Howl-o-ween pt. 2

To expound on my last blog, we did a big Trunk-or-Treat and tons of families from the community came. And as the Children's Minister, Brent had a rainout plan but he did not, however, have one for if someone was wearing a black t-shirt with white lettering spelling "F@$& YOU". So awkward! I felt so bad for Brent. He made a judgement call to let her go through the trunk-or-treat but some people didn't agree with his call, others thought he was doing nothing so someone approached her at the end with the police officer with them and asked her to change shirts or leave. He even said he had a shirt she could borrow. But the whole situation was so awkward! The pastor thought Brent should have given her a choir robe to wear! I just can't believe someone would think they could throw on a shirt like that and hit the town! I can see both sides, honestly. It was a community event and I don't think we should go out and ask others to change before we get to know who they are. But, at the same time, it's within our right to have wholesome standards for a kids' event. Who knew he needed to have a plan for that??? We'll add that to the list. Brent's in Africa for about 10 days! I can't believe he beat me to the Motherland! I hope and pray he has a life changing experience! Sometimes I need a distance-makes-the-heart-grow-fonder trip. And I know we will be so excited to see him and we still have a week left! It's been awesome tho having a free expression weekend with no one questioning why I'm spray painting, cutting up (his) t-shirts, or buying an old ladder. Sometimes you lose something in the explanation. But, as we resume our regular schedule, we are going to miss going to his office or seeing him at lunch. We'll be brave tho! :)

Howl-o-ween

I find that any holiday is high pressure for a mom, including Halloween. I was a ball of stress the night before and the day of. First off, how awkward was it that it was a Wednesday? So awkward! Because of the placement, it was necessary to do something at church. We did a trunk or treat...easy and gets the candy job done. It was well attended by lots and lots of people from the community by far outnumbering our church folks. But we had just gotten a baby the night before (sweet, sweet baby...still glad he went home to momma but I'm trying to push that one down) and Beatle had her afternoon gymnastics. It was just a tight afternoon/evening getting everywhere we usually needed to be as we'll as remembering all of the girls' costumes, cameras, candy bags, etc. Anyone feeling me? Plus, I don't just take my children, no we have a minibus now so I've gotta fill it up with neighborhood kids and siblings. I tried to be present in the moment and not spaz. I did a decent job. Beatle's best friend lives on the most trick-or-treated route in Hot Springs and I know it's completely self-serving but do you know how much fun it is to bypass the huge line outside their spooky Victorian house and go behind the velvet rope. For one night a year, it makes me feel like somebody. Isn't that so childish?!? I try hard to be humble the other 364 days of the year so let me have my stupid moment. We painted a giant box to look like a Candyland board game and it turned out really well. Beatle was quite memorable, I think. And little Birdie was a pink crayon that we checked out from the library. Does yours clean and display old costumes for families to check out at Halloween? Our library started two years ago and it's great for the second borns that you don't put as much effort into. HA! That was naughty. Sorry! I just wasn't in the groove this year for Lottie and she isn't old enough yet to have a consistent opinion. Beatle and Birdie are starting to play quite nicely together, tho. That's AMAZING! And, Brent and I have been able to sleep in for a few weekends now and the girls are getting up and turning on Netflix. What a wonderful stage the Roberts Family is entering!