Libby's Lunch Order

Me:  Libby, what do you want for lunch today?

Libby:  A hot dog and no nap!

The Halloween Events of 2011

Halloween 2011 began with a fun kindergarten pumpkin night at Adam's school. All the kindergartners and their families brought their pumpkins to be measured, weighed, and carved. Then everyone took the pumpkins outside, lit candles inside them, and lined up all the jack-o-lanterns in the dark. What a neat family night! Libby even won a prize for having the lightest pumpkin!



Adam's next fun event was Book Character Dress-Up Day at school.  Steve and I tried desperately to convince him to dress up as Hedgie the Hedgehog from the book Hedgie Blasts Off -- to no avail. So Adam went to school decked out as Darth Maul from the classic (ha ha) children's book Lego Star Wars: Darth Maul's Mission.

Our Halloween feast this year was quite spooky.  We had Witch's Hair with Frog-Gut Stew (black and white pasta which looked super creepy but was actually pretty tasty with spaghetti sauce) and Jack-o-Lantern Whoopie Pies.  I brought out a side of garlic bread and asked the kids to guess what it was.  They decided to call it Vampire Repellent, which was quite creative, especially in light of the fact that I was just going to call it "Regular Old Garlic Bread."

However, if you ask the kids, the best part of Halloween Dinner was the Witches' Brew -- root beer floats.

Libby the Sunflower 

Captain America

Darth Vader

Libby could not wait to go trick-or-treating with Ella boss Ella around all night.  Ella seemed to take it all in good stride.  Thank goodness she is a patient little friend!

And Halloween wouldn't be complete without the annual photo of the usual suspects getting ready to shake down the neighbors for some candy...

And that, folks, is our Halloween from soup to Zagnuts.

Lunch

In accordance with my rabid dislike of cooking and food preparation, I thoroughly despise packing school lunches.  Trying to come up with a balanced meal and healthy snack every day that is both portable and edible is not my idea of a good time.  Throw in a picky kid (I don't know where he gets it...ahem), and packing tomorrow's lunches can suck the joy right out of my evening. 

After two years of packing school lunches for Mr. Picky Andrew, I have learned to run certain items by him before tossing them into the lunch bag unless I want to find out they were tossed into the trash at school.  So last week as I was packing lunch for the boys, I was doing my usual preventative questioning as I went: 

"Andrew, peanut butter and jelly or peanut butter and honey? Granola bar or graham crackers?"

Andrew gave his specifications to the nth degree, as usual.

"Adam, sandwich or ravioli?  Peaches or applesauce?  Do you want green peppers for your snack? Chocolate milk or Capri Sun?"

Finally Adam looked up at me, heaved a great sigh, and said, "Geez, Mom, I don't care.  Just pack somethin'."

Wow, lunch packing just got easier by half.  Thanks, Adam!

Libby the Philanthropist

All the kids at preschool were asked to bring in a gently used book to donate on Friday.  When I told Libby about this, her immediate response was, "Not one of my books!"

After I spent a moment basking in the glow of that proud, proud parenting moment, I explained to Libby that we were going to share a book with a child who didn't have any books.  As I spoke, I could almost see a light bulb turning on in her brain.  She said, "I know!" and ran off.  Phew!  I haven't raised a completely selfish monster, I thought to myself. 

A minute later, Libby walked down the stairs carrying a whole stack...of Andrew's books.  "We can give them Andrew's books!"

It is so easy to be generous with other people's stuff.

The Hedgehog Returns...Minus a Tooth

It's been a big month for Adam!  In addition to starting kindergarten, he lost his first tooth!  I caught a glimpse of something white in his mouth one night; and upon closer inspection, I found his new "adult" tooth growing in quickly behind the baby tooth he had not yet lost.  Within a few days, the baby tooth was ready to come out.  It's actually a little difficult to tell that Adam even has a missing tooth since the new one is practically all the way in already!  Adam was so excited that the tooth fairy visited that he came in to tell us...at 5:30 am.

In other Adam-related news...THE HEDGEHOG HAS RETURNED!

Project Runway

Our fashion designer Libby is modeling her own entry in tonight's runway show.  For this challenge to make a ready-to-wear item using only craft supplies, Libby has created an A-line asymmetrical skirt made of drawing paper and tape.  We think the hand-drawn marker design on the back gives it a more expensive custom look.

Libby has completed the look by using the Piper Lime accessory wall thoughtfully with watermelon boots and a polka-dotted hairbow.

Way to make it work, Libby!

The Hedgehog Goes to Kindergarten

Somehow it is time for Adam to start kindergarten.  He is ready to go, reflective backpack straps and all! 

(I love this picture with all my heart.)

I really can't believe he is old enough to be in this classroom.

And I won't lie...I was awake the entire night before Adam started kindergarten worrying praying.

But when we walked into the classroom, his teacher gave him a big hug.  And I felt much better.

...And much better still when Adam came home.  He wouldn't tell me a thing about his day.  He didn't learn how to read.  But there was no note from the principal demanding explanations or reparations pinned to his shirt. 

Success.