the kids will remember going to the fair, 'cause we probably ain't going ag'in for a few years!

Early Halloween

A new friend wanted to have her Halloween party early in the month to avoid conflict. After a lot of last minute scrambling (and me with nothing) I got the rest of the family's costumes put together.

This year's theme is Lego Ninjago (without the yellow heads or boxy bodies).

 Dan is Sensei Wu (the master), Alex is Jay the Blue Ninja, Ryan is the mysterious Green ninja (Lloyd), Macey is the 'Pink Ninja'. Yes, she wants to be a pink ninja. She loves her costume. And although, technically, there isn't a pink ninja, during one episode the white ninja's uniform went through the wash with a red shirt, so he was pink that day!

 I love this picture of our pink ninja getting the bad guys while the boys train with Sensei.

 Phew, I am a lucky woman that my family puts up with my Halloween craziness!

 Here we go to have some holiday fun.

The kids are making Ghostly Goo.

 

 Dan is playing with his ghostly goo. Hmm...

 Here is my friend and her son. He was Dracula earlier in the night.

Another family joined in the fun. The mom was Madame Fortuna and was reading fortunes for all. It was a lot of fun, and I didn't have to plan it this year. Even better!

Update

I have been sewing costumes and I don't have much time to spare: we are going to a Halloween Party this Saturday! But I noticed it was time for an update.
Dan took the kids to a hockey game with the D's.

I suggested Macey stay home with me while I watch the RS broadcast, but she was VERY excited to go to the game. Once she got there the thrill was gone and asked (according to Dan) 150 times to go home!

We had a mysterious cold front move through this weekend. R, M and I stayed home from Alex's soccer game due to the cold. However, he went off and scored 3 goals!

At last month's Pack Meeting, Alex earned his religious knot. Our Bishop came to present the award to him and Matt, another boy in my Den and Primary class.

These two boys are in the same 4th grade class, math class, primary class, and cub scout den. Nico lives 2 streets over and the boys do homework together and walk back and forth to each others houses for free time. I love these boys!

In September one of our family friends moved to another city. In between houses and school districts they stayed at our house after school. The kids would play for an hour and then get to their homework. Both boys had a friend their age to play with. It really wasn't too bad having 5 kids in the house, but it was LOUD and we couldn't get as much accomplished with them around. They have finally moved to their new school, but we will miss having these boys to play with.

I found Macey reading out loud in the office last night. She loves to have us read a book 4 times in an hour and then proceed to read it to herself. She is dressed a little too warmly now that the weather has changed. But she sure is cute!