time away

Mike's trip to PA was a nice break for everyone. I think that he had a great time with his family and I know that I enjoyed the relative quiet of being home with Leah & Kaden.

Now it's my turn for a break from EVERYONE: I've been gifted with some tickets to see Tori Amos at the Murat on Friday night! Planning to go with Jennie - we'll enjoy dinner out, see the show, and have a great time! I haven't seen Tori in concert since ... hmmm, since 2003 ... so I'm VERY much looking forward to this. Angie gave me the latest Tori CD for my birthday, and I love it ....

In other news, the kids are anxiously awaiting the arrival of Halloween tomorrow. Seems like the weather is going to be favorable for our green witch, our vampire, our ghost, and our pumpkin (if Kaden will wear his costume!). I think that Dolly is going to join us, so I'll hope to post some pictures by the end of the week.

... to grandmother's house they go ...

yes, folks, that's right. Tonight is the night. Mike will be leaving with Hannah & Cody for a quick trip to the great state of Pennsylvania. Saturday is Ron's birthday, and Mike's been trying very hard to be with his mom on those special dates - I think it's good for them to be together and nice for Mike to be able to reconnect with the memories that he has in his home town. So look out Nunny, here they come!

I must admit that I'm looking forward to a weekend with just Leah & Kaden ... time for us to do some reconnecting of our own. It's been a very hard week at work, both professionally and personally ... one of those times when there are a lot of very sad situations that make you appreciate your own health and put your problems into perspective. I will be attending a funeral on Saturday for a beloved hospital employee, Bud White. My Aunt Teresa and cousin DeLaney are coming to town to watch L&K while the rest of us are at the services. After that, I'm going to take the opportunity to spend some quality time with my family, and hoping to enjoy a fun activity at Traders Point Creamery with Jennie & Ryan on Sunday.

good taste

Ok. It's no secret that I am a huge fan of Tori Amos. A couple of weeks ago, Mike took all the kids out to the store while I worked on some things at the house. I put in a Tori video and worked away. The kids came back home just before the video finished. Hannah said that she liked the music, but wasn't too keen on Tori's looks. End of discussion.

... until ...

Two days ago Hannah was with me on the way to pick the other 3 kids up from Alice's. I had a compilation CD in, which happens to have a Tori song on it. Hannah hollers out "Hey, Jenni." Yes? "Isn't this that girl from the TV?" Why, yes, it is. "I really like this."

Be still my heart, this child has just won a piece of me.

dolly is magic

At a young age, my little sis had aspirations of changing her name to Dolly Parton Hand. While my parents did not assist her with legally changing her name, her wish has since come true in the form of being known as aunt Dolly to the brood of children that live in my house.

Dolly, we say, is magic.

Magic? Yes. Magic.

Dolly is the best aunt ever, and the most wonderful sister to boot. She's gone WAY above & beyond over the last several months. Despite all of the craziness (and there is a lot) at our house, Dolly keeps coming back. Ok, so I bribe her with frappucinos and Top Chef, but even when I don't have anything fun to offer, she still comes whenever I ask.

Dolly is also a very gifted photographer. The amazing level of energy possessed by our four children is not easily harnassed, and I'm proud to share this selection of pictures from two recent photo shoots. In some, everyone is actually looking at the camera at the same time!

so much to say

so much to say, so much to say, so much to say .... Sorry, got on a little DMB kick there. Hannah & Cody seem to be doing well in school. They're enjoying it and both are making new friends. In fact, Hannah's friend Taylor got to come play at our house Wednesday because the kids had 1/2 day of school. When Mike went to drop Taylor off, Hannah was invited to stay at Taylor's house! The two girls ride the same bus and are in the same class ... and, being the girly-girls that they are, discovered that they wear the same size shoes & pants :-) Cody is anxiously awaiting his turn to invite one of his friends over.

And now for a few pictures.

On the 29th, we took the kids to Octoberfest at Brownsburg Meadows (yes, it's a "nursing home", but it's close to our house and it was a free event with food & games!). Chocolate the Clown did face painting:

This photo is of Leah, our champion, after her 'nastics Show-Off Day. She's quite proud of herself, if you can't tell:

And here are a few of my little angels. I took this picture of them sleeping after they had squeezed me out of bed at an extraordinarily early time of day ... but who can stay mad at those little angel faces?!?

And here's a fun one of the Bathtime Buddies. Leah's mohawk fell over before the picture was taken, but she sure enjoyed Kaden's!

Last one for this post is of Hannah & Leah. I'd say out of all the adjusting that's going on at home, Hannah & Leah are the two that clash the most. They're both used to being the oldest girls and calling the shots .... Hannah tries to tell Leah what to do, Leah gets mad and refuses to play with Hannah and then Hannah pouts because "Leah likes Cody more than me." Ah, well, this picture shows there's still hope: