But let's not get ahead of ourselves. First, a few October highlights! This year, the kids were absolutely amazing in their efforts to "watch" General Conference! They were mostly quiet and still for the Sunday morning session. The afternoon session involved much running around in the rain while Blake and I watched... but hey! That was fine by me! We had such a sweet day relaxing at home and listening to our Prophet. Loved every moment.
We enjoyed a wonderful day at LegoLand during their "Brick Or Treat" promotional. I love when amusement parks bring out all the stops for the holidays! We had a great day and have been so grateful for our passes this year. It's been an awesome family activity whenever the kids have a day off from school or Blake from work. It's been great to have Grandma and Grandpa go with us!
He's SIX now so graduated to the big kids' driving course! So happy!
We had such a wonderful evening attending the Rancho Bernardo Highschool Homecoming game! The kids were thrilled to see our good friends from church in the homecoming court. Ev was mesmorized by the cheerleaders and dance team. The boys were all about the game and the score-- of course! And Anna was all about the nachos and popcorn!!!
Most of the kids became tired by the end of the night-- and with 15 minutes still on the clock, I was ready to call it a night. Grant was absolutely NOT having it! He begged to stay till the bitter end and of course, Blake was happy to oblige! We can walk to the high school easily from our new home-- so the kids and I just walked back and left our two sports fanatics to cheer on the home team.
A few friends came over for dinner this month (we rotate houses every month) and brought me a a house-warming gift. Too funny! I will never live down the fact that one night chit chatting with girlfriends, we ALL discussed how Elder Uchdorf was an amazing man and gave the best talks. We even talked about how he really understood women well and how he was probably a great husband. Then I blurted out the fact that once I had googled him as a younger person to see if he was handsome in his youth and.... forget about it. They thought that I had taken it one step too far to stalker-ville. They laughed and laughed and literally have never let me live it down. So, my house warming gift was a picture of Elder Uchdorf. Ha!
Evelyn has been as busy as a bee with her crafting and play practice. She just started up with a new voice teacher and it's going really well! Saturday mornings often begin with her presenting me with an idea for a new craft she's concocted, or a new recipe for pumpkin donuts. I love it! She is just so creative and wonderful. Love that she is so patient with Anna while she bakes-- Anna always wants to be her helper, of course~!
This month Evelyn participated in BizTown. She interviewed to be a director and got the job! Her first choice was anchorwomen, which didn't happen, but she was thrilled to be a TV director and fit the job description well. She realized by the end of the night that it was fun to be the person in charge of everyone! She is really growing up-- so independent! so moody! haha. She and I are having more and more negative interactions. I tell you... life is going just great, until the moment she needs to do something she doesn't want to do; i.e.: piano practice, dishes, make bed. Then the moodiness appears and it's been a challenge for me to deal with. My only card is taking away devices (she has nothing right now!) and limiting her screen time. That, and giving her lots and lots of love and one-on-one time. This month she and I went to Phantom of the Opera. Seriously, the best night and best medicine for our relationship. It's just a good idea to spend the evening together with no stress and all the time in the world to connect. Ev LOVED the show and has spent every moment singing the sings since we left the theatre. Love that little girl.
Above: Evie's bookmarks she is making for holiday gifts:)
Dane's had a rough month and it's been no small thing for this mama who does NOT like to think of her sweet angel in any sort of pain! Why do the darnedest things always happen to children? Dane's had a perpetual sore throat for 8 weeks now. We've been 2 times to the doc with no idea of why? His throat is very red, raw and sore, but we can't determine the cause. No strep, no mono, not allergies (no post nasal drip). Maybe reflux? We are headed to the ENT this week. We've been waiting three weeks. Ugh! Poor little guy. He just plugs away constantly asking for cough drops of a spoonful of honey. Doc said no more IBProfin. But Dane is just such a sweetheart. He's absolutely loving scouts-- everything about it! The cooking, the knot tying, the barometer making, the gardening; he's loving his new soccer team (Arsenal) and is a true leader out there on the field . I'm so proud of this guy. He is darling with his friends and has a heart of gold. During family night last night, I spoke with the kids about children in other countries who have no food or clothing or homes. I asked if they would consider telling Santa that in leu of a stocking, they would pay 1$ a day to help one of these children in need for the whole year. It was precious, Ev did what most kids would do-- just kind of sat silently thinking about the sacrifice, not sure which way to go. Grant piped up frantically- "NO, Mom!!" But Dane just absolutely no second thoughts said, "yes, mom! I really want to do that!" I mean...
And of course his biggest fan has to be little Anna who thinks Dane is her boyfriend. She tells everyone about it. She watches every game with her good friend Elle and just cheers and cheers her little heart out.
Grant, our little birthday boy, has had quite the month! Little guy literally wished for next to nothing for his birthday. And was thrilled with a new soccer ball, a small remote control car, and a lego set. He continues to have a happy, sunshine-y personality that always makes us laugh. I'm so proud of his little attitude in regards to school; he's made new friends and been such a great sport, even though school is long for a kindergarten boy going full day! He coordinated "twin" day at school without my even knowing! Seriously?!? He's always first to volunteer whenever a volunteer is needed-- just all the confidence and esteem in the world. I regularly get darling pictures sent home from his teacher and friends' parents. He enjoyed a wonderful field trip to the pumpkin patch and has a full-on plan now to plant his own pumpkin patch in our backyard with the seeds he's saved from his new pumpkin. He'll charge $2.00 a pumpkin. It's all planned out. Love this kid!
Anna's eyes continue to align perfectly for now! We are so grateful, so so grateful! It's been quite the ordeal- but she's never been happier! She is such a little ham. She has me cracking up literally all day long. I just cannot express how wonderful it is to spend every day with this little monkey. She is sweet, cuddly, kind, funny, precious, and amazing. She is like a big kid in many ways-- she just wants to keep up! Favorite food is peanut butter toast- and that would be because the older kids are on a peanut butter toast kick. She will do whatever they are doing and that's a fact. Loves to get her nails painted-- Dad is the perfect manicurist. She has him wrapped around her little finger! Her best little friend is Nora Doud and boy does she ever dote on this friend. Pretty special little friendship they have! Anna wanted to be exactly what Nora was going to be for Halloween. Even after I created a wicked witch of the west costume! Nope, no way was that going to fly! She wanted to be Dorothy- like Nora! Thankfully she settled for Sofia the First (costume in the dress ups). Such a funny little girl and the light of our lights.
