The Mummies 2012

The kids started talking about costumes weeks in advance. I noticed they were trying to go as a theme- completely on there own. I used my friend Melissa's guest tutorial for the costumes she made for her twins. Mine were a true knock-off- and not done as well. Emma "bought" going as a mummy because she was a mummy "princess" - notice the tiara.

Tea staining, stripping fabric, sewing onto sweats, and strings everywhere- the costumes were worn 3 times.


Landon and Jackson



Landon

Charlotte- happy to trick-or-treat once she figured out what was going on.

Tanner

The girls- tulle skirts and white hair spray





(Charlotte's not quite to sure about this makeup thing...)

But as I said, loved the pail thing.

A couple hours before Halloween Jackson tripped and fell into the window sill in the family room. He bled and cried hard and then I realized he had pushed his two front teeth in. We had an emergency dental consult (thanks Cameron) and then took him into Boise in the morning. He broke the roots. They should fall out or turn black and then need to be pulled out- regardless he whimpered all night and that put a damper on Trick or Treating. The last time I slaved over costumes Ryan got the flu and was sick in bed. I think I should take this all as an omen- less effort and all is well, extra effort and they can't be worn. Let's see what I remember when Halloween comes around next year.

Annual Witches Party

I squeezed this in right before Halloween- the kids kept asking and so I set everything else aside and made plans.

I delivered invitations, propped on Witch (or Wizard- for the boys) hats while they were sleeping.

I came down in the morning to various kids wearing their hat and watching cartoons- they love this party.


I used wrapping paper for the runner (thanks Melissa) and made sure each place setting had a glittered treat pail.


We started with a creepy hand tray:


Moved onto dinner- worms and chicken mash with broccoli and bones (breadsticks)






This year I used the Hershey's Snow Ghost Pie story (the Snow Ghost stole a piece of our pie too). My mom used this story when I was little- my sisters and I all seem to remember it.


Spooky music played and Emma and Ryan had been watching Michael Jackson's Thriller video on Youtube- together they had the moves in sync. And so Emma and her Dad danced when it played.


Ryan puts up with this silly party- he makes it fun for the kids and always tells me how grateful he is that we celebrate things as a family.

We moved onto carving pumpkins. That took a few hours, some tears and patience were required.......Tanner did his by himself.

It seems like every year I simplify this thing more and more- paper products and pre-made things and it still holds the same thrill for my kids. As long as Ryan and I act like a Witch and Wizard, our kids eat us up.

Emma's Sugar Cookie Party

It was a couple weeks before Halloween, and a Sunday, and Emma was tired of being designated Ahsoka for the boys Star Wars/lego play. I told her she needed some girls to come over. She agreed. We sent out invites the next day and had a "no boys at home" rule on the day of.

We laid out everything needed to decorate cookies-

We had the snack bar set- all the foods she picked- cheese and crackers and apple and carmel dip and fruit.


The sugar cookies were covered- every detail was done with concentration. There was no star wars play for certain!

We finished with some Wii Just Dance and every girl left with their cookie plate and a pumpkin goodie bag. Emma's now asking when the Christmas cookie party is...

Fall Soccer 2011

We had 3 play on 3 different teams. The season was short. (thank heavens!)

This was the first year that Tanner really liked playing and didn't want the season to end.

The kids did a lot of this on the sideline...










Emma played on an all girl team. It still was not quite her favorite thing. There she is in the pink sweats.







And her team was the ladybugs- and the inspiration for the end of season game treat.Landon's little team ran in circles. And in circles again.






Let's see how we swing it with 4 in next year.

Dish Helpers

The daily routine almost always consistent of "helping" to wash dishes. Their clothes get soaked, the ground gets wet, and Charlotte always gets mad at Jackson. I hope this helps sticks- even in the teen years.