Last weekend was Halloween. This was the first time I've been trick-or-treating in probably eighteen years. I think I quit going to houses and started hanging out on the porch with my mom handing out candy when I was 12-ish. Two weeks ago I took the boys to the Halloween superstore by our house. Jake was going to be a warlock until he found the last remaining Dastan (Prince of Persia) costume. It took Landen twenty-five emmeffing minutes to pick his costume. He decided to be a werewolf, I think because his brother is currently obsessed with werewolves and he wanted Jake to think his costume was cool.
This costume actually came with sleeves that I had to cut off because Dastan's clothes in the movie are sleeveless.
I'm terrified. Aren't you?
We trick-or-treated in Shenandoah with their cousins Casie (cowgirl riding a dinosaur) and Cailyn (Daphne).
The Saturday night before Halloween, my cousin Dustin got married in Bunkie and we hauled up, dressed in our best, for the festivities. I even bought a new dress, which is the first non-house, non-child related purchase I've made since July or August. The boys bitched about having to dress up, but they were the model of perfect behavior in church. I think the candy bar at the wedding reception made the trip worthwhile for them. I know I enjoyed the sour straws I slipped in my purse and ate on the way home. Nerds rope? Yes. Gumballs? Several. Hershey's nuggest? I love it. The food was great, but we left before the cake was cut. Jake and Landen got in a fight a little after 9:00, and were asleep in the car on the way home by 9:20.
I know, right. Couldn't you just die?
Jake is doing so much better at school. Thank you Strattera. He's raising his hand to answer questions in class, making eye contact with his teachers, exhibiting much less anxiety and agression. They still have to redirect him during class - it's hard for him to pay attention for long periods of time - but a simple tap on his desk or his shoulder does the trick. I put these pictures on Facebook, and people have responded that they can tell a difference in how Jake is feeling by the way he's looking.
Landen is Landen. We're struggling to get him to apply himself in reading and English with the enthusiasm that he gives to math and science. The consensus is that Landen does not enjoy reading and English and is therefore disinclined to put anything more than what comes naturally in those subjects. There are consequences for poor grades - a D will get your Xbox taken away, even in second grade, but his privileges were restored (temporarily) when he brought home a C in reading and a B in English.
The countdown begins for the return trip home. They would frown upon me putting details on the blog, but he will be home in plenty of time for Christmas. Not in enough time to help me put up Christmas decorations, shop for or wrap any presents or help Santa get his gifts together. But he will be home to open presents and be Santa! No mail after the 15th of November, so his final care package is being sent to him today. Our two-year anniversary is this month, and I think I'll celebrate with a facial.
The house is perfection. This morning they brought me a new washer and dryer - pretty and shiny and white with bells and whistles. Seriously, they sing a little tune when the load is done washing or drying. It's the most precious thing ever. Corey wanted one of those front-load washers. The maintenance on those involves monthly cleaning of the gasket, the filter and the drum and draining it every three months. He wanted it, and he's agreed to take on the extra maintenance. Secret of the Allbritton household: we don't do each other's laundry. He doesn't like the way I fold shirts. He dries everything, even his jeans, and I do not. So man and wife do not mix their laundry. Either of us will wash the boys clothes when we wash ours. I do towels and sheets.
Just a few details about how we make shit work around here. There is no rhyme or reason how I do it around here all by me lonesome. Sometimes I am wildly successful and have much to be proud of. Sometimes I almost flood my bathroom and can do nothing but cry and call my sister's boyfriend. That's a traumatic blog post, and it's taking me a while to write it. Stay tuned.
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