It's the most wonderful time of the year...............

It's that time of the year again!!!  Birthdays, Halloween, more Birthdays, Thanksgiving and Christmas shopping.  The time of year where David and I go nuts trying to figure out how to make money appear out of thin air to cover not only our normal bills, but our holiday bills.  Ugh!  Every year, very soon after Christmas is over, we look at each other in complete shock that we actually did it!  This year is no different.  Halloween costumes alone cost a lot when you are buying for four kids.  Regardless if I were to make them or purchase some cheesy costume, it's about the same....$30-$40 per child (easily).  Emily decided on Wednesday Addams, which thanks to my mom is coming very cheap.  She found an old witch dress that can easily be converted to a Wednesday dress.  Also, she gave me a pair of witchy shoes.  Nicholas asked to be Jack Sparrow.  I thought about piecing this one together, but soon realized how intricate the costume was.  So, I settled on one of those cheesy store bought deals...$23 off of Ebay!  Brady was not swaying from his idea of being Harry Potter.  This costume had to be pieced together.  As they sell EVERY single accessory separate.  I found the robe in a party store for $20.  The glasses and wand was a deal for $13 from Ebay....most were $10 each.  I bought a white button down shirt (with tie included) from Walmart for $10.  Originally I was going to let him go without the tie.  I refused to spend the $20 they wanted for the Harry Potter tie at the party store.  Last minute, I decided I could paint it....worked out well.  He used his "prince shoes" from last year to complete the costume.  His costume was definitely the most expensive, $43!!!  However, Evan made up for Brady's expensive costume.  He originally wanted to be Indiana Jones, but I thought he is only three and he will have the rest of his big boy life to be some dorky character...right?  I convinced him that the old scarecrow costume I made Brady years ago was perfect for him!!!  Cha-ching.....FREE!

So Saturday we went to the annual Halloween celebration at Muddy Run campground.  We ended up getting there before anyone else and way before the festivities were about to begin.  We hung out with my friend at her campsite, had lunch and let the boys play on the playground.  Emily was with her father.  When the time came, we took them to the nature center.  There were tons of craft tables set up, and a place to decorate a pumpkin.  All free!  I love this festival!

 

After crafts, the kids got changed into their costumes.  Well, I drug my boys out to our van one at a time to change them.  My goodness, this is quite a feat for a 31 week pregnant woman. Eventually, they were all dressed to perfection and their faces were decorated with the appropriate makeup.  

Here is our group (minus our three oldest kids)...

 

We always have a few kids that walk away from the costume contest as winners.  And a few that have hurt feelings that need some mending.  This years winners were Nicholas (Jack Sparrow), Evan (the little scarecrow), Kayla (the tree), and Dustin (the scary scarecrow).  

Brady was confused at first.  He was sure he would win.  I explained to him that he won this contest two years before, when his brothers did not win.  It was their turn.  Plus, they shared their winning goodies with him.

The cutest Harry Potter.......EVER!!

Later, we had dinner at my friend's campsite.  The kids had fun playing with their cousins, roasting marshmallows.  We re-dressed them (yay) in their costumes just as the sun was setting.  Then it was time for trick or treating around the campground! 

So once again, we figured out how to make Halloween happen.  As for the other holidays.....I'm sure we will figure it out! ;)

31 week prenatal appointment

Yesterday, I had my 31 week appointment with my midwife.  Everything is going well with Miss Clara.  Blood pressure was fine.  I had lost a few pounds a couple appointments ago, and maybe only gained about a pound back....still doing great with the weight.  My belly was measuring about 33 weeks, but she is not worried.  She said that with every baby I have, they tend to leave a little behind.  Thanks kids!!  I did pass my 3 hour glucose test, but I'm still probably borderline diabetic.  So we are prepared to have a larger baby.  Honestly, I will be surprised if she is much bigger than her two youngest brothers.  Earlier in the pregnancy, she mentioned that she would send me for fetal assessments towards the later half of my pregnancy.  So I was not surprised when she brought up that I would be starting that next week.  I was surprised when she told me I were to go for NSTs (non-stress test) twice a week until Clara was here.  Right away, I had no clue how I would manage.  Kids can not come in the room for these tests.  I don't have a babysitter and David can't stay awake for anything to watch the kids.  I have so much coming up....speech therapy (Evan), more OB appointments, field trips, parent/teacher conferences, and now this?!?!  Of course I will make it happen.  It's just daunting.

I just can not wait to have my little girl safe in my arms.  Just two months (maybe less) to go!

Hooray for Pre-K!

Brady's teacher threw a little celebration last week. It was mostly to show us parents how far our little ones have come in a month of pre-k. Brady showed me his favorite center.....dramatic play (go figure). I'm telling you, this kid is going to be an actor! I could tell he loved having me without his siblings for an hour.  They read a book, "Hooray for me." I fought back tears. Then I hide my tears as they sang, "A World is a Rainbow." Yes....very hormonal right now.

 

How handsome is he?!  Brady is one of the most unusual little guys, but I am so in love with him!

Here is a song they sang.