It's almost Halloween!!!

It's the week of Halloween, and the weather is lovely here in Lawrence. It's in the 50's, the leaves have turned and are falling...it's awesome Halloween weather! It's supposed to be 60 or so on Saturday with no rain. Yes!

Took Cleo to the doctor this morning for her 15 month appt. and she's 30", in the 35% for height, and weighs 21 lbs. 7 oz., 28% for weight. She's our little healthy peanut. She had to get 3 shots (including flu shot), which she hated. Gus got the flu mist up the ol' nose, and he was fine with that. I'm still debating whether to get them the H1N1 shots...any thoughts from other mommas?

Here are some early Halloween photos of the kids in their costumes. We took them to an early trick-or-treat event at the Lawrence Prairie Park Nature Center. The kids took a hike through the woods and met some "monsters" on the way who handed out candy. The kids even got to meet Max and the Wild Things! It was pretty cool, and Gus got to hang with his girlfriends Ebi, Suki and Ash. Ash was Alvin from Alvin and the Chimpmunks and Suki was a bear/zebra. Just like Gus was a monkey/bear! We plan to take both kids to Andy's company trick-or-treat Friday around 4pm, and that should be fun, then later Friday night we may stop by the Hegemans for an All Hallow's Eve happy hour. Saturday I'll get the candy bowl ready and send the kids out with Andy while I hand out treats to kids (and enjoy some vino!)

I love Halloween. Someday I may even start to dress up like a scary witch and scare little kids. That's what my Mom did when we were little. The Curtis house was known as the "scary house" b/c my Mom would dress up like a super scary witch (think tan hose pulled over her face so her features were all distorted, along with an awesome wig, hat and outfit) and jump out from behind bushes and scare trick-or-treaters. And if the kids were brave enough to then walk up on our patio, I would then hand them candy. A lot of kids would just take off. I always felt bad for those kids. Ha ha. My Mom was always my school room mother on Halloween. All the other kids wanted their Moms as Christmas or Easter room mothers, and I always chose Halloween, b/c my Mom would show up at school dressed as the scary witch. She did it up.

More Halloween photos later! Trick-or-treat!

Miss Lydia is in da house

Hanging with Miss Cleo

Mr. Handsome

Miss Lydia, Queen of the (hornless) Unicorns

Why have I posted a photo of a magical unicorn along with photos of my darling children? Well, this is Miss Lydia, and although she may look like a normal horse, she is in fact a magical unicorn (I found a hole under her strip of white hair that is coming unglued). I was given this toy by the janitor at work to give to Cleo, but I'm going to keep it for myself, mostly b/c Cleo will just pull the rest of Lydia's hair off and try to eat it, but also because I have grown to adore Lydia and all her weirdness. My affection for Lydia is like Kelly's affection for her doll/friend, Ellis. In fact, Kelly and I have decided Ellis and Lydia can be BFF. And when I get stressed at work, I just look at Lydia and all is well again.

Actually, when I get super stressed at work, I just look at these darlings

Or this darling...love Dwight

So, it's been a busy fall. Andy is traveling quite a bit this month, and work and other activities are keeping us rather booked up. Gus has been enjoying preschool, and has made some friends. Right now he loves to count and sing. If he's not counting in one of his many counting-themed books, he's singing "I've been working on the railroad" or some other song.

Gus is super psyched to be a monkey for Halloween, and I really need to make his costume this week. We're taking the kids to an early trick-or-treat thing in town this Friday, and I haven't even started on Gus' outfit. I bought all the materials so it shouldn't take too long. We ordered Cleo's giraffe costume online and it's awesome. So I don't have to mess with that! I can't wait for Halloween...the best holiday! I think we're going to carve pumpkins later this weekend, too.

Work has been super busy, but I'm managing. We're going to Iowa City later in mid-November to visit Dave and Sally and possibly see a football game (Iowa is super good this year, like KU!). Should be fun. Other than that, just planning for holiday shopping (already!) and whatnot. I really cannot believe how fast time flies.

More later after Halloween--should have some good photos of the little monkey and giraffe!

ek




p.s. Still doing the running podcast and so far it's still going well. I'm on week 5 and it's kicking my butt, but I'm hanging in there! I'm working my way up to running 20-25 minutes without stopping, which for me is truly amazing.