Days with the Dorans

 I wish that Halloween was on a Friday or Saturday but this year it landed on a Wednesday. The kids all had half days which was nice. Al made her costume for school and Z wore a crayon costume I had (since their costumes would have been tough to wear all day in classes). Sean did wear his Pig-Pen costume at his school party. I wonder if anyone knew who he was... My class had fun too. We teachers went as skittles! Last year we were emojis so I just took my emoji, covered it in green and put an S on it and was done! We're trying to think what "circle" options we can use for next year! Once we got home it was time to get into our real costumes and get the picture. I think it turned out great (even Jeff's weird hair) and I think a lot of people figured out who we were. Someone loved Joey's costume so much (he even had "a rock" in his pillow case) that he gave him extra candy!!  Marty joined us dressed up as Snoopy dressed up as the Red Baron! ...

Who would have thought that this girl could have done something so amazing!! I hit 1000 miles for the year on Halloween. I have been tracking my runs in a journal and on the fridge and there is something that feels good about knowing that my body could actually go so far! Some months I was under 100 and some I was over. I'm on pace to make my 1200 for the year and I'm excited to try it again next year.  I do want to see if I can get others on board with this though! It doesn't matter if you go fast, slow or even walk- miles matter. Get it done! I did!!! YAY ME!!!

Joe's last meet was a bigger one- lots of schools. I was sad to see the season come to an end since I've really loved watching him run this year. I was able to get to the race in time and my parents were able to make it too. We were spread out but still ran from place to place to see Joey. The first time I saw him he was in the front 20 for sure and I was SOOO excited! I called my mom and said, "He's near the front!" The next time we saw him he was third! Another bend I saw him he was THE FIRST RUNNER!!! I think I got tons of steps in that day too because I sprinted to the finish to see him! In the end he came in SECOND PLACE!!! I still can't believe he did so well! He killed his PR too with a time of 18:38 which is 5:59 minute miles!! Joey couldn't wipe the smile off his face and we couldn't either. He got a silver medal and a shirt and lots of congratulations from the other runners which was really amazing!  This season has been an intere...

 So I LOVE that the kids are still into doing a "family" costume even if they don't always "treat" in it. (Al changed costumes last year and this year also made her own- which this crafty mama loved!). This year the gang decided to go as the cartoon we watch every Halloween which seemed fitting! I bought the hat (of the character no one knows) and 4 sheets at Walmarts for $5 each. They only had 3 flat sheets left so I had to get those and one fitted sheet. I had Z model his. He wore a hat and I pinned the sheet to it to keep it in place. Then I cut out the eyes and found some old mesh I had and glued it on with old dance glue. You could see very easily through it! (And in that picture in the background you can see how Joey was painting the front door).  I was so excited how Z's came out. I used some of the paint we use on the door to outline the eyes and it turned out awesome! Next was Joey's costume. He was going as Charlie Brown. I cut and...

 I LOVE that we were able to find an evening to gut our pumpkins together! I also love that the kids did ALL the work! Sean wasn't the best at pumpkin gutting or carving but the Bigs stepped in to help him!  I feel like in the past, I had a lot of seed cleaning to do before we could start cooking them but this year again~ my job was easy! Jeff and I sat back and watched. And if you're wondering why the kids keep looking toward the TV, it's because it was on.  We were watching "David S. Pumpkins" and the kids were cracking up. This has become kind of a tradition like how we watch "The Great Pumpkin" on Halloween! Here's some pics of the fab four having fun! I think Joey wins the award again for the coolest pumpkin! He also painted Jack Skeleton on the front door! I love that he carved him into a pumpkin too! Love these kids!

So I got a text from Ella's mom asking if that was Joey in the bottom picture. It was from an old elementary field trip! It absolutely was! And that had me wondering if I had any pictures of them from when they were little and I was able to find these from old piano things! They are cuties! I guess one of Ella's sisters called them Jelly (which is their names combined). Quite clever! The kids call it "shipping" or something. I still don't know what that means, but they will and one day when they read over my books they'll smile about this!

 Confession time... The last thing I want to do after a long week of working with kids is spend time with them after work! Still, I COULD go to the Boo Bash this year at Seany's school, so I did. Our costumes weren't done yet so he went in the basement and found an old one that happened to match his buddy, Sean T! Ali also was able to grab some NJHS hours by helping out at the games! Her friend Maddie helped too. I held up the wall and caught up with friends while Z and Seany ran around. It was fun. But I am tired. Put a fork in me!