Halloween Success

Happy Halloween!

Our Halloween began like most Saturdays. We cleaned the church in the morning; James's hockey game and Steven's NXT Robot class in the afternoon; Grocery shopping; Cleaning the house; You get the idea.
Once our tasks were completed, we focused in on the holiday.
James, Steven, and Kirsten carved their pumpkins.

Then they got all dressed up for the second day in a row.
Steven went trick-or-treating with his friends, Andre, Mason, and Wesley.

Kirsten went out with her friends, Nicki and Feonna for half the time. Then she went trick-or-treating with Dave-o and I.

David and I have a rule (a loose rule) that once the kids turn 12 they can't trick-or-treat any more. Instead, we let them invite friends over for games, movies, and all out fun.
James is now 12 years old, so he invited Eric, Nathan, Braden, Josh, and Matthew over. They began the evening standing on our lawn like statues seeing how many people they could trick.

Then they went trick-or-treating to a few homes (this is why I say it's a loose rule). The boys just needed enough candy for a quick sugar rush. Next, they ding dong ditched the entire neighborhood. They finally settled down and ended the evening watching Jurassic Park (the second one).

After everyone had left, James said that this was a lot more fun than going trick-or-treating.

Where was Justin during all of this? We gave him the option of inviting some of his friends over as well, but he chose to spend part of the evening watching his Longhorns football team play. Then I could tell he regretted his decision because he complained that he had no one to hang out with. He had nothing to do. I told him he could hang out with James's friends, but that was not an option for him. So Justin ended up playing video games upstairs.

Firday's Life Lesson

My First Halloween
By David Zinn

The first Halloween I can remember left an indelible impression on me. My mom dressed me up as some kind of ghoulish hunch-back. I remember feeling a little weird wearing the funny-shaped pillow she used to sleep on, which served as the hump in my back. I was somewhat frightened when I saw myself in the mirror for the first time. We still have pictures of it, it was quite the ensemble.

The only trick-or-treating I remember doing that year occurred during the daytime. My mom drove me to a few familiar houses. Being somewhat of a novice, I guess I wasn't fully prepared for prime-time Halloween madness. The first house we visited, I remember my mom pulling over to the curbside and telling me to get out, knock on the door, and say “trick or treat.” I had never done this before, and I was a little embarrassed about the idea of approaching a strange house as a hunch-back ghoul and asking for candy. Tentatively, I walk to the door and rang the doorbell. The door was answered by someone who was clearly equal to the task. He/she, fully decked out in ghoulish attire, quickly opened the door and shouted “BOOO!” Well, actually I have no idea what they said because I made a very quick B-line back to the car and almost wet myself in the process. I was completely freaked out, and I told my mom it was a bad idea to do this and let's go right now because there is a scary ghoulish thing after me. When she realized there was nothing she could say that would get me to go back and collect the candy, she walked apologetically to the doorway and explained what just happened to the freaky ghoul dude that was trying to kill me.

Come to think of it, I don't remember visiting any more houses that year. Are the pieces of the puzzle finally coming together?

Hallow's Eve

Happy Hallow's Eve!

Our family enjoyed a fun evening at the church. It was our ward's annual "Trunk or Treat" activity. Dinner was provided along with a bounce house, games, and a hayride.

The kiddos even got to show off their costume creations in a parade. James was a hockey player, Steven an escaped prisoner, and Kirsten a bat.

Justin didn't want to dress up this year. "Dressing up is for babies," he claimed. He had fun passing the football around with his friends and eating candy until he was sick.

Dr. David and I spent the evening talking and laughing with friends. We also fought over who got to show Dave-o off. Isn't he so cute in his bear costume? He was also cozy and warm.

Volanoes

In continuing with our Earth Science class, James, Steven, and Kirsten spent the last couple of weeks studying volcanoes.

They built a volcano;

Baked a volcano (al a mode);

And just for the fun of it, I let them see the reaction of Mentos meeting Cola.

Now that's an EXPLOSION!
How cool is that!

Five Months

Dave-o finally had his four month check-up (even though he is now five months). I completely forgot about his original appointment, which was weeks ago. Sometimes I can be such a scatterbrain. If I don't write it down, it usually won't happen.

Dave-o's visit went well. Nothing out of the ordinary came out of it except for the fact that he has a small head.

He is now:

15 lb 7 oz (35%)
26 1/4 inches (75%)
Head Circumference is 16.5 inches (20%)

Dave-o can now sit by himself for a minute or two before falling over. He's getting a lot better at balancing himself with his hands. This past month, Dave-o has found his feet. Now they are best friends (he keeps them close-by). Dave-o is also starting to be mobile. He has figured out how to do an inchworm crawl by bending his knees under his tummy and pushing forward. Dave-o does this in his crib all the time, but struggles with the technique on the carpet (friction is working against him).

He is such a joy to have. The kids love finding ways to get Dave-o to smile and/or laugh. No body can be in a bad mood around him. He's just too cute!

That Perfect Pumpkin

I am so mad at myself! Why do I let people walk all over me? I was placed in a situation not once, but twice today where I should have opened my mouth, but instead I acted like a timid mouse. While standing with James, Steven, Kirsten, and Dave-o in a LONG line at Cosco, a lady cut right in front of me. I was so ticked off, but said nothing! Then when it came time to place our order, the cashier gave Steven a vanilla frozen yogurt, when I ordered a swirl, but I said nothing. This is something I need to work on.

On a happier note, we went to the pumpkin patch this evening for FHE. This year we stayed local (usually we go to a place in Morgan Hill).

Watching the kids go through the process of picking that "perfect" pumpkin is so fun to watch.

"I want that one!"
"Oh wait! I like this one!"
"Look over there! That one looks better!"
"No, never mind."

(You parents know exactly what I'm talking about.) Good times!

Friday's Life Lesson

Physical Affliction
By David Zinn

Some of you may have noticed that I skipped last week's blog. No, I have not slacked off, and I intend to keep this up for the foreseeable future. For the past week, our family has been plagued with a nasty flu virus. While some of us are still recovering from the effects, I am able to take some time today to give you braves souls a little more insight into the events that lead to me being the person I am. Plus, our little bout with physical affliction gave me great inspiration for today's post.

By the time I was five years old, I had racked up two lengthy hospital visits (not counting the day I was born). The first visit occurred when I was 3 ½ years old. I had developed a nasty infection in my neck (of all places). It was so bad, in fact, that the doctors had to lance it in a few places. Fearing the infection could be life-threatening, they OD'd me on penicillin. This caused an allergic reaction, resulting in a more dangerous health concern than the infection presented. Of course at the time, I was oblivious to all of this. I just remember that it occurred around Christmas time, and I spent a lot of time (a few weeks?) in the hospital. My second visit came about a year later due to a tear in my hernia. I can't remember how long I was in the hospital, but I had full-blown surgery.

As I explained in a previous blog, the memories surrounding the two incidents are jumbled together. So instead of narrating them as separate incidents, I will lumped them both together as if they occurred concurrently.

First, my most poignant memory is of the complete abandonment I felt at night. I did not understand why I was there, and why I could not be with my family. I received frequent visits during the day, but I was all alone at night. My mom has told me that I tried so many times to escape, that they had to strap me in bed. I don't remember that part, but I do remember one night when I was feeling particularly lonely. One of the nurses came into my room, and sang to me while holding my hand. I can still see the city lights flickering like Christmas lights as I looked out the window and drifted off to sleep. I know it was just as hard on my parents. One evening, after saying goodbye to my mom, I called for her as she disappeared through the door. She came back, gave me another hug and kiss, said goodbye, and heard me call for her again as she headed out the door. This process continued five or six times until, finally, my solicitations went unanswered. Being a parent now, I can imagine how utterly painful this must have been for her.

Second, the gifts. Ah yes, parental guilt. It was better than Christmas. I scored big time, and it really did help to have something to play with to kill the time.

Third, the pain. I was probably heavily medicated to help alleviate it, but I remember being in an awful lot of pain. When I finally “came to” after one particular operation, I felt my neck, and I thought for sure there were chunks of it removed. One funny anecdote is my experience being wheeled into the operating room. Everyone looked completely foreign to me. They looked like a cross between a chef and an alien. One of the “dream gang” bears a striking resemblance to the people I saw in the OR that day. Even though their faces were mostly covered, I could tell they were smiling at me. The lights were very bright, which gave them an other-worldly aura. I was bare-chested, and they were putting these suction cups attached to wires all over me. I did not like this, and I remember pulling them off until everything went dark.

Forth, Grizzly Adams and Popsicles. This became a common staple for me, and I could tell the nurses were more than happy to have found a past-time for me that did not include me attempting to escape every time they turned their backs. I have Mr Adams to thank for keeping me sane and content, and getting me through some pretty tough times – and what kid is going to say “no” to Popsicles. I mean, come on.

Well, that's about it. I have many other memories, but I think I've bored you long enough. One of these days, I'll fill you in on the incident that lead to my second visit. Until then, happy weekend.

Bumbo

I wish this chair had been around when my other 4 children were babies.
"Bumbo" is a seat for babies who aren't able to sit up on their own.
Dave-o loves it!
And my arms love it!

Lego-Tops

Here's yet another example of what James can create out of Legos.
The Lego-Top was put together using an axle, tire, gears, and other random pieces.
The kids have spent hours playing with them.
They especially like to battle with the tops.
Last one spinning wins.

Flu Season

It's been a while since I've posted. I have discovered that it's hard to get back in the habit of writing on my blog after being absent for so long. I've had a good excuse though...The FLU set up camp in our home last Tuesday, and is still here. Kirsten was the first to succumb to the sickness, with me following a day behind. We endured high fevers, headaches, body aches, coughing, and congestion. All of this lasted 5 days. Then, when I thought the rest of the family had escaped this flu, Dave-o woke up sick (poor baby). The next day (today), David, Justin, and Steven awoke to the same horrible symptoms.

It's a good thing I still had some of my "good stuff" left over from post-childbirth. That extra, extra strength ibuprofen rocks! I was even nice enough to save some for David.

I wonder how long it will be before James is down and out...

To Have and To Hold

Dave-o GRABS at EVERYTHING now! He's curious about anything that's in his grasp. Sometimes Dave-o is soft with the objects he holds, but other times he is like an crazy animal; grunting and trying to smush or tear it apart. It's hilarious to watch. Dave-o had Kirsten cracking up today while trying to figure out how to get Ken (the Barbie Doll) into his mouth. Ken's limbs kept gagging Dave-o which sent Kirsten into hysterical laughter. He especially likes this particular plant outside our house. With this, Dave-o is very gentle. He loves playing with it.

****I hate listening to my voice! It sounds weird; like I'm talking in slow motion. Does anyone else dislike listening to their own recorded voice?

Thank You Christopher Columbus

Many schools now teach that Christopher Columbus was an evil man. In fact, one of James's church friends was taught by his 8th grade teacher that Columbus was a "jerk".

Homeschooling my children provides me with the opportunity to teach from the scriptures. I shared with them 1 Nephi 13:12 which is a vision that the prophet Nephi had of Christopher Columbus long before he was even born.

"And I looked and beheld a man among the Gentiles, who was separated from the seed of my brethren by the many waters; and I beheld the Spirit of God, that it came down and wrought upon the man; and he went forth upon the many waters, even unto the seed of my brethren, who were in the promised land."

The scriptures prove that Columbus' voyages to the lands of North and South America were not made by chance but were directed by the Spirit. Columbus himself stated that he was motivated by divine influence. In a letter to the king and queen of Spain, he wrote, "Our Lord unlocked my mind, sent me upon the sea, and gave me fire for the deed. Those who heard of my emprise [enterprise] called it foolish, mocked me, and laughed. But who can doubt but the Holy Ghost inspired me?"

I am grateful to Christopher Columbus for heading to the Spirit. President George Q. Cannon (1827–1901), a counselor in the First Presidency, said: “Columbus was inspired to penetrate the ocean and discover this Western continent for the set time for its discovery had come; and the consequences which God desired to follow its discovery have taken place. … We believe it was a preparatory work for the establishment of the Kingdom of God...This Church and Kingdom could not have been established on the earth if [Columbus’s] work had not been performed.”

An "evil man" could not have done this. Thank you Christopher Columbus.

After the lesson, the kids had fun making Banana Boats (except for Steven who doesn't like bananas). This is a dessert that I remember making with my family a few times in my younger years. Justin had half day at school and was able to join in.

Say Cheese

Here are some fun pictures that I took of Kirsten and Steven.

Kirsten being cute.

It was chilly outside, so Kirsten rolled up into a ball to get warm.

Steven and Kirsten doing a "bridge-up"; A skill learned in gymnastics.

This is called "fly splits"(a term and technique Steven came up with).
Ouch! It looks so uncomfortable!

A Newborn No Longer

The other day someone made the comment to me that Dave-o was no longer a newborn. He is now an INFANT. My baby's growing up too fast!

I feel so blessed to have a husband with a job that allows me to stay home and watch Dave-o grow. My next door neighbor has a baby girl the same age as Dave-o and she recently returned to her job. Her baby is now in the care of her grandmother. I don't know if I could do that. I love being home. I love watching all of Dave-o's "firsts". I love homeschooling James, Steven, and Kirsten. And I love getting Justin off to school and being here when he returns. With the economy in a down turn, I worry about our future and the future of our children. I know that life can't stay the same; It will constantly be changing. But, being a stay-at-home mom is one thing that I desire to remain constant.