Trick-or-Treat!

As usual, the Lands kids had more fun passing out candy than they did going door-to-door. The babies thought trick-or-treating was awesome but were happy to spend most of their time in the big stroller eating their loot! The boys were all Star Wars characters: Stephen - Darth Vader, Bradley- ObeWanKenobe (his teacher thought he had a Jesus costume at his school party on Thursday!), Cameron - Yoda, Drew - Chewbacca. Kayla & her pals (Anissa, Hannah, & Matt) were Ninja Turtles! A great time was had by all!

Report Cards & Parent/Teacher Conferences

Today I had the wonderful experience of going to visit the kids' teachers. I found out that Bradley is quiet, sensitive, & reserved. I learned that Stephen is brilliant, social, & goes to the bathroom a lot. Kayla is a #9: conscientious student (in Jr. High you just get a formatted comment). Stephen & Kayla got straight A's & Bradley got all 4's. You couldn't ask for 3 more perfect students!! We are so proud of them!!

Wordless Wednesday

The Week In Review!

So I'm Not The Mom-Of-The-Week!

On Tuesday morning the little boys got into the van and locked the doors. When I grabbed the handle, it set off the alarm causing both babies to start to cry hysterically. I stood in the driveway, in my nightgown, attempting to scream over the car alarm and the cries of the boys how they could push the button to unlock the doors. Finally, the alarm shut off and for reasons unknown to me, I pulled the handle again ... yes, more deafening alarm and more screaming from the boys. Finally, one of them, I have no idea which one, pushed the lock up and I was able to get them out. Fortunately, I only woke up three of my neighbors and no one called the police.

On Wednesday, Bradley insisted that he was NOT going to participate in his class performance at the school assembly. He said he was just too nervous. Then he decided he wasn't even going to school - oh no ..., "yes you are", I said and quickly wrote a note to his teacher telling her of his woes. Since he wasn't going to sing, I surely wasn't going to haul the babies out in the pouring rain to go to the school. Needless to say, he sang, I wasn't there, and he thought that was hilarious! It was also an "early out" day ~ which is reminiscent of a tour of duty in Vietnam! Then, I almost forgot to pick Kayla up from dance practice ~ and when she called to tell me that she was done, Stephen was ... well ... taking care of some business and insisted that he could NOT! hurry. Waited, waited, waited ... left. Fortunately, I was able to get Allison D. to come over & stay with him until I got back.

On Thursday, I got Allison & Alexa to stay with the boys so I could go pick Kayla up at dance. She was 15 minutes late getting out ~ totally held up Jane's dinner plans.

On Friday, Kayla said to pick her up later, not earlier (per Thursday disaster) - got there at 4:37, she was one of only three waiting there ... if looks could kill, I wouldn't be writing this.

Of course that's not the only excitement we've experienced this week! So far, we've spilled an entire bottle of fingernail polish remover on the carpet; broken two bowls; dropped a cup of yogurt from about 6 feet (that makes a really big mess, in case you're wondering); run some bubble gum through the dryer ... well, you get the picture.

Somehow, it's Saturday, we've had three soccer games, everyone is happy & healthy and we're off to get some Halloween costumes and enjoy this beautiful day. It's funny that as parents we always take the credit for surviving our kids, but I gotta tell you ... this week, the kids survived me!

THIRSTY THURSDAY!!!!!

There are lots of "Wednesday Blogs" out there ... "Wordless Wednesday"; "Works for me Wednesday" ... so now it's Thursday and I'm thinking of something a little more fun that making my own window cleaner (which is an awesome idea).

PEACH SANGRIA!

Equal parts White Zinfandel wine and Peach Schnapp (2 oz each or 8 oz each - that's up to you)- Half as much pineapple juice (if you use 2 oz each wine & schnapps - then use 1 oz juice)- Throw in a couple of maraschino cherries and a little of the cherry juice - Mix well & pour over crushed ice - top with a splash of Sprite

CHEERS!

We "Boo", Do You?

Do you "Boo"? I had never heard of this super-fun Halloween tradition until we moved to the midwest ~ so I'm not sure if you guys back east are in on the fun!

This is our third year! On Sunday night, the doorbell rang. I went to answer, but no one was there ... only a wonderful bag of Halloween treats - popcorn balls and candy for the kids and a cutie-pie jack-o-lantern dishtowel for me. Inside the bag was a sign for our window (to mark us for other "Boo-ers" and the directions on how to continue the fun). When the Lands kids got up on Monday morning they were so excited ... it was like Christmas in October! Don't tell anybody, but Bradley had a popcorn ball for breakfast and I'm pretty sure Stephen had Skittles - is Halloween the best holiday or what? Now it's our turn to get in on the fun!

Tonight's the night! We will head out with our bags of treats to surprise our friends and neighbors. We really look forward to this tradition, especially the boys, but I think they just like the ringing the doorbell and running away part!

If you want to "Boo" your friends, you can go to my pal Jennifer's blog and get a copy of her "Boo" signs & directions at The Wilson Six. Get in on the fun ~ you'll love it!

Another Gorgeous October Weekend

This weekend (10/18-19), Kayla played two games on Saturday and one game on Sunday - the Panthers lost all 3 games, but we were so proud of their play considering that two of their games were against #10 and #4 ranked OK teams. They put points on the board in two games and went down in one shutout. The little boys loved playing outside all day Saturday - they dug in the dirt and pushed bulldozers and little dumptrucks with their soccer friends, ate tons of snacks, and entertained all the moms & dads!

Stephen had a game Saturday morning (1 score) and Bradley had a game also (2 scores). Go Boys!!! They love to play!

Rob's CertainTeed company picnic was also Saturday and the big boys had a great afternoon with him at Carousel Park in Joplin.

Bradley Makes The Newspaper!

Go to The Joplin Globe to read the whole article written by our neighbor, Jane.

Not long after the Landsbergers moved in, his mother, Anne, called and asked in a desperate and pleading voice if I would be OK with letting Bradley come over to trick or treat. She had tried to reason with him it wasn’t quite time, but Bradley had his mind set and nothing was going to stop him. (Did I mention it was June?) So, on a warm June day Bradley came over in his furry red Elmo costume, trick-or-treat pumpkin in hand. I had little prep time to get together some loot, but the kid seemed happy with a can of fruit cocktail and some old Pizza Hut mints covered with fuzz from the bottom of my purse. My girls thought he was so cute we had to take pictures, and he loved every minute of it.