Boys will be boys.
Alex
We started the morning with crepes – made by Alex and David. Alex loves to make them at home, but we heard that Uncle David was a true expert. He was so nice to teach Alex some tips. Kaitlyn helped with some of the toppings. Ben was happy to be the taster.
We then ate a wonderful meal and went to the square for some pictures:
Other parts of the day were spent visiting, playing games, and Uncle John gave us some of his handmade goodies.
First Thanksgiving – with family that has to leave on Wednesday.
We learned a new card game tonight!
Alex learned to blow bubbles this weekend.
We made our traditional first lunch stop at Waffle House. When Wade is with us, we spread out to multiple seating locations. We got one of our quickest meals, ate our delicious food, and were on our way!
Roadrip to TN.
Birthday donuts (and hot chocolate).
Ben’s birthday isn’t till next week, but we’ll be traveling. We always celebrate here at home before we travel. In the end, Ben gets several birthdays and seems just fine with that. Today he celebrated his birthday at school and at home. He got birthday donuts and hot chocolate for breakfast. He got sushi in his lunchbox. Then there was the requested Chick-fil-A for dinner, cupcakes, and presents. He thought it was the best birthday ever. Ben is still my favorite person to watch open presents. I have yet to see him open a gift and not have an awesome response.
Alex decided to try a new “look” while unloading the dishwasher.
Cookie dough it is!
This boy’s favorite place is in front of his computer. The favorite game is always changing.
Leftover night so everyone fixes their own.
Sunday lineup.
A rare Saturday morning when all four watch cartoons (even for a moment).
Those morning chores are everyone’s favorites.
My kids have the next two days off school. Thursday is off for parent/teacher conferences and Friday is off for Veteran’s Day. Alex planned a night of fun with some of his friends tonight. He invited three boys over for games, pizza, and a night of craziness. When Alex has friends over for the night, I always take them to the Dollar Tree to gather snacks for the night. Tonight we were a little late getting out the door and they were already closed. We ended up at the grocery store instead, but the boys found plenty to fill the basket.
Alex is once again trying to shortcut taking out the recycling.
The flour had an unfortunate encounter with the ground. Alex tried to salvage some of it, but our driveway looks rather decorated.
My late night baker decided on brownies tonight.
We had breakfast for dinner the other night and Alex was disappointed that we had pancakes instead of waffles. I promised a breakfast of waffles soon and today I delivered.
The littles wanted macaroni and cheese for lunch. When it was all served, there was just a bit left in the pot. I turned around to find that Alex had a spoon and was helping himself to what was left. I asked him if he was having lunch and he said he had already eaten. The extra macaroni and cheese was just a snack.
Sunday lineup.
My new car is slightly smaller in several ways than my last. That means I need to utilize the top for some storage needs. Alex and Wade were kind enough to install the roof rails. Now I just need the ski racks and the box that will be needed for various activities.
Alex was bummed that my weekly Mexican lunch got cancelled this week (and therefore I didn’t bring him his weekly Queso). By Tuesday I was missing it too so on Wednesday I got takeout for both of us.
Alex and his friend have been playing games and today they decided to do it in person.
Ben has been begging to play Fortnite and tonight he finally got to try it. Alex was tolerant. Teague enjoyed watching (he is without electronics right now). Ben was in heaven!
Happy Halloween!
(Ben – an alien spaceship, Kaitlyn -spider, Alex – Waldo, Teague – soldier)
Pop sent Alex some fun ties and Alex was rather excited about them. Now he just needs an excuse to wear them.
Wade decided to give Alex a temporary tattoo.
Wade and I used to be able to track the pumpkin carving party years with how long we’d been married. Then we skipped a year when we first moved to MA and then COVID messed us up even more. Here we are at the 17th annual party and also the largest! We had over 50 people attend this year. We also had the best weather. The day hit a record of high 70s and was gorgeous blue skies all day. (Tomorrow is supposed to be 50s and raining all day.) My kids helped me clean and cook all day yesterday and most of the morning today.
We had school friends, neighbors, and church friends attend. We had groups of high schoolers, middle schoolers, and elementary school kids. We had parents take their kids to other places and then come back to hang out. It was a wonderful time and somehow I think I took the fewest pictures ever. We once again got a late start on carving and ended up with a group photo in almost darkness but we persevered and only one family left before we got to the picture.
Alex’s group really showed up for the party tonight! They even agreed to a group photo.
Alex waited till all the other kids were in bed before he joined me in the kitchen. He made his favorites – chocolate dipped pretzels. (I think he wanted to be in charge so that he could ensure there were no sprinkles.)
Kaitlyn is obviously a favored child. Only she would convince Alex to share a bite of his ice cream.
I may end up really liking Alex’s choir teacher. She has a Halloween concert and the kids are required to dress up in costume. Alex hasn’t dressed up the last few years but now he has to! We helped him come up with a costume and I thought Waldo was perfect. He definitely looked the part. I was impressed with some of the other kids’ costumes and was amused at costumes I couldn’t even recognize.
Alex had a Halloween Choir concert tonight. “Where’s Waldo?”
Alex finally took apart his money wreath (pictured in this long post).
Wade decided it was time to teach Alex a very important life lesson.
Wade was going to be gone during dinner and I was feeling uninspired when it came to cooking. Alex suggested make-your-own-pizza and I thought that sounded perfect. One of our local grocery stores sells their own fresh pizza dough and I bought enough for all the kids to make their own pizza.
Making pizzas for dinner.
Sunday Lineup. Because it’s fall they wanted to pose on a hale bale.
Granny sent a Halloween box. Amazingly, all the kids were home to open it and call her to thank her.
Alex went on quite a rant about the opening of the baking soda vs baking powder containers. He loves the baking powder cans and doesn’t understand why the baking soda doesn’t use the same type of dispenser.
Alex was trying to be sneaky, but I caught him stealing my cereal. Big no no. Nobody eats my Cocoa Krispies!
Alex wanted to bake after everyone else was in bed and we decided on Rice Krispie treats – which turned out to be something he had never made before.
On crazy school nights, we watch TV all together.
Wade gave the boys the job of raking the leaves. I was rather impressed that they went to work on them right after school.
Sunday lineup.
Ben wanted a hug. Alex’s pretend reaction was hilarious.
I came home from running errands to find that Ben and Kaitlyn were attempting to create a big leaf pile. They were working so well together and had created a cute little pile. Then Alex heard about it and ran and jumped in their pile. They were so upset that he jumped in it first. Thankfully Alex stayed outside and helped them create a HUGE pile and the three of them had a great time.