Pirates, Goblins, and Scarecrows--Oh My!

Sorry for the hiatus--blame my network administrator (aka Rich) for the technical difficulties we've been having lately. But I digress....


PIRATES
Happy 4th Birthday Garrett! Our little G-Dawg turned 4 on October 19. We celebrated at home with orange rolls for breakfast and various festivities throughout the day (think fruit snacks and piggy back rides). That night we had Skor cake (Garrett loves chocolate) with Grandmas and Grandpa and opened presents (the big hits were the Teeter-Totter, various toy weapons, and a Lightning McQueen laptop). Garrett also had a small party with his best buddies earlier in the week. They had so much fun being pirates, slaughtering a pinata, and looking for hidden treasure (chocolate donuts). It was a fun birthday week. I hope G had as much fun as I did! We love you Garrett! You make us smile and laugh each day and we love your spirited personality and that movie-star smile.

GOBLINS


During UEA we took a one-day road trip to the official MIDDLE OF NOWHERE otherwise known as Goblin Valley State Park. We had sooo much fun! For those of you who have been there you know what I'm talking about---acres and acres of surreal Goblin-like rock formations, endless blue sky, 75 degree weather, and plenty of room for our family to run, climb, hide, seek, and get dirty. The drive wasn't bad--about 3.5 hours, and the kids were great. The rock formations are so amazing--I wish I could post all my pictures but I'm sure you're glad that I can't. Fun fun fun!

SCARECROW FESTIVAL



On Monday of UEA we went to the Scarecrow Festival at Thanksgiving Point. I can't recommend this event enough--everyone should plan on attending next year. Free passes from the schools make this really inexpensive (Hey V, don't worry I found some more passes and got everyone in for free!) They had TONS of inflatable jumpy things, carnival games, pedal cars, a climbing wall, and the BIG HIT with the King children was the BUNGEE JUMPING. (Picture a harnessed version on a small frame--not like from a bridge or cliff or anything). Garrett was hilarious--he barely weighed enough (imagine) to keep himself going up so the carnival worker (is that the politically correct term?) kept pulling on his legs like a sling shot and letting him shoot higher and higher into the sky. Ben and Cass were laughing so hard seeing who could go higher. It was sooo much fun and almost worth the HOUR WAIT in line. Ah well, we made some good memories.

Once there was a snow pumpkin....

I think perhaps the weather was confused by all the CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS in the stores and adjusted accordingly. Can't we just have Halloween by itself before we head into the holiday rush?

For all my devoted readers out there (ha ha) you'll be happy to know I have been doggedly working on THE LIST. I have made progress on G-Dawg's birthday, and halloween costumes are all but finished. Of course, I still have the other 732 items to get to, but it did feel good to cross these two things off! And I couldn't resist snapping this picture of MY three little snow pumpkins on their way to church this morning. Don't let the smiles fool you---I had been (spiritually) yelling at them all morning to get a move on it, so we could definitely feel the spirit at our house this morning. I won't say which spirit we felt, but we felt it all right. Maybe next week I'll be nice......

25 Weeks and Counting

Whoo hoo! 25 weeks pregnant and counting! Only 105 more days to go! Here's my list of the best/worst things about being pregnant:

Pregnancy Bests

1. Having a valid reason to carry around extra weight

2. Having a valid reason to EAT MORE

3. Feeling the baby move

4. Connecting with other moms who are also pregnant

5. Planning and dreaming for and about your new baby

6. Collecting baby names

7. Setting up the baby's room

8. Shopping for the baby

9. Wearing stretchy pants (oh wait, I do that year round)

10. Finally having cleavage (did I just say that?)

Pregnancy Worsts

1. Having your 3 year old call you "chubby"

2. Knowing that the above statement was an understatement

3. OB appointments involving small paper cups

4. Scales of any size or shape

5. Feeling sick and tired of being sick and tired

6. Not being able to sleep on my stomach

7. Bathroom breaks at 2 am

8. Everyone you know having a girl when you are having a boy but wanted a girl

9. Trying to get your husband to talk about names

10. Having to actually get the baby out

What are your favorite/least favorite things about pregnancy?

Did I mention only 105 days to day? Maybe I should actually get started on THE LIST.

Lists

You may or may not know that I have totally unrealistic expectations in life. This is the source of nearly all of my stress. I've tried (and continue to try) to learn ways to relax more, expect less, be more laid back, etc.----but for the most part I remain over-stressed and uptight and focused on being productive,productive, productive. I live by the principle that if I just try harder I can get everything done. Any ideas to help me?

Today I made THE LIST. You know, the LIST OF THINGS I MUST ABSOLUTELY GET DONE BEFORE THIS BABY IS BORN. Here's what I jotted down:

• Buy baby clothes, bottles, and other baby gear
• Buy a stroller
• Buy a carseat
• Buy a crib
• Paint the baby's rooms
• Paint Cassidy's new room
• Paint the boys' new room
• Buy bedding for B & G
• Plan G's B-day party
• Plan C's B-day party
• Anniversary?
• Fall yard clean up
• Fall family pictures/Christmas cards
• Neighbor gifts
• Teacher gifts
• Clean out garage
• Plan halloween craft for Ben's class party
• Preschool calendar
• Clean all blinds in the house
• Fix sliding glass doors

Then here I had to start a whole new list, the dreaded WHAT I WILL BE MAKING AND GIVING TO EVERY PERSON I KNOW FOR CHRISTMAS LIST, followed by the FUN FAMILY ACTIVITIES TO DO FOR HALLOWEEN, THANKSGIVING, AND CHRISTMAS LIST, followed by the DECORATIONS TO GET OUT FOR EACH HOLIDAY LIST, followed by the HOW TO SIMPLIFY MY LIFE LIST, followed by the THINGS I SHOULD BE DOING WITH THE KIDS LIST, followed by the.......Get the picture?

Of course, this all was just a rought draft. Over the next several days I will think everything over and begin revising, adding more and more to THE LIST. And you know what? I actually think I will be able to get everything done! I figure I only need about $5000 and 7 years or so and I could probably do it all.

Any words to the wise out there? Any medication anyone wants to share? Or better yet, any LISTS you want to share? I love lists.......