Last week started out on a high note because I managed to get Annie's costume finished well before Halloween. She is, of course, Athena. Note the Medusa head on the front of the shield. Michael and Annie drew and cut that picture out a couple of weeks ago.
Tuesday was kind of stressful, though, because Tim had surgery on his shoulder. Luckily, our neighbor, Pat, was kind enough to watch the kids in the morning (he showed up at 6:30 a.m.!) so I could take Tim to the hospital. My friend Amey managed to get them to park day, too, so they didn't have too much time to worry about their dad. It was outpatient surgery and Tim fared quite well.
Wednesday was my 29th birthday (again), so I made myself a wheat-free, soy-free, vegan pumpkin pie. It was really very good! My friends helped me celebrate, too, as I shuttled the kids to a couple of activities.
I decided Thursday was going to be a field trip day. We hadn't been to the Desert Botanical Gardens in quite some time and it was the last day for the monarch butterfly display, so we headed out in the morning.
I had never seen these "rock" type succulents bloom before. I thought they looked pretty cool.
Friday was, of course, Halloween -- the official start of the holiday season. Annie was invited to a party with a few of her girlfriends. It was a screechy good time.
After making a quick trip around our own neighborhood for Trick-or-Treating, we headed over to our friends' house to continue the candy grubbing. Jay is the hippie in this picture and Michael is the scary guy with the gold mask.
We had a blast at our friends' house. After the Trick-or-Treating, the kids made a very funny "nature" video with the older kids as the explorers/narrators, and the younger kids were the "elusive ghost monkeys." We didn't get home until midnight.
The next morning, the boys greeted me with, "We have 43 different kinds of candy!" I think this is the biggest haul they've ever had.
Jay had a great hockey game on Saturday, too. Then, on Sunday, two of my friends took me out to a movie ("Happy-go-lucky" -- it was really good), and to my favorite vegan restaurant afterward.
Although I was very apprehensive about last week because of Tim's surgery, it turned out to be fun and very busy week.
Annie and Michael diligently checked every string of lights to make sure it worked.
Jay put the strings on the tree.
Then they all put the decorations on.
I really think it's the most beautiful tree we've ever had. It was all done with very little arguing, too. I'm not sure what I'll have them do on Thursday afternoon, but all is quiet for now.
