Pumpkin Prom

John and Emma attended the annual Pumpkin Prom which is a father/daughter dance held in our town. It is one of their favorite activities to do together every year. We have pictures taken from each one - 5 years in total. Emma has grown so much in five years. John told me that they used to dance together and this year she didn't want to......life goes by fast.

Next year will be their last year as the cut off is for 5th graders.

Check out her little heels and I believe she is wearing a little blush and lipstick.

Life unexpected........

We had a surprise yesterday when we went to meet with Henry's doctor regarding a growth in his nose that we have been trying to get rid of for weeks with an assortment of antibiotics. We were unsuccessful!!! Dr. Amin told us that she thought that it would be best if we removed it surgically.... my heart just sank when I heard we were in store for the operating room.

We left our house at 5:15 this morning and headed down the moonlit pike towards Children's Hospital. It's amazing when it is dark and there is no traffic to concentrate on how you can just think. My thoughts went back to when Henry was just four months old and had double kidney surgery- a very scary time for us but for me this time was MORE scary. At four months, I was just getting to know the little guy but now at almost eight I know him like the back of my hand and he was terrified going in this morning. So hard for a mom to see. He wasn't crying it was a very controlled fear which made it even worse.

My mind also thought of all the other parents/ families that travel this same road everyday to visit the great hospitals that we have in Boston. We are so blessed to have these wonderful facilities and the people that make them run- from the doctors to the nurses to the liaisons and so on...a big thank you goes out to each and everyone that touch our lives today. You made it all tolerable!

Henry is recovering at home and I am making chicken soup.......it always make me feel better knowing that a big vat of chicken soup will cure any ailment because it is made with such love for a husband and children.

We know this place to well. Maybe we can take a break for the next few years.

Henry before surgery. He chose cherry as the flavor for the gas.... It smelled horrible!!

In recovery- sleeping peacefully. He looks like a little angel!

A lesson taught by the kids...

A few days ago, I went upstairs and found these two notes laying on the ground. Emma and Henry had spent the morning needling each other until I lost my patience and told them to be kind to one another. We are a family and we need to build each other up not tear each other apart. I love the fact that Henry took the initiative and wrote a letter of apology to Emma and then she reciprocated with her own apology.

I look at these two kids and think that this is something that I should be able to apply to my own life. If I lose my temper to quickly, say something that isn't kind or just don't think before I speak I should be quick to apologize as well.

Thank you Emma and Henry for teaching me something!!!

Boy- we are not CRAFTY!

Check out this scary pumpkin...not scary because it's "scary" but because I helped Henry with the carving. God- missed giving me the "crafty" gene. The great thing is Henry couldn't be happier with his pumpkin which of course makes me feel better.

Any ideas on how to make someone more crafty??

Power of Moms

This past weekend I was able to spend quality time with these 30 women from all over the country. It was amazing being surrounded by such inspiring mothers all with the same interest of making ourselves better mothers. The organization that put this event together is The Power of Moms.

It was so much fun sharing ideas on how to run our families, create traditions and empower ourselves.

It was a spectacular weekend!

Soccer Tournament- Two Winning Teams

Emma and Henry participated in a soccer tournament over Columbus Day weekend. The new turf field in our town was christened with this event. They both played a few games with their friends and managed to win all of their games. So much fun!

Emma getting an autograph from a New England Revs player.

The winning girls team for their age group.

The winning boys team for their age group.

The Koglins visit

We had so much fun with our friends from New Jersey this past weekend. Everyone had so much fun catching up together over lunch. The weather was beautiful and the company was even better!!!

He's got the selling bug...

Henry's Cub Scout den is selling wreaths as their fundraiser. As soon as he had the order form in hand he was out the door. He ran up to his room and found his hat and headed towards his bike. I gently reminded him that he needed his helmet which he placed strategically on his end as to not cover the wolf symbol. It was so cute. He worked our neighborhood over with Emma and Lizzie....selling 13 wreaths and kissing balls!!

We've been Booed!!!!

We were Boo'ed a few nights ago. This is one of my favorite events of the year both of the receiving end and on the giving end. It is as much to Boo as it is to be Boo'ed. We always have so many laughs dropping off the goodies in the dark and running and hiding!!!

Happy Boo'ing!!!

Spelling on the driveway

Henry has to come up with a creative way to be tested on his spelling words each week. This week he decided to write the words down in chalk all over the driveway....hopefully he produced a perfect spelling test!!!

These seem to be some pretty tough words for a second grader!!! His toughest was EXCLAMATION!

Service and Style...

Henry's Cub Scout den was collecting redeemables this past weekend in our town. He was thrilled to be able to make some money for den. We all left smelling like a brewery but also realized how important it is to help in your community.

Great job Henry and a big thumbs up to Emma for her help as well.

(you've got to love the gloves...)

I snapped this shot of Emma on her way out to catch the bus on Tuesday morning. This girl has some fashion sense unlike her mother. She is so particular about how she puts outfits together and I have to say that she does a great job.

(check out Max leaping in the background as he tries to catch birds- he hasn't caught one yet but he never gives up hope that today might be his DAY!)

A School Picture Tradition- thanks Elizabeth

For the past four years, Elizabeth has done Emma's hair for her school pictures. Emma looks forward to having a "makeover" every year. Of course this year, the humidity is about 98% so I hope her hair holds out until the click of the shutter on the camera goes off.

Thanks Elizabeth!!!!

Alexa and Emma have been buddies for years!

I love the fact that they can both have crazy moments together.

Fall

has arrived I just wish the temperature and humidity would drop.