Happy Hallloween!

Boo at the Zoo in Lincoln

Happy Halloween! This is my favorite Holiday! Not sure if it has anything to do with the fact we didn't celebrate it growing up. Yes, I don't remember costumes, trick or treating, school "harvest" parties, or my mom telling me the "candy monster" came while we were sleeping and ate all the candy.  It didn't become my favorite when we had kids. Don and I were dressing up for years before the kids arrived.

I think it represents all things childlike...

Dressing Up

   

Garden Gnome

Grant and Kalvin 

I don't stress out about Halloween. My kids can be whatever
they want to be...as long as it is not a witch, devil, or something
that represents death. I bought a witches hat for my job as a room
mom last year...so pretty sure I might get relaxed on my stipulations!
I don't make their costumes, cause that will stress me out. Although, I made Molly's tulle skirt (cause the original dress was $80). The skirt looks like there is a cat living in it. But she likes it and it cost me about $10. I also put together Heidi's popcorn ensemble! Soooo cute and sooooo easy!
My sweet Grant was a ninja for the first time. Poor boys...after the age of 5 I'm sad the costumes aren't cute enough for me to have him stand alone so I can get a picture!

Candy...

I've let the kids put a piece of candy in their school lunch everyday this week. On Monday I secretly put it in there so they would be surprised. On Tuesday Molly asked if she could put a piece in her lunch. Grant got panicked when I opened his lunch bag to put his fruit in there. I spotted some sweet tarts.  "Why do you looked concerned Grant?" "What does concerned mean?" "Worried, why do you look worried I'm in your lunch bag?" "I don't know." Always my challenging child, "Is there something you need to ask if you can pack in your lunch?" "Can I take some candy in my lunch?" "Yes, doesn't it feel better to just ask?!" I get a head nod!
I left Austin alone downstairs. When I came down he looked concerned. "What are you doing Austin?" He leads me to a cupholder filled with empty candy wrappers! "Looks like you found your siblings candy from their school party!" Little stinker has eyes like a hawk. I told the kids to hide it if they didn't want Austin eating it while they were at school! He found it under the sofa!

"CANDY, I knew this costume would pay off!" 

Chaos...
Can I get a shout out from the mother's out there?!!! Halloween is full blown chaos! I expect it, I laugh at it, I almost sorta like it! (another reason it is my favorite holiday). Toddlers take Halloween chaos to a whole nother dimension...as shown by pictures...

If only I could get a clown to come out when I need it...

A clown tried talking to Austin. I felt more sorry for the clown then I did my kid!

The clown might also help with the frustration level that occurs every year between Don and I!!! Last year he forgot the safety pins to Austin's costume. We got to Lincoln and had it not been for my girlfriends saving the day I would have cried. This year it was the screaming/running/not cooperating by Austin that had some tension in the air!

The Boo at the Zoo experience was terrible this year! Complete chaos, standing room only, lines that didn't move, and a bathroom that was much too far away for a 3 year old! Poor Koco had to go behind the bushes, after her Momma ripped out the crotch of her leotard! A mother will do whatever it takes for her little one's needs! We all decided her husband had the best deal of the night, at home with the stomach flu! 

We don't recommend strollers for Boo at the Zoo!

Memories...

All the other Holidays bring great memories to mind. Halloween brings a smile to my face with the memories. I don't forget the little things on Halloween, that get lost with presents at Christmas.  I have best friends with kids and we spend Boo at the Zoo and apart of Halloween night together. It is always memorable.  Us Moms all talk about what our kids will dress up as and the pictures at Halloween are the BEST! I may not have any childhood memories of Halloween, but I have made up for it as an adult..and it is priceless!

One of my most favorite pics of all time (2009)
Molly, Kalvin, Grant, Tommy, Lily
Boo at the Zoo

This is my family! Yeah, I'm crazy blessed with a crazy life!

I've had this blog created for years. Never used it. I have a blog I don't tell people about where I journal. It is much too serious and personal. Some things you should just hold close and other things you should share for the benefit of others. I've grown tired of the "post" on Facebook. I'm at a place in my life where I want to pick and choose what I want in my head! Most of the stuff on FB is much too negative. It is a beautiful life people! Yes, full of pain and sorrow and fears, but look around you and you can find something good! 

If you want to read a blog where you will feel good about yourself at the price of my misery, then this is not the blog for you!!! Positivity will reign, goodness will always be found, and laughter at the life of a mother with 4 VERY strong, challenging, opinionated, loud children!

How did I come up with the name for my blog? Well, I have been blessed to have a dear "little" (cause she is short) Grandmother. She has been referring to us grandchildren for years as her "turtledoves." When she calls she will sometimes say, "how is my love, my love, my turtledove?" And since turtle doves are a symbol of devoted love and this blog is about my children (and I'm sure I will talk about the hubby too), it only seemed fitting!