Happy Belated Halloween!

There were all treats and no tricks for the boys this year! They had a great Halloween with a parade and party at school and then trick or treating at night. When Chris got home from work, he just had to dress up too as his favorite character and off they went. I got the trick this year--a stomach bug--so I put candy on the front step and hid in the basement on the couch until they came back. The boys worked on their costumes themselves. They both wanted to be skeletons, so they painted bones on their sweatpants, gloves and hats. We already had the shirts. I'm glad they are still young enough to be so cute in their homemade costumes.

We had a whirlwind of a week. Cub Scouts is in full force with a pack meeting and popcorn sales now winding down. Thanks to all who bought from us! Nolan did meet his $300 goal and then some, so he's getting the prize he wanted. They sold popcorn yesterday in front of a local grocery store. Swim lessons just ended but we're starting a new session next week. Thomas just moved up to level 3 which is beginner swimming. He can go 5 feet unassisted now. Nolan started basketball yesterday. Between all of this and religion classes, we are keeping pretty busy.

Last night we had dinner with our friends the Prices. It really hit us how old our kids are getting and how LOUD they are when we're all together! Still a great time and fun to get out and talk to other grown-ups. Today, Thomas got to go see the real Wiggles at the TU Center in Albany. He was bee-boppin' all night when he came home! Because Chris and Nolan are so involved in various sports, this was Thomas' turn to do something special with Dad. He got to pick a friend, and he picked his Grandma Gaba! So Gaba got to dance with the Wiggles too, and from what I hear, was just tickled to be picked. Nolan wanted NO PART of the Wiggles, so he stayed here with me and had a friend over.

I raked leaves and cooked pumpkin for future pumpkin breads and pumpkin pies. It felt very fall-like today. It's All Souls Day today, so I thought a lot today about my father-in-law, Mikey, Matthew, Indy and now my Aunt Helen Jane. In religion class today, I taught the kids that going to heaven is a lot like leaves changing. They're still leaves even though they change color, just like we're the same. So the analogy continued as I raked today.

This week we have election night! I hope my Uncle Rush wins again in New Jersey. Chris will have a very late night. The book fair is going on at school, and it ends with a Poetry Night on Friday. The boys made their own poems and will read them around a bonfire in the school courtyard. There's cider and doughnuts--should be fun. Next weekend is more of the same--basketball, swimming and errands. We have a Cub Scout trip on Sunday to the Albany Pine Bush Discovery Center to do a little hiking. I'll let you know how it all goes!