Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving! Let me first play catch up and start with Halloween. Before the big candy day, we had a couples game night, where seven of my local Ohio girlfriends got together with our hubbies to play card games, trivia games, drawing games, etc. This time it was at the Kemp crib and the game was Drawing Without Dignity (GREAT game btw!). We always play boys vs girls. And the boys always seem to cheat and win (and the blame is usually geared towards Chris, shocking), but this time the girls dominated! It is always a blast to get together with these ladies. Most of our kids either go to school together or play sports together, so it's nice to step out of the "parent role" ever so often and have fun.
Then came Halloween. Hudson was Captain America by day and a skeleton by night. After much debate over which princess Adley would be, she decided on Rapunzel. She is obsessed with this hand-me-down wig from cousin Hannah. Now this poor wig has been through the ringer; it is matted and old and falling apart. I have tried to brush and re-braid it, but it never looks good. But Adley adorreeeessss it, so we let her rock her matted-up mop of a wig and laugh along the way.
Everyone came to our house beforehand for pizza and goodies. It wasn't very cold, but it was misty and almost raining. But it didn't stop our crew of eleven kids from running through the neighborhood. The tradition has been to have the dads take all the kids out for trick-or-treating. The mamas get to stay back in the cozy warm house and sip on fun beverages. I hope this tradition never ends.
The mandated candy-swap, where he kids trade their goodies. It's cute to watch.
Adley started gymnastics and she is obsessed! She wants to tumble and roll all over the house now. And she knows she is cute in her leotards, so she will strut herself around and transform into a diva as soon as the spandex come out. Also note, she is completely potty-trained! We keep her in a Pullup at night, but she is officially a big girl.
Below are pics of two favorite things the kids love to do...give "bunny ears" and strip down naked. Hudson is the best big brother, always looking out for his sis and teaching her fun things. Adley continues to find her voice and wants you to hear it. It is usually heard by singing songs...Elsa, Moana, Bruno Mars, Beyonce, Jingle Bells, etc...you play it and she will sing it all.
Hudson was recently a Star Student of the Week. It was all about him for an entire week of school. He got to decorate a poster and share it with his class:
Favorite Subjects: Reading, Math, Science
Favorite Sports: Basketball, Soccer, Football
Favorite memory: Vacations to Florida
When he grows up he wants to be a police officer and Tom Brady.
We recently had a Friendsgiving with a few of my girlfriends, their spouses and a combined twelve kids, ages 6 and younger. We've been friends since college and are fortunate to be able to get together yearly for a girls trip (9 years and counting!). This was the first time some of the kids got to meet and play together. The weather was nice, the bounce house up and it was a great afternoon.
Thanksgiving was held at LollyPops house this year. It has been awhile since the clan has all been in town at the same time to celebrate. Even though the kids see each other nearly everyday, they loved hanging out. Claire and Adley had to wear "fancy dresses," but that didn't stop them from playing in the pile of leaves Pop raked for them. And after lunch, the boys had to take their shirts off, go downstairs and play video games. Not sure why these kids don't like to wear clothes.
Hope everyone has a wonderful holiday season in store. We all know this time of year can be stressful and overwhelming, so try and stop and count your blessings ever so often. Occasionally overlooked and often taken for granted, be grateful for the little things as well as the big. Remind yourself of what's important in life, for one day you might wake up and it's all gone.
Happy Holidays!
