Dressup 101!!

Well, here it is again: Halloween! The older boys weren't real keen on dressing up or going out with their younger brother trick-or-treating BUT I can almost always count on Cole to be a willing party when candy is involved. So, the costumes we've had stashed away for years were pulled out and Toby decided he wanted to be a ninja. Not like we didn't have any of those laying around!! So, not only did we have a ninja outfit for Toby but also for Tom and myself! In my opinion Tom looked a little more like K.I.S.S. with his choice of ninja costume. Cole decided that the only thing that halfway fit was the jailbird costume and Josh....well....he's Josh; he didn't really have a theme. And yes, we do have one other child. He dressed up AND played the part of a studious student and stayed home and did homework. Too bad people don't come to you to hand out candy! All in all a good time but sad to see them grow up!

Pumpkin Masters!!

Toby's pumpkin!
13 pumpkins carved; a record!!
Josh's "modern warfare 2" pumpkin
Connor's pumpkin!
Cole's pumpkin!

This is the first year where the older boys were not really into the candy or trick-or-treating but REALLY into carving their pumpkins. And wow what a job they did! We had our annual pumpkin carving party and most kids that came carved pumpkins. There were some amazing pumpkins carved this year and the weather was just perfect! We really enjoy this tradition and I'm just glad that I'm only helping one kid get the guts of his pumpkin instead of 4!

What's in your Hobby Lobby?

People sometimes say that Texans are a bit into themselves. I must admit that it is a bit pretentious; I mean we name vehicles named after the state, our flag is plastered everywhere and even bumper stickers that quote Davy Crockett, "You may all go to Hell, and I will go to Texas." However, I didn't realize that we were gaudy when no one else was! I assumed that everybody wore mums and garters to their school on homecoming day and to the game that subsequent evening. Tom thought we were all crazy, but I thought it was just because he was a northerner. But not so!! Even a few friends from California and North Carolina said there was no such thing! So, my question is...what is in your Hobby Lobby?! There are dedicated aisles FULL of ribbons, bells, flowers and all kinds of fun knick-knacks to wear to root on your special team! So, I'm hoping to shed some light on a little more Texas gaudiness! On the day of your homecoming game, gals wear a mum (with lots of gaudy ribbons) and guys wear garters on their arms (equally as gaudy!) Popular girls have lots of mums, or what I attribute as a 'chest mum'. It's a fun pastime that I can remember with fondness as a teen and I'm passing the tradition down to my boys. Josh's garter was a bit different as I put a 'tiger' in place of a flower. He enjoyed it as much as I did making it! Connor was a bit hesitant to wear one this year but I'm workin' on him....after all he WAS born in Texas!!!