Busy week, just like all of yours!!

Just a few random pics from the week I have had. Halloween preparations were a bit different for me this year...I got to go help in Allie's class!! It has been a long time since I have been able to do that and I really had fun!! I got to do an interactive story with the kids (Allie helped alot) and I was in charge of the treats...I was way excited for that. I used to help alot at my kids' classes and i didn't like all the sugar they loaded them up with. So, we had "Coffin Crackers" and "Bugs On a Log" and "Dipped Dracula Teeth". OK...the names were lame, but I felt better giving them something besides sugar!! It was crackers with cheese and an olive (think squeeze cheese here) and celery, peanut butter honey and craisins and apple wedges dipped in lite caramel sauce. I ate about 20 more celery logs after I got home. I love those with peanut butter AND have you seen the PB they make with honey mixed right in?? Yummm...

On Saturday, Bruce, Spence, Mara and Jeremy took Allie, Bean and Lauryn to the movies and I had to coach 2 volleyball games. I finally remembered to take my camera (it was the last games of our season) and the battery died after the first one! But here is a gratitude worthy of a list...I got 1 shot before it did!! I love these girls!! They are the sweetest girls and I am lucky enough to be included in their little club! We are friends on facebook...wow! Anyway another cool thing is...we took first place again!! These girls are some of the youngest in our stake, but they work so hard every week. They actually WORK at practice!! So, they deserve the championship!! We are the only team who is as consistent at showing up to ALL their games and other activities. Our stake leader says we are the best in all ways!! Basketball starts in January and the are equally excited about that...if not MORE so!! But, we play Regionals in mid-November first. I'll let you know how those come out.

And, of course halloween. I got a little nervous about having enough candy this year...don't know why. I bought 40 bars last Monday, then I made Bruce buy 15 more yesterday and last night at 8, he bought 20 more!! And we still ran out and had to give out mini bars ...oh! I also had 16 little bags of Oreo's for the littlest monsters and fairies!! We never have had more than about 25 kids, so this was a nice surprise!! I love to see the kids all dressed up. One kid (he was at least 14, but I didn't mind...)was dressed up like Johnny Depp in the new Alice in Wonderland movie!! He was awesome!! Said his Mom made his costume...lucky kid. Sorry again to my kids whose Mom could barely sew on a button...
But these are THE cutest witches I have EVER seen!! Jamie amazed me with these. I really think they look like a professional costume - all of them - but Jamie just gathered a few things and bought the hat & tights. Don't they look great?? That is talent!!

So, let's see...what is next?? Oh, yeah!! My birthday!! Not that I am excited or anything... I asked Bruce that in lieu of presents this year, I want to send some $$$ to a family that is struggling in Brazil. The Dad and son both lost their jobs and Mom's Mom is super sick and in the hospital. Dad had pneumonia and when he got better and out of the hospital they told him they didn't need him anymore. Really struggling. We can't help everyone, but we love this family and they need about $400.00 a month to survive. So...that would be the best present this year...to help them. Another thing to be grateful for...the ability to help. Call me if you want to help, too.

Alright...hopefully these pics will load ok!! November is my favorite month...enjoy it with me!!