Monster Mash!

The second annual Arnett Halloween Party was a HUGE success! It wouldn't have been possible if not for all of my friends and their families. Everyone we invited showed up, some even brought their grandparents. I, of course, took a ton of pictures. Several other mommies did too! I can't wait to see what they captured. Last year I made a photo book from the event. I plan to do the same thing this year. I love watching these cute kids grow up year to year. Makes me sad that we won't be having the big party next year. But never fear, we WILL have it the following year!

Fall Party 2009

Today was Owen's Fall Party at school. He decided he wanted to wear his old Spiderman costume to school. Mommy got to go and help. I was in charge of the G-H-O-S-T (BINGO) Game. The kids were so cute! It definitely got me in the spooky spirit. Several moms and Mrs. McEwen were taking pictures. These are a few that I was able to snap.

Making the Grade

I picked Owen up from school today and we went to lunch just the two of us, like most Fridays. As I was going through his book bag at Braum's, I noticed an envelope. I took it out and opened it. In my hands, was his very first report card! I am so proud of him. He has a few areas to work on, but he is exceeding my expectations. I went over it with him and explained that the plus signs were good. I think he was as proud of himself as me. I'm not sure if we'll "reward" him for his good grades. I like the idea of him taking ownership and finding pride in his accomplishments in education. However, we did get some ice cream as a little treat after eating our lunch. :)

WICKED!

Jen, when I picked her up.

Last night I took my sister to dinner, at Sabor, and to the musical "Wicked". Just the two of us! It was sort-of a "Thank You" for just about everything she's done for me and my family. We are so lucky to not only have her in our life, but to live so close. I've always been proud to have her as my sister, but not always told or showed her. The fact that it was "Wicked", made it even better and mean something more. Jen is the one who bought me the book. She even bought me the Wicked Witch of the West Barbie for Christmas last year. (I think this year she is getting me the Witch of the East Barbie!) I've seen the musical on Broadway last year. But there was something special about sharing it with her. Jen teased me about being "Popular", but she should know that she's "defying gravity"!

Yin Yang

According to the philosophy, yin and yang are complementary opposites within a greater whole. Everything has both yin and yang aspects, which constantly interact, never existing in absolute stasis. This is so true when it comes to my two beautiful children. Boy/girl, brown eyes/blue, sensitive/aggressive, lean/husky. Today was a prime example of the differences. I made an appointment for Owen to get a flu shot. I have had to talk about him getting this for a few days now. Every time he breaks down crying. So when we were walking into the Dr. office, I explained to him that if he was a "Big Boy" we would go straight to Target and he could pick out a toy. The nurse asked us if he would rather get the flu mist in the nose. After a little thought, Owen decided that would be better. I had to pick him up and sit him on the table. He started crying before she even picked up the sprayer. Then he hid his nose behind his knees and hands. We managed to spray it up one side of his nose, but he pulled away just as she was spraying the other side causing the medicine to end up on his cheek. Oh well! Then I inquired as to when Allie could get hers. The nurse said now if we had the time. Allie had been sitting quietly watching the scene described above. I asked Allie and she said, "YEAH!" and jumped off the chair and up on the table. NO TEARS! NO SCREAMS! NO WIGGLES! The nurse came back, sprayed up both sides of her nose. Allie smiled and said, "That kind-of tickled. Can I get a toy?" So we went to Target, Allie picked out a Dora dress-up outfit and Owen had to learn a lesson. Maybe next time, Owen will get to pick out a toy.

You've been "BOO'ed"!

Last night we were "BOO'ed"! If you know what this means, disregard this next little part explaining it. This is a neighborhood tradition to spread Halloween Spirit. You make a ghost and some kind-of treat. Then you anonymously leave it on a neighbors front porch. Here is the note that comes with the treat.

The air is cool, the season fall. Soon Halloween will come to all;

The spooks are after things to do. In fact, a spook brought this to you;

"BOO" is a shield, from witching hour. Just hang it up and watch it's power;

Hanging from a tree is where it works. It wards off spooks and scary jerks;

The treats that came with the crypted note are yours to keep, enjoy them both;

The power comes when friends like you will copy this, and make it TWO;

Then others her among our friends will give warm fuzzies that will not end;

We'll all have smiles upon our face. No one will know who 'BOO'ed' who's place;

Just one short day to work your spell or a big Zap will strike your tail;

And don't forget a nifty treat, like something cute or something sweet;

Please join the fun, let's really hear it

And spread some BOO's and Halloween Spirit!

Now here is where we get some humor in this story. Last night my sister was staying with us and the two of us were hanging out in the office. Nick started barking crazy, so Jen got up and went to check. She didn't see anything and tried to convince Nick he was nuts. About 5 minutes later, Nick starts barking again. This time Jen quickly jumps up and proceeds to approach the front door telling Nick to knock it off. However this time she gets the pee scared out of her. On our front porch is a woman crouching and frozen in that position at being discovered. Jen opened the door and the woman began quickly telling her that she is a neighbor and was just dropping this off for the kids. Today I found out it was a mom of one of Owen's classmates. And that Jen scared her. Apparently she had dropped the "Boo" off the first time Nick was barking, but when she got home she realized she forgot to include the note. So she came back, and then got busted!

After school today, we passed the Halloween Spirit on to two other houses in our neighborhood. Owen got to put one on one porch and Allie did the other. They loved it!

The Pumpkin Massacre

For the very first time ever, we carved some of the pumpkins. Daddy explained to Owen the process of how to properly carve a pumpkin (without losing ANY blood). I bought some candles so on Halloween, we will have our Jack-O-Lanterns even lighting the way for trick-or-treaters.