SILLY SALLY

For Halloween, Alex's school asked that the kids pick a favorite book character and dress up as them instead of dressing up as other Halloween type characters.  Alex chose Silly Sally.  She happened to have a purple dress similar to Sally.  I went to a thrift store and happened to find a white apron and bloomers (Raggedy Anne costume) that were the right size for Alex.  Lastly, I tied her hair in rags to make it curly like Silly Sally.  It turned out quite well if I do say so myself.  Alex LOVED the curls and kept shaking her head and making them bounce.  I guess we'll have to tie her hair in rags more often.

HALLOWEEN

This year for Halloween Shane wanted to be Superman and Alex wanted to be Rapunzel.  The weather was cold and rainy on the day of our ward's trunk or treat so it was moved inside.  They made it a trick AND treat where it was similar to a carnival.  Those giving out candy made the kids do some kind of game to "earn" the candy.  They loved all the games and then later enjoyed all the candy. 

For Halloween I made some speacial Halloween food.  For a snack I made cups of dirt and worms (chocolate pudding, oreo crumbles, gummy worms).  For dinner I made mozzarella stick fingers with blood dipping sauce and spider pizzas (olives).  The kids loved it but it grossed Mike out and he had a hard time eating it.  It was drizzling on Halloween night but we went out anyway.  We were some of the only kids out so people gave us tons of candy.  We only went to a couple dozen houses and ended up with so much candy!  Even Maggie didn't mind being out in the drizzling rain.  Maybe next year she will dress up and participate in the festivities.

BUEN GAUCHO

At Alex's school they have an award, the Buen Gaucho award, for students who are exemplary examples of someone who displays one of four different qualities: respectful, responsible, friendly, and helpful.  Alex received the award for respectful.  They had a little award assembly and gave her a certificate.  She also got a t-shirt that says, "Soy un buen gaucho."  We are so proud of her!

ZOO CELEBRATION

Shane has had a hard time with potty training and keeping the bed dry at night.  He did really well at the beginning and kept his underwear dry for several months.  Then he wet the bed.  Then again.  Then again.  He started doing it regularly so we put him back into diapers at night.  I was so frustrated that he was regressing.  I had the impression for several weeks to make a reward chart for him.  Finally, after some resistance I decided to do it.  I made a simple chart that had several squares.  Every day that he had a dry diaper in the morning he could put a sticker on the chart.  After seven stickers he earned a "celebration."  I didn't want to limit it to just toys or just a treat.  He could choose how he wanted to celebrate keeping his diaper dry.  Immediately he started keeping his diaper dry.  After several weeks he has only had a couple days with just a little wet diaper.  For one of his celebrations, and also to celebrate Alex doing well in school, we went to the zoo and rode the train.  It is a small train that lasts only a few minutes but they loved it.  We saw a few other things and just enjoyed time together as a family.