Trick or Treat

This is a night I always dreaded (pre-kids) and even would often make sure I was somewhere other than home. Well, as many things- kids force us to rethink things. It still isn't my favorite day of the year but it was fun watching the kids.

They had so much fun tonight. Going house to house and gathering candy was ok but the thing they liked the most (especially Kyle) was handing out candy to the kids. We were dressed and at our door at 5, on the porch sitting on the bench with the candy basket until about 525 when the first boy walked by. He was actually just going to meet some friends and Kyle yells out "we have candy here" so the boy came and allowed Kyle to give him some candy. I thanked him for coming up and he was also the last trick or treater we saw returning home. He was gracious and allowed his 2 friends to come and he stayed on the sidewalk, knowing he had come before. That was pretty neat to see. So, we emptied our last candy into his 2 friends and called it a night.

That was a sad time for Kyle and Allison. They really liked giving out candy and so Allison actually reached in her bag and found a piece she wanted to give out. We explained it was all done and of course faced some drama at that point. They were whipped and shortly after sawing logs!

Two way stops

I have found myself wondering if anyone in my state knows how to interact at a two way stop, with cross traffic not stopping. We have this situation almost every time I exit my subdivision. My understanding is that the person who arrives first at the stop has the right of way when cross traffic clears and then the next, etc. What I find is that people think if they are going straight or turning right, they don't have to wait on the other person turning left (which would cause collision if they are going straight or turning right) I find myself getting a bit of a road rage issue over this so I consulted my state BMV and find NOTHING specific about this in the manual. It does say that the first person has the right of way and if there is a tie, then the person on the right goes in a 4 way stop (however I don't know how you decide that in a 2 way situation-- that could be tricky) I've found if I know the car turning across my traffic is in the right of way, I give a little hand wave so they know I'm not gong to t-bone them when they enter the intersection.

I know this is a lot of ado about nothing but it is driving me nuts!! I really think that people know how to drive but are in a hurry, looking out for #1 and feeling they are entitled to turn or go straight simply because they are in a hurry and of course their time is more valuable than anyone else's on this planet. Enough of that soapbox. Maybe I'll start using an alternate exit out of our subdivision! :)Or, maybe I should learn to offer a little more grace to my fellow drivers?

Reading

Reading is not one of my top priority pastimes. I periodically have ideas of changing that but it doesn't come as something high on my list and I seem to find something else to do instead. On Damon and my little vacation a few weeks ago I got through a good portion of the book "Girl Meets God." I determined that I would not wait until the next vacation to finish it- I met that goal this week! I was very excited. Then, we had another of Lauren Winner's books that I had wanted to read "Mudhouse Sabbath" and I finished it in 3 days. (It is short and a quick read, obviously) So, I am needing a new book to read. Please post any recommendations from you avid readers out there!

Let the Festivities Begin

Halloween festivities have kicked into gear. I'm not into all the creepiness of the season but the kids do have a fun time dressing up. We have a week full of events this year it seems.

We started with Zoo Boo on Thursday pm. They had a trick or treat area through the Plains and a tent with pumpkin bowling, hay maze and a toss the bean bag game. It was a fun time and since I kind of splurged this year on Allison's costume, I figure we might as well wear it as many times as we can.

Tonight was the Williams' annual Pumpkin party. If everyone came there were about 22 kids (most 5 and under) and the same # of adults. It wasn't nearly as crazy as I thought it would be and I'm glad the weather cooperated to let the scavenger hunt and pinata occur outside.

Preschool Fall Party

Thursday Allison and I were able to help at Kyle's preschool fall party. It was nice to get to know his teacher a little more and also a couple mom's with kids in his class. Allison thought she was 4 too! She had to take her backpack and sat right next to Kyle to color and do whatever the teacher said. She was excited to be there until I told her she had to wait until we were home to have the candy she acquired and then she was ready to go home. She even let me put a pony in her hair with a barrette since she wanted to be like the big girls. I must admit that after 3 hours in a preschool classroom that I'm CERTAIN I did NOT miss my calling!:)

Pumpkins and 6 Years of Marital Bliss

6 years ago today Damon and I were married. Time flies when you're having fun! We celebrated with our annual trip to the pumpkin patch. It was a gorgeous day and we found some great looking pumpkins. (but not as cute as the 2 with the smiling faces!) Kyle tried to find some apples to pick but unfortunately, their crop was ruined by a late frost last spring.

Cousin Alex

Alex took a road trip to Indy with his Dad on Thursday. Steve had a meeting so he dropped Alex off to play with his cousins. Since Kyle and Allison only have 2 cousins, it was a treat. It was also a first that Alex and Kyle could play together by themselves. Usually the big brother, Nathan, is kind of in charge. They had fun. They played bikes, sandbox, treasure hunt, coloring/stickers and probably touched almost every toy in our house in the 4 hours he was here. He was very excited to show Kyle his karate outfit.

Alex was a little excited to play with Baby Allison (she may never shake that title from him) She was equally excited. Notice her outfit-- when Alex put on his karate outfit, she chugged upstairs, found the striped pants in a laundry basket and came down ready to change clothes too. When Allison napped, Alex kept asking when she'd wake up and thought she was sleeping an awfully long time. When she got up he wanted to hold her so she humored him and got in his lap. I think he had quite a lap full! She was proud to be included in the big boy games, as usual.

One of Those Days

Ever had one of those days? I did today.
Examples:
1. Allison had about 3 accidents in her pants before we even left the house
2. A very long drop off line at preschool
3. Bad hair
4. Allison wet her pants at the grocery store
5. BIG bill at the grocery store- hadn't been in 2 weeks
6. All the canned goods in one flimsey bag, sack tore and soup cans started rolling down my driveway
7. Potatoe bag got stuck by the wagon in the back of the van, tore and I had to carry the potatoes in individually
8. Allison had another accident (you get the point here)
9. The house smelled like something I couldn't figure out. Thank heavens for candles that DIDN"T burn down the house.
10. 4 year old got up at 630 and wouldn't nap. Bear to live with by 5 pm.

That ought to do it for one day. On the bright side, kids were in bed by 8 and I've enjoyed a peaceful evening. :)

Just Precious!

Allison is baby crazy. We got to see "little" Trevor this weekend and she had so much fun giving him hugs and playing with his ears. This scene, if reenacted too many times, could make her Mommy sad she's already sold all the baby gear in the Emgenbroich house. Damon says 3 wouldn't freak him out-- should we see???

Scarecrow Extravaganza

Luebbehusen Colts scarecrow and Emgenbroich's Creation

We had a very fun weekend at my folks this weekend while we awaited Damon's return from Las Vegas. The Zawadzke/Clouse annual party was Sat night. We enjoyed making scarecrows, going on a hayride, bobbing for apples and visiting with family. Kyle told me he didn't want to go home and he had so much fun decorating his scarecrow.
Political Scarecrow- Steve Clouse family

Bockelman Scarecrow

Holdeman/Jajko Scarecrow

What a Good Dad!

A couple of weeks ago, Kyle got his first bike with training wheels. We had thought about getting it as a Christmas present but decided it would be nice for him to practice this fall when the weather will be nice. We'd purchased it on a Thurs pm and it needed assembled, of course. We didn't have time to do it that night so Kyle was up bright and early on Friday, ready to ride! Damon was such a good Dad to get it done before heading off to work. You can see the sun rising in the picture and Kyle in his pajamas so excited to take it for a spin. He's really enjoying it and it's been fun to see him gain confidence in his skills.

Field Trip

Kyle had his first field trip today to Russell Farms. Allison and I had the privilege of tagging along. It was a great place to take preschoolers. I'd highly recommend it to those of you needing a fall weekend activity. I didn't take my camera so have no evidence of the fun had. They have animals to pet, wagon ride to get a pumpkin, playground, a station where you can see how chores are done on the farm and a miniature golf station. It was a very cute place.

Las Vegas Vacation

Well, I just returned from Las Vegas last night. Damon had a training there this week so I went out with him Sun and came back Tues pm. It was a fun time to get away with Damon and to spend a day alone Mon while he was in class. Our parents were so kind to watch the kids during our trip and they did great. (even enduring Allison having a stomach virus that I'm sure was NOT fun)

We saw 2 musicals - Spamalot and The Producers. I was most excited by the second show but it turned out the first was much better. Tony Danza didn't have the greatest voice despite the bigger name. We had 2 great dinners out and Sun when we arrived we enjoyed a nice hike in Red Rock Canyon. The desert is beautiful and so grand. (see photo)

As great as it was to get away, it was equally good to get home. Allison was so sweet this am when I went in to get her and she wanted a lot of snuggle time today. Kyle woke at 4 am and was so excited to tell me about his time with Grandma and Grandpa. Thankfully, by 5 am he was back asleep and we could finish catching up at a more decent hour!