A super fast post. It's almost 6am and I'll need to wake the children and get them ready for school. I just wanted to say how happy I am that my husband is finally coming home. This business trip seemed really long and it feels like he's missed so many moments with the children. I know he's missed us too, he said to me last night on the phone "I can't wait to walk through the door and have all the kids tackle me" awwwww. I'm on cloud 9. I can't wait to see him!!

I'm kidding. In all honesty they don't fight that often. Jeromy left this morning for another business trip, this time to California for 5 days. Just me and the quartette (Thomas, Anna, Nick and Abbey) The kids are always super sad when Daddy leaves - then they get giddy because they know I'm a softy and let them stay up late, sleep downstairs and just be goofy a little more. We eat pancakes for dinner, have lots of popcorn and watch movies in the dark. They call them "dark parties" we turn all the lights off, shut all the blinds and curtains and watch movies like in a theater.

I made no-bake cookies this morning and snuck out last night and bought ice cream. Yummy! It's going to be their treat for after dinner tonight (shhhh they don't know yet). Tomorrow is Nick's last soccer game of the season (hallelujah)!! One more wet, rainy early-morning game - then we're done! Thomas finished fall baseball last week. So now it's just ballet on Wednesday nights for the girls.

Monday I had 3 parent/teacher conferences to attend. Jeromy was working late, so I got a sitter and went to all of them by myself. I normally would have taken the children with me, but the conferences were set for 7 pm or later (since I have daycare children in my home until 6pm). I was so happy with the reports from the teachers. I wasn't really surprised by anything, but it's always nice to hear a teacher say how much they enjoy having my child in their class. All the teacher's said the same thing about my oldest 3: they like to participate, they are children with drive, they can all be pushed - because then they try harder (and enjoy it!) I knew Anna's conference would be wonderful - no surprise for me when after closing the classroom door her teacher turned to me and smiled and said "I'm just in love with your daughter" Ha ha. Ms. Teyler had said last year "Oh that Anna, she's just the nicest girl" and Mrs. Mates said to me "You know, there are lots of nice girls in the school, but now that Anna is in my class this year I find myself always saying. . ."Oh that Anna, she's just the nicest girl". Awwwwwwwww tears sprang to my eyes. She truly is. . .just the nicest sweet girl. (ok. . . I'll stop bragging )

We also had a series of Dr appointments this past week or so. Nothing too serious, thankfully. It seems we know so many people who are really sick. I went back to PT for my ankle. I didn't get good news. I go in for osteoporosis screening next week - but the Dr and PT are pretty sure that I do have osteoporosis. Shocking. I'm not that old! I'm 36. However, my Mom, Grandma and 3 of my Aunts all have osteoporosis.  Even though I had a hysterectomy - I still have my ovaries and have not gone into menopause. I'll find out for sure after the screening. For now they've upped my vitamin D and calcium intake. My bones are not in good shape, which is making it difficult for me to heal. The PT showed me lots of exercises to do with this big rubber band. By the time I got home yesterday from the appointment I couldn't get my shoe off.  My foot was so swollen!! Ouch. By late last night it was better, but still really sore.

Thank you to everyone who commented on Abbey's rash. She hasn't had a flare up since that day. We were able to get her an appointment next week with an allergist. I'm really interested to see what they find out!

It's been cold here, really windy and rainy. I love fall weather. I really do. It's the perfect setting for a hot cup of tea, warm blanket and a good book!

What a successful Halloween! Halloween is one of those Holiday's that seems to be debatable with a lot of families. To be honest, I'm sure I would agree it's not something I would want the children to do . . . .but I choose to let the children enjoy it for what it seems to be on the outside - dressing up and eating candy!! First we carved pumpkins from Papa and Grandma's garden. We had a lot of fun! (even Thomas. . . who at almost 12 thinks this stuff is just for "kids" lol )

The kids had very distinct taste when it came to what they wanted carved on their pumpkins. Thomas wanted it to be easy to do (sheesh . . .he's at that lazybones adolescent stage) Anna's had to have glasses, Nicholas wanted his pumpkin to be friendly, not scary and Abbey's looks shocked/surprised (which is her favorite expression these days) Below in order from left to right: Thomas, Abbey, Anna and Nicholas.

I'm not really fond of walking around the neighborhood and knocking on people's doors. . .so thankfully the huge outlet mall nearby does trick or treating for the kids. Afterwards we ran to Jeromy's parents for a little bit, then picked up some pizza and headed to my sister-in-law's house where the kids could play with their cousins and us adults could chat and relax. In case you're wondering where Thomas is in these dress-up pictures. . . he is at his dad's house for the long weekend.

I also made a lap-quilt for Jeromy's Grandma. It's her birthday today and we're heading to Jeromy's Aunt's house for a potluck and birthday party.

I also splurged a little and went and got my hair done yesterday. The water in this area is hard, and it tends to make my hair brassy. So I decided to get it colored (back to my natural color) here is a picture. I also got it cut, and I really like it. Thankfully so does everyone else! For some reason Mom's hair is a topic of discussion around here with the kids and my husband. No one wants me to cut it! Pretty cute.

I also wanted to add this one last picture of Abbey. She was tracing her hand. She was so cute about it. She practiced 4 or 5 times in a row trying to get the perfect hand print on her paper.

~ FIVE LITTLE PUMPKINS SITTING ON A GATE ~

Five little pumpkins sitting on a gate,
The first one said,
"Oh my, it's getting late."
The second one said,
"But we don't care."
The third one said,
"I see witches in the air."
The fourth one said,
"Let's run, and run, and run."
The fifth one said,
"Get ready for some fun."
Then whoosh went the wind,
and out went the lights,
And five little pumpkins rolled out of sight!