So.many.events.so.little.energy.

I mean, it's pure insanity. I love, and I mean LOVE me some Fall activities. Besides my constant griping about the heat, I look so forward to all the fun stuff Fall entails. Except.....

I've been in a bit of a funk lately. Ok, a lot of a funk, actually. I feel frazzled and being self-diagnosed with ADD, I think "frazzled" is an especially bad state to be in. I don't do well feeling pulled in a thousand directions and feeling that I can't keep anyone happy...cause in addition to my ADD I'm also a people pleaser, Lord help me. So. I have decided to minimize. I'm a working mom and my time is already limited just in that I am not always present in my children's lives. So when there isn't some various activity happening, I like to just be with them. No appointments, no plans, just being.  Except....

I have an active group. A husband committed to working late two nights a week, an, er, ebullient young lady who we recently learned is likely gifted and just plain nuts and have been advised to keep busy in group activities etc by her Pediatrician, teachers and well, anyone that's ever met her and an almost two year old. Boy. Need I say more?? Add to that church, Bible Studies, friends, family...blah, blah, blah. It's a lot. 

Now I FULLY realize this is the complaint of pretty much every mother in the world but not every mother works. Or has two. Or has a late working husband. Or {insert varying scenarios here}. Every family has different needs and issues. For my family, it's just all too much right now. So, my point is simply, to live as such. Simply. Less activities, less schedules, less chaos. A little more fly by the seat of our pants as the day and we see fit (I selfishly love the thought of this because I am the antithesis of a structured person). I have noticed we're all happier when this happens. Will it frustrate some folks? Probably but it must happen because ultimately, THESE are my people, we belong to one another, need to protect one another and we all need our sanity. Some more than others. 

Since this a new development, here is the craziness that has ensued the past couple of weeks. Add to that soccer practices/games, church, various get-togethers...you get the idea. This will slow down. After the holidays cause, well, let's be real. 

The Lakes Park pumpkin patch....used to love it but because I'm feeling snarky: it's not an actual patch, just pumpkins strewn about that are horrendously over-priced. And can we discuss the ridiculous inflatables section that kids just HAVE to do for $14 friggin dollars?! Oh, but the baby can't go on them, he has to go on a different one. For babies. For another 5 bucks. 20 big ones to jump around for an hour. Here's a trampoline. Go nuts. Pffft.

Pumpkin carving. Sure, hand little children sharp objects. Ok, don't do that, just let them scoop the thing out, all whilst complaining about how "disgusting" it is. Yeah, we know, that's why we're making  you do it.

Trunk or Treat at Maddie's school. Now this was fun! Already had the outfits (dress up clothes), just made Gavin some "Toto ears" and off we went. No pressure, no choas. Maybe 80 people or so. Not tons of candy. Could we have just stopped here?? Next year...

Also fun....dance class Halloween party! The girls could dress up and Miss Karen put sweets out for them and they just danced to various pop hits, which was pretty entertaining considering the sugar high.

And then...the big day arrived. Maddie announced MONTHS ago she wanted to be Rainbow Dash (My Little Pony) so I thought, "Ok, sure....not sure how to make her a horse but whatevs." Then: "I mean, the Equestria Girl!" The who? Whaaa??? Yeah, so the ponies have morphed into these creepy girl/pony hybrids. And, as per the ushe, I had to copy and paste to make this happen. The pony tail was a total loss. Dumb thing fell off 47 times so we nixed it.  She did love it and it made her whole night so....once again, worth it! 

Gavin, on the other hand has no opinion, hates anything on his head or face. Um, yeah. SO that limits my options a bit. I love the whole matchy/matchy sibling thing but what,  pray tell,  matches a weird pony girl?? So, at the last minute, cause, well, I needed a laugh (or 12), I made him the looney bin version of  Jim Carrey's Ace Ventura. Cause I can. Garret wasn't super excited about the pink tutu on his boy but I used my feminine wiles to convince him ;). 

 

And then there's the usual themey food. It's always a big hit with the kids! I have one word about my fave part of the buffet. Heaven. In a glass. Ok, that's four words but yummmmm. Apple Cider Sangria! So delish and let's just say, it may have helped Trick or Treating be more exciting for the grown-ups!

We parents had no clue what to do but kind of wanted to dress up too! Since we were an array of characters,we figured we'd pull out stuff we had from our 80's party and viola! Hot mess family (I say this in my head to the Addam's Family theme song....).

 (side note: Maddie stood in this awkward position all night to "show her tail". Never mind that it looks like she's peeing)