Another busy week of fall fun. I think this is the time of year when everything is on fast forward from now on. But, it's fun stuff. I did loose my voice this week for screaming at the kids one night. That part was not fun, nor was the few days after of having to tell people I lost my voice after screaming at my kids. Abby and Marly are reading the 2nd Harry Potter book together, which I'd say is going well but one night it was too well and they knocked a frame over, which shattered into a million pieces all over Abby's room. I went to sleep with glass in my foot. So, no it's not all fun all the time, but you already knew that. We had book club at Kim's to discuss The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires. It sounds so hoakie, but it was really good. Kim went all out with the spooky, creepy theme. We had a great conversation around her fire pit. We had a biweek for tennis so Kerri and I played golf. She was a great caddie so I played well. What a perfect, fall day out there! That afternoon I raced to Mandarin to get new pointe, ballet and solider shoes for Ellie and mouse shoes for Marly. $$$ Attitudes were ripe but taco Tuesday helped to save the evening. Dinner on the porch with great weather should save any night. I tried to go on Marly's field trip but my volunteer check was slow to be renewed (they just allowed volunteers back this week so there's a backlog). I played tennis with Julie instead (and lost 4-6 then 5-7) at Boone park. I've been working on catching up on all the family videos. So, stay tuned for those updates on the video page. Thursday we had a Halloween party for MOPS. Amber brought her themed waffle irons with all the fixings. Then we played a guess the mom game and the chair game (my fav). I went to help Emma (and Sherry) pack. John got us lunch from Bodrum, which was so nice. They moved over the weekend and were stressed. I jumped on a PTA call while picking Marly up from dance and then Regan up to head out for dinner. The middle school PTA is completely different than the elementary school! We met up with Lauren, Heather, Kat and April and had dinner in a yurt. It was way more expensive than I was thinking, but pretty neat. Friday I went to adoration and lunch with my parents. It had been a while. That afternoon Ellie had a bunch of friends over to get ready for ballroom dancing class together. We went to the pumpkin patch for movie night. Such a sweet idea! A little drama with Ellie not getting invited to a big Birthday party many kids went to after ballroom. I'm grateful she's such a cool, confident kid. But not being invited still usually stings. Phil and I tried to watch a scary movie that night, but it was hoakie so we went to bed instead. Saturday, the girls got picked up for Nutcracker. Phil made breakfast and we walked to visit my parents. We finally carved our pumpkin, with a guy from Minecraft? Ellie went to hang with Robin for the afternoon then over to babysit for the VanWie's. The Hayes kids were over across the street so they all spent all afternoon and evening making a Haunted house. That meant Phil and I had a date day. We took the boat to TCC for drinks and apps. I worked on a few sewing projects and listened to This is How is Always Is. We went to the Camps Halloween party that night. She always goes all out. Of course we ended up staying too late. Sunday we got up early for mass. Ellie and I read, she and Marly altar served. Birdie Applegate was baptized. Phil and I taught CCD then we went over for the baptism reception. Voss had a soccer game. One of the kids scored all 6 goals which had them winning 6-5. It was impressive. Phil is now the assistant coach. We walked and bike rode to my parents for dinner and time in the hot tub. Everyone was ready for an early bedtime! Here are the pics from the week.