Donuts, dresses & don't ask/don't tell

There are some awesome benefits of living in a neighborhood filled with talented overachievers. One of my neighbors has a halloween party every year in which a few things are served up in abundance-

1. Hot chocolate

2. Homemade donuts

3. Various treats of the homemade variety

4. Haunted Hay rides

Everyone comes dressed up, unless they are lame, like me.  It is so much fun and I love that it extends the Halloween season for one more night of costuming and sugaring up.  

The party was Saturday and because of my chaotic life, I wasn't able to get Luke's costume until the thursday before the party.  I knew there wouldn't be a very good selection of costumes at this late date, but I was determined to put my shoulder to the wheel and push some people out of the way to get my 5 year old the costume he desired.  

We made the trek to Orem to go to the Disney store (how annoying that SLC doesn't still have one). And what a trek it was.  I thought it would be a good idea to go at rush hour, so we moved about as fast as I could have pulled a handcart.  Tanner was thoroughly annoyed at me because I made him come help me, so in order to appease him I had to stop at Krispy Kreme.  I mean, can you imagine how much I hated stopping to get some hot glazed donuts (those things are truly evil).  We arrived at the disney store after much trauma and drama (Luke touching Sadie, Sadie screaming that Luke touched her, Tanner expressing his displeasure about the whole affair).  Of course, I was right, and there were pretty much NO costumes left his size EXCEPT for the very cute Captain Hook and the very feminine Peter Pan.  No way was I going to let him be Peter Pan!  But Luke took one look at the gayish green costume with it's accompanying knife and "bowden arrow" (bow and arrow) set, and he was sold! I tried to point out the cool hook and sword that Captain Hook would be sporting, but alas, he was completely blinded by the choice of weapon.  

I hope his violent ways makes up for the clearly androgynous look of the Peter Pan costume.  I think everyone will be clear that he is all man when they have to pull the arrow out of their stomach or the knife out of their back.  

My princess Sadie who won't wear anything but dresses decided she must purchase the Tiana dress with coordinating shoes.  She is just like all of us women-her heels hurt her feet, create blisters and red spots, but she continues to wear them because of  their beauty. I am starting to wonder how long this "dresses only" stage will last.  Maddie never went through this stage, so I just don't have a clue.  Sadie will dig thru the dirty clothes to find a dress she deems appropriate. She has, on a couple of occasions, slept in her dress (and would do it every night if I let her).  I have put all of her non-playtime dresses out of reach, but this morning I woke up to find her step stools stacked on top of each other, stacked on top of stuffed animals. She had been building her own Tower of Babel.  She said she was trying to get her Santa dress down. Again, just like us women, she has specific things that she feels like wearing and it is almost impossible for me to refocus her on something more appropriate.  She ended up wearing the same dress that she wore at church yesterday.  Seriously, I am just glad she dresses herself, because my 5 year old Peter Pan, can't even figure out how to take his own shirt off.

Going right along with the don't ask/don't tell theme, 

this little boy's mommy came up to me and said she was a little bit 

worried about these two boys. 

She had overheard her little boy say to Luke 

while looking him square in the face,

"Luke, I just love looking into your eyes!"

I can see how it would be a bit confusing for him-

the long eyelashes,

the Peter Pan costume..

This darling creature that is trying to behead my Peter is wearing the very Captain Hook

costume that I desired him to wear.  She looked so cute and they are little 

buddies so it was fun to get some pictures of them together.  We (her mom and me) 

have already decided that this picture will be used for their wedding video in about 17 years.

Luke's Birthday Party

I decided to throw a last minute birthday party for Luke with 3 of his preschool buddies & of course, Sadie. Luke was disturbed that he had to invite Sadie. Maybe someday they will love each other...

We picked them up a little after 10 a.m. and traveled to the Thanksgiving Point Dinosaur Museum. It is one of my favorite museum/children exhibit that we have access to. We herded them thru the first part of the exhibit and then it was time for our 3D movie. So cool, but a little scary for some of our little guys. I also thought Sadie was going to have a meltdown after her last experience with 3D glasses (see here). But, we were able to calm the children with some sugary drinks and nasty popcorn. It was a fun movie and only 23 minutes long so we didn't have too much trouble maintaining them for that long.

After the movie, we went back into the museum and spent the next hour counting children and running after boy after boy. And then there was the yelling.. (just kidding, I didn't yell. Well, maybe once or twice-and it was because I had a little monster climbing into an exhibit to try to climb up on a dinosaur skeleton). Actually, they were all really well-behaved for sugared up boys that were super excited to see all of the neat things the museum has to offer. I think their favorite was the movie, but they loved the hands on stuff-digging up the bones and playing in the sand and water with the little dinosaurs.

After the museum, we headed to McDonald's. Yes, that is right. I took these 5 little souls, by myself, to get us some chicken nuggets. We played on the play place for a a while then went back home for presents and cake. I know, I am lame for not making his cake. But it was still good, and he didn't care as long as there was cake.

We had a great day and loved seeing him so happy to be with his little buddies.

Luke's 5th Birthday

Luke

We waited so long for you and are so happy with the boy you are.

You are a gorgeous child with a strong spirit to match.

You love:

• Riding your bike FAST
• Throwing things-especially behind the TV, into the light fixtures, onto tree limbs
• "Yucky Chawms" (Lucky Charms)
• "Hanging out" with "giwlfwiends" - Hailey, Carly, Haley and Kinzie (all are much older women..)
• Cuddling with mom and your dinosaur blankie
• Dinosaurs, trucks, tractors
• Playing video games.
• Playing soccer
• Eating sugar
• Playing "kitty" and "puppy" with Dad
• Going to Grandma Farms
• Having date night with Mom and Dad by yourself
• Saying prayers

Crown that he got from his preschool class

This is so delightful- its her new face she must pull every photo

Luke got Dunford chocolate donuts for breakfast.

Once again, MOTHER OF THE YEAR

Just a little of his birthday booty

Ms Maddie & Bingham Homecoming

Can I just say I love the Lever family that this boy comes from?? Such amazing people and such fine young men (and woman) that they have produced. I never had a moment of concern about Ms Maddie and her date, I knew that she would be just fine with this sweet little Lever morsel. It was quite an adventure getting her ready for her first big dance- buying the dress, ordering the boo tan ear (that's right, I just spelled it phonetically), tailoring the dress, buying the earrings, tanning, plucking, curling, etc... All the work (and money) spent on making it a special evening for her was worth it. She had a great time and I hope A. did too!

We will be doing this again in about 10 days! Herriman Homecoming is arriving soon! Oh the joys of a teenaged daughter!

KSL.com! That is right, $40 bought us this look!!

This look she got from free from teenagedgirl.com

This look is from the website imannoyed.com

straight from pleasestoptakingpicturesmom.net

The best moment was when A. came to pick up Ms Maddie and she presented his

BOO TAN EAR.

A. got this horrified look on his face. I immediately recognized this look and said,

"Did you forget her corsage?"

"Yep.. It's at home.." (says this with a look of defeat on his face..)

It was his first date EVER and I think he was a bit horrified with all of the attention at the Ashby house.

All of the following looks are courtesy of

ihavesplitpersonalitydisorder.org

Soon, all was corrected as they went back to his house for dinner, he presented her with her beautiful corsage. He was seriously freaked when we made Ms Maddie put her arm around him so we could get a picture of the boo tan ear and corsage together. So cute!! Just love me my Lever boys!!

How Blessed the Day

The "Lamb" and the "Lion" have lied down together without any ire!!

Or in other words, Sadie and Luke have played together for several minutes without bloodshed or whining or tattling or me yelling "Knock it off!!" once!

This must be what arriving in Zion feels like.  Wow, I love it.

However, I must question the method at which Zion is attained.  First, there was a trip to the toy store for Luke to spend some birthday cash (thanks, Grandma Farm). Luke chose a wonderful object of warfare (going along with theZion theme of today)-- an army helicopter with missiles and guns and soldiers. There was some discussion about whether or not Sadie could play with this new treasure.  Luke came up with.. "I don't think you can play with it because you are not strong enough to lift it." Hmm... strangely non-Zionlike behavior, but I didn't give up on my little gunslinger.  We got home and I started making dinner while Tanner attacked the box in which the toy was fastened.  And by fastened I mean, it was chained and superglued and encased in plastic... WHY!???? Seriously, I hate every person who packages children's toys.  It almost makes me say words not fitting for the Zion that is my home.  Tanner opened the package after several tense hours and put Luke's helicopter together.  I finished dinner (and by finished, I mean, opened the microwave..) and called for the lamb and the lion to come eat. "Not eating, we aw pwaying todethew!" called the lamb. So I dished up and preceding to watch my progeny make magic with a dinosaur and machine of war.  

Sadie: "spit, spit, spit. Dat duy is dead!" (she has a "spit head" dinosaur and it is spitting on a soldier)

Luke: "You can't kill my guy, just kill this yitto dragon"

Sadie: "O-tay!"

Luke: "Now, you have to bite him. Okay, now claw him.  Now, step on him. Now spit on him some more. Okay, now he is dead."

Sadie: "O-tay!"

Oh, it just makes you feel so proud when your children exhibit such gentleness.

Sadie: "My spit head is sick now"

Luke: "Give him some stomach medicine."

Sadie: "I aweady did dat! It didn't help!"

Luke: "Give it some corn"

Sadie: "Dat won't help."

Luke: "How bout some chicken nuggets?"

Sadie: "O-tay"

Chicken nuggets fix everything in my world.  My world being Zion, in case you forgot.

Luke: with his new gleaming helicopter, "yets have a sweepover at my house"

Sadie: "I have two beds, you come to my house" (House is the helicopter box)

Luke: "Okay, but I have to get my snipew wifle and my grenades. Oh, and my machine gun."

Sadie: "You forgot your wocket yaunchew. O-tay! Tids (kids) it is time for nap!" My mommy says I am yots of sick so I have to stay here. Toot, toot!" (toot toot is spit heat dinosaur passing gas in the soldiers face)

Luke: "Why are you tooting in my face? Your my best fwiend! Don't toot in my face!"

Sadie: "O-tay, I won't toot in your face anymore! Toot, toot!" (pointing Spit head dinosaur's bum away from the soldier) 

Luke: "I am taking off in my helicopter, hurry up and wake up. Ask me my phone number.. It's 651 801."

Sadie: "My is 200 449. That's how much I am.  Mom, can I wear church cwothes to stoow (school) tomorrow?"

Luke: "Sadie, why do you want to wear church cwothes to stool? Are you having a specho activity?"

Sadie: "I'm a princess, I weally yike church cwothes!"

I think she just feels that since she lives in Zion, she should dress the part. I am just saying.  

As I sit here, the Zion bubble has burst.  Luke has decided that the box is much cooler than his new toy and is insisting that Sadie share the box and Sadie has decided she feels more lion than lamb and is refusing to share.  

Despite the ending, I am thrilled with the efforts we have all made today and hope that we can have 7 minutes of Zion tomorrow.  I can dream.

Luke with his M & M's and his singing hamster card from Grandma Farm

Luke has decided on his toy!

So excited to get home

The infamous "spit head" is in Sadie's hand

The lamb

The "house" (Look at Sophie-World's Best Dog)

I think she shall be crowned Miss Zion or at least be the mascot for Zion

The tame little Lion

Love

Love is in the air.

Love me some beautiful fall weather. Love me some football. Love me some general conference in my pajama's while eating popcorn. Love, love, love.

#23- putting the block on some peeps

Running in for his first touchdown of the season!!

So humble... being congratulated by the team for fumble recovery..

He is so cute in his uniform. All sweaty and in pain. Love it!!

Tanner scored a touchdown, recovered a fumble, got 2 sacks and played most of the game. Of course, we had to visit the ER that night because of some belly pain that he had after being hit really hard. Mom that I am, I told him to just walk it off. Dad made the decision that maybe he could die while under my care, and asked me to bring him to the ER for a quick ultrasound of his gut. There are some perks to my husband's job! In and out with a clean bill of health in just under 10 minutes!! Whoo hooo!! No lacerated spleen or bleeding intestine, nor did he have a bruised kidney or a contused diaphragm. He is 100 % perfect in the abdominal area. Until next game, at least....