Happy Halloween!

 

This was a first.  We went trick-or-treating in the snow!  Or, what was left of the big, freak snow storm we had this past Saturday.  It was a bit chilly outside, but the kids enjoyed themselves.  Hugo was kinda on the c-r-a-z-y, crazy side.  He darted from house to house while zig zagging across the street.  He wasn't a very good listener about staying with the group or close to me.  Hugo was a good listener about not eating any candy until we got home.  I was very proud of him.  On the drive home I let him choose a treat to eat from his candy sack, surprise, surprise Hugo chose a pop.


Our Halloween really began at 2 o'clock this afternoon when the girls and I watched Hugo and his classmates walk in a Halloween parade outside of his elementary school.  It was darling.  When Hugo finally saw us, he lit up, smiled and waved and waved!  So sweet. 

We spent Halloween with the Hoyt's this year.  Both our families also spent Halloween minus both our Papa's in toe.  We missed them!  So Jin and I joined brood camps for the trick-or-treating.  The plan was a pizza party here at our house and then to cram ourselves in the van and drive to the Lindsay's old neighborhood.  I just didn't know where else to go!  Jin, Amy and Hannah arrived bringing with them Keith's Mom Diane along for the night.  It was sure nice having an extra adult to help keep eyes on the kids.  I thought the girls would have walked up to the houses with their bags open wide, but no.  They were content sitting in their stroller with an occasional piece of candy tossed their way.   

While driving Hugo to school this morning, I asked him if pops were his favorite candy.  He answered, "Yes, and gum.  And I like cake, cupcakes, and cookies!"

We went swimming at the pool for the last time this season.  So sad.  Summer is way too short!  Hugo really was a fish this summer.  It has been great fun watching his progress in the water.  I'm thinking for next summer to sign up for back to back half hour lessons.  Maybe even a brief stint of swimming lessons at the Y this winter for a refresher.  Maybe even a trip to sunny southern Spain where I've heard that a certain family we know well has obtained a house with a pool and guest quarters a block up from the beach.  I hope the sheets will be settled and clean possibly sometime this coming January/February??!

Long Summer Ahead

 

We met up with the Hoyt's at the park this afternoon.  I used the outing as a giant bribe all day long for Mr Hugo.  I needed something to hold his attention to keep him on track with listening to me.   A trip to the park to play with Amy and Hannah was the golden ticket.

Today was also the day to have the staple removed from the back of his head.  Really, we could have done it yesterday after school, but he was scared and I wasn't sure what to tell him, if it would hurt removing the staple or not.  I guess neither of us were mentally prepared to have the silly staple come out yesterday.  He did a grand old job of freaking his classmates and teacher out with all the head scratching and pulling of the staple in class yesterday.  He hasn't touched it at home.  Barely tolerates me to part his hair for a peek.  Somehow or other he managed to twist the staple around in his scalp, the Doc had to untwist it quick before he could use his dandy tool to remove it.  The staple was out in a flash and the staff sweetly prepared not one but three balloons for us, the girls came along for this quick trip.  I can't say enough about what a trooper Hugo was.  I believe he was full on prepared for the worst.  He stretched himself out flat on the table, held one of my hands tight, squeezed his eyes shut and held super still.  Hugo is my brave boy.

The girls loved the park.  Loved, loved, looooved the park!  More and more Miss Sabine is proving to me just how fearless and determined she is.   Marlo I don't feel I have a complete picture of.  She keeps surprising me, so more on her in the future.  I can see ..........Hold your horses, Marlo just flushed the toilet for the first time.  She is crying now.......  What I was going to say is that this is going to be a long summer for me.  I am going to be running a lot.  I am going to be saying, "No, no, no..." a lot.  I am hoping that my heart wont have cause to skip too many beats.  I think I need a massive baby gate.  And baby leashes.  With loud bells.