Soft with a little crunch in the middle...

A spooky surprise arrived in the mail yesterday.

Mickey Mouse pumpkin lights!

A gummy hand for Chance

He can't wait to eat it.

We opened the packaging.    I told Chance to just bite off a finger.

Chance, "No... you have to cut it."

Mom,  "You bite it... like this"  

And I bit off the thumb at the joint.

I commented that it did not squirt out blood.  There was bone though!  

 He was freaked out... left the room and went outside and cried.  Told his Dad I was eating his hand.

I guess I am a little ghoulish...

*insert evil laugh*

I was able to console him by inviting him to come in and dissect the hand.  It appealed to the scientist in him.. he did... and all was okay.

I refrained from biting off anymore fingers...

Thanks Grandma Sara for the fun surprises.

The coveted box of Grandma's sugar cookies.

Thanks Grandma Sara... they arrived on Saturday, fresh and delicious.

The last morsel was just finished off and we still have more days to go before Halloween.   

So sad...

Homecoming Dance, Oct 24.

Saturday afternoon getting the corsage.... a busy day at the Florist.

On his way.

The Guys.

The Gals

His date, Whitney.

He said he had great time.  The gym was hot with all those bodies dancing.  He said at least it did not rain from sweat condensation on the ceiling of the gym as it did last year.  ? There is a Chemistry lesson in there on the exothermic and endothermic.  

Budding Artists...

The year Jordan was in 4th grade I signed up to be the ArtWise Mom.  This is through the PTA... a program where you go into the classroom and teach art to the kids one or twice a month.  Really depends on the teacher how often.    I self taught myself through the years a lot about art... simple stuff to teach the kids.  Do now that I highly frown upon someone going in and teaching a craft... but not teaching the art history and techniques behind it.   

This year... being that I added STUDENT to my plate... my available time at the school was limited.   But this job was never filled in... and I did not have a classroom volunteer job.   And actually this is an easy and enjoyable thing for me to do.   Just have to squeeze it in my schedule.  

Did it Thursday.   Day went like this... Prep for the Art Class, Work, ArtWise, College class.   Scott works from home... he had no idea where I had been all day.  Just knew I was gone.   Yep... some days are like that!

Back to ArtWise... two years ago the school district implemented an art program into all the elementary schools called VAPA.   The kids were learning all the techniques and mediums of art.  So being an ArtWise parent was not as valuable as it was before.   However with budget cuts, that was one to go.  So in order for my son to be taught about artists, art form... and how it fits into culture, social studies.... I need to step up and do my part, but share it with the classroom.   They LOVE it,  I LOVE it.

Being the time of year it is and that they are learning California history, I tied in Los Dias de los Muertos,   Days of the dead.    This not a scary holiday... but a holiday much like our memorial day.  In fact, putting flowers at graves comes for this culture.  It is a celebration of the dead.  Because they believe death is not the end, but a continuation of life.   It is an ancient holiday practiced by the Aztecs, Mayas ect.  Cool huh?  

Giving them a little culture lesson and showing the Days of the Dead artwork... which is basically skeletons doing everyday things.  It is happy, bright... not dark and gloomy depictions. We then made our own Day of the Dead skeleton using Oil Pastels on black paper.   Techniques were taught... I will spare you those.   But here is the result.    They did great!  

Chance's has the yellow sombrero.  He says he accessorized.    I only had them do the head... but others did do a complete body.  It did also include a bit of an anatomy lesson as we talked about what the nose would look like and why.  As they were drawing they wondered if they should have ears.   We figured it out together.

Notice the sweets around the picture at the bottom.   This is because delicious food is left out for the dead... to enjoy and know they are welcome.

Aren't those the happiest skeletons you have seen?

Top Salesman

With me being in school... Scott has taken over most of the homework and after school activities for Chance.  They make a fabulous team.  And he did something for Chance that he has been wanting to do for years, but I avoid.  Scott took Chance out into the neighborhood so he could do door to door sales.   

Chance proved to be quite the salesman.   Talked up a storm... would show them the catalog.  Who can resist such cuteness.   Not all purchased... but for the most part, he rocked.

Here he is enjoying a Pizza lunch with the principal for being top salesman in his grade for Sally Foster Gift Wrap. 

Dreams do come true.

A Thankful Morning....

"How many times do you have to ask a kid to get dressed?"   Posted by a Friend on FB this morning. 

I could relate.  And this morning was a good morning, both boys off to school, on time.   (I must note... that on time is not usually my goal, just getting them there is success!)   

This morning's routine consisted of minimal effort... other then asking Chance repetitively to get dressed.  See if that is all I have to deal with in the morning... all is good.   But some mornings not so good. AND we almost headed in that direction because after he got dressed he laid on his bed in a pout because he did not have a belt.  Whew... I was so glad it was an easy fix because two weeks ago when I first tried to get him to wear the same jeans, nothing meet his expectations.  Going from shorts to jeans... icky.  Add the belt... icky.   Then the shirt coincidentally... icky.  Breakfast... icky.   Going to school... icky.   

My comment to my friends status...

"I have been thinking if I have Chance put on his clothes before he goes to bed... skip the whole Pajama step... it would eliminate problems in the morning routine. 

Do you think that would make me a bad Mom... or an ingenious one?"

 Mornings... they are a crap shoot! 

 Today I WON!

TWICE...

Need a sword...

I do believe I am going to pull out my Zorro costume this year... in honor of C-Jane's blog post.

"There is a point where a girl becomes a woman." She said. A point where a woman becomes a female warrior. Where her life is no longer a game, it is a genuine battle. Not to survive only, but to survive and be strong.

 This time though I am getting a sword... to cut through the Crap!

Picture from two years ago... Glad my hair is short, but missing that skeleton in the rocking chair, he has been used for parts in a Bottle Rocket Launcher and Sprinkler Fixings.   I think I should have Chance build another.

October Saturdays...

Our late Saturday afternoons and evenings have been being filled with Marching Band.   Last week they were in Merced.  We took Scott's parents, Gordon and Ellen, picked them up on the way.   It was great to show them what Jordan does... what he LOVES, what he spends his waking moments thinking about!

Yesterday we were in Modesto.  We got there right at the beginning, even before the AVHS buses arrived.  We were treated to many a band.  Amazing watching the smaller bands... 20-30 members.    Chance was horrendously bored.  But he survived.   

I studied for tests coming up this next week.   I made it through one chapter at least.   

This is the unusual and stunning beginning of Jordan's band, AVHS Marching Band and Colorguard.  The title of their show this year is "Where the Sidewalk Ends".   Do you see the correlation to what they are doing on the field?

They get better every year!  And I must say they are looking exceptionally good in their uniforms this year!  Great group of kids and instructors.  Truly blessed to have such an amazing program!

"Miss Them Profoundly"

"If you are still in the process of raising children, be aware that the tiny fingerprints that show up on almost every newly cleaned surface, the toys scattered about the house, the piles and piles of laundry to be tackled will disappear all too soon and that you will-- to your surprise-- miss them profoundly." (Finding Joy in the Journey, Thomas S Monson, October 2008 GC)

Good to remind myself. 

   I will miss walking into my kitchen and seeing this.

I will... 

This one is "Dragon's Blood"

Thankful for pictures that I can look back on and remember.

Love my Chemist... appreciate his zeal for learning.   He asked me last night about how atoms have energy.  I could answer him and give him examples.   Yeah... for Chemistry, if nothing else,  I am learning... and therefore what he talks about is interesting to me and we can discuss!

And it is October!

Awwww..... you all warm my heart!  I stopped by today, since is this is where I get my Belgian Waffle recipe.   I had some time,  I stayed for just a bit to see if people are still checking to see if I write.   You do!   *smile

To just catch you up a bit.  First I promised to let you know what kept me away in June and some of July.   So to hold to that, I was the Program Director for SFBAC Twin Valley District Webelos Day Camp.  Well not was... I am.   In layman terms.... I plan, procure supplies, and manage the activities for a week for 200, 9-10 year old boys.   I have a co-director who manages the administrative part, I do the fun part.   It was a blast, tons of fun,  and Kimberly and I.... the K and K team.... immensely enjoyed it, the boys enjoyed it.... and to tell you the truth, I am excited to do it again.  This time though, planning has already begun.   

So that was an event.   Next, I celebrated my Fortieth birthday.... and you know that 40 is the new 30!  And my husband has decided I am having a midlife crises!   Maybe....

On a Saturday in August, I got out of bed and decided it was time to go back to college.  The semester started that Monday.   Now... mind you, I have been rolling this around in my head for the past year.  So it was not out of the blue.  I have done some research.  I knew what I wanted to do.  But that morning, I decided.... NOW or never.   So that leads me into another added part to my plate... because you always have room for more, right?   I am a college student at the local Community college.  I am taking 8 credit hours and am about 7 weeks into the semester.   Taking Biology and Chemistry.  It has been a tough haul, adjustments all around for the family. But we are managing.  We are hanging in there... and I am LOVING the learning!  

Still working at the public school, just cut my day down to two... because that is all that fits into my schedule.   Still finishing up a bit on the uniforms for Jordan's band... I am Uniform Coordinator... that essentially means that I have a crew that is responsible for getting the kids looking good head to toe.  Of course, I am about raising the bar... doing better then the year before!  

Jordan is in 11 grade... doing band, enjoying it, but struggling with the fact that it is not Blue Devils.   He was warned, he was told... to be nice.   The best way to explain... like playing ball for the top College team and then going back to high school and playing with the freshman.   It is all good and he can be very helpful when his attitude is in the right place.

Chance.... oh Chance, my sweet Chance.  He is in 4th grade.  Where has the time gone?  I must point out that with Jordan... I have learned and with his 7 year spread, I can see mistakes I have done and how it has affected him.  Mistake... to baby him with his homework in grade school!   With Chance... he is on his own!  And he does rise to the occasion!  Love seeing that.  The teacher places consequences out there and rewards.   He has experienced both.

Scott has started traveling more.... that puts an added twist to my schooling.  Yikes!  But we are managing.  He said he will be doing much more of it.  So do think of me... pray I keep it all together.  Some days are tougher then others. 

So there you see... busy I am.  But it is fun to get on here and write.  So maybe... I will do more of it.   Because who does not like to read about what the crazy Lady is doing now!