Halloween overload

Let me just say that Joseph can throw one hell of a Halloween party.

Yes, the party was a big success. To wrangle eight kids we had six adults (me, Jesse, my parents and two moms who stayed during the party) and I don't think we could have managed with even one less adult. My parents did a lot of the "behind the scenes" stuff like getting games ready and cleaning up after each activity. Jesse and I ran the games and activities and the two moms jumped in whenever needed. It all went really, really well.

The kids really seemed to like the cookie decorating and the pumpkin decorating. I'm sure their parents loved having them come home with their Halloween costumes covered in glitter glue and frosting too. We got very lukcy with the weather because it ended up being such a nice day that we were able to do a lot of the games outside.

The most important thing was that Joseph seemed to really enjoy himself. I think he really got a big kick out of playing host for his very first party. He's already talking about doing it again next year. We'll see what my parents think about that idea. (Thank you again mom and dad for all that you did for the party. The food, the decorating, the dressing up, the fact that you allowed eight 7 year olds loose in your house - it all meant a lot to all of us.)

Other Halloween activites so far have included:
My dad and I taking the kids to a Halloween carnival where they ended up with (and I am not exaggertaing here) a grocery bag full of prizes.

My dad and I taking the kids Trick or Treating at the college where he works. Kids get to walk through the dorms and students pass out candy and ohhhh and ahhh over the costumes. Joseph's Harry Potter costume was a huge hit. Everyone thought Elle was Eeyore. Not a single person knew that she was Stitch. Also, she refused to say "Trick or treat" and instead opted for "I want some!". But both kids always remembered to say thank you.

Upcoming Halloween events include:
My parents taking the kids to a local grocery story that puts on a big Halloween party. There's trick or treating, a cookie walk (whatever the hell that is) and more.

Actual trick or treating on Halloween. My mom and I will be taking the kids to my grandmother's apartment complex. We figure it's better than wandering around our increasingly yucky neighborhood and praying that we don't stumble across a meth lab. Plus, we already have 8 million pounds of candy and at this point trick or treating on Halloween is more of a formality than anything else.

Man, when did Halloween become a two week event? I'm beat already. I better go have some candy.

The event of the season

Joseph will be hosting his very first party on Saturday. He's never had a birthday party with friends before partly because his birthday is during the summer and it's harder to get ahold of the kids he would like to invite and partly because the whole idea of a party makes him kind of anxious. So now we're taking away the pressure of it being a birthday party and we're throwing a Halloween party instead. Joseph is very excited.

He invited nine kids and eight (including three girls!) are coming. Thank goodness we're doing this at my parents house. I think that many kids at one time in our place would probably give me a nervous breakdown. We're going to be decorating pumpkins, playing games, decorating giant sugar cookies and giving out prizes for costumes. I think it will be a lot of fun. I know Joseph's looking forward to it.

The only dilemma I have is what in the heck kind of costume I can wear to this thing. Somehow I don't think the kids will appreciate what I had originally been planning to be - The Woman With the Every-Expanding Ass. Help me out here people. What can I dress up as for this party? Keep in mind that it has to be relatively inexpensive and must accommodate my glorious midsection.

Blog party!

It's time for 5 Minutes for Mom's Blog Party. It's a week long event where you can show off your blog, find new blogs to read, win prizes and have a lot of fun. If you want to get involved just click the link and head on over there to find out how.

If you're here for the party then allow me to introduce myself. (I had hoped to have my super-cute new layout done but for now lets all just be happy that I'm dressed.) My name is Jen and I'm a 29 year old SAHM with a great husband and two fantastic kids. I like watching cheesy reality tv, reading, blogging, talking with friends, playing with my kids, cooking and trying to restore order to my chaotic house. Very soon I will be starting a surrogate pregnancy. I look forward to being pregnant again and this time I won't be the one changing the poopy diapers afterwards! I'm very passionate about breastfeeding, being an at home parent and parenting by choice, not by chance (that means I'm pro-choice, very, very much so.) Check out some of my pet causes.

Let me introduce my kids since they're what I spend the most time talking about! Joseph is 6 and a half. He has a wicked sense of humor and I have filled my blog with stories about the crazy things he does and says. Joseph was adopted but people often tell me how much he looks like me. His adoption via foster care was really a miracle and we feel like we're so lucky to have him as our little boy. He has Asperger Syndrome and although it's occasionaly a struggle for him (and us!) I think it's really made him into the funny, quirky, brilliant boy that he his. Joseph is a really fun person to be around.

Elle (pronounced El-EE and not El) is 16 months old and an absolute joy. She's friendly and smiley and never minds when I take pictures of her and post them on my blog. She looks just like her daddy with her red hair and great big cheeks. Elle's bright and sunny personality hasbeen a real joy to me. She makes me laugh all the time with her silly little ways.

My husband Jesse is a great guy! He does all the snowblowing in the winter and the lawn mowing in the summer. He fills my car up with gas so that I don't have to do it. If I could just get him to help out in the kitchen once in a while he would be the perfect guy. Sometimes I can't belive that we've been married for over 7 years now. Time flies when you're having fun I guess!

So that's my life in a nutshell. If you would like to know more about me please stick around and read some more of my blog. I love getting to know new people and look forward to meeting people at this party. And please, come back in April because I have something big planned that I would love to share with you. In the meantime, happy blogging!

Whooooooo!

Halloween party after party tongight! Whoooooo! Why is mt room spinninying? Whoooo!