A Halloween Slumber Party

Well over a month ago, I promised Trayden and Ansleigh that when the weather cooled off a bit and we got closer to Halloween, they could come over to spend the night in our travel trailer, which is parked out in the backyard.  For some reason, this sounded like a grand adventure to them and they've been looking forward to it ever since.....

This past weekend, it was time to make good on that promise!

I hit Dollar Tree and picked up some fun, cheap decorations.  A little bit of tape, a few AAA batteries, and we were good to go!  Creepy spider cutouts climbed all over the walls, even in the sleeping berth above the bed.  I found little flashlights with interchangeable lenses to create spooky effects on the ceiling.  A tumbler full of eyeball and brains ring pops waited on the table.  I loved the vintage feel of some of the honeycomb tissues decorations. 

Bonnie dropped them off around 5:00 and Ed arrived home from work very shortly thereafter.  He built a fire in the pit and we started carting everything we needed for hotdogs out to the trailer for some fine dining.  The day had been very warm, but we had the fan running and all the windows cranked open, so it was just tolerable. Everybody was starving and we put away an entire package of Ball Park wienies and seasoned fries between the four of us!

After cleaning up, Ed set up our little flat screen tv and DVD player and, before you know it, it was dark and time for a movie.  We plugged in the pumpkin lights, turned off the rest of the interior lights and watched Tim Burton's "The Nightmare Before Christmas". 

Reclining against piles of pillows, we ate popcorn and drank Capri Sun juice pouches.  By 9:00 pm, everyone was waning and Ansleigh announced that it was definitely time to drag out the sleeping bags and go to sleep!  Trayden resisted and we put in "The Polar Express", but we didn't even make it to the North Pole before dozing off......

Since the kiddos wanted to sleep near each other, we threw their sleeping bags up on the big bed and I slept on the fold-out sofa.  They slept like rocks, by golly, neither one waking until after 8:00 am the next morning. 

Of course, by the next morning, my back felt like I had slept on a bed of rocks, but it was so worth it.  We came inside the house for breakfast at EdHop - pancakes, bacon, eggs and orange juice.   When Bonnie arrived to pick them up at lunch time, they each left with their own pumpkin and carving kit to make jack-o-lanterns here in a few days. 

All in all, it was a really fun slumber party, right in our own backyard!  Very simple, not a lot of fuss....just making some fun memories together!  And, isn't that what it's all about???

Now, my 21-year old Sam texted me today to ask when we are getting together to carve pumpkins.....so, looks like we'll be doing a little more Halloween entertaining this next weekend.  But, I'm looking forward to it, just as I do every year!

Hugs....

School Daze....

School days, school days....good ol' golden rule days....Reading and 'Riting and 'Rithmetic....talk to the tune of the hickory stick....

Already upon us, the first day of school for Trayden and Ansleigh is Monday!  Hard to believe that Trayden is entering second grade.  Ansleigh's birthday is September 12th, so she missed the cut-off for kindergarten and will be in a pre-k program at her daycare center.  But, they are both ready and Bonnie brought them by the house after Trayden's "Meet the Teacher" night out at Buffalo Gap Elementary.

I remember how exciting it was to be embarking on a new school year when I was a kid!  Probably my favorite part of the entire process was shopping for school supplies.  We would go to the store and select fresh packages of crayons, boxes of unsharpened pencils, large packages of manila and colored construction paper, fresh bottles of Elmer's glue.....ah, the smell alone was enough to send me into a realm!

Of course, equally important in the selection process was the traditional box into which all the smaller supplies were placed.  Heavy cardboard boxes just like the ones my Grandad got his cigars in!  And the loose leaf binders as we got into the upper elementary grades - oh, which one to select to best represent my personality for the entire year.....

We didn't carry backpacks when I was in elementary school.  Some kids had little satchels, but usually we just lugged home whichever books were needed in our arms at the end of the day.  We lived only a couple of blocks from school and always, always walked back and forth - sometimes even walking home for lunch!

Papa Ed picked up these backpacks for the grandkids at Academy, where he works.  Trayden's came with an insulated lunch kit - great idea.  Ansleigh loved the pink camo design of hers and it just fits her little personality. 

Then there was the huge decision about what to wear for the first day!  I would fuss and fret and finally decide, laying my clothes out the night before.  And, of course, the new shoes.  Penny loafers and saddle oxfords were always in fashion when I was a kid and that year's variation was sitting next to the dresser with a fresh white pair of anklets to don the next morning.  It wasn't until I was in about third or fourth grade that we were allowed to wear pants to school.  So, my mother usually sewed new little skirts and dresses for us.  Our wardrobes were then supplemented with some store-bought items - such a treat!  I always felt so rich with those new clothes for school hanging in my closet. 

 

 

First week of school, first grade - 1967

So, what was your favorite school supply????  Mine had to be the new box of crayons.....oh, the smell.  While the other kids were sniffing their glue, I was all about inhaling the scent of brand new Crayola crayons - all the way from the chunky 8-pack to the super-size 64's with the built-in sharpener! 

Remember to drive slowly and watch out for kids in the school zones this next week!  And let us never lose the joy of our inner child!

Janie

Making Memories....

What a magical evening this Mimi just had with Ansleigh and Trayden! 

Their mommy needed to finish up some Christmas shopping, so she dropped them by here as the sun was setting.  We loaded up car seats and headed over to McDonalds for a bite to eat.  Happy Meals all around....even the french fries were smiling!

When our tummies were full, we wound our way across town to some friends' house ~ 'cause we heard they were having a special visitor this evening.....

Yep, it was the "real deal"....the one and only, jolly ol' St. Nick!  He greeted them with a hug when we arrived. 

Then he pulled them in close for a chat on the porch.  Ansleigh was totally captivated and could not take her eyes off Santa. Well, neither could Trayden, for that matter!

They had his undivided attention and he had their's....

And, in that moment, all was perfect in their world! 

Thanks, Stacy and Dave, for opening your hearts and home to bring a whole lot of Christmas spirit and a little bit of magic to your friends and neighbors!  There just aren't enough people like you two in this world, but I'm so thankful our paths crossed and we could share this wonderful Christmas memory with you!

Big hugs all around....

Jane

Reflections on October....

Here we are, already past the first week of November!  But, I wanted to take a moment to pause and reflect on October before it just becomes a dim memory.....

What a busy month it was!  A lot of time was spent decorating for Autumn and Halloween.  I put a lot of effort into it this year since we live so near the grandkids and I wanted Mimi and Papa Ed's place to be really special for the season.  It might have been a lot of work, but it was a lot of FUN, too!

All that effort drew lots of attention and compliments from the neighbors and trick-or-treaters!  In addition, my blog post,  "Make Mine Spooky, Please", garnered some attention from FrontPorchIdeasandMore.Com and was featured in a special Halloween decorating section on their website.  You can check it out RIGHT HERE.   What a thrill to see my porch somewhere other than on my blog!  LOL.

Another project that seemed to require a lot of time in October was preparing for my stepdaughter's wedding in Oklahoma.  There was much to be done as far as helping Ed plan the meal that she requested for the reception....but, most of my time and energy was focused on finding that oh-so-right dress.  Remember???

I waited for my educational requirements to be evaluated by the Texas Real Estate Commission and my application to take the state licensing exam to be approved.  I was disappointed by the delay, but started an intensive review of the material I studied over the Summer.  I heard back from them just before leaving for the wedding.  I have a "green light" to take the exam!

And, finally, we put together a family evening of pumpkin-carving and chili-eating to celebrate Halloween.  It turned out to be so much fun - I'm sure a new family tradition has been born!

But, as I reflect on the month, one of the most special and rewarding moments had to be making cookies with my 4-year-old granddaughter, Ansleigh!   On the day before Halloween, I picked Ansleigh and her 6-year-old brother, Trayden, up and brought them over for some quality "Bake Time" with their Mimi (uh, that would be me).  We mixed up packaged sugar cookie mix (so simple!), rolled it out and used cookie cutters in the shapes of pumpkins, ghosts and bats to cut the cookies.  Then, we sprinkled orange sugar crystals on them before baking.  VOILA!!!  Halloween cookies!!!

To be honest, Trayden lost interest in the project pretty quickly.  He cut out a couple of cookies and then headed out into the backyard to romp with the dogs and search for treasures in the dirt.  But, Ansleigh took to cookie-making like a duck to water....and stayed with me through the last sheet of cookies.

This was a morning I will always treasure!  Just look at those precious little helping hands.....

And so October has raced past us....remaining only in memories.  Did it fly by for you, too?  Did you accomplish your goals for the month?  Spend the time you wanted with your Family?  Oh, I hope you did!

I am linking with Heidi at "Heart and Home" for Wednesday Gratitude.  Please take a moment to go over and check it out! 

Looking forward....

Jane

A Sunny Saturday and Soccer

Well, apparently Spring is taking a little break here in our part of the world.  With snow back in the forecast this weekend and a grand thunderstorm raging as I type, last weekend's weather seems a distant memory....

But, it was a TERRIFIC weekend, with sunny skies, warm temperatures...and a great time with FAMILY! 

Our recently-turned-6 grandson had a soccer game on Saturday morning.  So, Eddie and I loaded up the folding chairs and Jake, our Australian Shepherd, stopped by to pick my mother up, and headed out to the soccer fields.  Once there, we met up with Bonnie and the kids and spent a great hour under the sun.

Here's the WONDERBOY himself, Trayden, all sunscreened up and ready to hit the field.  Of course, when he realized I had the camera out, he "cheesed" big-time. 

Ansleigh, 3-1/2 years old, was in her own unique PRINCESS/DIVA mode.  Honestly, I don't think they made little girls like this back when I was a child...

And just check out her new pink booster seat....it had to be PINK!!!















Jake truly enjoyed being out around all the people.  Being the DOG that he is, he found lots of girls to flirt with.  He also found lots of dropped food...yum....and Ansleigh shared her cheese puffs with him....yum yum!!!

Trayden has certainly come a long ways since we saw his first soccer game three years ago (when he confused soccer with football and started tackling his own teammates).  Look at that kid hustle!

Being back home means we will have so many more opportunities to spend time with the family.  Watching these grandkids grow up is part of what keeps us young. Well, that and the fact that after the game and lunch they got to go shopping with their momma and we got to come home for a NAP!

Regardless of the weather where you are, I hope you have some family time planned for this weekend.  Can't wait to hear about it!

Jane