So Thankful.

So Thankful that these two still get along and that all it takes to bring a smile to their faces is an afternoon at the park.

Awesome Alex.

Halloween.

We had a great time trick-or-treating this year. Yiayia and Papouli came up from Miami for a few days. Yiayia decided to dress as a french maid while Papouli decided to forgo a costume...he said his idea was too risque. Some of the neighbors thought Yiayia's outfit was a little risque!

Alex decided on a silver skeleton mask, last year's Grim Reaper outfit and the requisite bloody knife. Helen naturally chose to be a Princess. Depending on when you asked her, she was either Cinderella or Snow White. Originally, Will was going to wear last year's monkey outfit but it was so hot on Halloween we got him a glow-in-the-dark skeleton shirt instead.

Yiayia and I took the kids all around the neighborhood, while the men stayed home to hand out candy. Jimmy wanted to go off on his own this year, which we let him...for a little while. Eventually, we caught up with him. After about an hour and a half the kids came home to dump their loot and grab a drink. (I can't believe someone made these coffins filled with candy. Cute, but way too time consuming.)

Will and Helen were too tired to go back out so they stayed home and started digging into their stash. Alex and Jimmy decided to go out for another round. All in all it was a great night and we ended up with way too much candy. I guess we'll just have to help the kids eat it!

Loving Frank & Grandparents

My mom gave me this book by Nancy Horan about Frank Lloyd Wright and his mistress Mamah Borthwick. At first, I thought it was just a fictional novel about a woman's relationship with him . Then, I found out she really existed and the relationship really happened. Although it is a fictional account many of the events are true, including her and her two children's murders. What a shocking ending to say the least. Still, it was a very interesting story and very well written. I would definitely recommend it.

On a completely different note...a while ago my parents sent these adorable gift bags for the kids. (There were four, but Will dug into his right away.) They were filled with the usual assortment of Halloween goodies and plenty of candy, of course. My favorite were these foam picture frame kits the kids decorated. Aren't grandparents the greatest?

Random thought #3. Yesterday Jimmy had his Fall Dance at school. He was so cute. (Can you still say that about an eleven-year-old?) He went from not wanting to go to 'can we please hurry up so I'm not late'. The dance started at 3PM right after school, but he wanted to come home first and change/brush his teeth, etc. So grown up. He mostly hung out with his friends eating and playing pranks but from what we can gather there might have been a girl he wanted to dance with. Oh no! Maybe that's what all the teeth brushing was about. My Jimmy likes a girl! I'll be alright...someday.

there he goes.

My little Jimmy heading off to another day of middle school.

He's been doing great this year. He gets himself up in the mornings (what?) , comes to the breakfast table, gets ready and heads out the door...without being asked. Then, he comes home, gets started on his homework and has it done by dinnertime...without being asked. Hey, it only took 11 years.

My mom thinks maybe it's because he has more independence this year. The responsibility is on him to get to school, get home and get his homework done. That and also maybe he's growing up. Sniff.

Jimmy has a Fall Dance at school on the 21st. At first, he said he didn't want to go because he didn't know how to dance. We told him you don't have to dance if you don't want to, just go and hang out with your friends and have some pizza. Then he said he would go. Of course, we couldn't leave well enough alone and start asking if maybe there's a girl he likes and would like to take to the dance. Bad idea. Hopefully, we'll learn.

at the pool

Last week we took the kids to the community pool after school. It's so nice to have access to a resort-style pool. During the week it's not crowded (which I love) and we pretty much have the place to ourselves. We usually bring dinner with us. Last time we grabbed a couple of pizzas from Little Caesars, this time we brought our own subs. The kids just love swimming. Now Will is starting to get into it. At first he wouldn't even put his feet in and now he loves taking rides around the pool, especially with big brother Jimmy. Helen and Alex usually just go up and down the water slide.

Wheeeeeeeeeeeh!

She's Six.

This little girl is now a full-fledged six year old. Can it be that long ago I brought an adorable baby girl home from the hospital? Helen is such a wonderful daughter. So full of joy and energy. Embracing life head on. I just love it.

She decided to go to McDonald's for her birthday dinner. No home-cooked meals for this girl! Of course it had to be the one with playground, not the new one by the house. The kids ate their Happy Meals and played in the tubes.

Then we headed back home to open presents. This year Helen decorated with the Littlest Pet Shop. This was also the year of Barbie. She wanted everything Barbie. We got her the Barbie show horse, the Barbie vet and the Barbie carry case. We got a few other items but as you can see, Barbie was a hit.

Next came the cake. Or should I say cakes? We couldn't decide between coconut or chocolate...so we had both! I don't think Helen minded having to blow out candles on two cakes.

I hope you had a wonderful birthday. I love you, Helen!