We survived the week and made it to November. I have a feeling November is going to fly by too!
This past week was one of those times when you look at the calendar and wonder will we get it all done. We had the normal, then Halloween, All Saints Day, and Noah’s concert. Mainly, it was one day that made us really think “how can we do everything?” Thursday was overloaded with soccer practice, church, and the concert. We got lucky and after looking at the times for everything we were able to do everything. John took the two boys to soccer and I got Noah to school early to save seats. When everyone got there, Makaela decided she wanted to sit in my lap. This left John taking pictures, which is something he doesn’t do often. Since I dropped my camera last Halloween, then it got banged up again during the Buckaroo Race, and I caught Makaela playing with it; it just hasn’t been working very well. I put up with it because I’ve figured out some of the tricks to get it to work. I haven’t figured out what Makaela changed on it and that has been a little annoying. Well, it was really annoying to John. I think there were a few times that he was VERY close to throwing it away that night. I have a feeling Santa might be bringing me a new camera.
Noah did really well during the concert. He was excited of course, and told me all about it before we left for the show. At one point I finally asked him if he was going to just tell me about it or did I get to watch it. They sung different Patriotic songs that are sung at an elementary concert. Noah’s favorite Yankee Doodle. Which for days before the concert he was singing around the house and I had to keep correcting him. I don’t know why, but he thought it said “manly” not “handy”.
I’m enjoying the warm weather despite the fact that we are now in November. For all those that keep complaining about how warm it is, I say “Cold weather will get here when it gets here!” Then I’m sure you will join me in saying “I can’t wait for summer.” When you have five younger kids, the cold is not fun. Of course there are the illnesses, but a big headache is the clothes. First there is going through the stored clothes to see who can fit what. I am amazed every time as I see the clothes get passed to the next person. It does show you how much your kids have grown. This year I’ve done it in stages and even made a spread sheet so I could keep up. It was such a wonderful idea that I’m surprised I hadn’t done it before. Then figuring out who needs what. Then shopping for what is needed, which no matter the season is never fun, but my spread sheet has made it more organize.
When going places it is a constant battle over having to wear a jacket or needing them to take it off. The boys are bad about not having it on when it is cold outside because they don’t like how jackets restrict them. I can’t blame them. I hate keeping up with jackets too and am always trying not to wear them. The take it off fight happened recently in church with Makaela. She wanted to wear her jacket even though they had the heater on. She was way too warm, and she was of course getting sleepy and fussy; but she wanted it on. If you get the jackets off then you have to keep up with them. Never fun if you are some place where you don’t really have space for the jackets. Example, shopping or at a crowded Mass. And don’t forget that we are coming up on the busiest travel season. During the summer the kids could pack a week of their stuff and more in small duffle bags; now I’m not sure what will happen. Jeans, sweaters, and jackets take up so much room. Sigh…. I know the cold is coming and I guess I am somewhat ready for it. I have my spreadsheet, I’ve done shopping for the need now, and I have the need soon list ready for the next time I want to brave the stores. This past weekend and early this week shopping trips were not fun, so I’m not looking for another trip. I also can’t look in the kids closets too long without wanting to reorganize since they have winter and summer clothes out. Maybe in a few weeks when it stays cold, I’ll brave shopping again and decide to tackle their closets. Until then, I’m enjoying my last few days of flip-flops.