Soggy Halloween

I can't remember the last time we had such a wet Halloween.  For years and years it's be clear and frightfully cold.   This time it was mild so we didn't freeze but we got soaked to the skin. 

Liam was the only one walking the streets as Chad declared himself too old to go out.  Nate hasn't gone out for years as he's never liked Halloween.  They stayed home and answered the door since Keith was out working...aka chasing down fire setters!

The same costume from last year was recycled.  Liam has a closet full of wonderful costumes but insisted on the pumpkin again.  Fine by me.  It's a nice warm outfit and the hood kept his little head warm and mostly dry.

 

The evening before Halloween we introduced William to pumpkin carving.  He did a pretty good job for a first timer and we were even happier that he didn't slice off any fingers in the process.

Formal Day

Our first dress up day of the school year and it was formal day.  My kids don't own really formal clothes so we made do with an old tie (wide-style!)from Keith's closet and a white dress shirt for Chad.  I own only two dresses so the options were pretty limited for me.  I wore my spring/summer dress with bare legs and absolutely froze ALL day!

 

 A certain teacher at our school had no idea how to tie his tie so Marci had to help him out.  I admit that even I could not help him.  I guess we could have always looked it up on Youtube!

 Black was the color of the day.

 Marci and I took turns wearing her fascinator.  I can assure you it wasn't made out of the feathers of the dead bird that was found at our entrance this morning!

16 & 61

Time for the October birthdays!  I had my family over for my mom's birthday.  I made the requisite dairy-free, beef-free supper and dessert.  Ham, salad, buns, veggies, and scalloped potatoes.  Did you know that one can make delicious scalloped potatoes without any dairy?  They were so good that I don't think that I'll go back to the old kind.  For dessert I made a lemon poppy seed bundt and a chocolate cake. 

 

 

 William's first birthday in Canada!

 

 

 After supper we gathered in the family room to watch Amazing Race.  As you can see my children become limp rags when given back rubs. 

Not sure if Liam's back rubs are equally as relaxing as Grandad's!

At Attention!

This past week our entire campus has been hosting the EEC team.  External Evaluation Committee for those of you who don't know the lingo.  Independent schools such as ours are inspected every 6 years by the government to be sure we are following on educational laws and policies.   We need to prove we are worthy of the funding we are granted by the government!
So for the past several months we have been going over everything with a fine tooth comb making sure all 'i's' are dotted and 't's' are crossed.
Today was the final day and as I attended the final de-brief along with all staff I was very proud to hear that they found our schools to be excellent in all areas.  Phew!
The EEC team was delightful to have around, very friendly, kind, funny and didn't really make you feel like you were under the microscope.  It was a good experience, yet I am really glad it's behind us now. 

Thank You Day

Still Blooming!

My garden has no idea it's October already.  This has been the best Indian summer in ages!

Liam's Party

Liam had a small but enjoyable party for his 4th birthday.  We all had fun watching him opening his gifts and playing with them.  He quickly found his favorites and so did the guests!  Who knew a $4 blow-up robot head from Liquidation World would be so popular?!

 

 

Liam is really into dressing up so this knight costume was well received!

 

 Liam requested a chocolate cake with Hot Wheels.  This is what I came up with and he was very happy.  So I was happy.  Not my best work but decorating cakes never has been my forte!

 

 

A week post-party this is the number one gift which was from Nathan.  A motorized Hot Wheels track.  He plays with it all the time!

And now this is the last year I will call him 'baby'.  Once they are five (in my books anyhow) they are all 'growed up'!!! 

Just Own Up to It!

I had a situation today. 

This is the email I sent to a real estate agent:

Hello ****,

I had the unfortunate experience of having you ride my tail and honk at me through a school zone (Cornerstone Christian on Downes Road).  Not only was that very rude but bad advertising as your name is plastered on the back of your vehicle!

This is the email I received in return:

Rachel,

I would like to apologize if I upset you over an obvious misunderstanding this morning. It was not my intention today to leave my house and upset anyone on the way to work, including you.  I don't really like it when those things happen to me, either.  I hope your day improved after our encounter this morning. If I had your name and contact information, I would gladly forward you a gift to apologize.

 

All the best to you and your family,




One word to describe her response:  LAME!