Pumpkin carving!

Pumpkin carving went so smooth this year.  I hate to admit this, but it has been stressful in the past.

Maybe it's cuz the kids are older.  More mature?

 

Or maybe it's cuz I'm older.  And more relaxed?  Maybe it's because we had a weekend that only had a few projects to do and the house wasn't a total mess?

Maybe it's because Xander wasn't terrified of the gooey stuff within?

It was a good, fun and happy experience.

Xander wasn't afraid until the candles went in.  Then he stared far away from those goofy things!

My girls all have a creative edge to them, with many great ideas!

Here are a few Birthday shots!

Hopefully you have a very scarey Halloween!!!

"Is this Sandra Rice?"

That is how the call from my son came today, the day we celebrated Alexanders 3rd birthday.  I said yes.  "This is SR Ryan Etelamaki calling to tell you I will be stationed on the USCG Cutter Boutwell out of California."  Then there was a silence.  I could tell he was being listened too.  I knew the call would be like this but it was much harder than I anticipated.  I knew I wasn't supposed to aske questions, just listen.  I couldn't help it!  I asked, "how are you?"  Then he said, " I have to go Ma'am."  I told him I loved him and the phone went dead.  I have spent another day with a lump in my throat and tears streaming down my face....

Wow, San Diego.  It's a long way from home.  The weather is in the 70's year round I'm told.  Sounds nice.  The ship he is going to be on frequents Mexico, Dutch Harbor in Kodiak Alaska, Australia and Japan.  There were others too but I can't remember.  It sounds like he is out to sea for 3 months at a time.  They do several missions including law enforcement, search and rescue and national security.  It's an exciting place for a 18 year old to be-but I am feeling sorry for myself, again :(

On a brighter note, Xander had his party today and enjoyed every minute of it.  He got a remote control car, train, clothes, boxing gloves, a fire truck and other things.  He loved opening gifts and yelled, "WOW!" after every gift.  He was so cute!  He is tired and crabby and I am tired and sad!  We had our last football game last night and the bus didn't get to town until 1:00 this morning.  It's only 8:15 but I think it's my bed time.

I'll post birthday pictures soon :)

Halloween at 2??????

Xander is NOT SURE about costumes ;(

He loves his Spiderman undies so we thought he should have a costume to play in.  We had to force him into it...

He is NOT impressed.  At all.

I did get him to sit for a few minutes to take pictures.

Then he peeled it off.  I'm not sure if I should make him dress up for Halloween or not???

Or, if I should find him something without a mask? 

 Whatever he wears, he will be adorable.  Plus, when he starts collecting candy Halloween will be his favorite holiday!

He's on his way.

Wow-this was tough.  We had breakfast together, then snapped a few pictures together before he left.  There were many tears.  It is so hard to let your child go.

His beautiful friend Brialle stopped by to see him off this morning too.

It was such a emotional morning.

I really lost it when the girls, one by one came to say goodbye.

Madeline started to cry Friday, she has taken this hard.  She sat on his bed and sobbed after he left.  She has his pj pants and kept a few of his sweats out to wear.  She loves her big brother.

Here are my 3 favorite boys, together.

Sophia had to be coaxed out of the house because she was really upset.  She didn't want to tell him goodbye.

The girls put together a paper chain so they can count down the days until basic training is over and he can come home for a few days.

Tell me when...

I will stop crying?  It's a different kind of a crying....It feels like my heart is breaking.  I am completely happy for him because I think it's a fabulous opportunity, but I am going to miss him so much.  A part of me is leaving.  I'm worried about his basic training, how will he survive without me taking care of things?  I need to let go but it's so hard. 
The crying is the same as when my Father passed away.  It feels like I can't catch my breath.  Please pray for my boy that everything is okay...

I love him so much.

Another summer gone by...I don't know how it happened so fast.

It was a cool 36 degrees when I hauled these munchkins out yesterday morning for their first day.  It was so strange not waking Ryan for school.  I've had a sick feeling in my stomach since we got home from the Dells on Monday eve.  How am I going to handle that kid living on his own?

Miss Sophia entered 1st grade and has suddenly started to act grown up.  Last year she was a bear to wake and cried to come home.  Granted, this is only day 2 but she likes school and no tears were shed.  Thank you God.  She is adorable but can make for some miserable mornings!

Maija started 3rd grade yesterday.  I still think Josie is in 3rd, how did that ever happen???  She LOVES school and learning.  She already was asking in August to go back.  She came home with a new library book yesterday and read for hours to finish it because she didn't want to pay the late fee?  Does she not realize she gets it for more than a day?  Maija is so much fun and is very funny :)

Josie is in 5th....not 3rd.  She is a good student as well.  She came home yesterday and said, "well, nobody has changed.  The boys in my class are still annoying."  Hopefully she is still saying that in 8th grade!  She loves her teacher and has her bff in her class so it will be a good year for her as well.

Maddie started high school!  One left and one entered all in the same year.  The year Mads graduates Josie will be entering high school!  This kid can never leave home, she is such a sweetie and never wanted to leave her Mom.  I have told her for years I will look funny living in the dorms :)  She is in volleyball right now so she started the year busy. 

Bad photo of Fia, but look at Xander.  I swear there isn't a happier kid on earth.  He was at Grandma's yesterday and she said there was a bit of dirt from a plant on the counter and he spotted it.  Grandma said Xander got up and got 3 diaper wipes and cleaned the mess up, then threw away the wipes!  He doesn't like doors to be left open or things not put away.  He is always on the look out for things out of place.  He's adorable!

Alexander weighs 32 pounds (gained 13) and is 34 " tall (grew 6).  He is sprouting up and looking like such a little boy rather than a baby. 

He loves to swim, eat, play, tease, run, cuddle, his siblings, his grandparents and his Mom and Dad.  He is the silliest little boy and we love him like crazy.

His speech has gotten better, but certainly not perfect.  He started school a few months ago and has learned that I am coming back to get him.  That has made dropping him off at school much better.

He is putting sentences together, like when the ball rolled down the hill he said, "I got it!"  with his hands held up.  Too cute :)

He has some pretty good rythm and can pick up a beat of a song easily.  He loves to sing and to dance.  He has learned some sweet moves from the end of Dispicable Me.  Some including butt slapping???

He is working on hopping on one foot and thinks it's the funniest thing ever.  We can thank Maija for showing him.  She is a great teacher!  I don't think he needed to learn how to skate board on his lego car though...

He STILL throws everything.  Left handed?  Maybe a Major League pitcher???

I know I've said it all before, but look at this boy.  Is there anyone cuter???