Update!

Hello, friends!

Here's what's up.

* You know one of the best parts of your kids getting older?

They can do the chores you hate doing.

Case in point:

"Picking up dog poop"

Enough said.

* We carved pumpkins with the boys last weekend.

They each picked a template out online,

we traced them on the pumpkins

and cut those bad boys out.

Notice Ryan cut the bat out instead of cutting out the circle around the bat.

Good job, honey.

A+ for effort though.

* Halloween was great!

It was different, but it was still fun.

Different how, you ask?

Well, Trysten celebrated with all the ghouls in his mom's neighborhood,

so he wasn't in tow with our crew.

Austin ran senseless with all his friends,

and I do mean senseless.

At one point,

he passed us while hanging on to the side of a friend's golf cart

along with about 10 other boys.

Not okay.

Precisely the reason we didn't allow him to take our golf cart.

And Preston wanted to trick-or-treat with all the goblins his age.

So.....it was Ryan, Carter and I,

along with some friends of ours from the neighborhood and their daughter.

It was strange.

It was different.

Our boys are growing up,

and I don't like it.

Moving on...

I have to say, our hood is a total party on Halloween.
The streets are packed,

people are handing out goodies for the kids as well as a little

somethin'-somethin' for the adults,

everyone knows everyone or is ready to meet someone new.

It's awesome.

This is a typical scene.

Tons of families.

That's what it's all about!

Annnnnnnnnnd that's it.

How sad is it that this picture is the only one I took while we were out.

Fail.

I have never done that before on Halloween.

Fail.

There was just so much going on, and I got a little side tracked.

I did manage to get one of Carter in his costume.

Yes, that's my 7 year old dressed as Jason from Friday the 13th.

See, about 3 years ago, I gave up the whole

"I will not allow you to be anything scary."

I figured, they're boys.

Boys love scary.

They have no idea who these characters other than they know they're scary,

and, again, boys love scary.

I'm pretty sure Carter won't be scarred from dawning these ratty duds for one night.

Not to mention, the mask and accessories only lasted about 15 minutes, and he was over them.

Good times.

* I have decided to take the Art EC 12 certification by exam test in December.

What does that mean?

I would officially be certified to teach art!

I have found my DREAM job.

Landing this long term sub position as an art teacher was a total fluke,

and I couldn't be more excited about the possibilities for next school year.

There's a brand new elementary school opening up here next fall,

and I would love to be the art teacher there.

Wish me luck on the test....I have lots of studying to do!

* Ryan's company car has finally been ordered as of yesterday.

That means "The Mer", as Austin calls it, is going up for sale.

Anyone want to buy the black beauty?

Happy Thursday, friends!!