The Week That Was Halloween

We managed to turn Halloween into a week long marathon event this year, so, this, my longest post EVER, will attempt to chronicle for you the week that was Halloween.

The first thing you need to know is your cast of characters.

There is a ninja named Kaleb....

Two pirates named Gabe and Tyler...

And, a sweet little Bumble Bee named Shiloh.

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The first leg of Marathon Halloween '07 was Pumpkin Painting with my friend Melissa and her two kids, Kearstin and Landon.

The story behind this is that Landon (being all boy) painted himself, right along with his pumpkin. Kearstin (being all girl) was EXTREMELY not happy that her brother touched her in his much decorated state.

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The next leg is actually not pictured, unfortunately. But, we went Trick or Treating at a shopping outlet, and it was really quite something to get all 4 of our main cast of characters into and out of stores in costume, with bags of candy, while not breaking, touching with sticky fingers, or otherwise harming any merchandise. We pulled it off, though.

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The next leg of MH '07 was a Fall Festival at Kaleb's school.

Ninja Kaleb with his friend Ninja Collin

Gabe on the bouncy fun house, going up the slide

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Next up, a costumed parade followed by a classroom party at Kaleb's school.

Kaleb in the Parade

The Party

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Followed by the Grand Finale of MH '07.....Actually Trick or Treating Halloween Night!

Trick or Treat!!

Enjoying the spoils

Isn't Tyler a cutie?

Here's a pic of all of us, except Mom. My sister Jeanie, Tyler, Me, Kaleb, Gabe, and Shiloh.

Needless to say, Halloween was fun, but taxing. We're a tad glad that it's over and we're more than a tad tired!!!

Big girl

Just a couple of pictures to show everyone how big Shiloh is getting....I had to go buy barrettes for her hair! And, she can sit in her wonderful pink bumbo seat from her Grandma-my mom- (not for very long, it wears her out, but she tries very hard!).....she's not much of a newborn anymore....I don't know whether to be excited or sad.....a little of both, I guess!

P.S. I did see all the warnings about the Bumbo seats, but, all they really said was to use your common sense and not put your child in it and then set it on an elevated surface. Never fear....I have no such plans!

Semi-cool weather!

After many days so hot that I was still sending Kaleb to school in shorts, we finally got some of what qualifies here at home as cool weather. Since (if I can't be with Tyrone), I am thrilled to be back where 70 degrees is cause to break out the kiddo's hats and jackets, I thought I would commemorate the occasion with some pics. Enjoy

Smiling Baby

I did it! I got not just a picture of Shiloh smiling, but an actual video of it!

6 weeks old!

Shiloh is 6 weeks old today! I can't believe that much time has already passed since we had our sweet girl. She is still a happy baby, and seems to have grown in just this past week. She listens attentively to me, and looks for me whenever she hears me. She likes my singing (goodness only knows why, even I have to admit it's pretty bad), and will sometimes even "sing" along with me, cooing while I sing. And, something she did for the first time yesterday....she turns her head to watch me when I walk across the room! Now, if only we could work on sleeping through the night....

Jekal comes to visit!

My nephew Jekal came to spend the night last night! He is such a good boy, and we had lots of fun. He is only 10 months younger than Kaleb, so he's right between my boys ages, so they all play pretty well together (excepting the normal tiffs that you will have anytime you get that many boys together!!) We were glad to have him, especially after having been away for so long. On a personal note, I was happy to see that he remembered me and didn't hold my being away against me....I was greeted with a great big "Auntie Bailey!" and an even bigger hug. :)

Right after bath time. 3 clean, silly boys!

Smile!

Sidewalk chalk is great!

Artist!

Aren't we talented?

"All My Children"....

Look how girly!!! :)

Gabe....right before he started "petting" the baby. The conversation goes like this, "Gabe, what are you about to do to the baby?" "Mommy, I just want to pet him!" (we're having a little trouble understanding the difference between 'him' and 'her') :)

My big boy in his school uniform! He's doing so well with school, he still loves to go, and luckily, it seems that he got another really good teacher. This one gives homework, though!! :)

Has to be said!

I just wanted to take a moment to acknowledge how much help my mom has been to me. I miss my husband terribly, and some days it would truly be easier to not go outside, to just pull the covers over my head and cry. This is, of course, not an option with 3 children to make a pleasant life for. My mother has made it so much easier to get up and face the day and try to give my children as close to normal as I can with Daddy gone.

Not a day has gone by since I moved into my house that my mother has not been over, cooking dinner, bringing dessert, doing laundry, watching Gabe and Shiloh so I can help Kaleb with his homework uninterrupted. Best of all, when missing Tyrone becomes almost unbearable, I don't have to say a word, because she knows. I don't have to explain what I am feeling, because my mom knows there are no words. I can just walk into her arms. I am blessed to have such a mother, and I wouldn't have any other!

Sometimes, you just need your mommy!

Tyrone

Thought I'd put up an update on Tyrone. There really isn't too much new going on, but he has gotten settled in and is learning the ropes of what goes on over there. The wonderful thing is that he has gotten to call me everyday, most days more than once. Depending on what is going on, that may not always be the case, but it is so reassuring, and it helps keep him involved in our daily life. The boys talk on the phone with him, and tell him about their days, and one night, when Gabe wouldn't sleep, Tyrone talked with him. I don't know what he said....but it worked better than everything I was saying!! Gabe told his Daddy he loved him, gave me the phone, told me he loved me, and went and got in bed. And went to sleep! :)

All in all, it's no picnic over there (obviously), but Tyrone is doing just about as well as can be expected. He's a real people person, so he's made new friends already, and that and lots of contact from home is what keeps him going. It's going to be a long haul, but we are already doing a count down!!!

Thank you for all your prayers!

A blanket from Great Aunt Cherri

Aunt Cherri made this gorgeous blanket for Shiloh. It's very soft, and Shiloh gets right comfy everytime I lay her on it. Thank you Aunt Cherri!

Some pictures

Here's some pictures from last night....my boys love books! Something that they got from me! Whoo hoo!

A quiet moment!

Reading with Grandma!

I took Gabe to the soft play land at the mall today. He had lots of fun. This is a wonderful invention...especially when the high temp is 90 like it was today!

Gabe made a friend!

This is what Shiloh was doing while Gabe was playing!

The boys are unhappy....

and rightly so. They were looking at the blog with me and were happy to recognize their sister...but not so happy that there was no video of them. Soooo....here is the debut of Kaleb & Gabe's music video--Twinkle, twinkle little star! Gabe especially was loving it!

Shiloh in action

Shiloh is just a couple of days shy of 4 weeks! Can you believe it?! Here she is, putting on a little show....make sure your volume is up...she "talks" some, and towards the end, she even gives what has become a signature snort!

For all....

I just thought that I'd let everyone know that I just received a brief phone call from Tyrone...he has reached Iraq safely. He is doing okay, he hasn't met up with his platoon quite yet, but he is with people that he knows, and they all were very happy to see him and excited to see pictures of Shiloh. That's pretty much all that I know right now, but I will keep everyone updated as I hear things.

Here's a few pictures from before we dropped him off at the bus station last week.