Moms' Day Out

So, parenting a bunch of kids is exhausting and my dear friend Heather and I decided we wanted to take a day off. Thanks to loving husbands for taking on all the kids, we got to plan a whole day for

 us. So Saturday morning started out with a trip to the temple. It was the perfect way to start the day. Then we made our way to one of our favorite restaurants for lunch! Grab a gyro! We were able to eat yummy food having uninterrupted conversation and without messing up our kitchens. (and yes, the few photos we took are weird selfies.)

After lunch we had some time to kill before our pedicure appointment, we wanted to incorporate some sort of exercise or walking in our day, also, Heather is 35 weeks pregnant, and Braxton Hicks contractions are pretty much happening all the time, so we kept it simple. The sun was out so we made our way to Council Crest (the highest point in Portland) so we could enjoy the sunshine and walk some laps. Also, the fall colors were amazing, and probably should be in more photos.

 After a leisurely walk, we made our way to get our pedicures done. No pictures happened there but we got to sit and talk and enjoy the massage chairs for a long time and then it was late afternoon, too early for dinner but we didn't want to go home until our kids were in bed. so we contemplated what to do next and we ended up in Target

  and we almost purchased matching pajamas...almost....and we still might go back...

Then we decided on McMenamins  for dinner. Eating out is rare for me and my family so this was pretty exciting!

 And then we still avoided going home by walking around the Whole Foods store. haha!
Anyway, it was an absolutely wonderful break spent with a wonderful friend! And it always makes me appreciate my husband and kids much more. And how Max was so willing and supportive of me taking a day off, yes it's true that there are many times when Max is gone on Saturdays but it is always so he can work or complete some projects for our family, so he has never really had a day like this either so once I got home we contemplated what he would do if he had a whole day, it was fun to plan and now we just wish Max's best friend didn't move so far away.

HOWLLLL-O-WEEN

My kids haven't figured out that they have a choice in their Halloween costumes yet. I just have to hype up whatever I want to do and they go along with it. I'm not sure if this is good or bad parenting...but it's working for now. I knew Charlie would be the perfect Harry. I wanted Edwin to be hedwig...because owls are cute and their names are very similar, Edwin + Hedwig = Hedwin, Edwig? And then, is there really anyone better than Dobby? a hero and a (spoiler alert) martyr. Anyway, I like doing theme costumes but have no desire to spend money on costumes so the only money that was spent was the felt for Edwin's costume and Miles ears and Charlie's tie (which he will happily use for a long time...well maybe not happily because tie wearing isn't a favorite around here...but it's still practical. ) So basically, very little money was spent and I loved making the costume and it was exciting to make something on the sewing machine because I am not crafty at all. 

Anyway, moving on....We all dressed up and it was pouring rain and getting dark and we needed to get in the car so we took a couple quick photos.

 Max and I had a lot of options for our costume I was thinking of Delores Umbrdige, Bellatrix, Professor McGonagol, Moaning Myrtle.  Max was thinking of Hagrid, Sirius Black, Snape, Dumbledore etc.

I realized I had everything I needed to be Professor Trelawny and We had all we needed for Max to be Professor Quirrell/Voldemort (Do you like going through my whole thought process with me?)

Taken by Miles...

We went to meet with some good friends right before the party. Heather drew a face on the back of Max's head and I tried to get Harry Potter photos with "Ron and Hermione" out in the rain.

It was getting so dark and they didn't want to be in the rain which resulted in one blurry picture. 

 Anyway, here is Max. We were easily able to see who were Harry Potter fans and who weren't when people tried to tell what our costumes were. Someone thought Max was Judge Judy. Many people weren't sure what I was and some people thought Miles was Yoda (I'm not even a Star Wars fan and I am pretty sure Yoda is green. hah!)

Sidenote...Edwin gallops everywhere and it was especially cute in his owl costume.
Anyway, we enjoyed our church Halloween party, we had even decorated our car for a trunk or treat, but since it was so rainy, we just passed out candy inside.

The following day we carved pumpkins, I was dreading this but it ended up not being too bad. We were excited that the pumpkins were from our garden. Charlie was able to do his own pumpkin, Miles started his pumpkin, scooped a lot of the goop, and drew a design on it then just needed help cutting it out. Edwin loved the little pumpkin friends I made with him so overall, it was more enjoyable than expected. 

He put this hat on...and thought he was so funny. 

"he has legs coming out of his mouth..hahaha" -Miles

 On Halloween we kept with out usual tradition, however it started late since Max was stuck in a lot of traffic. We made our way to his grandma's house to see Mum-z and Justin and Jordan and Jenna (Max's cousins) Then we made our way to my green grandmas house for a quick visit. And lastly made our way to Red Grandma's house. I stayed there with Edwin while Max took the big boys trick or treating on her street. We watched episodes of Bewitched while Edwin reorganized her Halloween decorations. Boys got home hyper and late but it is a fun tradition. I look forward to Halloween NOT being on a school night!