Almost Halloween

Sunday was the Primary Program. I was feeling pretty nervous about playing the piano and my palms were nice and sweaty. I thought I might feel better after I started but I didn't really feel any better after playing the first song. I personally know I made mistakes in every song but thankfully nothing major. The kids were able to sing along. People were nice and told me I did really good. I would be happy to not do that again. Or maybe it would have been better if I had started off the year as the accompanist...

After church we put Ruby down for a nap and then Tyler and I went to Sister Facione's 80th birthday party. She has always been super nice to all of us. They had some yummy popcorn and candy to snack on and I chatted with various people. Conversing at parties exhausts me. I feel like I have to a put on a particularly outgoing demeanor that is not so much authentic me.

Monday when Ruby woke up from her nap I decided to take a spontaneous trip to get doughnuts from Longs, and Ruby and Lucy came with me. Since Longs always has a million wasps that come to say hello when we eat the doughnuts, we decided to stop at a little nature park to eat them on our way home. Lucy and Ruby had a blast playing in and around the shallow water. Even though the water was icy cold, Ruby kept sitting in it. She was pretty happy sitting and playing with rocks. Lucy really enjoyed climbing on branches and logs and wants to go back. 

Monday volleyball started for Lucy. It was a clinic at a nearby high school and the parking was awful and it was so peopley and loud. They had us parents go to a quick meeting and I picked the wrong spot. I ended up sitting by someone who was hacking up a storm. I really hope I didn't catch anything. Coughs are the most annoying sick to have. Lucy doesn't love the clinics either beacuse they are just so many people and she will be happy when we start up normal practice and games next week.

Tuesday evening we went to Tilson Street in Romeo to see all their cool decorations. We went last year and the kids really loved it so I thought we should go again. I also wanted to see how Ruby would react to all the spooky things. Steven normally has class that night but since he wasn't giving a speech, he could skip it. You would think that would've meant he would join us in our family outing, but alas he did not. The drive there was long but pretty with all the fall colors out. Tyler was a little grumbly but mostly because he hurt his toe on Sunday and it was bothering him. Ruby made sure to say "hi" to everything that scared her and she didn't love turning her back to the spooky guys. Ben was especially excited by a Pillsbury Doughboy hanging in a tree. Good times were had but I am not sure we will make the trek again next year. It really is all the same things for such a long drive. On our way home we hit up Wendy's for Frosties and fries.

Wednesday after dropping off the girls at school, Ruby and I ran a few errands to get things for Trunk or Treat and costumes. Then I came home and took Tyler to work. And as per tradition, Ruby and I stopped at the park on our way home. While there, there was a mom group and this lady asked me if I was there for it. When I said nope, she said I was welcome to join but they were all young beige moms (beige moms is literally a thing where all the kids dress in very beige colors). I did not feel like I would fit in so I politely declined, and after overhearing conversations, I definitely would not have. They were all talking about making their homemade granola and food for their dairy allergic children and things that just were not my jam...Ruby and I had a good time though and the weather was much warmer from the last time we were there.occasionally we 

Friday night our Ward had it's Halloween party. Tyler volunteered to watch his sister's kids that night and Lucy's friend Claire came with us and Luna and Geli and their mom met us there... So lots of extra people with us that night. Thankfully Tyler was true to his word and I did not have to help much with his sister's kids. He basically divided them out with our kids- Ben had Red, Penny had Jessie, and Steven had Wesley. That left Tyler with Maverick and me with my own baby, Ruby. Dinner was of course, chilli and hot dogs and there were games for the kids. Afterwards there was the Halloween costume parade and our family won for best family costume- Penny was Angel, Lucy was Lilo, Ben was Mr.Bubbles, I was Nani and Tyler was David (Steven was lame and not part of the fun, he just wore his work attire) After some careful reflection, I realized we were the only family in a themed costume so...go us? 

Then it was time for Trunk or Treat and our Trunk was epic. I was quite proud of it. Lucy made a poster of a cat that said "I left you a treat" and then we had a kiddie pool full of sand and candy. The kids had to get the treats out using a litter box scoop. I also brought a long my skeleton who was Claudia the cat lady for the night. We surronded him with cat stuffies and put him in a robe. The kids all had fun finding their treats. Ruby did not understand the point of trunk or treat and just wandered around watching everyone. I tried to get her to hold her bucket and "beg" for candy but that was not going to happen. After, when all the kids were trading candy, she did try to steal some from other kids. Not that she really knows what candy is since I never give her any. I am really trying not to ruin her as much as ruined the other kids.

Saturday was another busy day. Steven had an archery competition in the morning and got an awesome score of 275- this is after months of no practicing. Imagine what he could do if he actually put in some effort (a perfect score is 300). Meanwhile, the girls had some friends over for Halloween crafts. Mimi's mom actually dropped her off and didn't stay. That felt like more trust than I deserve but also felt nice to be trusted. The girls painted pots, made paper windsocks and decorated cookies.

After the crafting here, we all walked over to the beach for our neighborhood Halloween party. They did the cake walk and all won prizes so now we have way too many treats. Then there was a punch a cup thing where they got more prizes and then a pinata. They all had fun and I enjoyed a nice chat with Julie who was there and some of her friends. She literally knows EVERYONE in the neighborhood. She is much more social than me. After the party the girls' friends went home and then it was a quiet movie night for me, Ben, Lucy and Andrea. We ended up watching "The Haunting" which I think creeped out Lucy a little bit. It's a weird one. 

Calm

 This week felt pretty calm after the busyness of having family in town last week. Sunday Ruby was all smiles when we first got into the church and then turned cranky pretty fast. She ended up in the halls with Tyler for most of sacrament. After sacrament we had the primary program practice and I feel like I did ok playing the piano for all but the last song. "I Will be What I Believe" is just a tricky song to play and they added in the ym and yw singing and it was a lot for me. I wish we could have just a couple more run throughs of that song before Sunday. It's a song that can really bring in the spirit and I really hope I don't blow it. 

Anyways, I came home from church feeling not great because of crazy Ruby and the piano playing...and then Grace did the nicest thing ever and dropped off a skeleton of my very own at my door. I feel like a spoiled brat because I had been saying how I really wanted one and how envious I was of hers. She really did not have to do that for me but she did and that was so nice. I am so excited to have my very own. We named him Chad and the first day he just sat on my porch chilling but the next day I got Tyler to help me hang him up in the tree and now he looks like a pirate that had a deadly mishap. Ruby loves saying "hi" to her spooky new friend.

Monday I was invited to a friend from Bunco's birthday lunch but after so much rushing from thing to thing last week, I just couldn't muster up the energy to do that this week. We had a rough night from Ruby, then there was homeschooling and my work out. Then I had to put Ruby down for a nap and pick up groceries. I could have delayed the grocery pick up and gone to the lunch, Tyler was home to listen for Ruby, but I just wasn't in the right spirit to rush to a birthday celebration. That night Ben went and turned in his uniform and then him and Tyler joined in the scrimmage with parents. Tyler was sore for ages after that. He said they were much more difficult to play against than Ben's CW3 team. We also finally got Ben's official soccer picture- without the watermarks. He looks so old!

Tuesday Steven had to get some cavities filled so I made him go by himself because it was during Ruby's nap time. I am glad that he has these opportunities to be more independent, I think they are good for him. He asked lots of questions before hand which I find annoying but I wish I wouldn't get so annoyed. He is a lot like me and just wants to know exactly what is going to happen. It seemed like he did good with it all...except paying with my HSA card. He said it didn't work so he used my regular credit card but the HSA card worked for me just fine later that week...

We still just have 2 cars working so on Wednesday after dropping off the girls, I had to take Tyler to work so I would have a car to pick them up from their electives and Steven would have a car for his classes. I don't hate having to drop him off. It gives us some time to talk and then me and Ruby were able to stop at the Milford Park on our way home. It was soooo cold and we were literally the only ones there but it was good to get some fresh air. I am really trying to be outside with her everyday. Even when I am not happy about the weather.

Wednesday night all 4 kids went to the church building to help with the coat drive. Melissa has been heading it up and I feel bad that I haven't been any help but I just don't have much helpful energy in me these days. I will say that it was nice to have a quiet night in with just Ruby and Tyler. 

Thursday at 3am Ruby decided to be a terror at night again. I don't know what triggers it and I am just so exhausted with it. She didn't go to sleep until almost 5am and by that time I was just awake and didn't sleep much. The girls are still sleeping in the guest room. It is starting to feel like a permanent arrangement. That day felt rough to push through but I was determined to not let the bad night ruin my day and I think I did good. We survived homeschooling with minimal drama, I still did my work out, and got all my household things done. That night I took Penny to her last soccer practice in Milford and Ruby came with. We hung out mostly in the library because it was pretty cool outside. She had fun toddling around and saying "hello" to people and playing with the various things they had. She is funny and will oftentimes say "hi" to someone not looking at her but when someone says "hi" to her she will not respond. That night I decided to turn off the monitor and so I don't know if she woke up and I just didn't hear her or if she slept all night but I do know that I certainly slept through the night.

Friday afternoon I took Lucy to get her cavity filled. She was really nervous but did well. When we went to pay, they informed me I owed $70 for her filling and that I had a previous balance of $500. It turns out that they thought insurance was covering part of Steven's cleaning and cavities but he had actually maxed it out on his wisdom teeth and therefore they did not chip in at all. UGH. That was like a punch to the gut. I have this goal for how much I want in savings by the end of the year and life is just not making that possible. It is so frustrating. Lucy and I had plans to go to Five and Below to get some things for her upcoming birthday party after the filling, and we still did, but the fun was sucked out of it for me. That night I took Lucy and Ben to the temple for youth baptisms because Steven had to work. I sat with my friend Amy in the temple and probably chatted too much but she caught me up on what her kids were up to and then was a really good listener for my Ruby struggles. Then afterwards we went to Culver's and I sat with Caroline and we had a good chat. It was a filling night for me.

I turned off the monitor again Friday night and we all got some blessed sleep again. Saturday morning, Penny had her last soccer game. It was in the 40's but the sun was shining on us and I actually got warm. It was quite nice. Mariah came and we had a good chat near the end of the game about homeschooling our tricky kids. Ruby kept going rogue and trying to run into the field. She is trouble. Penny didn't get much play time but she had a good attitude about it. Her team won 3 to 1. Afterwards they did awards and Penny got the Sunshine and Smiles award. She was very happy with this award. I really love her coach but there's a strong chance he won't be back next season and that will be such a bummer.

Cousins in Town

Sunday was General Conference and with the time difference, the sessions don't start until noon. I decided to spend the morning cleaning since we were hosting dinner that night for Tyler'sisters.I do not love cleaning with kids awake because they just seem to make a mess of everything I do. I have definitely grown to prefer my night time house cleanings. Still I managed to get it done and still have time to take a shower and make the casseroles for that night. I was quite impressed with myself. After doing all those things, I was able to just relax and watch the conference sessions. I think my biggest take from the sessions was that I need to focus on my testimony of my Savior. Anyways, after both sessions, Tyler's sisters came over. Keshia had just flown in town with Knox, Nash and Reese and they were staying with Mariah's family. This was there first time visiting Michigan. Obviously it took Mariah living here for them to want to come visit but I guess I will just have to accept that that is the way things are. For dinner, the pasta casseroles I made were nothing special but thankfully they were very kid friendly so no complaints. The adults had a good chat and the kids all had fun with their cousins.

Monday we were able to homeschool before everyone (Mariah and Keshia's family) came over again. The flat on the Equinox was getting fixed so we only had one car so it was nice they all came here. After I picked up Steven from school and put Ruby down for a nap (we have been switching her to just one nap) we all walked over to Scarlet's Park. We spent several hours there. The kids were actually playing really well together- only minimal drama from Penny or Jessie feeling excluded. Penny is always feeling excluded so I took it with a grain of salt. Mariah, Keshia and I actually had a pretty deep conversation about things in the church. I really just brought up the things that my friends have been struggling with because I was curious what their thoughts and opinions were- the Hatch's have a lot of thoughts and opinions. They had some good, helpful ones. But they also sometimes had some "blind faith" opinions and I find that hard sometimes. I like there to be logic and reasoning behind things.

After the park we walked back to our house and then they had to leave because Mariah had to pick up Jeff from work. Mariah was also picking up Tara from the airport that night. Reese stayed with us though and spent the night. The girls were happy to have her over. I made my ground turkey skillet but had to make her something separate because she wasn't a fan. I feel like all kids just like the things their mom makes and have a hard time expanding their horizons. I know that is true for my kids. That night we all watched the "live action" "Dora the Explorer" movie and Reese really seemed to love it. They all went to sleep really nicely that night.

Tuesday we didn't homeschool in the morning because Reese was over. Instead we had a slow morning with pancakes, I did a work out and then we all walked down to the nieghborhood beach. I was determined not to sit around waiting for Mariah to text me when they were ready to meet up. It made things less frustrating for me for sure. The girls enjoyed playing on the little playground there and then on our way back, we ran into Julie and her kiddos which was nice.

By the time we were home from the beach, Mariah sent a text and it was time to meet up. Tyler took off the afternoon and we all met up at Three Cedars Farm. Once again, Ruby was home napping with Steven so they both missed out on the fun. The kids spent most of the time playing in the corn (which they all brought back to our house with them) but they did take a short break for doughnuts and cider. At one point Tara lost her phone but thankfully after much searching she found it. I am so glad I am not the only one who does that.

After we were done at the farm, Mariah's group was starving because they hadn't had lunch. We ended up picking up pizza for them on the way back to our house so they could have a very late lunch/early dinner. At our house the cousins had a lot of fun on our board game tablet and playing outside in the fairy garden. At one point Jeff and Tyler left to get some more sophisticated food for the grown ups- Pita Way. Around 8pm everyone but the girl cousins left. Navi, Saylor, Jessie, and Reese stayed for a girl cousin sleep over. It was quite a task to set up the living room for 6 girls to sleep but I accomplished it with an air mattress, a cot and the couches. We all watched "High School Musical" and had popcorn. I warned the girls that there was kissing and a few were slightly disappointed when it was only a kiss on the cheek. After the movie, I read them two of my favorite picture books, we said prayers and then it was time for bed. I did not hear them at all upstairs but according to Penny, Jessie would not stop asking questions and I honestly believe that.

Wednesday morning felt like a lot. I had to feed all the girls,and help them get ready for the day (which meant lots of hair to do) and prep a bag full of food for our outing. At 11am we met the rest of the Hatch gang at Kensington. I had to drive unsafe because I did not have enough seats in my Traverse- we risked Lucy's life. I will be so happy when the Suburban is fixed again. The drive was sort of obnoxious  because Jessie kept questioning what movie every Disney song we heard was from and what was happening in the movie for each part of the song. I was tired and had little patience for silly questions. Anyways, despite us leaving after they said they had, we beat them there. After some waiting, they got there, but they were lost in the park so we did some more waiting. Finally they arrived (minus Mariah who had to pick up Jeff) and we toured the Nature Center- because we were cold from all the waiting outside. When we were done in the Nature Center we went on a walk. It was a really beautiful day and I think everyone enjoyed the walk.

Tyler was taking another half day off work so by the time we finished our walk, he was done working and ready to join us. I took a car full of kids back home so we could eat lunch at my house and get Tyler. Keshia and Tara took another car full to Mariah's house and they ate lunch there. When we were all done with lunch and Ben had gotten home from school, we met up at downtown Northville to play on the playground and see the skeletons. There was a lot of picture taking with the skeletons and lots of fun games played on the playground. Ben is such a fun cousin and all the kids just love him. Around 6pm we had to part ways because Lucy had a church activity that she was leading that night and was really excited about (Torture Trivia). Keshia and her kids were leaving early the next morning and so it was a final gooodbye to them.

Thusday after the girls finished their school work we went over to Mariah's house for one final hurrah with Tara and her girls (they left that night). We did Halloween crafts. They made monsters and haunted houses with popsicle sticks and paint. There was even glitter involved. I have been so anti glitter for so long that I forgot how pretty it can look. My girls had some struggles with getting things to stay glued together because Mariah didn't have hot glue so they had some drama moments but overall it was a nice final hang out with Tara and her girls.

Friday I canned chicken and it always makes me a little anxious but I did it successfully. Thankfully Rebecca answered my Marco Polo questions, I always seem to have questions. Also Friday, Andrea was over again and while her and Ben were doing their usual pacing down our street, Ruby and I were outside in the backyard. When she saw them go by she wanted to go after them and did her best to follow them but her legs were too tiny. Thankfully Ben happened to turn around and see her and came back to give her a little love. It was cute. I took a pic of her following them when they were way off in the distance.

That night for our usual movie night we watched "1408". I had never seen it before and I felt like it started off really good and creepy but then it just kind of got weird and flopped. Too bad.

Saturday Penny had a soccer game in the morning and Tyler took her- her team won! Meanwhile Ben had a soccer fundraiser at Brightside Nutrition. I am not sure why they are fundraising now that the season is over but whatever. He was nervous about going but ended up having a good time. He got to wear a soccer ball costume to try and get costumers to come in and he said he was very successful. That afternoon I went over to Julie's and helped her can some chicken. Her kids were all there and her husband wasn't too helpful with them so it wasn't a super fun hang out but we did get some conversation in between the canning and the children. Saturday night I had puzzle night with Grace and Caroline. It was a chill night and we all had a chance to catch up with each other. 

Ruby has still not been a great sleeper. Even with the girls out of the room and us trying to let her cry it out, she is stubborn and inconsistent and I am tired. We have just discontinued her getting a bottle everytime she goes to bed so maybe that will do something. We shall see. She is lucky she is adorable.