A day of celebrating!

On Saturday, we had The Heffalumps (Cal's soccer team) last game of the season.  I do not know how in the world we lucked out getting on this team, but we are SO thankful we did! Most of the kids on the team are returning from the previous year-- they all requested to be on the team again.  They had a few kids age out, so Cal was able to get on the team-- purely by luck, because I went into this pretty blindly.

The game was typical-- the other team only had three players show up (we had 12), so we split up our team to play them and then play each other.  Cal doesn't really care who is playing-- he just likes to kick the ball and run around.  Okay.  Let's be real.  He just likes to run around and crash into people.  Sigh.  Let's just say if they handed out yellow cards in Rainbow Soccer, Cal would have a collection of them.  But he LOVES being out there.  And he has a blast.  And really, that's what matters...right??

Just to remember this one little tidbit... at half time of the game, there were some older boys playing with a ball next to the field.  Andy waddled on over to them, fingers in mouth (obviously), and kicked their ball.  They all thought it was hilarious, so they kind of stood back to see what he would do.  He dribbled (yes, dribbled) the ball on to the field, down towards the goal, and shot it into the goal.  Not kidding.  The kids were all clapping and hooting for him.  It was hilarious because he was so nonchalant about it, fingers in mouth throughout it all.  Can't wait until he is old enough to play too!

 After the game, the coaches sat all the players down and we took pictures.

Then, while the kids were still sitting, they called each kid up, one at a time, and told them how happy they were to have them on the team, and how great they were at _______ and how much better they got at ______... For each and every kid they did this.  They told Cal that he was so great at not getting discouraged and he would always pop right back up again whenever he fell down.  Y'all, this was AWESOME.  I had tears in my eyes, as cheesy as that sounds.  But the other parents did too! It was SO special to hear someone else talk about how wonderful your kid is and how thankful they are to have them be a part of their team.  The other parents knew what was coming, since they did this last year, so they had their video cameras out and rolling...lesson learned for next year!!! I was snapping away with my iPhone!

Cal was called up first... he didn't really know what to do, so he sat down-- haha

Coach Tina and Coach Margie telling how what a hard worker he was...

 Once both coaches gave their speech, they put a medal around his neck and handed him a trophy.  I was a proud momma, but Mr. CalBoy was a PROUD little kid.  He was just in awe.

getting his medal

"mom! do you see me?"

with his coaches, his trophy and his medal

he couldn't believe he really had a trophy-- he kept staring at it

All of the Heffalumps with their trophies!

We had a little party after all the kids got their trophies then we went to Fire House subs for lunch.  Cal wore his shin guards and his medal in.  The sweet manager immediately asked him about his medal and Cal said, "AND I got a trophy too!!!" Pretty fantastic!

yup, we are in the bathroom... both kids put their hats on and it was cracking me up so I took their picture.  Hey, when the moment strikes....

 When we got home, Cal did not want to put his trophy down.  He zipped around the house holding it... we made him leave it downstairs for nap time because he poked himself in the eye with the little guy's foot. 

After Cal decided not to nap, he came downstairs to watch some football with me.  TCU was playing WVU.  Eddie was golfing so we had some bonding time...

Andy woke up for the second half and we cheered on the Frogs as hard as we could.... and.....

THEY WON! In overtime! It was a GREAT game and a lot of fun to watch.  Thankfully, Eddie got home in the 4th quarter so we could scream like crazy at the end of the game.  This was a big win because that means we are now bowl eligible.  It's a VERY big deal and we were thrilled they got the W!

It was a day of celebrating!








 

BOO, y'all!

Hope you all had Happy Halloweens, whatever you ended up doing! We had a fabulous time trick-or-treating last night with Cal.  Andy has been a bit under the weather, so Grandma was kind enough to let him hang out with her...and I am SO SO glad he did! Not only was I thankful for not having a sick child out in the cold, but also because Cal was beyond excited to have that alone time with me and Eddie. 

But, let me back up... we have had lots of festive events leading up to the BIG NIGHT last night...

Last Friday night we had an adult Halloween party to attend.  We tossed around ideas constantly about costumes.  It was driving us crazy.  We wanted to go as a couple, but that got to be too hard.  And then, we looked at costumes at the store and they were crazy expensive... we just couldn't justify spending over $100 on costumes!

We were talking about it one night and Cal overheard us and he insisted that "Mommy is Tinkerbell and Daddy is Superman!" He was adamant about these costumes.  We thought about it some more, and Eddie really felt like he should be Superman, since that is what Cal wanted him to be... I pointed out that Superman wears tights and a speedo, and Eddie quickly lost that idea.  So I started looking at Tinkerbell costumes, and y'all-- when did Tinkerbell become skanky?? I refuse to dress up like a slutty Tinkerbell!!!!!

Sooooo...... a new idea was born thanks to a friend also going to the party...

80s Prom Queen!

I hot rolled my hair and teased it up real big.  My mom loves big hair-- she thought this looked great, ha!

This is what I looked like when the boys woke up from naps.  Andy just stared at me like I was crazy.  Can't say I blame him!

And, I came up with this idea for Eddie, who really wanted to please Cal still...

Clark Kent!

We both used a TON of product in our hair.  Our bathroom counter had a nice film covering it Saturday morning. 

Before the party, we went over to my brother's house for a pre-party.  His costume didn't come in in time, but after we were there for 15 minutes, he got a call that it had arrived at the post office.  He ran down the road to pick it up, then changed quickly... I about died when he came out looking like this...

The white knee socks made the look. 

Here is a picture of some of the girls from the pre-party.  There was a bar-maid girl (?), Curious George, Minnie Mouse, the 2 80s prom queens (from CHHS and ECHHS...), Kim Kardashian--complete with a booty, and a flapper. 

And we made the guys do a picture too: an alps guy, Kris Hunphries, the yellow hat guy from Curious George, a Nascar fan, a gangster (to go with the flapper), and Clark Kent

We had to take one picture at the party too....

Saturday, we had a soccer game for Cal (which, Eddie and I were secretly hoping was canceled....shhhhhh) and then I spent the rest of the day cooking away for a shower on Sunday for my very good friend (hi, ange!).  Keeping with the time of year, here is a picture of one of the centerpieces we did...

Tuesday, Cal had school and their Halloween party.  The kids were to wear their costumes to school.  Buzz Lightyear was SO SO excited!

saying GO FROGS!

And, this is his buddy Ava.  They LOVE playing together.  When we walked in, Ava's mom said she had to get a picture with Cal and Ava. The teacher said "oh you can have that in their wedding slideshow!" All the teachers at school joke about how they are like a married couple.  I think they fight and play together constantly! ha!

All of these were taken with my phone because my camera is still in the shop, and I am borrowing my dad's but it has been acting up lately too... all of my pictures from that camera are super dark--

any idea why it is this dark? And, yes, I triple checked the flash...

Anyway...

Wednesday was actual Halloween and Andy's day to go to school.  Well, Tuesday night, he felt a little warm and had a runny nose, so we just bagged school all together for him.  I didn't want to take him there and expose all the other little kids to his germies.  I think he was probably fine, but I thought it'd be best not to push him. 

But, since it was Halloween, we weren't going to just sit at home and stare at out costumes... we put them on, took some pictures and then took treats to people!

WOODY! Holding Woody!

his costume was WAY too big on him.  I had to roll it like crazy.

Our first stop after leaving the house was the gym.  Since I wasn't able to go workout (not taking a sick baby in there either!), we delivered treats to our friends there...

 Then we headed to Eddie's office....

Then we headed to my dad's office....

Cal got into the chocolate at this point..check out the drool stains...

After making the rounds, the kids were worn out.  I asked Cal what he wanted for lunch and he said, "um, I prolly need Chick-a-way for lunch today." I was all about doing whatever to make everyone happy today, so we got some lunch and then headed home to eat and nap.  

Andy woke up from naps feeling warm again, so we took him over to play with (Super) Grandma.  We got Cal in costume and then headed over to a friends house for a pre-trick-or-treating gathering.  It was so much fun! They live in a great neighborhood for this-- there was just a TON of kids! We all played in their driveway and ate some pizza. 

Cal and Jackson

cousin love

whoops!

 Everyone left around the same time and a bunch of the big kids charged ahead to hit as many houses as they could.  Their parents were chasing them up and down the streets while trying to manage their younger kids.  Cal stuck back with us and we had THE BEST NIGHT.  I can not even begin to say how happy I was.  It was one of those top moments of being a parent that I never want to forget-- cheesy, I know, but it's true! I just wish Andy could have been there with us. 

It was just the three of us walking down the street, with Cal talking non-stop, holding our hands enjoying each other.  We weren't trying to keep up with people, we were going at our own pace and it was just perfect!
Cal was an excellent trick-or-treater; he walked up to each house (holding my hand tightly) and said "Trick-or-treat!!!" then once he got the candy, he would say, "Thank you! Happy Halloween!" We had several houses comment on his excellent manners.  I was beaming, I am sure. 

 And one more funny picture...Eddie took a video of Cal talking to Poppy (Eddie's dad).  In the video, Cal says "get me some candy, Poppy!" (except it sounds cute and not spoiled.....).  Eddie's mom sent the video to both of his sisters and to Tommy (Tricia's fiance), who happens to have a VERY hilarious sense of humor.  Tommy sent this back, along with the caption...

"Cal, tomorrow morning, after his overnight shipment from Poppy arrives..."

Another Halloween is behind us! Now, on to THANKSGIVING!!!

 

Family Photo sneak peek

We had some family pictures taken this afternoon. For whatever reason, I was a stressed mess trying to figure out what to wear.  Seriously, it seems so stupid, but I wanted these to turn out good, so I spent (way too much) time thinking about outfits. 

Seeing as it is October 23rd, you'd think jeans and boots would be perfect...so that's what I was planning.  Welllll... it is a chilly 84 degrees here in the heart of NC.  Go figure.  But since I was hoping to use one of these pictures on our Christmas card, I didn't want everyone wearing flip flops and shorts (plus, Momma's legs haven't seen much sun and they are PALE!).

It was a chaotic afternoon-- Cal didn't nap (although he was EXHAUSTED), I had to wake up Andy, Eddie was running late, and it was H-O-T. 

BUT, we got there and had fun.  I was seriously doubting she was able to get anything good with the wild ones around, but then she just posted this one on facebook and I think it's pretty funny...



Can't wait to see the rest of them!!!

 

Need a laugh?

The debate makes my head want to explode. Grown men arguing and talking over each other...ahhhh...so relaxing.

I prefer laughing.  So, I share these with you, my friends.  Please enjoy.  And if you are offended, don't be-- just laugh and move on, k?

Also, I should warn you there might be some "adult language" below.  Again, don't be offended...and remember, this is judgement free zone :)

this one made me laugh out loud

Are you laughing??? Maybe just a little? 

Happy Monday!