Halloween

We had three phases to the Halloween holiday: Cub Scouts Halloween Party, school Harvest Festival, and Halloween Night.

Cub Scout Halloween Party
It was conference week at school during the time of the boys' Cub Scout Halloween Party, so when the boys came home early we skipped homework and instead carved pumpkins. This was the first year where Clifford completely cleaned and carved his pumpkin on his own! I was very impressed. I still had to help Kristjan out. But their pumpkins turned out very nicely. Clifford did a skull and Kristjan did a sorcerer. Later that evening I cooked up a Halloween-themed dinner. On the menu was spooky punch, pumpkin spaghetti, mummy dogs and ghostly strawberries. The boys loved it and thought I was an awesome mom! Pete had to leave shortly after dinner to go help set up the party while I stayed behind to get the boys in their costumes. Clifford was a zombie Santa and Kristjan was a vampire Easter Bunny. They came up with these ideas themselves back in April. And let us tell you, they were a hit!! I really thought we'd have to deal with upset parents, but instead we were given compliments on the awesome costume ideas. At the scout party, the boys had fun playing games and eating cookies after receiving their awards during the Pack Meeting. It was a long Wednesday night, having to help clean up after the party, help take back the decorations to one of the adult's home, and then scrub the makeup off the boys before bed. Phase One: Complete!

School Harvest Festival
Two days after the scout party was the school's Harvest Festival. The day was spent with me helping to set up the gym, Pete helping with set up of the Haunted Hallway and the boys running around playing with friends on the playground. We had enough time before the event started for us to run home and get boys in their costumes. We returned back at the school right as it started. It was a great turn out. Pete and I helped out at various spots while the boys ran around collecting candy at the various game booths. When it was all over, Pete helped with taking down the Haunted Hallway while I helped count money with the Treasurer. We were all exhausted and couldn't wait to go to bed. Phase Two: Done!

Halloween Night
Finally, Halloween Night itself finally arrived!! It was the third and last time to apply makeup and put on costumes. Hallelujah! Earlier in the day Pete and I volunteered in both boys' classrooms for an art project. Their teachers decided to work together by taking half of each class into their own. There were treats, an owl craft and a leaf craft. All the kids had a great time. Then that evening we were invited to our friends Shane and Sherri's for dinner, drinks and trick-or-treating. There were a few other families in attendance as well that we know from school and scouts, making it for a great time and lots of laughs. All the kids made out like bandits with loads full of candy. Per tradition, boys were able to keep a small portion of candy while sacrificing the rest to the Pumpkin King in exchange for a gift. Phase Three: Over!

Visit from Uncle Josh

My brother Josh came over to visit one evening. He happened to be in Portland visiting his brother and was able to take a train ride up to us. This was the first time Pete and the boys met him. Josh and I met last year when we went back East to visit our Dad and sisters. I really like Josh. I feel very comfortable around him. He was only able to stay for one night, but it was a good visit. The boys took to him as well. In fact, Uncle Josh SPOILED the boys on this visit and left a great memory for them. The boys were giving us issues with eating their dinner and Josh told them if they ate all their food, he'd give them a special surprise. Pete and I thought it would be a piece of candy or something simple like that. Oh no. He went above and beyond. After dinner, he sat the boys down and talked to them about how every good scout needs one of these....and then boys unwrapped their very own pocket knife!! I wish I was able to capture their initial excitement in their face, but sadly my camera was too slow. They were ecstatic! And we were happy for them. Every time the boys use their knives, they'll think of their Uncle Josh :)

We three adults stayed up the remainder of the evening chit-chatting about this and that. Then the next morning Josh tagged along to drop the boys off at school. We were able to spend a little more time together before I had to take him back to the train station. I do hope he is able to come back again for a longer visit. I think we click very well and look forward to getting to know him even more. Hopefully he feels the same way :)

Waiting at the train station

Uncle Josh spoiling the boys

Star Students of the Week

Both boys coincidentally were Star Student of the Week at the same time for their class. Each filled out info about themselves and included family pictures. For Kristjan's class, he was able to bring show 'n tale everyday, bring his favorite book for the teacher to read to the class, and invite a friend to lunch at the end of the week on Friday. He actually picked me for his lunch buddy! I was flattered. For Clifford, I actually happened to be in his class helping the teacher out when he gave his presentation about himself. I embarrassed him by taking pictures. I'm so proud of my boys!

Georgetown Haunted Tour

A weekend or so before Halloween, our friends Gordon and Michelle invited us to go with them on the Georgetown Haunted History Tour in Seattle. It's a walking tour and theatrical event, where a tour guide leads groups through the back streets of Georgetown while sharing history of the area and "hauntings". Actors are staged throughout for each story told. It honestly wasn't scary and children can attend this, so next year if we go again we want to take the boys along. Afterwards attendees can enjoy a drink and live music at the Stables. Our group stayed for a little bit before leaving for elsewhere. It was a fun evening. Pete and I enjoyed ourselves, and we hope to do the tour again.

Fun Run 2013

Back in the beginning of October, Clifford and Kristjan participated in the school's Fun Run fundraiser. This fundraiser is 100% profit for the school. One of the perk of being on the PTA Board, I knew ahead of time when this event would take place. So while the boys were still on summer vacation, I made the boys each write personal letters to a handful of family and friends asking for a small donation. This worked out perfectly. Each boy raised $75 each!! Thank You! Clifford and Kristjan were given the prize of free popcorn for Popcorn Wednesday for the remainder of the year for the amount they each raised (This makes ME happy because now I don't have to remember to give them each a $1 for this lol).

The Fun Run itself turned out great. The planning and execution-not so much!! This year we had two new gals take on the Fundraising position. It was a mess. No communication and no planning was really done. My position on the Board is Secretary, but I ended up doing the Fundraising position for this. I ended up having to do most of the work for this prior to the event and all of it the day of. On the day of, I spent my time from 8:30am - 4:00pm making sure everything was done because the other gals in charge of this dropped the ball. I literally went home after this and cried from frustration and exhaustion. I had wonderful friends come in to help me, whether it was to help in the preparation itself, to give me words of encouragement, or simply give me some chocolate and coffee. Honestly, this was a complete nightmare for me, but in the end, all the kids at the school had fun, which was the most important part.

Caleb's Birthday

Also back in September, we helped celebrate Caleb's 2nd birthday! He's the son of our good friends Gordon and Michelle. Caleb is a sweet little boy, with blonde curly hair and dark brown eyes. We had a great time visiting with the three, along with all their extended family members (they treat us like we're part of the family!). We're so happy we could be part of a happy celebration.

This is Gordon's parents' dog, Roxy. At a first quick glance, she looks a lot like Sheeba. Jennifer, Gordon's sister, is convinced the two dogs are sisters, as both dogs came from Yakima and have the same coloring. We're pretty sure it's just a coincidence

Raingutter Regatta 2013

Here are pics from the boys' Cub Scouts Raingutter Regatta....WAY back in September!!! We have been so busy, on top of having computer problems (i.e. Pete playing around with switching operating systems, etc), that I have gotten extremely behind on blogging. I'm hoping to catch up on the last two months of activities here in the next week. Wish me luck!

Boys working on assembling their boats

Clifford & Kristjan receiving their awards they earned from over the summer

And the races begin!

Guess Who is the New Cub Scout Secretary?

As of last night, I'm officially the new Cub Scout Secretary! For a few months now it has been announced that our Pack needed to find new replacements for certain positions. The current leaders will be crossing over to the Boy Scouts with their sons here soon. I quickly learned my name was being passed around at meetings, and both Pete and I received emails to see if I was interested in a particular position or two. I gave vague answers, waiting to see if anyone else would step up first. Well, last night while I'm sitting with Kristjan's den, Bob and Rich (Committee Chair and Cub Master) came up to me. I immediately knew what they wanted. In fact, they literally put me in a corner and wouldn't let me go until I said yes lol. The funny thing is earlier that evening, I told Pete all they had to do was physically ask me (not through email). Sure enough, that's just what they did. And I graciously said yes. The position doesn't start for me until March. By then, PTA should slow down a bit for my position as Secretary. Although, I already have another mom at school asking me to co-chair the President position for the next two years, plus I know a few people who plan on nominating me for that as well. Looks like I'm going to be even busier!!

Oh, and currently Pete is the Outdoor Chair for scouts as well. Unfortunately, his experience and knowledge is geared more towards the Boy Scout side. So as of today, he resigned from that position and instead will be the new Committee Chair, taking over Bob's position in the next few months. So now both of us will be on the Scout Committee. The Nielsens are gonna rock it!!

P.S. I'm hoping to update the blog here soon with what we've been busy with that last few months. So stay tuned!