Ok so I have been told I don't need to post my table topper pictures I need to give updates as well. So I am taking time away from my nap to do just that for you, (you know who you are)
Starting with school, Donnovan is in the 8th grade this year, I know right an 8th grader!!!!! He is struggling a bit since he has HS credit classes, that means more homework and classwork. He has been visiting his school counselor almost on a daily basis. I showed up for school last week and spent the day with him going from class to class, needless to say he was not amused. I told him if he falls behind again I will be there again and maybe this time in my jammies. :-)
Stef is in the 1st grade this year and LOVES it!!!! I am trying to shoot for perfect attendance this year. They have been only out 1 day and that was only because they were throwing up. There is a little prize they get if they don't miss any days and then another if they only miss one, so we are doing good. Her teacher is pregnant and on the first day of school Stef came home and informed me that we needed another baby. Sorry Stef the factory is closed and will never open again. She has little school projects that she loves doing with her dad and she is reading above 2nd grade level. That doesn't surprise me since both John and I are are adv id readers.
My baby Ben started kindergarten this year and I still have mixed feelings letting him go everyday. He loves school as well. They want to participate in everything, we have sent canned goods, pennies, you name it it has gone. He is learning so much and loves loves to write, he writes on anything that doesn't move, no joke, i have writings on the kitchen counter, bathroom counters, he leaves John and I notes on our night stands on the desk, everywhere. My favorite though is when he is upset with us he grabs a piece of paper and writes either mom or dad or sometimes both and puts a big X on our names and hands them to us. I think it is funny. When he is done being mad he gets another piece of paper and writes our names on it and hands it to us without an X. Crazy kid.
For Halloween this year we had quite a week. On the Wednesday before Halloween our ward did the Trunk or Treat. The little ones were not impressed with all the judging and what not. It was very boring and a lot of kids were getting restless. We had a real magician and the kids LOVED the show!!! I did too. Then outside for the treats, the kids had fun but once they were done that was it, they wanted to go home. Then on Friday we went to the YMCA for the Boo Bash. Again lots to make and do. There was also a trunk or treat there as well. They had face painting, ghost bowling a bouncy house! The kids were in heaven. Then on Monday we went trick or treating around the neighborhood, they had a blast. The only problem was coming up with 3 different costumes. Stef went as a nerd, Snow White, and a witch with a mole, she was all about the mole. Ben went as himself, fire fighter, and a sheriff. D went as who knows what he just wanted the candy.
I thought once all the kids were in school I would have lots of quiet time. WRONG!!! I am going to school 3 nights a week, working one and trying to keep up the house. I have a lot going on and sometimes I don't know which way is up. My health is stable for now and I am not taking a day for granted. Still on a ton of meds and will be for the rest of my life. John is also in school and still working full time. He is liking his job very much now that he has a new boss and lots of responsibilities. I will post pictures another time. And I will try to do better on keeping y'all updated.