Halloween

Life is full of tough decisions. Like, what were we going to do with a big, beautiful pumpkin brought home from the store Halloween day? Scary jack-o-lantern or pretty princess?

These decisions are difficult as our home is one of extreme opposites. Either you love lip gloss, Sleeping Beauty, and dancing class in the living room, or you do not. You love video games, skateboarding, and trying to burp, or you do not.

While we support one another, we are two different teams that very rarely defect to the other's side.
So there was sure to be a face-off with the appearance of the pumpkin. It would be be two dainty tinkerbells and a darling black cat staring down the eyes of a menacing Death Eater who, if defeated, was prepared to threaten the peace of muggle and magic world alike.

Thankfully a team captain stepped in and the pumpkin became a truly hideous double-faced creature. On one side, a gory jack-o-lantern with gashes and wounds and terrible teeth. On the other, a beautiful princess with voluptuous lips and a tiara.

Two teams victorious! Could it be that easy?

Mom, which face will point outwards to greet the trick-or-treaters?

Tips for next year: 1)each team captain must provide their own pumpkin; 2) remember to brush teeth before the movie.

Adendum to Happily Ever After

I spent my morning outside today dreaming and humming to myself, enjoying a typical fairy tale day... only to be interrupted by the voices of my twins.

"Bird in the house! Bird in the house, mama!"

Could it be that it's hanging the wash? No, it is another ordinary bird. How unfortunate!

And now I have another dead bird. What's a girl to do?

Well, is this a modern-day fairy tale or not? Surely I need not wait around for Prince Charming. So I'll scooped up the bird in a dust pan and disposed of it myself. The Prince will have to find someone else to save...

OK, like me tonight at dinner time!

Happily Ever After?

My Dad often asks me if I feel like I'm living in a fairy tale... beautiful home, wonderful family, caring husband, great job...

Yes, a fairy tale...

In fact it must be my constant singing and waltzing about that attracts the birds. In the eleven months we have lived in our home we have had five birds in to visit. Unfortunately they are not the singing, helpful breed that go around making beds and doing dishes. They are the common, unfairy tale breed, that chirp about, run into windows, and poop on the floor (as if I haven't had enough of that).

Fortunately I have just the unfairy tale type dog to chase away such ordinary birds. She has successfully chased all the birds out, that is until today. Today, our bird was not quick enough. As I stood by appalled, Hadley cheered Chanel on.

Now I have a dead bird on my floor. What to do? There is no protocol for a dead bird in a fairy tale. Well it simply couldn't stay. It would have to go as it threatened my fairy tale existence. So I did what any fairy tale princess would do... I threw a plastic bag over it and a pink sequined hat for good measure. I am now waiting for my prince charming to come rescue me.

Arrow of Light

Tonight Braden received his cub scout "arrow of light" award, the highest award a boy can earn in cub scouts, and the only award that can be worn on the boy scout uniform. Is it obvious that I'm in charge of scouting?

As the person in charge I naturally hosted the event in my backyard. It was a bit exciting for us as it was our first official "event" in our backyard and with tiki torches aglow and the fire pit blazing, the mood was perfect for the ceremony. The official "arrow of light" ceremony was performed by a group of "Indians" with a lot of fire and fanfare.

While I'm sure every other parent was looking on with pride as their son handled the arrow, pulled back on the bow, received their award, and crossed the bridge from cubs to boy scouts, all I could think of was who decided that having a fire ceremony in their backyard in the middle of a dry desert sounded like a good idea?

We're proud of you! Congrats Braden!

Suckers

While soccer season is winding down elsewhere, it is just beginning in Arizona. The weather has cooled to the 80s and low 90s and is beautiful, which may make a few of you laugh!

Braden had his first soccer game on Saturday where they came up with a respectable tie in the last five seconds of the game. We cheered them on as we basked in the sunshine and played on the grass.

Later that day Braden found it interesting that the high in Utah was 53 degrees and it sent him searching for temperatures in other places we have family and friends. His comment, "Suckers!"

A Day to Celebrate

Today Braden came home with a 100% on his math test, Emme "clipped up" in her kindergarten class, and we found out Ryan passed his board exams. Today is truly a day to celebrate!