COVID HALLOWEEN

Halloween is, hands down, my FAVORITE holiday. I grew up with parents who immersed themselves in classic horror movies and threw lavish Halloween parties each year. Now, with children of my own, movies like Hocus Pocus and the Nightmare Before Christmas are watched on repeat in our home. Every year since the kids were born, we've had a family theme with costumes. This year was going to be epic. Epic, that is, until coronavirus. I couldn't justify spending the money or putting in the effort of crafting our costumes with uncertainty about the holiday looming on the horizon. So, by the end of the summer, we made a decision. We elected for Halloween to look different this year. Instead of doing our normal neighborhood carnival, we've chosen to stay home instead. Making fun cupcakes. Snacking on giant sized candy bars. Watching some new, Halloween-type movies. And, of course, our Halloween picture. Instead of the costumes that I had originally planned, I spray painted a couple of cardboard pieces (saved from Amazon boxes), slapped on a few logos that I had printed, and dragged my kids to the Mesa Arts Center for a few pictures. The theme this year: products of increased importance. Per the recommendations of the CDC, we stay home because we trust in science.

365.4: WEEK 43

Mr.'s cat, Lumos. Getting braces bands changed. going through our ballots. Sending in our votes. Running for Student Council elections (win for the secretary, loss for the president). Snagging for donuts for our school's fundraiser. Getting ready for church.

October 19th - October 25th

365.4: WEEK 42

Trick-or-treating, Great Wolf Lodge style. Second day of ALL IN schooling. Paddling upriver with the mr. while kids are in school. My cat, Nox. Reading in the office. Working on Student Council campaign posters and speeches. Drawing cards for my best friend, who unexpectedly lost her dog over the weekend.

October 12th - October 18th

365.4: WEEK 41

Celebrating the birthday boys. Taking half of the kids paddle boarding. Getting a flat on the way to taking the other half paddle boarding. Booster shots. Another October break paddle. Planting fall flowers. Staying the night at Great Wolf Lodge.

October 5th - October 11th

BIRTHDAYS

My second oldest is ELEVEN. He came days shy of his older brother's first birthday - and as quite as a surprise, at that (if I hadn't called my sister-in-law that day, I might not have made it to the hospital in time). He's intelligent, empathetic, and creative. He's a lover of books and is the first to make sure others' needs are met before his own. He's definitely one of a kind. 

My oldest is TWELVE. I had no clue what I was doing (and honestly still don't most days). He was, by far, my biggest and has the personality to match it. He is bright, confident, and dedicated. He has natural talent at most things, but is as sarcastic as sin. A true pre-teen (who loves to remind me that he'll be driving in four short years)...

365.4: WEEK 40

A man and his cat. Tuesday “tea”. Baking his own birthday cake. Switching loyalty. Start of October Break. Visiting a friend’s fiancé’s plant shop. New spot.

September 30th - October 4th