Haunted High School group

Jack, Maddie, Andrea, Kristen, Christina and Emma

Haunted High School

We went to the Haunted HS on Sunday with a big group. We had gone last year and had a really good time. The NHS kids dress up and decorate the school. They have activities (art and crafts, games) set up in classrooms. And they hand out candy. The gym has a big bounce house. Fun and cheap ($1 and one non-perishable food item to donate.) So this year is similar, but they decide to play up the "haunted" part. The school is darker with spooky music and battery operated bats and things hanging from the ceiling. That was cool. They also had HS students in scary costumes hiding around corners and in dark doorways jumping out and yelling. That was not cool. First time Jack screamed and bolted. Total fight or flight - when I picked him up I could feel his heart pounding through his costume. I give him a lot of credit for finishing up the route to the gym. After that a random mom walked in front looking for hiding HS kids. She would find them, point and say, "Don't even think about it. There are little kids coming through." Her daughter was also terrified. For the record my 10 year old niece was terrified too. She took more convincing to finish the route than Jack did. The bounce house at the end made it worth it for Jack. He was fine. But he told me this morning he's not going next year.

my latest dream house

I know it's monstrous but this house has exactly the layout I'm looking for. Well the downstairs does anyway. Check out that laundry/mudroom. And the kitchen desk. The 4 car garage is a bit much. But I guess one bay could be a workshop and another could store bikes, mower, snowblower and yard stuff.


If you want to see the whole plan go to: http://www.eplans.com/house-plans.hwx/Q/Plan.HWH0200062

TGFD

Thank God For Deb

random

Why does it bug me so much seeing Suri Cruise with a bottle? Bottles bug me more than binkies - I know it's irrational.

karate girl

So in the adult karate class students have to test to be promoted in rank - individual exercises, sparring, and verbal exam all supervised by sensai and a panel of black belts. Today was the first time Emma participated in a promotion test. She and Christina were so nervous! But they did great - along with the other kids who recently moved up to the adult class. Good bye orange kid's belt - hello adult white belt with one green stripe!





Jack had to get in for the last one.

kindergarten boy

So Jack has been sounding out words left and right and recognizing a growing number of sight words. And he has been voluntarily (voluntarily! for fun!) writing and illustrating his own stories. This from the boy who a few months ago would cry when I asked him to sign his name on a friend's birthday card. From the boy who brought home maybe 3 drawings over the course of 2 years of preschool. I don't remember such a sudden flip the switch moment with Emma. She's my slow and steady girl. But it's pretty crazy to watch. Now if only Jack has an emotional development flip the switch moment... I'm pretty sure it doesn't work that way though.

Fire Bugs

Uncle Jon and Kristen came over yesterday. While Matt mowed Jon bulit a fire. Andrea and Maddie from across the street came over too - so we had 5 kids. The kids spent a good portion of the late afternoon and evening roasting marshmallows and lighting sticks on fire. I even dug out some ancient 4th of July sparklers. I tried a ton of different camera settings trying to capture some evening fire/sparkler pics. Didn't work all that well. But you get the idea...

Apple Picking

On Friday I chaperoned Jack's apple picking field trip. My group had Jack and his 3 closest friends in his class. Jack and 2 of the boys were total goofballs. The other boy (also named Jack) was quiet, thoughtful, mellow and sweet. I can't imagine what he sees in those other 3 crazies, but somehow their foursome works. It was a fun morning and the apples were delicious! Can you guess which one is the mellow Jack?