Costumes and Snow

My memories on social media this week have reminding me that we often have snow by now and that time really does move quickly.  Pictures of our not-so-little-anymore children, stories of shenanigans and parenting woes.  Fall has often meant transitions for us too.  Often Hubby has been away for most, if not all, of the month of October, especially in the last near-decade.  

Social media has also been showing me bits and pieces of past Halloween costumes we've made or bought.  These last couple weekends have been used for supply shopping and material preparing for this year's lineup.  We have already had a few tears over "THIS IS GOING TO TAKE FOREVER!!" but we're getting there with the countdown only a week away.  I really like that I'm making the kids work on their own, with help, instead of the other way around this time.  With work and the solo parenting I just wouldn't have the time before my energy wears out at the end of the day.  Plus this is teaching them to curb expectations to whatever reality is.  So out goes the most involved, super complicated costume ideas and in come ones we can manage.  It'll still take a long time, especially for the girls' ideas, but it's going to look awesome and they'll feel the pride that comes with the work too.

Yesterday evening Monkey had the best thing ever happen.  She has been hoping like crazy for the white stuff to fall from the sky.  Like, since September.  We had rain all day yesterday, mixed with some frozen stuff at times, but before supper it turned white!  She ran outside onto the deck and made a snow ball and just stood with her hand out for a bit.  It isn't going to stay, but it was a nice start to the winter season.  

All in all we've had a pretty alright week.  Food was made, clothes got cleaned, cuddles were had, physical activity happened.  Another week down with laughter and tears, anxiety and tools to deal with it.  Not too many balls got dropped, so I call that a win.  We've video chatted with Hubby, watched a few fun movies, had some junk food along with healthy, and got a few things done for the costumes, that I'm sure will be AMAZING! This week they'll be finished off and take a few pictures so we can share them :)

Cats and Space

 Well, another couple weeks has passed and with them the obvious passage from summer to fall.  There is frost on the ground most mornings now, a definite chill to the air.  Hubby was able to sneak home for a week from working away over Thanksgiving and it was a wonderful week with him here and our hearts full.  We had glorious weather, lots of family time, some friend time, and no one wanted the week to end.  But it did, as all things do, and we are back to plugging away at life until he can come home again.  

A couple weeks ago the Littles and I tackled the basement, finally tucking away the last handful of opened-but-not-unpacked boxes from the move at the end of June.  There really wasn't much work to do, just needed focus to get it done, so we did.  When it was nearly finished the Boys asked if they could rearrange the furniture down there as they had an idea or two to optimize the space.  I totally understood their urge - I was (and sometimes still do) rearrange furniture just because.  I'm sure it drove my parents crazy when I was constantly doing it to my bedroom when I was younger, and I love that Hubby humours me in it as an adult :)

I left them to it, with instructions to ask for help if they needed any, and I went upstairs.  No one was allowed in the basement until they were finished and they did a "big reveal."  They did a terrific job!  Lots of sitting space for movie nights, things organized, and lots of space for play/exercise.  

Last weekend while Hubby was home we introduced the crew to Sherlock Holmes, the one with Jude Law as Watson and Robert Downey Jr as Sherlock.  OMG, there is a new obsession in the house!  Hubby and I have always liked that interpretation of the classic and I am thrilled the Littles do too. 

The kittens (I can't remember if I mentioned we got 2 kittens this summer...) have been growing and going crazy.  The Gremlin (using nicknames here too) is a tuxedo cat, and The Void is black and SO FLUFFY!  They like to play in the sink while water is running, licking tooth brushes, and knocking over their water dish, especially when it is first filled thereby making watery paw-prints all over the house.  There are days I don't see them at all from the time I return from dropping Monkey off at school until the after school chaos starts.  There are days they harass me, sitting on my keyboard, climbing on my shoulders, demand love and attention.  Yesterday was one of the latter ones.  I opened the fridge, the Void jumped into it.  I made a cup of tea, The Void had to sniff and supervise.  I brushed my teeth, The Gremlin was making sure I rinsed the sink.  I put on my makeup and The Void "helped."  I am grateful for these fur balls, though.  They have added to the home and are terrific at helping feels that happen in times of upheaval.