Happy Halloween

This year we went to a Halloween party. Jenelle went as Tinker Bell. I was a hula dancer and Curt was a pirate. Jenelle had a great time trick-or-treating. She ran from house to house with 6 other boys who were dressed up as characters from Star Wars. She is all about the candy at this age. We actually had mild weather this year. Most years we have Jenelle so bundled up that you can't tell what her costume is.


Jenelle likes to sort things. Before she plays with her Polly Pockets she sorts all the dresses and matches up all the shoes. She does the same thing with her candy. She has all the lolly-pops together, all the tootsie rolls together, etc. She has them spread out all over the floor at the moment. Curt keeps asking what he can eat. We'll keep the candy around for a while and then Curt will take it to work.

We had a lot of fun carving the pumpkins. Jenelle wanted the pumpkins to have scary faces this year. We always cook the pumpkin seeds and I usually end up burning them, but this year the seeds turned out very yummy.

Growth Burn

Jenelle had Awana on Tuesday night. She was running around the halls with Eme when they tripped over each other. They both went down hard with Eme landing right on top of Jenelle. Jenelle got her first rug burn. She screamed loud enough for all of Awana to hear about it. It did look rather painful. After about 5 minutes of crying she stopped and was off running again. We put a band-aid on it and she was good to go.

The next day I picked Jenelle up from school and she was only wearing one shoe. I asked, "Why aren't you wearing your shoe?" She replies, "I have a growth burn." I don't know about you, but I've never heard of a growth burn before. Jenelle's heal was hurting and she was really bothered by it. So Mrs. Hart sent her down to the nurse's office. The nurse told her, "There is nothing you can do for a growth burn." (I think Jenelle enjoys going down to the nurse's office. She has been there quite a few times. I think I need to make a contribution of band-aids to the school.)

The next morning Jenelle woke up hobbling on her one good leg still complaining of her growth burn. She looked at me with big crocodile tears in her eyes. I wasn't feeling much sympathy. I was only thinking that this was going to be a long day. She hobbled around and asked me to carry her places. She wasn't letting this thing go. So what is mom's best plan? DISTRACTION! I got her all involved in putting together Halloween costumes for Curt and I. Curt is going as a pirate and I'm going as a hula dancer. I got my outfit on and was dancing the hula. Jenelle is an expert hula dancer and she was showing me her best moves. She was dancing and then jumping on the bed. It was a miraculous healing!

Karate chop

Jenelle and Eme had a play date at the park this past week. They found some boys to play with. Boys are usually only good for playing monster games and tag. Apparently now they are good for playing ninjas, too. Jen and I were having fun talking and catching up at the park and we didn't really notice what the girls were playing. I glanced over and saw Jenelle's arms circling through the air and ending up in a really nice karate stance. I didn't think much of it. About 30 minutes later, the mom of the boys came over and scolded Jenelle and Eme. Jen and I hopped into action and found out that Jenelle had karate kicked one of the boys right in the chest. Who knew Jenelle had some karate talent in her? We sent her over to apologize. Jenelle felt really bad about kicking the boy. I wonder how hard she hit him?

You're probably wondering where did Jenelle learn her moves? I was volunteering in Jenelle's kindergarten class last week and I noticed Carson in her class doing great karate side kicks. The boy has talent. She must learn quite a bit at school from Carson.

Curt has always been a proponent for teaching Jenelle how to fight. I'm not sure why. I think it's just a guy thing. "You should know how to protect yourself." I think Jenelle would do just fine in a fight. She likes to scratch Curt and I when we're rough housing. So between her killer karate kick and her long nails, she can scratch and kick her way out of any situation. :) You go girl!

Fall Fun

Jenelle has been asking for play dates almost every day. I've been busy planning my little social butterfly's schedule. Last Wednesday we decided to drop in on Eme and see if she was available to play after school. I took the girls to the park across the street and we raked some leaves. They had so much fun. We only have pine trees in our yard. I could rake them a HUGE pine needle pile, but it would be very prickly. I might plan a caramel apple play date for next time. Yum. I'll get them all sticky and then send them out to play in the leaves. :)

20 Year High School Reunion

It's been 20 years since I graduated from Elk Grove High School. It's hard to believe. I still keep in touch with Celine (on the left) and Maureen (on the right). These girls were two of my best friends in high school.

The reunion was interesting. A lot of people looked exactly the same and I didn't even recognize some other people. It was fun to catch up and see what people are doing these days. I saw a few old boyfriends and lots of girls from the Pom Pom squad. It was great to see everyone. See you at the 30 year!

Happy Birthday to my sister and me!

I flew to Chicago this year to celebrate my birthday. Eileen turned 39 again on the 4th and my birthday was the 5th. We are posing here in matching sweaters that my dad got us. We had such a fun time. We walked around the arboretum near her house. We went out for a really nice lunch. We had a birthday cake from Jarosch bakery. They make the best cake! I got Eileen some fun "over the hill" gag gifts. She had a great sense of humor about the whole thing. They have a ping pong table now. I was able to beat David a few times. But that will probably be my last victory. David is getting really good! The visit was too short. Next time I'll bring Jenelle and we'll stay a while.

What am I teaching my child?

Several kids in the neighborhood enjoy Ding Dong Ditching our house. It happened twice just this afternoon. Jenelle wanted to play the game with me. So I crammed myself inside her little playhouse. She would knock on the door and run away. I pretended to be the irate neighbor. She couldn't stop laughing.

After a few rounds of this game, I thought I better explain how it's fun to pretend to Ding Dong Ditch, but we shouldn't bother our neighbors. She said she couldn't wait till she was older and she could play the game. I'm torn. Playing Ding Dong Ditch is something every kid has done. It's a total kid thing. But I should be teaching Jenelle good morals; not encouraging rowdy behavior.

Anyway, we're having a good time playing it at home. Look out neighbors!