Something wicked this way comes

 Happy Halloween!  

These were our costumes, as explained in a previous post, for the ward party last weekend.  We may have been one of five families dressed up. . . five may in fact be too generous.  I think it says a lot about a person who cannot dress up for a holiday that is in fact all about dressing up.  Poor sad grown-ups missing out.  I don't care how simple or complex the costume, but I'd like to see a costume, an effort.  Disappointed.  I am passing judgment on my neighborhood.  Lame.

We stuck out, but tend to do that anyway.  ;)  Miley got tired of people asking her what she was, so she started telling people that she was a real butterfly and then she would jump and get frustrated and say, 'why aren't my wings working'.  People would then look at me and I'd shrug.  I guess next year I'll make her costume more easily identifiable or risk her reputation being cemented as 'the weird kid'.

Miley did her own makeup and then I tried to wash most of it off.  

Dave is in the process of turning to stone, so that way I didn't have to worry about covering his hands.  I made gloves, but it would just be too hot to wear them, so we went with a partial face and hands look, thinking the extremities would be the last to turn to stone.  I used the stone texture spray paint for his clothes and tried to get him to let me spray paint his face too to make it cohesive, but he wouldn't let me.  Bummer.

I did my hair while Jo was taking a nap.  I was a little concerned she'd be freaked out by me when she woke up.  She stared for a moment, but then was fine with it all.  She is soooo a part of our family.  ;)

You may be wondering where her other leg warmer is, because many people asked me that. . . well Miley took it and is wearing it.  Couldn't get it back so that is how it ended up.  J had no issues with the wings or headband.  She thought she looked awesome and smiled at herself in the mirror.

So I'm not good at wearing the same costume twice. . . tonight we'll have something else on.  More pictures to come probably. . .

Look who is almost ONE!

 J is 11 months old and for her pictures this month she HAD to have her hands up showing how big and excited she was.

 This pose she learned from Miley.  I should have pulled out the deja vu photo, but I didn't.

 She loves cuddling anything that is soft and furry.

I can't believe next month we'll be celebrating her birthday!  This month she took her first un-aided steps.  She let go of the couch and walked a few steps into the middle of the room, fell down on her bottom and then clapped for herself.  Oh yeah, she figured out clapping too.

She shakes her head no, says ba ba, but doesn't really want a bottle anymore.  She calls Dave, Da, and me, Mama, but still no words for Miley, much to her dismay.  J can point out her tongue, but no other body part yet.

She loves to wrestle with her Dad, follow Miley around, and be held by me.  She will now sit and listen to books without trying to eat them.  She makes a croaking noise with her mouth that makes me want to call her toad.

J wasn't scared of our Halloween stuff or costumes.  Even the freaky Halloween store didn't phase her.  Can't say the same for her sister though.

She is the happiest little squish and like many friends/family/strangers we just want to eat her up.

it's greek to me

So. . . this weekend we have a Halloween party where we'll be donning our costumes.  So far, when people have asked what we're going to be I've received some pretty blank looks with my answer.  Apparently not everyone, or anyone, appreciates greek mythology like I do.  Sad but true.  Since we'll probably have to explain this a lot I figured I'll just go ahead right now and tell you what we're going to be. . .

 I am Medusa.  Really.  ;)  In Greek mythology Medusa (Greek: Μέδουσα (Médousa), "guardian, protectress") was a monster, a Gorgon, generally described as having the face of a human female with living venomous snakes in place of hair. Gazing directly upon her would turn onlookers to stone.

Medusa was the only one of the three Gorgons who was mortal, so Perseus was able to slay her, she was beheaded by the hero, while looking at the reflection from the mirrored shield he received from Athena. During that time, Medusa was pregnant by Poseidon. When Perseus beheaded her, Pegasus, a winged horse, and Chrysaor, a golden sword-wielding giant, sprang from her body.

How can you not love that kind of crazy imagination.  Those Greeks were interesting.  So yeah, Medusa, aka me, will be accompanied by Dave a sad victim of Medusa, therefore a STATUE.  She wasn't a fan of men and all after the incident with Poseidon.  Oh and there will be no springing forth from my costume either.

Michelangelo's David. . .   No, my David will have clothes on, but it will be something like that. ;)

And finally my two little minions will be the Furies.  Furies Greek & Roman Mythology The three terrible winged goddesses with serpentine hair, Alecto, Megaera, and Tisiphone, who pursue and punish doers of unavenged crimes.  Furies were female chthonic deities of vengeance.

Ok, so I only have two furies and not three, but we're good with that.  Miley wanted to be a FAIRY and I heard Fury instead.  It works.  She's ok with it too.  Actually, she calls herself a fairy witch.  That also works.  Medusa actually had two sisters, which would have worked for us, but not as well known and they didn't have wings.  Wings were a must for my girlie.

So there it is, our Greek themed holiday that will stump most all, but it makes me happy.

For school Miley will be Medusa herself.  She knows who she is, but it will be interesting to hear what her classmates think.  We're expanding horizons here people.  ;)

Jaelin

Tonight we say goodbye to Jaelin.  A beautiful young woman I had the privilege of getting to know this past year.  She died in a car accident last week.  She was 16.

Jaelin wanted to be an author, and was writing a book.  I enjoyed talking to her about books.  She was crazy sarcastic, which meant we got along just fine.  She was a drama geek, as she liked to say and also sang and danced. . . a triple threat.  ;)  She had the cutest chihuahua, Tiger, that I wanted to steal.  A dog person, my favorite kind of person.  ;)

She had a hard time moving away from her family to live down here.  She loved her mom, and was fiercely protective of her and that is why she came, and I think, why she stayed when she had the chance to move back.  She told me all about how she loved being an aunt and missed those kiddos up north.  She started out having a hard time fitting in, but just recently things changed for her and I could tell that she was truly happy.  She was playing tennis and got her driver's license.  She was good.

She left us too soon.

I needed to write this, or look at these pics again and get some crying out.  I hope she knew how much I loved her.

We did an activity where I took the girls out for a photo shoot and had them write things on notepads about each other that they admired.  I turned that activity into photos like this one for Jaelin. . .

They are using it tonight, blown up, for her viewing.  I wish it didn't have to be used like that, but I hope it shows her family how much we loved her.

Jaelin was working on a blanket for my Jovey, as one of her projects.  I don't know how far along she got, but I was genuinely touched when she told me about it.

I'm hoping by typing this now I can get all my crying out for the day.

I wish I could say that I was really strong and didn't let my girls see me cry this week, but I am nowhere near that strong.  I hope that my girls will see that it is ok to be sad and hopefully through this learn a little about our purpose here.

I am grateful that I got to know Jaelin and I am grateful for the knowledge that she is ok now.  She's better than ok and so I don't need to cry.  Now I just need to remind myself of it when I give her mom a hug.

foaming at the mouth

My blog has been at a stalemate for 8 days and I had a feeling yesterday morning that I would hear about it from one or both of my sisters very soon.  I am indeed psychic.  How many psychic experiences do you have to have before you are certified as a professional?  I'll need to ask about my certificate.  I need paperwork before I put it on my resume.

So dear sister, even though I have talked to you in the real world I am here to update you on our momentous 8 days since my last post (and the rest of my stalkers). . . apparently you need the entertainment while at work.  ;)

Let's go by family member. . .

Dave - Business is booming.  The snow birds have fled the wintry north and have bombarded my hubby with their med needs.  Flu shot season is in full swing and Dave can be heard cursing the flu shot under his breath on a daily basis.  He gets to give many shots on top of his already full plate, so he's a bit overworked at the moment.  Add on the snowbird influx and a number of sick calls made by his staff and it makes for a lovely season.  Oh and a couple new techs to train.  Fun times.  He is doing well, managing his brains out, but looks forward to the day that he can go part time.  Ahhhh.  Me too.

On the weekends you can find him sidelined at Miley's soccer games trying to motivate the girl to actually run and not skip her way through four quarters of play. . . and on Sunday at multiple meetings before finally collapsing at home and immediately being dog-piled by his girlies.  Recently he had Monday off, and this thrilled Jovey to no end.  She kept looking at him and smiling so big.  She would say Da and have to go and pat his leg or hug him.  Yep, part time is the carrot on the string in front of this guy.

Dave volunteers every time to feed Jo her bottle.  Feeling like this time is precious and it is running out.  Wants to hog all her cuddles too.  ;)

Miley - Has become fascinated with how Ariel lost her voice in the movie because I told her that I have lost my voice before when I was sick.  She asks about my experience all the time now.  I think she's afraid she'll lose her voice and then the world will end because she CANNOT stop talking, ever.

Got her Kindergarten pictures back.  Wish someone, or herself, would have fixed her shirt (falling off her shoulder) beforehand, but otherwise still think she looks just like herself.  Cute and adorable.  They didn't take a class photo, which makes me sad.  No one got to hold a chalkboard with Mrs. C's kindergarten class 2013 on it.  I understand it wouldn't be a fun pic to take, but I did it as a kid almost every year and I think the photographer survived the experience.  Instead, now we get a bunch of individuals on a sheet.  Sad lazy times.  You can find this pic on our shutterfly site if you would like one of your own.  Or you can wait and see if Miley mails you one of her little ones.  ;)

Signed kiddo up for a three day cheer clinic.  The practices are 2 and a half hours long.  Please.?!  Teenagers, they know nothing.  After two hours we bailed.  It was torture and there were tons of kids there.  I think Miley was overwhelmed.  She had fun, but she was done.  We'll see if she makes it to the end of the clinic.  I'm ok if she doesn't.  I don't, in fact, have spirit.  We learned that Miley may not have any rhythm, but Jo does.  She wanted to dance too.  Yeah, after two hours Jo was done as well, well past done actually.  I couldn't leave kid there in the chaos she would have panicked so it was a long afternoon for all of us.

If you wanted to see a video of her doing one of the cheers then you need to get on instagram.  It only posts the pictures I take to the side bar on the blog not the videos.  Seriously, download instagram, it's free, android and ios devices.  Follow me and you'll see the videos I post as well as the pics.  *I was not paid for this endorsement.  ;) Though I should be.  I do love some instagram.

Miley is plagued by nostalgia lately.  Most sentences start with, 'Do you remember when. . .' and usually end with, 'I really miss them/that.'  Yesterday she shed a few tears for Nacho, the horse she rode in Idaho this summer.  Oh the good old days.

Miley is on her way to passing all of her 1st grade sight words.  Very close actually.  She loves to read and we are very proud of her.  She is writing a book of her own, Halloween themed of course, right now.

She has tried on her Halloween costume quite a few times and often asks if she can wear it out and about.  She's a big fan, though if you ask her what she's going to be for Halloween her answer may be confusing.  She doesn't quite remember and tends to make stuff up.

Miley watched Corpse Bride three times this week.

She has not scored a goal in a soccer game yet, much to her dismay, but she has kicked the ball and we consider that a win.  On Saturday while waiting for the game to start Miley was 'coaching' the other girls.  She was leading them in practice and encouraging them.  She even gathered them all together for a team huddle and a cheer.  Her coach watched, amused, but maybe feeling slightly rejected.  ;)  Miley is in charge now.  She'd rather coach then play.  She was also told during soccer practice that there is no talking in soccer.  Which is why she may not sign up again next year.  ;)

Miley spends her afternoons being shadowed by her sister.  She will happily dress Jo up in princess dresses and play mom.  Jo loves this game as well and cuddles the dolls too.  Well, maybe not as big a fan of the princess dresses since they impede her movement a bit.

Miley told me that she wants to be a mom and an artist.  I told her that I love those jobs myself and I think it's a great plan. ;)

Jovey - Loves to go places, put things in her mouth, be held by mama, and eat whatever we are eating.  I can't get her to clap, but I did get her to do the sign for food for me, surprise surprise.  She loves to play peek-a-boo with Miley.  Miley's version is extreme and may include jumping out at her from behind things.  Jo is a big fan.  Her hair is growing and she now takes her headbands off.  Stinker.  She is practicing standing on her own for short periods of time, but won't walk unless you are holding her hand or she is holding onto something else.

We had our first home visit from the social worker the other day.  It has been exactly 2 years since they came to our house for our home study.  They may think we are always decorated in this creepy way.  Anyway, they oohed and ahhhed over Jo and said she seemed happy and thriving, and of course, well fed.  We concur.  They asked what she likes to do. . . . hmmmm, how do you answer that for a 10 month old.  Hobbies?  Annoying her sister, eating, being held.  I don't know what they were looking for with that one.  ;)

Miley taught Jovey to scream.  Delightful.  Jovey's sounds just like the velociraptors in the movie Jurassic Park.  I wonder if they used children to make that movie.  She also has an impressive grunt and growl when she wants food.  She's a beast like that.

Jovey keeps us busy testing the limits.  She wants to play in the kitchen, take out night lights, and bite/lick the couch.  Sounds like fun, and I am the fun killer.

So far it appears that she is a lefty.  I have no idea what to do with lefty.  ;)  We'll see.

She continues to be Miley's twin.  I once had two lamps in my living room.  A 10 month old Miley broke one, and a 10 month old Jovey broke the other.  Now I am lamp-less and it is sad.  Don't know if I want to buy a new one yet or not.  Holding off seems prudent.

Nilla and Bear - Are engaged in a power struggle with their masters, aka Dave and Mindy, well mostly Dave.  The rainy season has left us with puppies that don't want to poop in the rocks, they would rather use the grass.  Up to this point our girls have been very good to poop in the rocks to the side of the house as they were trained.  Keeping our grass free to play in without worry.  I don't know why they decided to change it up, wet rocks are cold?  I don't know, but now we have a rebellion.  They are on strike.  Dave is fuming.  ;)  Negotiations have ended with Nilla pooping squarely in the middle of the patio for no reason other than to annoy Dave.  I fear it may escalate to him finding something in his shoes.  Or at least I hope so, cause that would be hilarious. . . if I don't have to clean it up.  Nilla is smart we'll see how long it takes to convince her to fall in line.  Bear will follow Nilla.

Nilla's energy is returning.  She's doing well on the medication, though her coat still looks neglected and sad.  We're hoping the medicine and the cold weather will prompt it to come back full and healthy.  Bear is still experiencing allergies and her poor eyes just water after being outside.  Can't figure out what it is and the Zyrtec doesn't help so she may be stuck with the watery eyes for some time.

Both girls are loving the weather change and constantly want to go outside and lay in the sunshine, which no longer melts their flesh.

Myself - am too busy.  You know, taking selfies mostly, and doing other stuff.

I made finger puppets with 10/11 year old girls.  Or tried to anyway.  

I am an excellent chauffeur, ask Miley, though my parking could use improvement, which sadly is what my driver's ed teacher said as well.  Huh, oh well.  I continue to homeschool my precious Miley Katers after school every day.  She loves it.  Made lots of flash cards, tried to decipher her homework from school.

I gave the dead body in our front yard a face lift.  Poor guy was looking sad, so I filled him up and re-bagged him.  Now I've got a four part plan to make him extra spooky this year.  Slowly I'll add to his scene. . .birds, shovels, a hole, and finally a gravestone.  Maybe no one will notice, but it makes me happy.

Was a squeaky wheel again at least twice.  Now I know where Jo's citizenship certificate is and also I got $10 off a purchase.  Score.

I painted snake scales on three items of clothing, with Miley's help.  Glued feathers on fairy wings.  

Coming up with a plan to get more crows on my house and in my yard.  We've been singing a lot of Halloween songs.  Trying to teach them to Jo and a witch cackle.

Logged a couple of favors that will come in handy some day.  ;)  Cleaned a lot for the home visit.  Finally turned the air conditioning off for the year.  

It feels like I am continuously making or buying food to feed all these baby birds I live with.  Put pink glitter on my toenails.

Did a lot of research into Common Core and did not like what I found.

Worked on setting Chandis up on a blind date.  ;)

Got everyone in my family healthy and now I have to work on that myself.

Bought a cappuccino machine cause my steamed milk maker was recalled.  The new machine is awesome and I've had sooooooo many steamed milks already.  It's also great for hot cocoa.  We should have a warm beverage party.  Sorry no coffee, I can't stand the smell.

Freakishly craved ice cream after Miley's soccer game.  So weird, cause I really don't like ice cream.

Caved to Miley's pleas of visiting the pumpkin patch.  Went to Staheli farm to enjoy the farm smell until I wanted to throw up and then we left.  ;)  Miley loved it.  Jo was content bundled to me.  We pet a horse, which wanted to eat us.  Very momentous evening.  No pumpkins were purchased.

Ate Cafe Rio salad twice.  We have a slight addiction to that place of late.  Jo loves the pork too.

Bought The Croods, cause Miley said it was so funny.  It was not.  Her recommendations are now subject to corroboration from a reliable source.

Read and finished a book for the first time in months.  It was ok.  Bought another book too.  Wish I had more time to read.  I will make time because I missed it so much.

Tried to teach Miley how to jump rope.  Not successful, but maybe a groundwork was laid.  

Drank the last of the bottled Coke from our Ethiopian New Years celebration.  Bummer that it's over.

I stopped reading the news because it just aggravated me too much.  I seem to do this a lot and forget and eventually go back to it.  Not this time.  It's out, for good.  ;)  Ignorance is bliss.

That's all I remember from the last 8 days.  Kari, I hope you are now fully informed and content for another 8 days cause this really does take a lot of my precious free time whilst the baby sleeps.  What if she stops napping, like tomorrow.  Oh the humanity.  Please nap, until you are 8 years old, baby Jo.  Miley let me down on that one.  Time flies and I can no longer take it for granted.  ;)

Kindergarten report card

A couple months down and we think it's time to give Kindergarten a report card. . .

Drop off/Pick up efficiency and safety . . . . . . . D, needs improvement, not impressed

Recess . . . . Miley gives it two thumbs up.  Big fan of the yellow twirly thing.

Homework . . . . Could use some more, no really, this is Miley's request

Sharing information with parents. . . not so much.  So far every note or newsletter I've received has missing or wrong information on it.  Nice.  And the school website is abysmal.  They need some help with all of it.

PE. . . So Miley is a big fan, but when I ask her what she does during PE she says exercise.  So, jumping jacks and push ups?  No idea.  She doesn't remember.  Amnesia in a 5 year old?  More likely not paying attention, but at least she enjoys whatever the exercise may be.  ;)

Computers. . . Miley was so excited after the first week to tell me they get to work on computers every Thursday.  I think the shine has worn off though, cause I don't hear much about it anymore.  Same old games.  PE has now become the favorite activity.

Art . . .  They have an art teacher.  Miley's art projects she brought home were just paper with squiggly lines drawn with a marker.  Not even multiple colors, just one.  Miley said they were talking about making different kinds of lines.  OK, but that's it?  For weeks?  Hmmmm?  I'm hoping it gets better from here, or I'm afraid their art program will probably be cut again.

Music. . . I guess the art teacher is the music teacher too, or that's the information I get from my kid.  Haven't heard much about this yet.  I don't know if they are doing it.  Sad.  I have good memories of singing time from elementary school, until the square dancing segment.  ;)

Fridays. . . .  Early out every Friday, and a number of Mondays already too.  Weird.  And kind of a giant waste of time for a Kindergartner that only goes half day.  Might as well give us the whole day off, so I don't have to wake my sleeping baby to come right back to school an hour after I left it.

Curriculum. . . . I've talked a lot with Miley's teacher to make sure she is being challenged, and she seems on top of it.  I was worried, but after some discussions I can see that she is aware of Miley's level and needs, so color me impressed.  They are pushing a lot more math then I remember doing in Kindergarten.  OK, I don't remember kindergarten, but my mom kept everything I ever did in school and I don't remember math papers in there.  I think it's this stupid Common Core that the government bribed us all with.  It's crap and I've signed the anti-petitions.

Pledge. . . They don't say the pledge of allegiance.  I just clarified it with Miley and she said that they sometimes say it.  I thought I'd be bugged by this, but right now the government is nothing but annoying to me and I'm considering jumping ship.  Yes, my patriotism is at an all time low.  I should hang up a flag and a picture of Ronald Reagan to rejuvenate me.  ;)

Rewards. . . Miley loves getting stamps on her hand or little stickers for a good day's work.  I love that my girl is happy with the little things.  Her teacher is pretty awesome at giving good praise too, not rewards for just showing up that day.  A solid A grade for this one.

Side notes. . .  Miley came home from school one day and said she was 'so sweaty hot'.  She was wearing a hoodie, because it was raining that morning.  She always has to have her jackets zipped all the way up when she wears them.  She then told me that she wore it all day.  I asked why she didn't take it off when she got into class.  She said, 'I forgot and then teacher wouldn't call on me when I raised my hand to ask to take it off.'  Are you kidding me.  I need to teach my kid to respect authority a little less, or make more noise.

No more hair troubles after the first incident at school.  Stinkin boys interested in hair styling.  Gladly, I didn't have to go and knock some heads together.  I did tell Miley to tell me if anyone touches her hair now.  I want to know.

Miley said they have 3rd grade buddies who come in and read them books.  Miley's buddy is a boy and she can't remember his name.  She says he is very nice, but doesn't know how to read.  She's trying to teach him.  This last time she said he didn't want her help and instead he said to close their mouths and just look at the pictures.  This is the story I got from Miley last week.  Who knows.  I'll have to ask her teacher about this one.

I sent Miley to school in flip flops a couple of times, despite their anti- flip flop dress code policy.  I had to.  I can't stand for this kind of blatant communism.  ;)  Ridiculous.  Miley told me she shouldn't wear flip flops and I asked her if anyone said something about it to her.  She said no, but that she heard me say that flip flops weren't allowed.  Dang it.  There goes her claim of ignorance.  Fight the power Miley, with your momma.  ;)

Overall Grade. . . I don't know, a C.  Does that seem too harsh?  Dave and his friends had a motto in pharmacy school, stolen from Sesame Street. . . C is for cookie, that's good enough for me.  ;)  He got good grades too, just sayin some of those classes were just mean.  Anyway, I digress, some days I'm happy with what they are doing at Miley's school, others not so much.  She's happy so I'll take some solace from that.  Our school got a good grade from the state, a B I think.  A B is alright, but I'm not seeing B material right now and I'd rather not settle for a B school either.  Looking into other options for next year, but mostly doing a lot of work at home.  That part won't change no matter where she goes though.  She loves doing school at home with me too much. . . for now.

DADDY!

That's what Dave hears as soon as he comes in the door.  DADDY!  Or in Jo's case she yells, DA!  And then this is how his night goes. . .

After the horsey back ride. . .

He's one lucky guy.  ;)

Scary how happy we are about October

Yesterday morning Miley comes bleary-eyed out of her room and the first thing she said to me, "Mom, I'm so happy that it is finally October today!"

Followed by her looking around the living room and saying, "Mom, where are all the Halloween decorations?"

Yeah, I should have stayed up late on September 30th to put up Halloween decorations for kid, but instead I went to bed.  ;)

She got home from school and immediately asked if we could decorate.  Man, I love this kid!

My poor snake wreath took a beating during it's time off.  Snakes escaping everywhere.  I really should invest in wreath containers for all of them.  I didn't make a new wreath yet for this year, since my snake one works with my theme.  Kind of want to make another one anyway.  We'll see.

Jo is way more into stuff than Miley was, or so it seems, which makes me think I may dial back our decorations for this year.  ?? Or only decorate up high and behind gates.  Are second kids naturally more naughty like that cause they see their older siblings get into stuff that they themselves should not?  Or am I just lucky?  ;)  Of course lucky, but man my kid is a busy body troublemaker lately, and she's super happy about it too.

I just dug up a bunch of plants from our backyard, that I hated, and cleaned up some mudslides so I have a lot of dirt ready to create a pile in my front yard for my dead body.  What are the chances I won't get a note from the HOA on that one? ;)

Someone asked me recently if we were the house with the eyeball.  Why yes, yes we are.  We've got a reputation.  I must come up with something new for outside.  Don't want to disappoint.  And definitely don't want kids to start being brave enough to walk down our side of the street.  ;)

I soooo want to make big scary props for the yard, but I have no place to store them during the off season.  I already have a big spider sitting year round in my backyard.  Thanks Dad.  I don't think I could get away with a skeleton scarecrow in the front yard. . . unless I planted corn, but then I don't think that's kosher either.  Drat.

Tried some spookiness on the other day and so I'm feeling better about my progress.  Still a long way to go, but at least I have something, anything on the work table.  Miley already has plans for next year, and I approve.  Let's hope she keeps that for a whole year.  Yeah, I know, probably not.  My fingers will be cramping in the crossed position.

Miley just informed me that we could probably fit Jovey in the birdcage that has a skull and crow in it.  Oh no, must go make sure she didn't try to put her in it already.  See, decorating this year may be tricky.

Wishing you a VERY SPOOKY SPECTACULAR OCTOBER!