DO-IT-YOURSELF PUMPKIN KIDS

 Jay set up the table with the necessary tools and cut the tops out for them, then left them to their own devices to scoop, design, carve, and clean off the seeds. Success!

GIRL SCOUT PUMPKIN PARTY

 The Girl Scouts had their first Troop meeting after school today and it included pumpkin decorating. The two Tagalong brothers were allowed to participate, though James finished quickly and went to play his Kindle (he wants you to please note the fancy MineCraft designs). Cora, on the other hand, and Cara Beth (fellow craft-lover), worked for the entire hour and declined to leave their pumpkins in favor of Red Light, Green Light and Mother May I? (note the other girls in line at the back of the cafeteria).

(It was Jersey Day at Bowmar today too)

SOUTHPARK SPIRIT WEEK 2016

GIVE DRUGS THE BOOT
(wear western clothes)

(Maybe next year these country kids will have boots by October?...)

YOU WON'T "SEE" ME DOING DRUGS
(wear camouflage)

(They made this work with last year's shirt for James and one of Jay's old hats for Cora)

PEACE OUT TO DRUGS

(wear hippie clothes)

(Cora was not pleased to have to wear a headband and "sash belt", until she got to school and saw over half the girls wearing them, and then she didn't want to take them off for dance class... However, she was pleased to get to wear her BFF peace sign necklace and her wildly patterned leggings. She even did a silly song and dance about being "oh so comfy in my stretchy pants". I feel the same way darlin'! And without tie-dye shirts in the house, I really had no idea what to do with James at the last minute, so cords and a white shirt with crazy glasses it was! The peace signs sold it though, right?)

GET "RED"Y TO LIVE A DRUG FREE LIFE
(wear red)

(This was not a happy morning because James did not get to wear my old Garmin Vivofit and Cora had to wear a "boy" Scout shirt and sweatshirt AND she couldn't find her red bow... You should have seen the first few photos: tears and pouts galore. Finally, I just asked them to show me what the "Anger" character from Inside Out looks like, since he wears red. Yup, spot on.)

TEAM UP AGAINST DRUGS
(wear your favorite jersey)

 (Hugs, not drugs.)

FALL FEST 2016

As we've done the past few years, tonight we attended First Baptist's Fall Fest. The kids get to dress up, play carnival games to win candy, eat free hot dogs and cotton candy, and jump around in bounce houses. They love it, it's a safe and happy environment, and I always run into half my friends there (which is nice so that I have someone to talk to while the kids run wild). Also as we've done the past few years, the kids wore their "second" costume to this event. One of the ways we're able to keep them on board with the family costume theme each year is by promising to let them where whatever they want on Halloween and to events other than our party and whichever family outing we attend (usually just one/year, like Boo at the Zoo or Park After Dark - this year we did the Great Wolf Lodge Howl-o-ween and called it good, because with the Campout and other October festivities, there just hasn't been time for a trip over to Jackson). After watching the Goosebumps movie and reading a few of the books, James was set on going as Slappy. And he makes a very good Slappy... (though we might dye his hair black for Halloween... and I need to put a red flower on his lapel, apparently). Cora decided (about a week ago) that she wanted to go as Elena of Avalor (a new Disney Princess). Until that show came out earlier this month, we thought we were going to get away with not having to buy her a second costume, since she planned to go as Elsa, but it's alright (she'll wear this costume until it falls apart, just like all the others, since she's still very much dress-up obsessed at home). ANYWAY, the event was as fun as always and we really appreciate the yearly invite to be a part of that church's fall festivities!

 (That's his "creepy Slappy smile", in case you were wondering)

 

 

(Of course the soccer and Lego stations were their favorites!)

RIVERPOINTE HALLOWEEN 2016

The 6-year-old Combo Class (well, one of the two classes). Please don't ask me all their names (though I do know 10 of them!) I didn't even realize there were 16 girls in her class...

Couldn't resist sharing this photo of some of the older girls - so creative!

And this is The Pointe (and Demi Pointe) company members.

Happy Halloween from RiverPointe! The girls LOVE dress-up week!

HOMEWORK DATE

While Cora was at dance, James and I went to the coffee shop to tackle some overdue homework (overdue because we didn't realize weekly tasks had changed) and practice his handwriting and spelling. While he's doing very well in school in general (3s on all his reading and math exams), he scored low in handwriting and spelling last quarter. This was not a surprise to us (if you've seen his handwriting, you likely aren't surprised either, and he does better with oral spelling drills than he does with his written weekly tests), but we need to spend more time at home working with him on it (these things can't really be taught so much as "practice makes perfect"). So I bribed him with a whipped cream topped smoothie and gave him my undivided attention. There was a lot of erasing and trying again (much to his frustration, since he just wanted to finish quickly), and a lot of chair wiggling and half standing (which I happily ignored because he focuses better when he can move around a little), but he finished up with a well written (for him) "play" narrative (self-guided, but based on a story they've been reading at school), a completed vocabulary study guide (he's really good at filling in the blanks appropriately, but shockingly bad at the spelling, considering the words are written below for him to copy...), and all 3 of his "tic-tac-toe" spelling word games (he can pick any 3 activities - this time he chose to write the words alphabetically, write them each three times, and draw a picture and hide the words in it) ready to turn in on Friday. And then he got to get into costume and get ready to PLAY!

(Yes, I made him erase that first word and try again so that it would fit on the line)

HAPPY THOUGHTS AND LIFE LESSONS

This is going to be a bit stream-of-conscious, and probably longer than any of you care to read, but there are things I need to get out on "paper" that have been rolling around my head and consuming my daily thoughts for a while now, so here I go...

Stephen's cancer returned. After 8 years of clear scans, he is sick again. He started treatment yesterday and has every intention of beating this monster again. And I'm here to cheer him on and keep my thoughts positive and happy and optimistic because that's really the best thing we can do (when we're not the doctors assigned to plan out the attack). His recent diagnosis was unexpected though, and obviously very upsetting, but dwelling on the SUCK doesn't help him. If there is one thing that Stephen has taught me through his various battles over the years, it's that a LOT of strength can be gained from a positive attitude. So please, keep Stephen in your thoughts and prayers, and send him all the positive energy you can.

Fall is an extra busy and fun time of year for our family, and I've been more grateful for that than usual this year. Distractions can be very helpful tools and doing things with my family and friends (anything, so long as we're together) is my favorite way to spend a day. Last month I learned that Stephen is sick again. Earlier this month we lost Karyn. Two years ago we lost Christopher. In other years we've lost family (Bubba, Marvin, Bill) and friends (Afton, Maddie, Melissa, Philip, Holly). There are (10!) other friends and family members of mine who have fought and won or who continue to battle this disease in its many forms. There is nothing fair about that. Cancer doesn't care if you're young or old. It doesn't care whether you're a couch potato or you run ultramarathons. It doesn't care if you eat "clean" and avoid cigarettes and alcohol. It doesn't care that you go to all your regular doctor and dentist appointments. It doesn't even care that you're an incredible, giving, loving person. The cards are dealt and we're left to experience or witness, to hope and pray, and sometimes to curse and cry. I've learned a lot of truly wonderful life lessons from my friends and family who have gone through tough times and very low points because of this disease. I HATE that I've learned these lessons this way. I'd rather learn them any other way. But if there has to be a silver lining (and there always has to, in my world view of constant growth and looking to the bright side of life), it's those lessons.

Karyn taught me to take (and MAKE) the time to spend with my family, as much as possible. To ENJOY them. To be silly and play (and not care if the other moms are dressed up and acting proper while I chase my kids around in my workout clothes), to teach them things (ANYTHING), to experience new places and activities (as often as the opportunities arise). She taught me to trust my mother's instinct and also that there is often no wrong answer in parenting (and sometimes no right answer...), so long as you are PRESENT and INVESTED, and willing to apologize when you're wrong or make a mistake. I'm very grateful for those lessons, and I'm sure my kids are too. Christopher taught me to smile and dance even when I don't feel like it. To focus on the GOOD and have fun WHENEVER you are able. To never miss an opportunity to tell your loved ones that you love them and you enjoy spending time with them. We can all benefit from those lessons. Bubba taught me that some secrets are worth keeping. In general, this disease has taught me to never take a day for granted. To take chances and go for the goals that are important to you NOW rather than wait because you're scared to try or think it's not the right time. It may never be the right time. It has taught me to be THANKFUL for good health (mine and others) and take advantage of it - getting out there and moving your body as much as possible. It has reminded me to hold hands and kiss your loved ones, to hug your friends (even if it makes them uncomfortable) and TELL THEM how much they mean to you, and to always have a listening ear and an encouraging voice. Our lives are not guaranteed. Sicknesses manifest, accidents happen, and life events can change your path at any time. Don't dwell on it - there are lots of things we can't change, can't predict, can't even imagine. So don't. Live in TODAY.

VALHALLA'S FRIGHTMARE

We took the kids to their first ever Haunted House (it's a fundraiser for one of the high school bands here in town) and while James happily followed our "tour guide", Cora spent the majority of the tour in my arms. We attended the "kids and chickens" version (no actors were in place, and not ALL the lights were off...), but alas, neither of them agreed to come back with me for the real deal. Cora insisted that she's never ever going to another Haunted House again anywhere. Jay also refused to accompany me next weekend. I need a scare buddy...

CAMP TL JAMES PACK 7 CAMPOUT

 Pack 7 had their fall Campout this weekend at Camp TL James (NW of Monroe, LA - just up the road from Excalibur!) where the Scouts got to sleep in treehouse cabins (while their jealous sisters were stuck in tents with their parents) and activities abounded (hiking, biking, fishing, carnival games, star-gazing, badge-earning, campground cleanup, and a ton of unstructured playtime, which was by far every kids' favorite - there was lots of "flashlight tag" and "good guys vs. bad guys"). It was COLD (low 40s overnight = Jay and I are now replacing our 15+ year old sleeping bags, which have lost their insulating abilities...) and the burn ban prevented us from having campfires, but our kids didn't complain. Nobody slept much (least of all James, who was awake all hours of the nights playing with his friends), so we were all exhausted by the second morning, but it was totally worth it. I know James (and Cora!) will remember this Campout forever because they truly made some wonderful memories and had so much fun!

 Making monkey bread in the giant dutch oven

 First light on morning one. Some little Scouts were up earlier than others. (Cora stayed in her sleeping bag, warm and toasty, until closer to breakfast time - smart girl!)

 Cora and Ainsley (fellow 1st Grader and dance buddy who has TWO older brothers in Pack 7), and James and daddy, getting started with the carnival games after breakfast.

 He was far better a hula-hooping than I am...

 Rescuing a woolly bear caterpillar from beneath the bikers in the pavilion

 Putting the Scout Law in order (with a little help from their Wolf Guide)

 Cora and Carson (everyone's favorite little sibling tag-a-long)

 Cora and Jay were both smitten with baby Crosby. OK, me too. Jay and I each had a chance to snuggle a sleeping Crosby during meals so that his mama could eat with both hands. I miss those days of our kids being so little... at least Cora was willing to snuggle me once the sun set and it got cold ;-)

 Co-Leader Jay gathered the troops for a campground cleanup (to leave the place looking better than when we arrived) and split the Dens into different sections. The kids did a great job with this and we cleaned up a lot of trash!

 Den 5 Wolves (and their siblings) spreading into a line to walk the perimeter of the pavilion before heading off onto the trails (and under the walkway bridge)

 Next activity was a 2-mile hike (that not a single kid complained about, not even the little kindergarten Lions!) to a tiny waterfall. Jay and Cora took turns pushing a sleeping Crosby in his stroller (the trail was mostly flat, so Cora insisted she could help).

 The hike included a break to discuss what to do if you get lost: STOP. The Wolves were aiming to earn merit badges with this hike, so lessons were important.

4 siblings, 4 Lions, 4 Wolves, and a Wizard!

 (The Bears had gone fishing...)

 (That look on Grady's face! He knows what's up...)

 Behold the waterfall! (We're in a drought, so I imagine it's usually more impressive.)

 (More merit badge activities - balance exercises and other fitness tasks)

 There are 4 treehouses total (3 are connected by walkways, 1 is across the field in a solo tree). The kids spent MANY hours running up and down the stairs and across the (noisy) metal bridges.

 Makeshift bonfire (a giant lantern was placed in the pit) for skits and songs (the Lions song was the clear winner in my eyes, but our Wolves' skit got some laughs!)

 Second morning = everyone is colder and more tired...

 ...especially this guy. Poor dude was so worn out and cold and sore (all that running and climbing hurts leg muscles even of very fit little boys) that he refused to walk down the stairs from his cabin and over to the pavilion (I'm a sucker, so I carried him), then promptly fell back asleep not 2 minutes after I set him down in his camp chair (we quickly made a pallet in the back of the van so he wouldn't topple over). He was starving too, which didn't help (so much time playing and not enough time eating), and he woke up asking for food not long after falling asleep in the trunk (and said yes to everything I offered him: cheesestick, applesauce, granola bar, Pop Tart, donuts, and juice).

 Apparently the last morning of campouts is a very quick (cold) breakfast (we had delicious eggs and biscuits and sausage the morning before), followed by everyone cleaning up and heading out ASAP. We left the kids in the van with the heater running while we took down the tent, and both were asleep within minutes of hitting the road. Cora slept for 20-30 minutes (until we stopped for a hot, drive-through breakfast, because she wanted in on that) and James slept the entire 1.5+ hours home.

 Camp Hair Don't Care

(The kids didn't shower or brush their hair all weekend. To say baths were priority #1 when we got home is an understatement. Luckily, both kids thought the idea of sitting in a hot tub to warm up while drinking hot chocolate was a fantastic idea, so there were no complaints.)