In a nutshell.

What does it mean to be a mother?  I can tell you in one quick story!  It's a classic example of what it means to put someone ahead of you.  Even if that person is not grateful and doesn't appreciate what your doing for them. But you love them so much, so unconditionally, and even though they don't take your words of wisdom, you still want what's best for them.  Yes siree, that's it!

One very chilly morning recently the kids and I were putting on our coats for the walk to school. 

I said to Sam, "It might be a good idea to put on gloves.  It's very cold out."

Sam: "No, I don't want to.  My hands are fine.  I can put my hands in my pockets."

Me: "Ok, it's up to you.  But I'm telling you, its very cold out. You can always just put a pair of gloves in your pockets in case you want them later."

Sam: "No!"

As we make our way to the school, Sam takes a look at the gloves on my hands and asks to try them on.  Sure, you can try them on.  Um, hello!  I knew her hands would be cold! 

Next thing you know, Sam is now wearing my gloves and has no plans to give them back.  Of course I am going to let Sam take my gloves.  I mean, how could I wear them and know that her hands were cold??

My big mistake was not bringing a back-up pair FOR ME! 

Halloween; happy and heartening

Gosh, let's just go for a full 30 days later on this blog being written, shall we?  I've become so much more relaxed about writing.  It's crazy.  To be honest, I am not sure I am liking this newfound quality all that much.   Each day I say I will get to it.  And another day goes by and another and another.  So this is what procrastination feels like, huh?

So much to say about Halloween and the different layers that factored into our evening.  It was a spontaneous mix of events that made the holiday complete for me.  It actually unfolded into a really exceptional evening.

This year despite me asking the kids (multiple times!) do you want go to the party store and get new costumes, they both said they'd be happy in their costumes they wore last year.  And oh yeah, these are the same costumes they wore the year before that.  These costumes were purchased on October 31, 2014, just moments before it got dark and trick or treating began.  They were bought from the CVS across the street and their Halloween merchandise was already marked down by 50%.  Score!  Talk about getting your money's worth.

Up until 2014, the kids for some reason weren't big on getting dressed up and going trick or treating.  Not sure why because Halloween is one of my most favorite holidays.  Hello! Going door to door and being given candy?  How much fun is that!?!?   For some unknown reason it all changed when the kids told me they wanted to go trick or treating about an hour before the sun set and we scrambled to get them costumes.  CVS to the rescue!

Ha!  You can see in the picture how short the sleeves are on the kids!

The day before, Sam got an invitation from a fellow classmate to join her in going around the neighborhood.  Given Sam's history with social anxiety and making friends, it was so awesome to hear that one of her friends wanted to go trick or treating with her.  I love this.

Ian and I crashed their group of girls and we had a great time!  The amount of candy the kids collected was insane! 

When we got home, our neighbor had her fire pit going and invited us to come hang out.  She made spiked and non-spiked hot chocolate.  It was a beautiful evening.  I wished it could've lasted for hours.

Bedtimes didn't matter on October 31st of this year.  :)   

Both costumes have since been thrown away.  Halloween costumes, especially the kind found at CVS, don't really have a long shelf life.  Wearing them for 3 years in a row is extending its lifespan by about 2 years.   I look forward to seeing what next year brings.