Ode to All Hallows Eve

I love Halloween. I mean I really, really love it. There is so much nostalgia and a plethora of sensory connections to this month of ghosts and goblins. Growing up, my mom always did homemade doughnuts in October. She always baked stew in a pumpkin. I always loved the sensation of being spooked when I heard J.S. Bach's Toccata in D Minor. Picking out the perfect costume. Walking through crunchy leaves. The traditional Halloween parade at school. The smell of a candle heating up a carved pumpkin. I love it, love it, love it! My brother, Scot, and I would always dump out our priceless candy loot, sort it according to type (candybars, suckers, boxed, etc...) then borrow my mom's Tupperware containers, and stash it in our rooms. At Halloween, there's just a certain electricity in the air. It smells, feels, and tastes different from any other time of the year. It's just a great time to be a kid.

My kids have carried on the tradition of loving Halloween. About the first of September, they start thinking about what they want their costumes to be. Before October 1st hits, we've already decorated the house thoroughly. My boys have complained that our house isn't scary enough. I have gone for more of the "Gardner Village" folkart look but they want it more spookified. This year, I delivered. I bought some creepier, spine tingling goodies to put about but now they say it's too scary. Too scary for them or the little kids coming to the door? I don't think they'll admit which it is. Kennedy was home alone one night and called us asking when we'd be home because, she explained, "The Halloween decorations are looking at me!" Here is a sampling of our Ode to All Hallows Eve:

Two of my favorite decorations: Jack the Pumpkin King faces and the folk artish framed piece on the wall.

Nope, didn't sew these but you crafty people out there most certainly could.

Exhibit A: these will stare at 12 year olds left home alone

Potion ingredients for the cauldron (all original ideas and found in my kitchen): Zombie toenail clippings, ancient mummy bones, and slug slime. On the table but not shown in picture , snake venom, witch warts, and werewolf dandruff.

My favorite Halloween decorations are the glowing pumpkins we have in our windows that face out to the street. There are pumpkins in 10 windows and it looks awesome at night.

Now, why would a sweet skull-faced welcoming witch scare off potential trick or treaters?

Welcoming witch's pot of bones

I fancied up these black leaves with glue and purple glitter. Looks very "morbid chic' "

Our shed with various buckets used throughout the years

Ghosts I made by tearing white fabric

Hey, When the Economy is Bad and You've Got AMPLE Supply...

Just a thought about making a little extra income.

Home Decorating: Taiden Style

I was dusting one day and came across this little gem that Taiden had left behind. I love finding decorating attempts that the kids leave in their wake. Years ago, I would have quickly removed the green monster-thingy so that everything would be just so and the world wouldn't spin off it's axis. I have learned, slowly, that our house is a home full of smudges, spills, stinks, and imperfections and that rubber monsters attached to decorative objects simply means that this home is LIVED in and not a showroom. I had to fight the urge to remove this "dentist office trinket" for 2 weeks. But I let it be, made Taiden feel like he did something clever, and smiled EVERY time I walked past it.

First Impression

Daily PJ Party?

This morning, as the kids were getting ready for school, I was in the process of making several batches of peach jam (using up the remaining peaches from my previous post...peaches that are on their way out and getting overly ripe). I was still in my PJ's like I am many mornings when they head out the door. I choose not to jockey for bathroom space since there are 4 other members of this family that need to get out the door before me. So, my boys were leaving and Taiden asked, "Mom, do you stay in your pajamas all day long?" WHAT?! I asked him, "Am I in my PJ's when you get home from school?" He smiled and knew that was not the case, but it got me thinking: What do my kids think I do all day? Do they think I lounge around, play their Nintendo DS and watch Spongebob? Maybe build something with their Legos or put on Britt's Transformer helmet and pretend to be Optimus Prime when my friends come over? Do they think I am a lazy mom and just putz around doing a whole lotta nothing? I thought my early morning efforts of making them homemade peach preserves would count for something but all they noticed was that I had morning breath, bedhead, and I was sporting some pretty scroungy duds.


Maybe they'll have to eat cold cereal for dinner tonight because I'll be too busy jumping on the neighbor's trampoline all afternoon! :)

Rise and Shout the Cougars are Out

BYU vs. Wyoming. Thanks for the tickets, G'pa Mackintosh! The football action started with Jeff pointing out the brown and gold colors of our opponents and getting the kids to chant things like "Brown, brown has got to go down" (with plunger actions for added effect). I'll spare you the other potty-ish quips, but you get the idea. We did tailgating with BBQ beef brisket and all the trimmings, taunted the Cowboy's trailer in the parking lot (see below), and had lots of opportunities to sing "Rise and Shout" because the Cougs kicked some butt. Added enjoyment came with doing the "wave", hitting the bookstore for t-shirts and the candy counter, and eating at the Cougareat.

They're never too young to start teaching them to CHOOSE THE RIGHT team

You're going down, Cowboys!

The BYU on her shirt is PINK not red

Post tailgating, pre game

Kennedy and Grey

Shaw blowing raspberries at the opponents

Britt can't wait to get to the candy counter...4 quarters is a LONG time

Shaw - dreaming of the Cougars kickin' the Utes to the curb

Mom, the sun is in our eyes!

What we think of the Wyoming fans...

Nature's Air Freshener

I wish my blog had scratch & sniff capabilities. Oh, if you could only smell my car. When you open the doors, the sweet fragrance of Brigham City's finest just smacks you in the face. Thanks to Bro. Tingey in our ward (the owner of the orchards and delivery man) I didn't have to drive 45 minutes north to pick them up.

Don't be too impressed (or think that I have completely lost all sanity). These are not all for us. We had friends and family request that we place orders for them. I feel like a peach dealer. $14 a half bushel basket. I am canning (and making into several fresh peach pies) 1 and 1/2 bushels (3 baskets). Oh, these will taste amazing when the snow is falling.

* Not pictured - 3 more baskets in Jeff's car

You'll Be Grounded from the Baby for a Month

Shaw is now 4 1/2 months old. He is a drool monster and constant smiler and he is adored, loved, cherished, and fussed over continually. So much so that he is now becoming a source of contention among the kids. THEY FIGHT OVER HIM. I emphasise that because I think it is completely, 100%, truly ridiculous. He's not going anywhere. He'll be here for quite awhile. So why the panic? I am constantly hearing, "Mom, I was holding Shaw and ___________________ (insert Kennedy, Taiden, or Brittan) came and took him away from me", or "Mom, _________________ (again, insert name) is taking too long with Shaw and I want a turn". RIDICULOUS! I'm so thrilled that they can't get enough of him, that their day is not complete without at least 2 dozen kisses planted on his bald, little head. That Kennedy has a picture of him in her locker, front and center, and that all her friends "ahhhhh" over his gummy grin. I'm happy when Taiden leaves for school and tells me to give Shaw a kiss and relay the message that he loves him. I really love that tenderness. Britt was talking to one of Shaw's new pictures telling the photograped Shaw how cute he was and that he was the baby of the world. I'm so grateful that they have such incredible affection and intense feelings for him. But why the fighting? Why does it sometimes end in a tug of war over the baby...and they use HIM as the rope?

It's become enough of a problem that we've had to make seating assignments in Sacrament Meeting. Yes, I'm totally serious. We started the rotation last Sunday. Jeff and I sit next to each other. 2 kids on one side of me, 1 kid on Jeff's side. The privileged child sitting next to their dad gets to hold and entertain the baby during the meeting. They have to wait until after the sacrament has been passed. Britt was the lucky guy this past week and the other kids could hardly contain their envy. Taiden kept infringing on the new set of rules. I was holding Shaw during the sacrament and Taiden was all but climbing onto my lap to get as close to him as possible. He wanted to snuggle with Shaw but was smothering me. He almost got the boot out into the hall. Lots of love for Shaw Ehman Gregson.

It's amazing how they all scatter when he has a poopy diaper.

Diversity

Last week I posted about the wonderful, culturally edifying day my mom, Shaw and I spent at the museum. We strolled among the galleries filled with works of the masters, ate paninis and trendy salads at the museum cafe, and talked of a better world and politics (my mom and I talked, Shaw just listened). Two days later...Jeff and I went downtown to the Mountain Dew skateboard/motocross/BMX tour, dude! It actually was really fun. Jeff went last year with the kids and was dying to go again. He took the day off and asked me to be his date. You may not like the culture and the long hair that goes along with these tours, but you have to appreciate what these guys can do. It is amazing and thoroughly entertaining. Shaw came with us. No he was not wearing a skull t-shirt, in fact, he couldn't even wear a fauxhawk because he doesn't have any hair. He didn't love the loud music so he tuned it out and slept most of the time.

On Saturday, Jeff took Kennedy and Britt back downtown. Taiden had a soccer game so he couldn't go. Kennedy likes watching the events, Britt likes getting all the free junk they hand out. They did come home saying they like to see the cool tricks these guys do, but they don't like being around the edgy crowd. Good! Keep it that way.

Kennedy watching a skating event.

I flinch the entire time I watch these guys do this.

How do you "practice" doing this for the first time?

Brittan now wants a monster truck for his birthday.

Mom in Need of Suggestions

Shaw has absolutely outgrown his cradle that is still in our room. Why, you might ask, have we not just moved him into his crib upstairs with the other kids? This is why:

He sleeps with his face planted straight down. He sometimes moves his head to the side, but most of the time it is just like this. He always starts out on his back but rolls over onto his tummy because it must be more comfortable for him. He's too big for the sleeping wedge we had so that won't work (unless there's another product out there that we don't know about). I'm scared to put him all the way upstairs until I know he won't smother himself by sleeping this way. How can he possibly breathe? We do have a video monitor that will help when he moves to the boys' room, but do I dare do it until I know he'll turn his head? I'm so paranoid about SIDS. Any suggestions?

Shaw, Meet Monet. Monet, This is Shaw.

Yesterday, my mom and I (along with our budding lover of art, Shaw) went up to the Utah Museum of Fine Art on the U of U campus. There was a visiting art exhibit from a museum in Cleveland called Monet to Picasso. It was amazing. What an awe inspiring experience to be among the actual work of such great artists as Monet and Picasso (obviously), Renoir, Cezanne, Sauret, Dali, Van Gogh, Rodin (I saw "The Thinker"!!!!!), Mondrian, Matisse, Gaughuin, and others. There was almost a reverence throughout the gallery. It was incredible. The exhibit will be there until September 21 if any of you locals want to go.

"Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once one grows up."

- Pablo Picasso

Ooo La La

Last Friday, I went out with some girlfriends for a much needed Girls' Night Out. Ahhh...female, adult conversation. Laughing, joking, remembering to not take ourselves too seriously. Sharing opinions, parenting advise, wondering what the heck designers were thinking with certain pairs of shoes at Nordstrom. Getting fashion advise from Randee. Making Mindy try on pairs of jeans at J Crew. Buying myself a new pair of sassy red pumps. Hallelujah for Girls' Nights Out.

We ate at the Cheesecake Factory. 2 words: Avocado eggrolls. Oh, my goodness. Does food get much better? The portions were huge so our families got leftovers. White Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake. Glad there were 3 of us to share. A fantastic night.

The creme de la creme of the evening? We found these aprons at a kiosk in the mall. The first time Jeff has ever NOT had a problem with me spending money on something frivolous. It looks great with the red pumps.

http://www.flirtyaprons.com/

Golden Foot, Jazz Hands, and I Am

The kids are off to a positive start of school. They are all loving their classes and settling into the busy schedule that school and after-school activities bring. Some of their highlights are:

Brittan is part of the Golden Foot club at the elementary school. There is a charted course around the playground and if they run that course 5 times it equals 1 mile. They can only do it during the first recess when the principal is outside marking off their running cards. In 5 days, he ran 5 miles. 5 MILES! I can just picture my little skinny Britt running his dedicated heart out in his camo Crocs. Because he ran 5 miles, he earned a foot charm on a necklace to show his mileage. Every 5 miles he gets a foot. He gets a golden foot when he runs 50 miles. Believe me, he will do it!

Kennedy has her first junior high dance tomorrow after school. Are we evil, awful, plotting parents if we encouraged her to use lots of jazz hands and jazz squares in her dance moves and assured her that the "Sprinkler" is still all the rage and to use it abundantly? Isn't that what you would do to keep the boys at arms length? Let them think she is cute and nice and fun to be around but let them also be afraid to ask her to dance because you never know when she's gonna start doing the Running Man. Let them be unsure about asking her to SLOW dance and getting within 2 feet of her and putting their hands on her waist. Oh! I better get her up early and practice the Cabbage Patch!

My sweet Taiden boy wrote this poem and had it posted on the wall for us to read at Back to School Night. This kid always has a way of getting my eyes a little misty.

I Am

I am a snowboarder and golfer,

I wonder about the future,

I want to fly,

I am a snowboarder and golfer.

I pretend to be Indiana Jones,

I feel happy when we do something fun,

I worry about fires,

I am a snowboarder and golfer.

I say nice words,

I dream about adventures in the mountains,

I try to work hard,

I am a snowboarder and golfer.

Giddy Up, Cowpokes

The kids and I went up to Eden, Utah for the Labor Day Weekend. Jeff couldn't be there with us because he was back up in Canada for his Grandma's funeral. The kids and I really missed him. Distance did make our hearts grow fonder.

Grandma and Grandpa Ehman treated us to a fun stay at Wolfcreek Resort. The swimming in the huge pool and fun tube slide was great but the highlight of the weekend was HORSEBACK RIDING! The kids were very excited to go, but I must admit that when they saddled up I was a little anxious. I have a history with horseback riding. It ain't a pretty history either, folks. When I was in 8th grade, I went on a ride with a group of experienced riders and thought that because I LOVED horses so much, I somehow automatically became a proficient rider. Funny, but it doesn't really work like that. The horse I was riding decided he wanted to go home and took off running. Because I was so stupid when it came to the mechanics of riding a horse and I really had no business being in a saddle, I did all the wrong things. Long story short, I jumped/fell off the horse and broke my arm. I've never been truly at ease around horses since. I still love them and think it would be awesome to be a really good rider, but for now, I'll be satisfied being a spectator.

Grandma signed Britt up for a "pony ride" because he wasn't old enough to go on the regular guided ride. Pony ride?! THIS has to be the biggest pony I've ever seen. In fact, this was the biggest horse there.

Kennedy is definitely a city slicker. Maybe it's just her age...I'm sure there are other 12 year olds that would make sure they had on a cute necklace to go on such an excursion.

Can you see the smidgen of apprehension on Taiden's face? Once they got going he was fine.

Kennedy rode Cody, Grandpa rode Elmer, and Taiden rode Snickers.

Taiden's only complaint after their 1 1/2 hour ride was that he was a little saddle sore. Ouch!!

James, their guide, kept calling Kennedy "Little Lady"...

...and Taiden was "Cowboy".

Shaw didn't get to enjoy the outdoor adventure but found his big toe and spent most of his time sucking on it.

The Littlest Cowboy on his BIG ride

Future rodeo riders?