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After the carnival and Wayne’s continued sickness, the Ballard Market Street Trick or Treat was on the chopping block. We went anyway, though with some uncertainties. Crowds, rain, sugar. It turned out ok. I wrangled the girls while Wayne took beautiful photos. (see flickr) We ran into J&C, the farm. The costumes were stunning. The crowds weren’t bad. The girls didn’t get tons of candy, just a nice smattering. When our energy was starting to fail, we ducked into Kjrsten’s church’s alternative party and watched Madame Blueberry while Wayne got the car.
We ate dinner and headed out as a family. It was fun. I wasn’t able to recruit any friends or neighbors (despite attempting to by email), but as a family, we make a big enough group. Ken and Erica weren’t having their normal gathering. So we got their undivided attention for awhile. It was a nice chance to catch up. There were even a decent number of trick or treaters.
Here’s our other neighbors garb:
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We began with work. Wayne was feeling sick so he stayed home with the girls while I set up the carnival. I got to partner with 2 moms from Sara’s class. By the end of the time, I had been to every booth. It was a good preview. I even got to tour the haunted house with the lights on. I think we’re going to stay away from the haunted house for a few years. One of the funnest parts was seeing all the cool Halloween cakes people made for the cake walk.
Wayne brought the girls later. The place was packed by the time they got here. We found several of Sara’s friends. Laura would not have anything to do with the cupcake walk other than to demand the cupcakes. She quickly became fascinated with the dunking booth. She liked getting wet when someone was dunked. It was fun that every kid got to dunk the adult, accurate aim or not. Then Laura discovered the bouncy house. I got her in and she was ok when she stood next to me. Once there were lots of excited boys. The next time with mostly girls and her sister got Laura some confidence and she started having fun. Fun or not, she was determined to bounce. We bundled a tired, overstimulated Laura to bed.
Giggling. Laughing. Mayhem.
That describes the reunion between Sara and Johanna today. Sara got to spend the evening with her best bud.
We had set aside this day for Johanna and her family. Rain ruled the day and banished my bike. Wayne stayed home sick. I did some menu planning and took Laura shopping. I picked up Sara from school and we all took naps. Nice on a rainy day with some sick family members.
We learned our guests would be delayed. It worked well for us. We all slept late and worked slowly on dinner. We were able to distract Sara for a bit.
And then our guests appeared after a 5 hr drive. We grilled bool kolgi (Korean BBQ from TJs). I made a salad with spinach and curried, warm apples, red onions, and bacon.
It was nice to have everyone around our table. We took our desert next door and went to our neighbors annual pumpkin party. Laura carved the first pumpkin. She continued to eat way too many deserts. I cuddled around the fired and talked to friends.
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Today was a glorious Northwest day. The teasing of sun. Amazing clouds. Storms on the horizon. It was a nice break from yesterdays gloomy downpour. I took the plunge and hauled out the bike and the trailer. I hustled the kids out of the house early to get Laura to school before I had to volunteer at Sara’s school. The streets were dry and the ride was fun. I was slow going the 10 blocks north to Sara’s school. I still am not a fan of hills. But they will make me stronger.
On the way to school, Sara asked if God was in our heart when we died. Very perceptive question. We discussed what “having God in our heart meant”. We discussed the concept of being present without physical form. We talked about heaven and God would have form there. Broad, bold concepts for an average ride to school.
This time I walked into Sara’s classroom like I owned it. Not really. It was just nice to be there and belong there. Sara was hyper excited to have me there. The highlight of her day (discussed at the dinner table) was having me there and the lowlight was when I left. I’m holding onto that thought before the teenage years come.
I was enchanted by Sara’s school. I personally have a real admiration for teachers. As a parent, I am my child’s “best” teacher. It is a role I think I struggle with a bit. I am especially in awe of teachers of young kids. Young kids wiggle and giggle and don’t do what you say. Somehow, learning occurred and I got to observe it.
I transcribed stories with the kids about their field trip to the pumpkin patch. I got to see music class and learn Italian music terms. I watched the PE teacher show the kids serves for badminton. I served snack to 25 kids. (Challenge: get 25 small dixie cups of water to tables in 5 minutes from sink without a tray). I observed the reading of the Ghost Eye Tree in library. I found a beloved, out of print book in the library- Dorrie the Witch by Patricia Coombs. The librarian was as excited about it as I was. She let me check out one to take home and read with Sara. I learned the names of 25 kids. Still get some boys names confused. I stamped books in the main office. I ended the day by eating lunch with Sara. School lunch was good. It was nice day.
I’ve been working on the monotonous task of changing over kids clothes. I just acquired a new wardrobe for Sara for the next year at our church’s toy exchange. Laura has definitely moved beyond 3T to 4T. Sometimes she’s floating into 5T. It’s taken me this long to get turn over the short sleeve shirts and shorts. Summer is definitely gone for the next many months.
The evening was pleasant. We’re still working on the pasta casserole from D&D. So no cooking. We did the first half of Sound of Music for the first time with the kids and, surprisingly, for Wayne. It’s a very nostalgic movie for me. I love singing along. I worked on more clothes. Sara was envious of all Laura’s new hand me downs.
The evening was pleasant.
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