Eight is Great!

This little princess is turning EIGHT!!

We celebrated today at school! Tomorrow is her friend's party

Begging

For the first time, we didn't ToT with Tyler. He went off with his friend in a completely different neighborhood.

That was kind of different.

Instead, I stuck with Ashlee and her buddy, Molly, and we went around our neighborhood (Justin seemed to spend the evening walking around with our neighbors without us?!)

Tyler got like twice as much candy as Ashlee, but she didn't seem to mind too much. Tyler doesn't mind until we switch out all of the gluten-filled candy and he ends up with mounds of Kit Kats, Crunch and Twizzler's.

Although, I must say, the whole "Teal Pumpkin" movement, which started last year is making great strides. While I didn't see many teal pumpkins, many people were handing out things other than candy - and that's worth more than seeing the teal pumpkin!

Paradin'

Black Dynamite Finale

The first season of volleyball has come to an end. And the girls grew so much and got so much better as the season went on!

Ashlee loved it and wants to play again in the spring - when we plan to start our own school team.

We can't wait to start teaching a new group of girls how to hit a volleyball over the net (since that's all that matters at this age).

I never knew Ashlee would love sports! We can't get her in enough sports, it seems! Thanks for the memories HCA!

White Trash, A Queen of Hearts and a ?

TWO Halloween parties in ONE night.

Look at us being all social! 

Lindsay had her annual Halloween party the same night as Evie and Griffin's so we were able to stop by for a little bit. Tyler, of course, didn't feel good, so we weren't able to stay too long.

NOTE: Tyler has ongoing stomach aches and headaches and becomes dehydrated easily. We do not know what is going on with him. He has been tested for Celiac Disease - as have I twice - but he doesn't have it. He may have my history of headaches, which is not a good thing. We watch him regularly to see what steps we should take to avoid this. The worst he's ever been was on the road trip this past year when he got altitude sickness and all of his "reoccurring" systems came out at once.

I hung with Mona, the queen of hearts, and the mullet-trash-bag-wearing Violeta, half of white trash.

The costumes people come up with are hilarious. Of course, I had my face painted at the last party and came as whatever they wanted to call me - a clown? A joker? A scary white thing?

Tyler ditched his costume; Justin didn't dress up, and Ashlee was still a kitty.

Ashlee spent her time hanging with Evalina and Cali in the basement. They had an absolute blast as the only "big" kids and the only girls. And let's be honest, they don't need entertainment to have an amazing time!

When Kitties and Jokers Attack

Evie and Griffin's Halloween party is always a "scary" good time!
Sports and dance friends a plenty!

Just Add Pads

When you forget your Halloween costume for dance...

Black Dynamite Blows Up

What a fun first season it was! Can't wait for next year .... or spring, if we play!

Halloween Kick Off

Alex and Oni's parents had their annual Halloween party Saturday night - and it was a blast. The boys have all "morphed" into crazy clowns. I blame the remake of "It" (which none of them have seen).

The girls are all pretty things ... Ashlee is a rainbow cat, although she insists she is a rainbow cheetah. She will wear her full costume on Halloween day.

Justin and I went as potato heads because well, let's face it, it's left overs from the boat parade and trivia night!

Cali's 9!

Ready to Direct

Another year. Another directive.

Ashlee and several members of her competitive dance team attended a half or full-day dance directive where they learned from different instructors.

It was a very long day for Ashlee, who spent yesterday at the Celiac walk, and had to be at the intensive today by 730 a.m. It was an hour of jazz, hip hop, ballet and musical theatre.

Apparently, she and her buddy Logan - the youngest two on the competition team - were even moved to the front during musical theatre, which is an honor! WTG girls!

Step Beyond Celiac 5K