Around Here Week 44: 10/27-11/02

 A glimpse into what it is like to be in our family just this moment. 

photo cred: St Davids 

photo cred: Abba

photo cred: Colbie

photo cred: Stacy B

Intentional Outdoor Hours: 608+ hours (of 1000)
Downright gorgeous for Trick-or-treat night, and then we took a flying leap out of late summer and into the chilliness of fall. Yikes. The game Friday night was so cold and we were just not dressed properly in the least. We tried to stay warm by moving and huddling together, but boy was I grateful to go home and chug a hot tea! You can tell the weather is getting colder because my boys jump on the trampoline with shirts on - hahahhha. 

Reading Hang the Moon by Jeannette Walls but so little because the tank is on E and we are passing out at bedtime. 

Listening to Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus and really enjoying it despite the insane plot twist that I did not see coming at all. I was chatting with a friend at school about the book (I knew she had read it) and she was like, "what's happening in the story where you are at?" and I told her and she was nodding and mentioned a plot twist in the future. I was like, okay whatever. Literally on the drive home that afternoon only five minutes into my drive, the plot twist dropped and I was screaming. hahhaha, I messaged her later and was like, "ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!" How she kept a straight face even when she could tell I was five minutes away from it happening in the book is actually astonishing - bravo Jen. hah! 

Getting a clean car - thank you B. He took Jillian to the car wash, then cleaned out, vacuumed out, and wiped down all the interior. It was looking pretty rough in there (bugle crunchy crumb fest in the third row - Lawd, help us all) but B got her shined up and she's looking beautiful. 

Haircuts on Sunday afternoon for all the girls which was Olive's first ever haircut! She looks so cute with her bob, we are all loving it. Gem and Vi just got a trim and in my normal behavior anytime I get into a salon chair, I just told Jo to go ahead and chop it all off. LOL. Liv and I are twinsies now. (thank you Jo, you are amazing - we appreciate you!) 

Happy that Olive will sit happy for hair brushing as long as she can look at her baby book. When I mention a bath, she says, "you can wash my hair and brush it because I can look at my baby book, right?" She loves pointing out baby Olive and seeing everyone hold her and dote on her...which is wild because that is still literally what happens every single day so I don't get it, but whatever works! 

Smiling about Rusty making his 'football play sheet' which is just a piece of paper covered in x's and o's that have names. He was excited that he had made 20 different football plays all with their own unique names. Oh man, eight year old boys are kind of the epitome of my favorite page of the Love You Forever, Like You for Always book. Just so wild and hilarious and all boy but still hugs. 

Having a lot of discussions and weighing all the pros, cons, and all the things because life rarely goes where you plan for it to go. thankful for all the listening ears and encouraging words and supportive friends and family who always lean in with graciousness and understanding with us. 

Fall celebration days at schools! Liv and Reddy had their fall parties (we donated cupcakes) with a parade that Abba, Chum, and Aunt Kitty attended (thank you!) They were so proud to talk about it at home with us and I was thankful to get pics from family and preschool. Rusty and Violet had their fall parties too (we donated googly eyes and plates!) So grateful for all the PTA moms and dads who plan and organize and volunteer - we help any small way we can, but you guys are out there doing the heavy lifting and planning! At my elementary school we had a fall fest party on Friday which also was Day of the Dead. Two of my students dressed up in día de muertos costumes and one as a monarch - they were so proud to show me their costumes! 

Trick-or-treat night! Grey opted to go hunting with Pappy and Reid instead but the rest of us met up with friends and family for our annual trick or treat pilgrimage (hah). Abba came as a witch. Uch, Kev, and the nephewlitos were there, and all our neighborhood friends. Violet's bestie Evaley joined us since she and Vi were a pair and Gemma's bestie Colbi joined us since their were a duo. Cooper was so sweet to match Rusty's Wolverine with a Deadpool costume. And Rusty's bestie AJ and his family joined us this year too. Thank goodness for the village who treks with us even though their kids are big, but they hang back and help carry candy bags and hold hands (Pam, Becky, and Jenn - grateful for you!) We brought Osa because she does such a good job on trick-or-treat night and everyone loves seeing her. We got plenty of candy, scored a major bag of kettle corn (thank you!!) Then we ended the night at the Huffman's house as is tradition. Great food, good conversation, kids running everywhere half costumed and hands full of sugar (LOL). 

Doing NOTHING on Saturday because we are all stuffy-nosed and exhausted and run all the way down. Violet volunteered with the youth group to make apple dumplings and Grey went hunting with Pap in the morning - but the rest of us, rested our weary souls all day. We laid around, watched Robin Hood Prince of Thieves as a family (LOL, inappropriate but we all love to watch it once a year, hah!), got some much needed chores done (9 loads of laundry!) It was the laziest most glorious day!

Teaching and it's the week leading into Day of the Dead, so most classes were cruising on culture and holiday vibes all week. My elementary classes were finishing up their craft projects to help decorate my classroom (alebrijes, calaveras, cempasúchil, and mariposas!) I got a new set of Expo 8th graders this week so we started back at week 1 lessons (greetings & intro vocab). Spanish 1 started The Book of Life and Spanish 2 turned in their final copies of the spooky stories and started Coco. 

Sporting with three swim practices for Rusty (I also purchased new swim goggles with bungee cord, a second pair of swim shorts, and a new cap!) Violet had a basketball game with her third and fourth grade team. Gemma attended the playoff volleyball and playoff girls' soccer games to take photos for Yearbook. Grey and B had four days of football practice and a playoff game on Friday night at long time rival Windber stadium. The end of the season, but so proud of the team and the coaches! What a season it has been!

Making crockpot pork roast & sauerkraut, spaghetti, sheet pan chicken fajitas, takeout pizza after the football game, and crockpot potato soup for lazy Saturday. Making lots of food for the teen boy who has been wolfing food this past week. On Monday night for dinner, he had 2 huge bowls of spaghetti, then 2 egg/sausage/cheese grilled sammies on Texas toast, and then finished off a breakfast bar for dessert.

Around Here Week 43: 10/20-26

 A glimpse into what it is like to be in our family just this moment. 

photo cred: B from before school

photo cred: Jackie F

photo cred: Jackie F

selfie cred: Kitty

photo cred: Stacy B

photo cred: GJY Mavericks

Intentional Outdoor Hours: 602+ hours  (of 1000)

Reading Hang the Moon by Jeannette Walls. I loved The Glass Castle when I read it years ago; I remember loving her writing style. So far it is a little slow getting started, but that's for the best since I just buzzed through several books in the last few weeks - I need a relaxed read right now. 

Listening to Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus and it isn't at all what I thought it was going to be, but I am really enjoying it! (I haven't seen the movie yet) 

Finishing up the big projects in the garage den reno. Pappy, Dad, Grey, and Gemma have been slowing chipping away at finishing the last of the painting of the ceiling, closing up the wiring, and figuring out the material to put in the back of the garage door for aesthetics but also insulation. We unrolled the area rug finally and it kind of felt like a green light to order the propane heater...so I did. hah! 

Clothes inventory for the middle kids. I had Rusty and Vi go through all their drawers and closets to pull out anything that didn't fit or they didn't like anymore. Into tubs they went to make space for some warmer clothes, because the change is on it's way - we can feel it in the mornings! - and they are making me crazy pushing the same clothes to the side every time instead of just getting them cleared out! Always such a big job but one that is immediately gratifying. 

Red Ribbon week! Yay for more dress up days (lol). 

Celebrating Brandon's 40th birthday! The kids and I got permission to secretly decorate Brandon's office with balloons on Sunday night and then I brought donuts to practice after school and the whole team did an amazing rendition of happy birthday before the sideline crew sprayed Daddy with water bottles. He took a direct water bottle hit until he grabbed his player Dawson and used him as a shield! Later that night, we had takeout Tollgate wings and fries with Pappy at our house and sang happy birthday over pumpkin chocolate chip cookies. The biggest present though is set for December when we go to Erie with our besties The Koch family for steelhead fishing! 

Laughing constantly about telling Olive to keep the secret of daddy's decorated office and she said, "I know! I'm so excited but I won't tell him, I promise!" and then B gets home from team dinner and Olive says, "Hi Dad, you're going to love the decorations we put in your office!" LOL, literally 30 seconds she was able to keep it a secret! 

Special playdays and visits. Gemma went to the soccer playoff game with Uncle Buck and Kuma (thank you). Violet went with Aunt Kitty for special belated birthday time. They got their nails done, they did a little shopping, and grabbed a bite to eat (thank you Kitty!) and Vi and Gem both went to Peyton's birthday party on Saturday night with all the fun games and silly videos a girl could wish for (thanks for having them!) 

Teeth appointments this week - it always feels like we have an appointment for something, I swear! Gemma had an ortho appointment and got her bands changed to light blue. Grey had a dentist appointment this week too. 

Celebrating one of my favorite friends, Renee at her wedding! She and Greg had a beautiful ceremony and reception at Green Gables and since they are so fun, creative, and always up for the best times - they had a costume reception! B and I have been planning our costume for weeks - we went as Wendy Peffercorn and Squints from The Sandlot! Renee was the most beautiful bride and the guests went all out on costumes - we were smiling and marveling at every turn at everyone's dedication to the theme. The Uncle Fester with the real light bulb in his mouth! The Beetlejuice and red dress Lydia! The Alien dancing in heels in the middle of the dancefloor. Oh man, it was so fun and I even got to spend some time with my former students Emma and Tyson. Congratulations Renee & Greg!! 

Teaching about Day of the dead with some calaveras, cempasuchil, and mariposa craft projects. My third graders were also still finishing up their alebrijes from last time. Spanish 1 worked on the Spanish alphabet and took a 'spelling' quiz this week. Spanish 2 started their spooky story unit. We were impossibly in the last week of Q1 this week, so I was also finishing up grades and making sure everyone had turned in any missing work! One quarter down already! I stayed afterschool for a little while on Thursday for the staff Fall Fest event. We had snacks and we got to paint pumpkins (I painted a friendly ghost - hah). It was a sweet gesture by our Planning committee to bring a little fellowship to our staff! 

Sporting with four swim practices for Rusty this week because on Saturday, he had his first swim meet at IUP. Thank goodness for the Burnsworth and Stephens families who helped us navigate our first meet! Stacy got Rusty's race heats sharpie'd on his arm and Mallie helped us understand heat times and warm ups. Rusty had a great time and did so well for his first time. I think he's hooked! Violet had two basketball practices and her first basketball game. Gemma took Aunt Kitty to her end of season soccer banquet (thank you for going Aunt Kitty!) and helped all week with football. Grey and B had team dinner and film on Sunday night, four practices, and then our last home game vs. Homer Center. I did some behind the scenes work for the boosters. For the football boosters, I made the flyer for our upcoming fundraiser at Forbes Trail Brewing (11/24!) and for the soccer boosters, I made the flyer for the upcoming middle school Friendsgiving dance fundraiser. 

Making chicken quesadillas, Korean beef with rice and green beans, chicken & broccoli fettucine alfredo, I made a batch of pumpkin chocolate chip cookies for Bud's birthday and we got takeout wings and fries to celebrate his birthday too!