For work, I had the annual golf outing, a membership drive, 2015 tour planning and monthly meeting to execute. It has meant more late nights to get all the work done, but everything is still going well. The chapter was even featured in the Midlands Business Journal on 10/10, with a photo of me and two board members, so I'm basically famous now, right? :) Okay, not really. MOPS is in full swing and the upcoming crafts are getting closer, so there has been more to do and prepare for. December through February will be much more involved than the year has been so far for sure. I even finished Courtney's birthday gift (yes, three months late - don't judge) and made the same for myself, so now we both have a nice chevron wreath as part of our home decor.
Jeff's work is busier than ever, so his days have been full. His employer finally purchased a laptop for him so that he can do his surveying at job sites more efficiently, and if there is a crazy winter coming, possibly work from home a couple days, too. Along with being busy at work, he's then been heading to the house in Ashland many evenings and all weekends. Nice weather days for outside work are likely limited, so it's been a race to get everything completed that needs to be done in the right order on the schedule. Many items had to be done and prepped before the next steps could be done - so, the foundation issues are now corrected, the garage has been re-roofed, the front porch torn off, more demo done inside including the kitchen and master bath area and numerous other tasks. We've purchased the flooring for the main parts of the house and are ready to order kitchen cabinets and countertops- both are selected. Jeff's parents have even taken the kids for a couple Saturdays so that I can go out to help at he house as well, usually removing paneling, cleaning out the garage, or carrying demo'd pieces to the dumpster. Once the concrete work is done and the siding on, there won't be quite such a frantic pace to keep. Jeff really enjoys doing this type of work, but the kids and I will be glad to have him around just a bit more.
You'll see in the pictures that the kids enjoyed carving pumpkins and Halloween itself! And, of course, we found out we are going to have a new little niece or nephew in May! Nick and Courtney hosted a fun Halloween themed dinner for the us, Mom and Dad, and Poppy and Grandma Kunes one evening and we brought fun food items to add to her themed dinner. We were all oblivious to her blue and pink cupcakes that were frosted with fun, pumpkins, etc on top. Finally Courtney brought it to our attention and then it clicked and we were all SO excited for them! Looking forward to meeting their new little pumpkin this spring!
Samara's Moment and Milestones for the month:
- After seeing Veggie Tales Live at the end of September, it highlighted a whole new career option for her! Seeing all the people dance, sing and act, she decided she wanted to be a performer when she grows up. She then said, "But I can't". I asked why. "Because I want to be a mommy." I said she could find a way to do both if she wanted. She was pleased with that answer for sure. Already contemplating family versus dream career at age four!
- In mid-October we were getting supplies for the Ashland house one evening. Kids and I go to wander through the light up yard decor and Christmas trees. (already?! sheesh!) It's all a happy winter wonderland until we go another aisle over and Samara walks in front of a life-size witch. This one happened to LUNGE down and forward when you walked in front of it. It definitely looked like it it going to get you if you are her size and it cackled, too. Samara screamed super loud and the look on her face was sheer terror as she ran for me. Kalum starts screaming and running too though he didn't really even see the witch. After comforting her and walking away sniffling she says, "I think I forgot for a second that I'm not afraid of anything." I said yes you did, that's okay, Mommy would have been startled by that witch too. As a child I may have been scarred for life actually!
- Samara got to go to a birthday party for her friend from preschool at Bounce U. They all had a great time and she was SO excited to go, asking every day if that was the day of the party or not.
- She enjoyed her Noah's Ark Party at preschool again this year. She wore a tiger costume that Auntie Courtney wore when she was little, it was just a little on the small side. Either way, she had fun and I was glad to be able to come and be a party "helper" at one of the activity tables. We also got to go to her Pumpkin Patch field trip for school and they all had a great time there, too. We carpooled with another mom and the girls enjoyed their ride together with their friends.
- Beginning of the month - narrates his every activity! "I on couch. Have car, zoom, zoom. (drops car) I drop it. I go get it." and on and on and on
- Can now turn on/off light switches, figured it out during nap time one day and wants to practice non-stop
- Counts from 1-11, then 9-10-11, then repeats. Just starting to point to a grouping and count accurately, but not consistent yet. :)
- By mid-month he reached a new phase - the MINE phase - started saying that all the time
- Moved up to size 8 shoes! First time outside in them, despite warnings, he ran in the driveway and fell, scraping his knee. After declaring, "Need a bandaid. Feel better." he was fine and on way to family run to Menards.
- LOVED driving the "digger" with Daddy in Ashland. In fact, he screamed, cried and pouted when it was over. It was a pitiful sight to see.
- On his birthday, we went in to wake him up and say "Happy Birthday". The first thing he said when we woke up was "digger cake!" as I had promised we would have that for his birthday party. He had to wait for another week for the actual cake, since we planned Nov. 8th to celebrate his birthday with family. So, birthday pictures to come in November.
