Almost Home!

We're almost home... We closed on our new house yesterday! We are planning on having our "stuff" delivered in 2 weeks - just in time for Thanksgiving.

I can't say I'll be sad to leave our COZY little rental and move on to our new house. But, I have learned some lessons during our time here:

1. We have way too much "stuff"! (only about 1/3 of our total belongings are here - the rest went to storage - and except for a few things, we didn't miss it much).

2. Kids don't need toys - our toys are all still packed, and they have just made new things to play with out of packing boxes and paper!

3. Perler beads can make you crazy, but they keep the kiddos busy for hours! 8,500 pcs per bucket - 3 buckets full since we moved in...

4. Packing materials make great, cheap Halloween costumes!

5. Small houses are great for cleaning - I can vacuum the entire house without unplugging.

6. Golden Retreivers should only be kept in houses with fenced yards, not small, un-fenced rental properties.

7. Family togetherness won't kill you. (the constant noise will...but being together isn't that bad)

8. Kiddos don't need their own rooms, or even their own beds. Ours have been 4 to a room, and some of them - 2 to a twin bed. And they are actually enjoying it!

9. It does stop raining in Arkansas... it rained the first 2 weeks we were here, but the sun is shining now.

10. I will appreciate every square foot of our new home!

Trick or Treat

I pulled together one of our best yet family themes! And - all for a total cost of $1.27!! I was kinda dreading pulling off a Halloween costume theme this year... with all the upheaval, and most of our stuff still at storage. Matt wanted me to bring the kiddos to "reverse trick-or-treat" at the office again this year (we bring candy to his co-workers) so the pressure was on!

I put it off... but, my dear friend Michelle, helped get the creative juices flowing with some encouragement (thanks Michelle). I looked around for what was available to work with - what did I see - lots of moving boxes! A scissors, some borrowed craft paint, a little twine, some cardboard - and wa la.... Pool Balls 1-8 were ready!

The kiddos were a huge hit at the office. But, we did need to take off Esther's costume early - teething babies and cardboard don't go so well together...

We joined some good friends - the Cronks, for trick or treating. It was a beautiful evening, and the streets were packed with kiddos and parents. (the most trick or treaters I've ever seen!)

The kids were delighted - until someone asked Sam if he was a bowling ball... Luke said someone called him a pinball. I guess without the "full set" of 8 in one place, people didn't "get" it!