Sums it up

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

The best quote of the day was overheard during the annual 'Great Candy Trade-off' A kid started, parent not welcome tradition that begins immediately after trick or treating on Emily's bedroom floor and ends when all the candy is inspected, sorted & traded. Cherry heads are hot items and snickers this year are CHEAP. Negotiation skills are paramount and don't try and cheat.

This was Savanna's first year involved in the trade and as Tim was trying to run an especially hard bargain for a prize of Savanna's I overheard

"BACK OFF, MAN...."

Yep, she can hold her own.

It's all about the presents...(or presidents if you are Ethan)

Mike got a Kodak Zi8 Pocket Video Camera for his birthday yesterday, but that wasn't his best birthday present ever. Six years (and 1 day) ago he got this:

(chunka lunka...can you believe those cheeks?)

A 10 pound 1 oz birthed with no epidural bundle of happiness. My hardest in ways but best in ways delivery, the only baby that Mike got to cut the cord for and the one he had to work the hardest at. (breathe...don't forget to breathe...don't bug her....no she doesn't want an epidural...I don't think she's really in a joking mood right now...yeah, yeah I think she is in pain...)

This is the birth that when I face hard things I think back on and say...if I can give birth to a 10 lb, back facing, pitocin inducing, non-epidural baby I CAN do anything.

I guess it's appropriate to have the 'CAN'T Do Attitude post changed to a CAN DO attitude post in such proximity to Savanna and Mike...because they are two people that really have shown me what it means to Just Do It!

Happy birthday to my best friend, my companion of 15 years and 'over the hill' 40 year old sweetheart. (That part was for Emily you can see her gagging over in the corner)
AND to my bestest , sweetest, enthusiastic for life 6 year old.

(Photoshop help from Kim Hill--THANKS!)

Take THAT--It CAN be done!

The Can't Do Attitude...

I just love the CAN'T do attitude...not. Yesterday I ordered some donuts for the two birthdays we have at our house today (more on that later.) Since our day was filled to the brim instead of making a cake I decided donuts and apple cider was the way to go. BUT, I thought it would be fun to still have the birthday wish involved so I requested the bakery (that daily decorates hundreds--ok probably 10's of cakes every single day...and now on Sundays) to simply pipe the words Happy Birthday Mike and Happy Birthday Savanna on two chocolate Covered Bismarks.

This was the response I got:

Bakery Clerk: *DEER IN THE HEADLIGHTS STRESS LOOK* "We can't do that."
Me: "What do you mean? You decorate cakes every day."
Bakery Clerk: "We can't decorate donuts."
Me: "Can't you think outside of the box here for me?"
Bakery Clerk: " Still with a stunned look on her face...we CAN'T do that" *Shaking her head*

Really? You CAN'T do that? Prime example of a Can't do attitude.

Yesterday I read in the paper about a local elementary that is apart of a program called 'No Excuses University'. The idea is that the kids get invested in the idea of going to college and own it. And that no excuse from them is legitimate to not reach their educational goals.

This combined with the can't do attitude of the poor bakery clerk got me thinking. What things am I using the 'CAN'T DO Attitude' on. Embarrassingly, I could come up with 3 biggies almost immediately...and I have to tell you that was uncomfortable. I'm not sure I'm ready to share my excuseful personal issues--yet. But I am definitely on the path to changing my attitude.

I also thought of the 3 middle school girls I hiked with to the top of Maylin's Peak last week. They were searching for excuses...any...every excuse not to make it to the top. I encouraged, cajoled, supported, helped them all the way...up on top they slumped in a heap without even looking at the view (You can see the picture in my header). I noticed they had still not moved when it was time to go so I told them they HAD to come see the view or I would not let them go back down. With much encouragement I lured them to the overlook and was thrilled when the first word out of their mouths was an awed, 'WOW!'

Score one for a Can DO attitude.

Playing Catch Up

BUSY...is the keyword for last week and this. And probably the next..so here are some bullet points.

*Savanna's glasses lasted all of 2 days...2 DAYS before they were broken. Thank goodness for Shopko and their awesome warranty. Please pray we don't have to use it again.

*We got pumpkins AND carved them. Had all of Mike's family over for a party and I spent the whole time at the Dr. with Tim. The doctor was almost giddy that he did NOT have swine flu. Double ear infections here we come.

*Hiked 6 miles with Emily & Tim's school. Have a fantastic photo, but I'm still trying to figure out how to share it. Only lost one girl down the mountain. Really it was a miracle she was not more hurt.

*This week we celebrate 2 birthdays and multiple 'other' parties for school, dance and Halloween. Hoping we make it to everthing.

The glasses have arrived...

And she's darn cute in them if I do say so myself.

How Many Times...

In the last couple of weeks have I thought in my mind. I should blog about that. Then I create the wonderfully word crafted post {in my mind} , smile, then am on my way again, only to have a blank mind when I sit down to the computer. So no word wizardry going on here...but I feel I need to break the blog ice again so I can get in another rhythm going. So randomness here I come.

Some favorite sayings of Ethan over the last two weeks.

'YEAH FOR ME!' Then I say 'Yeah for You!' and he says 'No, MOM, YEAH FOR ME' Yeah you are right. This conversation happens after every successful restroom trip. And I've been hearing it a lot so 'Yeah for me!'

Ethan's been a bit clumsy lately but he is also tough so when he falls down he'll say "Wow...that was kinda scary." Pick himself up and walk away. Only to get two steps turn around and run to me with tears in his eyes for a hug. I love that he is 'big and brave' but that he also needs his Mommy's hugs.

Can I bottle this age? I know only too well that it is only fleeting. Here's to remembering that--always.

Savanna cracked me up a few days ago too. She was looking through a scrapbook I made for her when she pointed to a picture of her and laughed. Then she said, "That was back when I loved you Mom." [Thanks I think] So I said, "Do you love me now" 'No', she answered. I said, 'Well I still love you.' A little while later she came back with a different picture and said, 'I love you as much as I did in this picture, but not as much as I love Daddy because we have the same birthday.' Whew glad to be back on the loved list...but totally understand how priorities work. :)

I went on an awesome Field Work with Tim on Tuesday and I'm going on a 6 mile hike with the 6-9th graders tomorrow. So I DO have some cool pictures to share...just not ready yet.