Oh Halloween, how I love you.

Oh the joys of Halloween. Here are some of my highlights so far:

Positive: Setting up a new door bell that has 4 different screams, and ghost sounds
Negative: Jonny ringing the door-bell 30 times a day

Positive:Being able to order anything Halloweenish from Oriental Trading.
Negative: I didn't realize that when I ordered a dozen slime filled toilets that the slime would actually come out.

Positive: Jonny decided instead of Bobby Flay he would be Mario for Halloween.
Negative: This comes with Jonny trying to sound like an Italian 24 hours a day.

Postive: I finally finished making Ben his Aragon costume complete with leather duster thing and cloak.
Negative: Conversation with Ben concerning the costume:
Me: "Hey, I finished your Aragon costume today"
Ben: "What! I told you I wanted to be Aragorn not Aragon"
Me: "Seriously! I thought you wanted to be the guy from Lord of the Rings
Ben: "Yea, Aragorn!"

I then went to a middle earth web-site and realized that they are indeed the same person.

All in all, it is still my favorite time of year.

Too much Reverence is a Bad Thing

Having to travel 4+ hours to attend a temple is a new thing for us. I realize I didn't have to sell everything I own and travel on a bus sitting by a chicken, but it was still a long drive. So we packed up our Oreo's and Nutter butters and headed north to Spokane.
While Dave and I were in the temple Nate was in charge of the kids at a church house across the street. There were plenty of activities planned and we just asked Nate to help keep the kids fairly reverent. When we came out this is what we found.

I am so glad they had such an uplifting day.

Like Father Like Son

For Homecoming week (bigger than the Superbowl here) the school had the typical days where the students could dress up. I tried to get Nate to dress up each day but he was totally not interested until Thursday. Nate walked into the kitchen looking like this The best part about Nerd Day was that Nate found his entire outfit in his Dads closet.

Haven't heard that one before

It's good to share what's on your mind, Right? I mean, how much better would society be, if we were just honest all the time. I think some in Montana have mastered this concept. Some of my more memorable conversations go like this.

"I think it is your personality that I just don't like"
"Are all people from Colorado like you?"
Yet, I think my favorite was this last week at church. We like many of you have been studying the Apostle Paul.

Unknown offender: "I think if the Apostle Paul had met you, he would have really hated you."

Huh, that's a new one. I think we should follow their examples and strive to be honest in all our daily doings. Or, maybe not.

You told Sarah What?

In a couple weeks I am planning a gigantic "Tangled" party for a cute little girl in my ward. So being the smart parent that I am, I decided to post-pone Sarah's birthday until that week. This way after I've built towers, made wigs, etc. I can have Sarah a little party with a few of her friends and just use the same decorations. Brilliant Right!

So my evil plan was to not tell Sarah it's her birthday today. Don't think bad thoughts about me, she's 3 and has no concept of time. Little did I know that both older brothers would remember that today is the day. This morning while I am still in bed, and I thought the boys were eating cereal, this is what I heard.

Nate and Ben in Unison: Happy Birthday Sarah!! We've made you a special Birthday Breakfast

Sarah: (muffled but I can understand) It's my birthday!!!! YEAAAAAAA!!!!

So, I just called one of her little friends to come over to a princess tea-party at 2:00 today. This will test my great skills at party planning with only a few hours, and no Wal-mart.

Now, all of you who I told not to call Sarah today on her birthday are free to do so.

Happy Birthday my sweet princess (or beast as I sometimes call her )

That's Ravalli over there in the Maroon jersey

I always thought it was a bad thing when you showed up at a party in the exact same outfit as someone else. Yea, no one cares about that rule here. The most disturbing thing about Nate's last game was I was the only one who seemed to notice that both teams were in identical jerseys.

Luckily, Nate is a foot taller than anyone else on the field, and of course the announcer kept me informed by saying " that was #58 Ravalli"

You're never as cool as you think you are.

Planning Birthday parties is one of the "Perks" of being a mom. The problem is there are only four a year, so I was so excited when I was able to become an "Official Party Planner" and create a "Little Mermaid" party for my friend.

I Decorated

I Made cute "Sebastian" party favors

I was starting to feel like I was all that and a bag of chips when Jonny walked in and said:

Jonny: "hmmmm I think I need a party planner for my next birthday."

Me: (thinking... did he already forget the rock-star Star wars party 3 months ago?) " Well ya know Jonny I'm kind of a party planner."

Jonny: "No, I need a good one."

Spell check has failed me

You would think someone would have pointed out to me that their Hatch Patch invoice says " I am proud to be a Moron" instead of Mormon. Yea, I am that cool.

Hanging my head in Shame... AGAIN

Ok, so this hasn't been my most stellar month, it has almost been as bad as this day. After Ben's latest mishap I decided to be more proactive in my children's injuries. So, I promptly made an appointment for Nate to have a planters wart the size of a quarter be removed from his foot. I know it's gross to be talking about a wart, but if I said "growth" then some of you would panic. Anyway, on the way to the Dr's this was our conversation.

Nate: So, how is he going to take it off?

Me: hmmm they burn it

Nate: THEY BURN IT! Are you kidding?.

Me: No, but it will be fine, I will be right there with you the whole time.
Nate: hmmmm ok.

So as we waited in the office, I realized they were running kind of late and I needed to pick up Ben. I went to the receptionist and asked how long she thought it would be. The nurse assured me that I had plenty of time before he went under the knife so I ran to get Ben.

In my car rushing back to the Dr's

Ring ring Ring

Me: Hello

Nate: Hi, hmm can you come pick me up?

Me: What! are you done?

Nate: hmm yea,

I hung my head in shame again.

At least they won't starve

Sunday afternoon I asked Nate and Ben to make lunch for Jonny and Sarah. A couple minutes later a horrific smell started drifting down the hallway. I walked down into the kitchen and the smell was so strong I started to gag. Here are my four children enjoying sardines, and pickled herring on tortilla chips.

Me: "Seriously... Have you heard of PB&J?"

Ben: "PB&J is gross"

They all need therapy.