Trick or Treating at work

Billy's company had a trick-or-treating event at the office yesterday afternoon. The employees' kids were invited to come in costume and trick-or-treat around the building while enjoying lots of home-made sweets. Myles went as a dinosaur and we came home with close to 10 pounds of candy...GOOD candy! Nearly everyone had a huge bucket of assorted chocolates and Myles made sure to grab handfuls at several of the stations, especially if they had M&Ms.

Mommy and Daddy also enjoyed some of the food that was brought in...from dirt cups to cupcakes to assorted cookies and brownies. A good time was had by all and I am stealing the idea for my office next year (since these types of events fall within my job description)!

Not So Scary Halloween

We took Myles to Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party at Disney's Magic Kingdom Sunday night. We went back and forth all weekend on whether to spend the money ($50 per person) but decided to go for it after the great day we'd had Sunday and when we realized it was the last year Myles could go for free (under 3).

I think I speak for the whole family when I say it was wonderful! We had such a great time and it was worth every penny! Not only did we come home with about 5 pounds of GOOD candy after trick or treating around the park throughout the night, but pretty much every ride was open and there were little to no lines since Disney caps the attendance for this special event.

We rode the Teacups, Winnie the Pooh, Pirates of the Caribbean, Buzz Lightyear, the Tomorrowland people-mover, Goofy's kiddie coaster, and took three turns on the Indy race track (at Myles' request).

The parade was also fabulous and there were lots of characters who you don't usually see when visiting Disney (mostly the villains). The highlight of the night was Myles meeting Tarzan, Jane and Turk (the gorilla). This is one of his two favorite movies (second only to Cars) and he was in awe of the characters. Captain Hook was also a big hit.

While this is a little pricey (in total, we spent a little over $150 including parking and food), it is well worth doing if you have a little one. As a matter of fact, Billy and I both said we probably won't do Disney any other way moving forward. You pay about $15-20 less, can go into the park at 4pm (event ends at Midnight), have no lines and walk out with tons of free candy. It is really a good deal, if you ask me and as Disney always does, they make it magical for the kids (and even for the adults). Don't miss out on going to this event one year! I can absolutely guarantee you won't be disappointed (and I do NOT work for Disney)!

People and parties

So a friend of mine is having a great little children's Halloween party this weekend. We received our invite about a month ago and have been looking forward to it ever since. The kids are invited to wear costumes and bring a goody bag so that they can collect some treats. She's been buying deocrations for the house and working on recipes that will be fun for the kids and tasty for the adults, while sticking with the Halloween theme. Like me, she lives in a smaller house so didn't invite the whole world to come.

Then, the inevitable happened. Everyone started canceling. One right after another. It's sad, really. Today, she called me in disbelief...wondering if she should try to reschedule or just hold the party for the TWO kids (including my own) who are able to attend. She decided to hold it anyway and here is why:

People are notorious for this. It's the reason I only hold one party at year now at my home. They always say they're coming, then cancel for one reason or another. "We are now going out of town," "Child is sick," "Family decided to come and visit that weekend," are all excuses I've heard one too many times. And the biggest culprits are parents.

Listen folks, I don't want to offend anyone, but we have to be more sensitive to other people when they are putting forth an effort to be a friend. Obviously things come up. Unexpected emergencies happen. And in these cases, you are clearly off the hook. But there are too many times when people back out of a gathering and give an excuse...when really the excuse is that they just don't feel like going any more. It's been a bad day. They're tired. Whatever. It's inconsiderate...especially when done at the very last minute.

I feel really bad for my friend. She is one of the best friends I've been blessed to know and she doesn't deserve this. Now she's left with tons of food that won't get eaten. What's worse, she's left with hurt feelings...wondering if people just don't like her. I can't tell you how many times I've asked myself the same question. Why, oh why aren't people ever available to come to my parties? Do they just not like me?

I've been as guilty as everyone else of backing out of something for less than good reasons. But I, for one, am committing not to do so again. After all, I could use the friendships.

Wordless Wednesday - my new kitchen

"I don't like Mommy!"

This is what Myles told me when we were driving home Sunday after his weekend with my parents. He had a wonderful time with them in Ocala but didn't want to come home due to the nonstop excitement. I tried to explain to him that he needed to come home because he LIVES there...and because we love him and want to be with him. It didn't work. "I don't like mommy!" So I tried telling him Daddy was crying because he missed him so much (Daddy was at home finishing the kitchen when I was driving Myles home). "No daddy! I don't like daddy!" was the response.

Billy doesn't think he fully understands what he's saying when he says he doesn't like someone or something. He feels he's just trying to communicate that he doesn't want to be with that person at that time. I'm not so sure. All I know is it hurts and I never expected I'd hear the "I don't like you" line this early in my child's life.

Looks like I have some work to do.

Here are two photos taken over the weekend during his stay with my parents. Both are taken at Silver Springs, which is a fabulous place to take children, especially in the fall and around the holidays, when they have extra activities and exhibits setup. It's worth the drive from Orlando when you have a day to spare.

What to do when your child is gone for the weekend

Wow, there are so many things I could think of doing with Myles spending the weekend with my parents tonight through Sunday. There's the Epcot Food & Wine Festival...a late season trip to the beach...heck, there must be something good playing in the movies or at the theatre this weekend. Unfortunately for us, tearing out our kitchen beats out all of these suggestions. Ugh. I guess it's better to do it while Myles is out of the house than in the house.

I'm going to miss the little man so much...he brings such life and joy into our home. I know he'll have a great time though, as he always does with Meme and Papa. Hopefully he'll want to come home this time!

Wordless Wednesday

Us at Green Meadows Petting Farm in early Oct. This place is a must for toddlers and is especially nice in Oct. with their pumpkin patch and Halloween decorations.

Coping with guilt

I'm going through another "feeling guilty phase." Lately, Myles has been (to put it lightly) clingy with me, particularly in the evenings. He wants 100% of my attention at all times.

So I've had a choice to make...do I give him every moment of my attention from the time I pick him up until the time he drifts off to sleep, sacrificing time with Billy, making dinner, tidying things up and getting in some "me" time? Or do I teach him now that even though I'm away from him for 45 hours a week, I need even more time to spend on things other than him?

It's a real struggle. The latest thing to suffer was the 4-week Bible study I'd joined on Wed. nights. Myles absolutely did not want me to pick him up, then take him to another childcare setting for 90 minutes so that I could learn about how to love. So I missed the last class. I couldn't refuse the time with him. I would have missed the 3rd class as well if it weren't for the fact that Billy got off early that night and was able to meet me at the church and pick him up. After all, he won't want to spend time with me forever! Another issue is I have gained 5 pounds (that I did NOT need to gain) because we're not eating as well and I'm exercising very rarely.

I truly want to spend time with Myles, but I am struggling more than ever to make time for things other than work and being a mom. There's no time for cooking, no time for laundry (until after he finally crashes at around 9:30 p.m.), and no time for spending time with my poor husband, again until after he goes to bed and the bare minimum chores are done.

I love my job and what I do, but I truly wish I could shave about 10 hours a week off my work schedule right about now. That, of course, will not happen, so for now, I'm searching for the right balance, as well as any advice anyone has to offer. I welcome your thoughts.

No time for blogging these days

I have fully intended to blog many, many days. But I have not made the time to do so. You see, I have been incredibly busy. I just wrapped up our annual Workplace Giving event at work on Oct. 3. We're also in the middle of a kitchen remodel and some major electrical work. I'm also doing a women's Beth Moore Bible study (which is awesome) and am very, very caught up in the presidential election, which I truly feel will make or break our country, depending on how people vote.

We have, however, tried to make as much time as we can for fun. We're excited for Halloween this year and are determined not to be SICK this year!!! Myles will be a dinosaur...see above. We're also busy with fall festivals and other fun outings now that the weather is bearable. Last weekend, we went to Green Meadows Petting Farm and had a BLAST! This weekend, we're going to Oktoberfest at Celebration, as we did last year. Lots more fun stuff planned this month through Dec. so I'll try to blog any opportunity I get. Check back weekly, as I do hope to update at least that often. Enjoy your fall!