Good news!!

Addie came home to us today! After checking at the school where we left her, there was still no sign of her. We were so very worried. But then we got a call from our good friend, and Addie's aunt, Ama Zon. Ama let us know that Addie was a little homesick, so she went to visit for a little bit. Ama also knew that Addie would be missed by the kids in Max's class, so sent Addie's cousin, who, believe it or not, is also named Addie! (Family name... you know how that is.) So, the doorbell rang, and when Max answered it, he was so surprised to see this at the door:

 He truly couldn't have been more happy to see Addie. He rushed upstairs, put his pjs on, put pjs on Addie, and hunkered down to watch Diego save other animals.

Welcome home, Addie. We couldn't be more happy to have you, and to return you safely to your home!

Our newest family member

I'd like to introduce you to Mary Poppins... aka, Alina Ellis! She is joining our family as our nanny, starting November 28. She's coming to learn the ropes on Wednesday, and we really couldn't be more excited. The kids all loved her (and were strangely well-behaved when she was here... won't she be surprised!!), and we did too. She'll fit right in with our crazy crew, I just know it!

While it's a strange feeling to let someone else into our lives... someone else to get the kids to school, to do swimming lessons with Ava, just in general someone else being here... I'm also glad that we found someone who seems like they'll fit in right from the start.

Welcome Alina! Here's to many years to come!

The (mis)adventures of Addie

On Friday, Max got to take home the class pet... Addie the Armadillo! Addie rode bikes with Max.

 Addie watched Rio with Max, his siblings and cousins.

 Addie hung out on Max's shoulder.

 And on his head.

 And leg.

 She even played basketball with him.

 And when she was cold, Max wrapped Addie up in his warm up pants.

 While Max was basketballing, Ava didn't want Addie to feel left out, so she showed her around.

 She played foosball, too!

And then... Addie when to watch Nolan play basketball. It was late morning, and Max had Addie sleeping in his pocket, but unfortunately Ava was sleepy as well. So sleepy that when she saw Addie, she had to have him. So she screamed and screamed, and after much cajoling, Max let Ava hold Addie. I promised to get her away as soon as Ava lost interest.

Well, Ava lost interest. And lost Addie. I forgot about her until Dave called me, panicked, asking me if I had Addie. I did not. Addie was in the gym in the now-locked school. Oy.

I wish I knew the ending of this story. As far as I know, Addie is still there, crying for Max to come and rescue her. I hope she's been picked up by a nice janitor and placed in a warm lost and found amidst coats and hats and mittens, and that Dave will be able to claim her tomorrow morning. I fear that she's going forever, and I'll always be known as the mom who lost the class pet.

I'm not sure I can live that one down!

Changes, changes

I have to say, I'm a little overwhelmed. Work has been BUSY. Some of it has been general work in helping the business as part of my job (helping orchestrate organizational changes, communication plans, performance management and other such things, if you don't know what I do (and you probably still don't!)). Some of it has been filling in for a coworker who recently left the company. Some of it has been (I hope!) people are starting to see my value add and want additional things from me. And some of it is I have a new boss (she'll do great things for the business, but figuring out the rules of engagement tires me out).

On top of all of this, Dave has been interviewing. There's a long story behind that, that I'll spare you the details on, but making a long story short, he's going back to API. On November 21.

So what does that mean? That means we need daycare (and more specifically a nanny) before then. And I need to figure out how to pay a nanny, and do paperwork and file taxes, and all that other stuff. And that means another car since I don't expect any nanny to have a car they can drive four kids around in, and so will be giving them use of the van (so I think I want a Smart car!). And that means figuring out general logistics of not having a parent home, preparing the kids, and other things I'm not even thinking about.

So, change is good, but it makes me tired. I would like the world to just stop spinning for one day, please!!

All things scary

As I'm sure you assumed, we didn't skip Halloween around here... I've just been delayed in posting! The kids had a great time, and we got WAY too much candy. I eat twelve times more than they do on any given day. So not good for me!

For Trick or Treating, it rained and was a little miserable, but that didn't stop the kids. Abby went with friends of hers (I can't believe she's old enough to go trick or treating on her own!), Nolan ended up with Kyan and his cousins and Dave took Max and Ava. Ava had an absolute blast and loved the whole thing, including partaking of the candy after the fact!


Here's the crew from Trick or Treating in Door County... Rayva, Abby, Max, Kyan and Nolan

 Freaky Nolan. He scared Ava!!

 Take 'em out Max!

 The girls hangin' out.

 And the big boys. Probably the scariest picture of all!

It was a beautiful weekend!

 Decorating pumpkins the easy way.

 Pumpkin guts!

 Ewww!

 Yuck!

 Double uck!

 Ava really wasn't so sure about it all.

 A Hersey Kiss... Our niece and nephew wore this, as did Nolan, Max and now Ava. A lot of use out of this costume that Dave's mom made 10 years ago!

 Mummys!!

 Haloween crafts.

 Abby's trick or treat costume... she was a gift!

 The flower fairy.

 Scary jester.

 And the fabulous trio!

Happy end of fall!!