Its that time of year!

Halloween Decorating time!!!This year I have some really great neighbors who love Halloween as much as I do, so we have a friendly competition going. This is the first year I am putting decorations out back, because we are have a "block" party in the field behind our house on Halloween night. I am nervous that the local kids are going to walk off with some of my stuff though. We have so much cool stuff planned. I need to go through all my boxes thoroughly, I still have a lot of party favors and stuff left over from last year. It just in dissaray because the little ones tore it all out while I was looking for things and I just shoved it back in, not really looking. I did lose two strands of light this year, may they rest in peace! Today are dental appiontments for all four girls after school, ugh. We will find out how much it will cost to replace Katey's broken retainer.. grrr. In the mean time I am happy setting up all my decor,with out helpers destroying it all behind me. Happy Haunting everyone!!!!

Lead Me Not

Lead Me Not into temptation. No sugary, carb filled snacks shall pass my lips. No carb filled, salt loaded, baked in the toaster oven but taste fried treats shall meet my mouth. Snort. Had ya going didn't I?? I WAS doing really well on the "healthy eating plan" till my husband dragged me out shopping this afternoon... Yes he really did talk ME into going. I DID find a ballgown... for $25. Thats four. yes four years I have spent less than $30 for my gown. wooo hoo. Anyway, I was headachey, and grouchy and In and Out burger was on our way home... It was sooooo good. Burger, fries, soda. So old fashioned, simple and yummy. Totally kid food and I loved every bite. I was working on fighting a migraine and I SWEAR that hot greasy food helped stay it off. Hey I worked out hard this morning, so I deserved a treat right? So right now I am typing away ignoring the siren song of salty, fatty, greasy, carb filled snacks calling my name. Wish me luck! I DO still have to fit that new gown!!!

In the where??

Ok, I had posted something on FB ( for those of you who are not members, its Facebook) and realized I had to clarify. I had said..".I ate fresh rasberries, with organic yogurt and strawberry o's from Trader Joes. Zoe is addicted to the berries and keeps getting in the fridge!" Well, first of all the berries were from a cool Korean market we found.(not trader joes, and I don't know where we got the yougurt... ) Ok, the fridge thing got me thinking and my Bidwell, (yes, BIDWELL) sense of humor kicked in. I had visions of Zoe actually sitting IN the fridge eating berries. (this did NOT happen) anyway so I had to say that Zoe was not IN the fridge but kept opening the door and stealing berries. For some reason this just cracked me up. (the vision of Zoe in the fridge, not that i would endanger her and let her do that. Whew. Covering my rear is getting tiresome!) Anyway, the berries were good and I got a good laugh at myself this morning! I think I need a nap.

WOW

I have to admit, I have gotten sucked into the world of FaceBook and haven't updated this in some time!! Well, first and foremost, Nick arrived home safe and sound. The only hitch was , I was told the incorrect time. He did manage to get a ride and had a great homecoming. Our other news was that he got promoted! Congratulations to Master Sgt. Franchuk!! The kids all started school before he came home, and seem to be settling in just fine. Nick is on his last days of leave before going back to work. Lets just say it's been... interesting having him here all day. We do love the freedom of three hours in the afternoon while all the kids are in school. Getting errands done without dragging whiny kids, or endless texts from whiny kids is priceless. We have some new additions to the household such as, a blu- ray player and updated stereo ( hoooray!!) and Rock Band for the WII. we have been enjoying both quite a bit. Well if you want to keep up on my daily ( ha ha sometimes hourly!) happenings, I encourage you to join Face book! I will put a bit more effort into maintaining this blog since I will have afternoons "free". Happy first Day of Fall everyone!!

Zoe's Birthday

What a fun day we had. After all the hard work, the party was enjoyed by all. We had the two waterslides, a pinata and tons of food. My friends and neighbors Kylie and Jessie were a huge help and so were their husbands. ( good job setting up and taking down the waterslides guys!) I had also hired a few teen helpers, plus Katey and Emily. The girls did a great job making sure it was cleaned up, and I am so proud of them. Even though we missed Nick, I think a good time was had by all. Zoe's actual birthday is thursday, which is the first day of school. Thats why we had her party nearly a week early. Now that party time is over we are getting ready for school. I am anxious becuase I have not recieved the girls bus passes yet, even though I have paid. Zoe has her pre-k orientation Wednesday, and is very excited. We STILL don't know exactly when Nick is coming , but cleaning and getting ready all the same. Shouldn't be too much longer, but we just don't have any details yet. Will definately keep posted on that one! Hope everyone had a fabulous summer, Zoes party was a great end to all the summer fun.

Use your Imagination!

Ok, as summer is drawing to a close I am at a total loss as to how to amuse the kids. Let me give you a little background. I had the MOST creative inventive mom!! I had brothers with big imaginations, as I too had. So.. the problem? well I have exhausted my supply of childhood entertainment. I have done... hula hoop, jump rope ( did I mention that half the neighborhood got in on most of these activities??) volleyball, kick ball, tag, hide n seek, movie days, picinics, beach days, pool days, dessert night, playdoh outside, flashlight tag, Wii nights, puzzle nights, scrap nights, "feasts", walking to store to buy candy, sliding down the stairs on a blanket, playing with.... Build a bear, barbie, etc., U find it night ( kids "find" dinner, jammies, etc) Princess movie night, spa nights( my fave!) , having a fire with smores, puzzle night, snack night, going to the pool and beach, and just general summer fun. I am exhausted, and hopefully kids are too! I am open to suggestions of cheap family fun.... Happy Summer Everyone!!!

Dog Days of Summer

We seem to have come upon some sort of a routine around here. Everyone up by 9:30 ( I am up earlier with little kids), breakfast, pick up rooms/start chores while I go run, then get dressed/lunch. Then the kids either play outside or on Wednesdays we go to the beach. Pool in the evening after dinner, shower and bed! Not too shabby. Of course I didn't factor in whining, tantrums, arguments, complaints and errands. So this week I run around dropping off school forms and next week Katey has to spend two hours re-registering for her crappy school. Emily will have to do the same. I did get some "good" news today. We CAN apply for a five bedroom house ! Bad news? Wait list is very long. I say we go for it and see what happens. You never know! We are counting down days till Nick arrives home, even though we still don't know EXACTLY when that will be. Sometime at the beginning of Sept, but that can and probably will change. Well I have dozens of errands to run, then gonna set the kids up with some kind of water activity in the backyard. The kids went to bed so good after the evening at the pool that I plan on doing it again. Lets hope time flies....