A Few Little October Things

*I'm starting to get a little depressed that I wont be in Misawa for Halloween this year.  For the last 3 years, our good friends the F's have come over for a Halloween Party.  We would eat dinner together and then Erin would make the best donuts ever in my kitchen and we'd trick-or-treat around the neighborhood.  Little Japanese kids would get bused on-base to Trick-or-Treat and we'd get to see all of their cute cobbled together costumes and hear their awesome attempts at saying "Happy Halloween".  Good times.  Sigh.  It's okay though.  New place, new traditions.

*My friend asked me if I'd pulled Max out of school yet and how home schooling was going.  I replied that we're on Fall Break.  And then she laughed and laughed!  But really--it's not MY mandated Fall Break, it's the school district Fall Break.  Which means Sam is home too.  Which means I'm just waiting until November to officially start.

*Speaking of homeschooling, I found a charter school (about 30 mins away) that caters to home-schoolers.  They will GIVE YOU CURRICULUM FOR FREE.  And then your kid can take elective courses one or two days a week at the school if you want.  Or not.  I don't know what we'll do about the electives, but I'll definitely take the free curriculum.  That means I don't have to choose everything individually, and Doug doesn't have to pay for everything.  WIN WIN!  (I figure I can still change or supplement if, say, the math program isn't that great.  But at least this gives me a starting point.)

*Speaking of Doug's practice, (weren't we?) we're ramping up for our Grand Opening Celebration and Candy Buy-Back on November 1.  We made a million flyers to hand out around parks and schools and businesses, (and to every trick-or-treater who comes to my door) and now we just have to hope someone, anyone, shows up.  We really need patients!  And patience while we wait for patients!!

*So I have this head cold.  It started with a sore throat two days ago and then yesterday I woke up with a hacking cough, hardly any voice, and feeling like my head was going to explode.  So of course I whined about it on Facebook.  And then a new friend from my new ward here called and offered to take my kids for a few hours so I could take a nap.  And she did and I did.  Which just goes to show that God can use technology to answer prayers if He so chooses!  Thank you x1,000 Ruth!!!

*Sam Quote:  "Mom, you NEED to change Gray-Gray's diaper!"
Mom:  "I just changed him!"
Sam:  "Well, he pooped and it smells like ACID!"

*And since we're on Sammy now, just so you know, he's been folding laundry like crazy, got his $10 pity money from Grandma, and then $10 guilt money from Mom (thanks to Uncle Dave) and has already spent it on 1. a lego set for himself and 2. a birthday present for his best friend Micheil in Korea.
(No, I'm not the one spelling Micheil wrong.  His parents are.)
(And yes--he's recovered from the Target incident.)

*Oh, and the reason I'm not pulling Sammy out for home schooling too?
1.  He's been thinking about it and decided he does NOT want to.
2.  Trying to make him do something against his will results in a lot of wailing and teeth knashing.
3.  It'll be WAY easier without him.  (No offense Sam)
4.  Max's need is more critical at this point.
5.  We can always pull him out later if he changes his mind.  Which he might when he sees Max not having to leave the house with him every morning!

So that's it.  I'll keep you posted on both practice and home schooling progress.  (Or lack thereof!)
Wish me luck!