Beginning of November

In the first half of November, we had beautiful weather. It was so nice to continue going on runs with Molly while the boys were at school and enjoy time outside with the kids. I started taking the boys on bike rides Sundays after church. We would go up to a swamp by our house and feed the ducks then ride to Walgreens and get a snack. They thought that was so cool AND I got a workout in.

November 1st my mom and the boys were off school. She came over to give me a break. I went grocery shopping and even got a manicure! Can't tell you how long it's been since I've done that. They boys sorted their candy by colors and grandma helped Andrew make a chart. Unfortunately Matthew is obsessed with candy so everyday was a battle about when he could have candy. Finally I just threw it away.

Friday the 12th we decided to try a new babysitter. She came over to watch the kids while we went to dinner. We got home about 11:30 and found Andrew still awake! I was shocked until I went to kiss him and he was ON FIRE! The poor kids spiked a fever while we were gone. I felt so bad for him. Matthew also woke up in the middle of the night with a fever. Talk about a buzz kill! By morning, Matthew's fever had broken and he seemed better. Andrew had spurts of energy but was still battling. The saddest part was that it was Andrew's last soccer game and pizza party. I felt so bad for him that he had to miss it. Being the coach of course I had to be there but was so sad for him. A positive of the weekend: Molly started taking steps!!

He got his medal

Monday, Andrew was still complaining of his throat hurting so I decided to take him in to the doctor. I got him in at 9:15, went out to my car with all 3 kids at 8:45 and my battery was dead! I was so frustrated. I unbuckled everyone and cancelled the appointment. I got my neighbor to give me a jump after lunch and was able to get Andrew in. Drew met us there in case my car wouldn't start again. It was quite the ordeal but I'm so glad I took him in because he ended up having strep throat. Poor guy.

By Wednesday, he was back to his old self and back in school. I was so thankful because I was very far behind and starting to stress about my party planning for Miss Molly. Drew got home from work early and said he was starting to feel bad. He was running a fever and was achy with a sore throat. By Thursday morning he was miserable and could barely get out of bed. AND it was Molly's first birthday!!! (He had strep throat too).

Halloween Weekend

The weekend began Thursday for Drew. He came to school with us for Andrew's Halloween Parade and then hit the road for a guys weekend. He headed north for the Tulsa/Notre Dame football game. He went with his dad, brother, and college roommates Rob and Sam.

Here's a picture of Matthew's class Halloween picture the day before:

Andrew's Halloween parade: (forgot to mention, this day was our first cold snap)

Thanks to our great friends and family, I survived the weekend. Thursday we hung out with the Pacificos after school and stayed through dinner.

Friday, they came here in hang out and left after lunch. Then after naps we went to my brother Pete's house for a family Halloween party. Some highlights of the evening: Grandma and Poppa dressed up (field hockey player and cowboy); We took a group shot of the kids which was hilarious. Josie sat there stunned on the couch; Kiersten had story time and was in full charge. Josie and the boys would scoot up close to her to see the picture better and she would say, "Excuse me, you need to scoot back a little bit, everyone please be quiet." After a major sugar hight all 3 kids fell asleep on the way home which was way too late but it was fun!

Saturday we had a noon soccer game. So after breakfast we headed over to hang out with the Pacificos for the morning. Then my mom met me at the game to watch Matthew and Molly while I coached. John and Josie came to the game too. Unfortunately Andrew played the worst game of his entire career (I know it's been a long one:)). It was so frustrating being a coach/parent. He literally walked around the field playing with the string in his shorts. Of course the kids and I were all really worn out and that played a huge part in Andrew's performance and my attitude. Thankfully once we got home, everyone napped and I was able to re energize. We even got to watch Tulsa beat Notre Dame AND we saw Drew on TV. The boys thought that was very cool. Saturday night we took it easy and after the boys went to bed (which wasn't easy because they started wanting daddy) my friend Tracy came over for a glass of wine. It was the perfect way to end the day.

Sunday, Halloween, I dropped the kids off at the Pacificos so I could go to church without having to take the kids by myself. It was so nice to be able to focus on the mass and pray. After mass I went and relieved John and Allison so they could go to church. We had one collision and a few melt downs but everyone survived. Then Allison took Andrew and Blake to a classmate's birthday party while John and I stayed home with the nappers. Having a birthday party on Halloween was not the best idea in my opinion because by the time the boys got home they were exhausted and melting down. Andrew took a cat nap on the way back to our house and we finally got to see dad, just in time for trick or treating.

Molly was a little frustrated on her first Halloween. She and I stayed home to give out candy while the boys went trick or treating. She really wanted to eat all the candy and got frustrated that I had to keep answering the door but she sure looked cute in her little flower costume.

The boys of course had a blast and from what Drew said everyone really got a kick out of their costumes. They drove the Gator from house to house with our neighbor Austin.

All in all it was a fun weekend and I survived!

Halloween Activities with Friends

Friday, the 22 we went to a birthday party of twins in Andrew's class. They were nice enough to invite siblings as well. We enjoyed the huge bounce house, cowboy themed games, and great friends. Thanks Madpeidi's!

Drew came home from work early so we could meet with an interior decorator to get some decorating ideas for the house. Now that we have lived in it a year we are ready to make some improvements. Then we had a relaxing family evening.

After Andrew's soccer game on October 23, we met our old neighbors, The Fitzpatricks, at Rombach's pumpkin patch. It was so good to see them and to catch up. Of course the boys were thrilled to see Timmy and Ellie. Everyone had a great time.

THEN, that night we went to a Halloween Party at the Pacifico's. I brought dinner for the kids; mummies and scary teeth. Allison had delicious chili for the adults. We planned a few arts and crafts activities because the kids made it clear that they wanted it to feel like a party. It was a lot of fun.

And finally, Monday night was Dad's Night at the boys' school and the activity was pumpkin carving. Drew took the camera along and got some great shots!

Pumpkin Patch, A Special Guest, Sculpture Park (all in one weekend)

We had a very busy Friday (October 15). It started off with me waking up not being able to walk. I had played in a pick up field hockey game the night before and with about 5 minutes left I got nailed in the foot with ball that had been hit from a guy about 6 inches from me. It was really sore through the night but I thought once I woke up it would be fine....not so much. I was seriously concerned that I was going to be in cast for 8 weeks and so mad at myself! I hobbled around that morning trying to get the kids fed etc. I talked to my orthopedic and he told me that if I could bear some weight on my foot I could see how it went and no go in right away. I was happy about that so I did my best to get the kids out the door for our 9am flu shot appointment. You would think with it being early and not having to see a doctor we would have been in and out in 5 minutes, that didn't happen. We were in there forever but the boys did awesome. The nurse also told me that Molly could have her first round which didn't even cross my mind so I was happy about that. It saved me a trip for her.

From the pediatrician, we headed to Theis pumpkin patch for a little outing for Andrew's class. Thankfully I was able to start putting more and more weight on my foot and realized it must have just been a bad bruise. This was extremely helpful for a day at the pumpkin patch! The kids had a great time and it was a gorgeous day.

After the pumpkin patch we drove through McDonalds and headed to the Pacificos for naps. Unfortunately Molly was completely off schedule and wasn't able to nap and Matthew literally zoned out (didn't even close his eyes) for 5 minutes and he wasn't able to nap either! Oh well, at least we had friends to entertain us.

Late Friday night, Drew's sister Jenny came in town for a visit. She joined us for Andrew's soccer game and hung out with us for a relaxing Saturday. We had a fun day hanging out. Then we got some steaks and wine for dinner and enjoyed the beautiful night on our deck. She hung out with us all day Sunday too and didn't head back until after dinner on Sunday. The boys loved having a special guest and are still talking about it.

Then Monday, the boys were off school because of a teacher workshop and I had a dentist appointment around lunch time. Drew met me at the appointment and took the kids while I was at the dentist. Being super dad, he grabbed them lunch from Jimmy Johns and then took them to a sculpture park which they thought was so cool!