A Journey of Octobers

A few years ago we began to change the way we did things. As a newlywed, I decorated a really cute Halloween wreath to hang on the front door of our apartment. S told me he didn't like it and he didn't really think we should be celebrating Halloween. I, of course, thought that was the silliest thing I'd ever heard. I ended up throwing the wreath away, but when our kids were born, we started them off celebrating Halloween just like everyone else. Oh don't get me wrong....we didn't do "scary" Halloween. So it was okay, right?

I thought I would post some of my older posts about this. It's interesting to see how our family has been transformed these last few years.

2007--Changing is Hard

2008--A New Tradition

2008--The Tea Party

I have found our new tradition to be very satisfying. The kids get a costume. We make sure there is some candy involved in the activities (but I can control how much!). They get a day of fun. And it has nothing to do with Halloween. There are no Halloween decorations--nothing scary, nothing evil, nothing gross. AND they learn too!

This year's theme is Pioneers. All the girls will have a pioneer dress, provided we finish sewing them in time and they will do pioneer era activities that day. I can't wait!

Anyway, two years later I no longer find it hard to do this. Halloween is NOT something we participate in. The kids are used to it. We have no desire to celebrate Halloween any more. The thing they really liked about it (the costumes) have been preserved. It works.

Sometimes I guess you just have to practice a bit.

Do You Have Days Like This?

I don't watch Spongebob and neither do my kids. Not because I'm morally opposed or anything---I just think it's dumb. And gross.

BUT, one day I happened to catch this episode. And I thought I would die. I called my sister to tell her. THIS is how talking to your kids can be some days. She got it.


This is how school is going so far today:



Taking a break now!

OK--That Was Pretty Smart

During our phonics lesson today I asked Little Bit to go find something in the house that began with the sound of J. We do this with every sound we learn and her face just lights up. She always brings a little toy, or something from the kitchen or whatnot.

Today she wandered around the house for a while and finally I went to get a drink from the kitchen. She met me in there and said, "Mom, I have something for J but I can't bring it to you. If you go into the homeschool room, I'll tell you."

OK....I figured it was something big or something attached to the house.

When we got into the homeschool room she turned to me and said, "Why did the robot go to the bakery?"

See? It was a JOKE! Joke starts with J. (I won't bother telling you the ending because she made this one up a few weeks ago and, you know....five year old joke. So, yeah.)

But I marvel at the way that girl's mind works! I really do.

Ah.....Friday Night

Cold front blew through, giving us "fall" for a few days.

Windows open.

Rain outside.

Supper and chocolate cake at home tonight.

Kitchen and living room are clean.

Working on our shower this weekend.

Thank you Lord for all these blessings.

I Have Good Ideas During a Massage

Yesterday I cashed in my gift card from S for a 1/2 hour massage. Oh it was wonderful. I have not been able to lift my left arm a certain way for months and now I nearly can. The masseuse noticed the problem under my left shoulder blade immediately even though I had not told her I was having trouble lifting my arm. Amazing what massage can do.

So while I was laying there I thought of two things. First, and this almost made me laugh during the massage, but while she was rubbing my neck, I kept thinking of this.

Secondly, I got to thinking about how massage might be good for Little Bit when her tics are bad. How could it not be? It's relaxing and tics are always better when a person is relaxed.

I looked up some articles on it this morning and it seems I'm right. Perhaps when she's older we may have to look into that. Then it occurred to me that she already takes care of this herself. All her life she has LOVED for someone to sit by her and gently rub her arm or leg or tummy or face...whatever. "Tickle me soft" she says. Still, I think when she's older real massage techniques may be useful.

Looks like I may need to add "masseuse" to my job description. I wonder if there are classes you can take?

But first I'm going to need to learn how to spell masseuse without the help of Google.