Day at the Park

It was an unusually warm November day... I think it was in the mid 50s, but felt warmer with the sun shining. After hanging out around the house in the morning playing Star Wars with Q while Sloan took an early nap due to waking up at 6:00, we headed out after lunch to Hobby Lobby to buy some craft supplies (blog to come tomorrow). Then went to Glen Oak Park and played on the wooden play equipment. This was a huge treat for Quinton, who always wanted to play at the wooden playground during the summer, but since Sloan was so young and that particular set is swarming with older kids, I didn't want to risk her getting hurt. Or Q for that matter. So during the summer we always played on the equipment across from the pavilion that was appropriate for younger children.

When I say the wooden playground was "swarming with kids", I can say in the past I have witnessed nearly 70+ kids playing on the equipment at once during the summer. Not to mention all the caregivers scattered about taking up even more space. But since most kids are in school until 3/3:30, it worked out great for Q and Sloan to experience it. I wish every community had a playground like this for children to play on. It is quite the set up. There is an area for all ages, one year all the way up to teens. There are tons of stairs, hidden ladders, balance beams, monkey bars, swings, sand pit, slides, wooden cars with steering wheel, etc. It is the perfect set up for playing Hide 'n Seek or Tag!

Here are a few pictures of this kids playing today. We had a great day. It gave them both the chance to run off some energy, although not enough. The last 45 minutes I was at their house tonight, they were running none stop chasing each other, giving me high fives, giggling, and being utterly out of control. Hopefully they crashed hard for mom and dad tonight. I think everyone could use a good night's rest tonight!

The Holidays are Here

The holidays are officially here in our household. We, or should I say "I", broke out the Christmas tree and other decorations this weekend. I guess growing up with the tradition of putting the tree and Christmas decorations up the day after Thanksgiving, has stuck with me. Since Matt and I will be in Iowa over the weekend, we won't be here to help Hailey and Logan decorate the tree. Of course waiting until the next weekend they are here (Dec. 11-13) would be too late. I mean really what's the point in having the tree up only two weeks?! None!

So with that said, I put up the tree myself. It is only an artificial 6 foot pre-lit tree. White of all colors. Actually, it is quite ugly, but beggars can't be choosers. Mom gave us the tree that she used at school before retiring two years ago. She had a red, white and blue theme, which I should have stuck with. Probably because I have gold garland instead of silver is why I dislike it so. Perhaps a little shopping is in order before Wednesday. Anyway, the tree is up as well as the stockings and other decor. Our house is looking quite festive... as festive as it will ever be, which if compared to others isn't much. I'd love to wrap Hailey and Logan's gifts and place them under the tree, but our dogs, Halo in particular, would have a field day with them. I'd probably have to re-wrap them twice a week before the kids finally had a chance to open them, if I were to place them under the tree now. Honestly, I have had my fill of wrapping gifts for now. Since I won't see anyone on my side of the family over Christmas I have had to get all my shopping and wrapping done for that crew early. The only thing left to make our home's holiday decor complete would be Christmas music. I can't handle it all month like many people like, so a couple weeks prior to the "big day" will have to suffice.

Matt and I plan to head to Iowa, Wednesday after work. It won't put us in Sidney until 12:30 but we'll be able to sleep in. Maybe?! So to all, I wish you a wonderful holiday season from beginning to end! If you are traveling later this week I bid you safe travels and I mustn't forget a HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!! :)

Farewell for Now

Over the past few year I have gotten to know the Kapustka family quite well, mainly due to play dates that started when Q and E were just 14 & 16 months old! They are both almost 4 1/2 now and moving up to the Chicago area. Although Sullivans are not moving quite yet, the movers came Tuesday to start packing the Kapustkas up. Q, Sloan and I, along with the O'Sulli family, went over after the kids got out of pre-school for one last lunch and play date. All the kids had a blast! As did us adults... got to love adult conversation! :)

The Kapustka family will be missed, but they are starting a new chapter in their lives as well as moving closer to family. I know we will see them again once the Sullivans move north. Until that next playdate at one of the new houses or a new park, I say farewell my friends, good luck and I can't wait till we meet up again in 2010!

What a FIT!

This summer grandma V got the kids hula hoops among many other nice things, to play with outside. Hailey got the hang of the hula hoop quickly, however, Logan was a different story. Watch the clip below as his frustration gets the best of him... let's just say he appears to be better at Ring Toss!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tmvFkc2e-z0

Thank you Dad, for having the camera rolling and pointed in the right direction. Although it took a while for Logan to see the humor in this, he can now laugh about it like the rest of us! :)

And the Total is...

As promised, the grand total for the haunted house this year was 3626!!! That is almost three times as many people as we had last year. My guess was off by about 400 or so. We begin tear down on Monday. More hard work, but with a handful of friends, some old and some new, it should be fun or at the very least entertaining :)

One Thing After the Other

Why do things have to be so difficult? I suppose that is my question for the day. It is something I ask myself time and again. Not all things are actually difficult, sometimes people make them out to be. I guess today is one of those days. I cannot bring myself to be the bearer of bad news. I can't be that person that upsets someone else because others within the group/team are caddy, manipulative and disrespectful. Why I find myself in the middle of situations like these again and again, I don't know. Perhaps it is because I like to focus on the positive or give everyone a chance. I don't dwell on first impressions, because I know I give off a really poor first impression all the time. I'm extremely quiet until I get to know people. That come across as snobby and rude most of the time, but that isn't really who I am. I guess I am just going to have to suck it up and make the call.

One more thorn in my side today. I find out we won't be able to go home for Thanksgiving because Matt now has to work Thanksgiving and Black Friday while having the following Mon and Tues off. So much for our work schedules coordinating like his boss originally said it would. Perhaps I can talk my Mom and brother into coming out. These two things at the end of the day turned my day into the pits!

Dungeon of Darkness

As said in the previous post, October was an insane month for me mainly because of the haunted house. We volunteered last year when our friends E & S owned it. However, they sold it to the current owner, another good friend of ours', Dennis. We had a great season! The number of customers who came through went above and beyond the expectations of anyone. As of today I am still not sure what the grand total was, however, I will find out Saturday at the Appreciation Party for all volunteers.

Matt and I not only acted each night while the haunt was open, we also helped build the rooms for 6 weeks starting in August. It is a lot of work, but so worth it. I am proud to say that all proceeds after "out of pocket" expenses are paid (rent, materials, electricity) went to the Boys and Girls Club here in Pekin. Dennis was hoping for a decent chunk of money to give them, but ultimately they got a whole lot more. I believe our busiest night was close to 500 people. Again, nothing like any of us expected!!! Having the money donated makes all that hard work worth it all that much more! Like I said I should hear the numbers this Saturday and I will be sure to post them.

Below is a scrapbook with some pictures of the haunt. If you have younger children you may not want them to view it. There is some gruesome makeup and props on some of the pages. No need for nightmares if we can help it. Enjoy!

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Halloween

The month of October has proven to be the busiest month of 2009 for me. Yes, I already know this with two months to go. Between volunteering at Dungeon of Darkness Haunted House (blog and pics to come in a day or so), being sick and all the showings for Sullivan's house over the past two weeks, the month flew by.

Sunday I took a deep breath as we jumped into November. I started the month off by beginning to edit nearly 600 photos (I've only got a fraction done) that have been waiting patiently on my camera for the past three months while my desktop computer was out of commission. Thanks to Matt, he ordered the power supply (I refused to do so myself until after the holidays... I'm so cheap) and installed it. Now my desktop is up and running so I can include pictures again in my blogs. That mean more blogging too :)

Below is a scrapbook from Smilebox with photos of all my favorite kids dressed for Halloween. The pages with the small pictures, just click on each and they will appear in the big photo box. Enjoy!

Make a Smilebox scrapbook