The hot dog sandwich

Lately Pascal has been having to work super long days and weekends.  At times I find that I am running on empty and just can't seem to get everything done.  I ran out of bread one day and had some hot dog buns.  Perfect, I thought. So I made Owen a peanut butter and jelly sandwich on a hot dog bun cut it in half and thought, he probably won't even notice. I picked up Owen from school and as we rode home he said, "Mom, tomorrow for lunch I don't think I'll have the hot dog bun sandwich."  I replied with, "Oh sorry about that buddy, I ran out of bread."  I giggled a little and thought that was a very nice way of saying, "Mom, the hot dog bun sandwich was a dud."  

Here is Owen with his soccer trophy.  We missed the last 3 games because of his arm but he enjoyed the season.  I think we are all feeling the pre-deployment jitters.  Last week we decided to eat lunch with Owen at school on Meg's birthday.  We went into the cafeteria to find Owen and when he saw us  he immediately teared up. Big fat tears started to roll down his face.  I quick spied a janitor closet at the end of the cafeteria and took Owen over for a little talk.  The conversation went as follows:

Owen - "Mom, I just need to see dad"

Me - "Well, buddy he is at work, why are you crying?"

Owen - "Mom we had like 5 pages of math, and it is Meg's birthday and I shouldn't have to go to school on Meg's birthday and I'm just having one of those tough days, you know the kind where you just want to go home and see dad ....and I had 5 pages of math!

Me - Well, just because I come to eat with you doesn't mean I'm here to bail you out of school but I know what you mean about tough days so let's go home."

I don't know if that was the "right" decision but it was my "heart" decision and for now I'm gonna go with that!

 

 

Here is a picture of Owen's class having their Pumpkin Party

 

Meg and I were in charge of the station called, "Will it float or sink?"

The children had to guess whether or not a big fat pumpkin would sink or float when put into a container of water.  Almost of all the kids guessed it would sink.  Their eyes were so cute when it just floated right to the top!

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Here is Owen at the measuring table.

 

 

Before we left he wanted to make sure I saw his "scary story."  

We had his first teacher conference today.  The teacher said, "Owen is such a shining star, he just gets along with everyone and everyone wants to be his friend."  My prayer for Owen since before he was born is that he would have a sweet and gentle spirit.  So proud of my buddy!

Meg turns 5!!

 

This week we celebrated Meg turning 5!!

Here is the cake Owen and I made for her.

 

 

                               Here she is wearning her new leg warmers, shoes and hairband from Mimi!!

 

She got a new lunchbox, sunglasses and shoes from Abigail!

She was beyond thrilled!

Here we are at the Trunk or Treat sponsored by Pascal's battalion.  We had never been to one of these events. Here's a shot of my princess and Clone Trooper!

The ideas people came up with to decorate their trunks were amazing!

This lady and her little boy won 1st place for their costume.

People had tvs hooked up in their cars, lights, music and one car even had a smoke machine!

This little boy dressed as a Paratrooper won 1st place.  Owen thought his costume was amazing!

Our favorite was this guy, He was a "Personal trainer". 

There were lots of pirates!

The kids really enjoyed the event.  It was super cold last night, in fact we had snow flurries this morning!  We give Trunk or Treat two thumbs up!

Weekend Fun!

This weekend we went back to Heidelberg to enjoy Isabella's (Marvin's sister) Birthday party.

It was a ladybug themed party.  Here is the birthday girl!

They had it at the Pottery Studio.  All the kids got to pick and paint their own piece.

 

Owen picked out a cool helicopter and Marvin picked out a tank.

                                              Look at this cake, can you believe it!

I mean I thought I was doing good because I splurged on the Princess Cake Topper Set below for Meg's birthday this week.

                                                               
                 I'm afraid a pink Pilsbury cake will be the only cake coming out of my  kitchen.

After the party they had a scavenger hunt for the kids!

Owen and Meg loved this!

Playing in the sand pit is always a must. 

We found this princess dress at the thrift store for only $2.00!  That seems to be our magic number!

 

 

When we got home Meg said, "Mom, I have always dreamed of a dress that touches the floor!"  

We like kid snippets!  Below is a little math video.  We have had some of these moments at the Reber house!

Math

 

Step 1

 

Step 2

                                                                             
                                                                           Step 3

DONE!! 

                        Owen got all fixed up today at orthopedics, in 4 weeks he should be good to go!

Today's Adventure

Meg and I were on our way to visit the Thrift Store when we got a call from the school nurse.  Owen had fallen while playing soccer and hurt his arm.  So I decided to just pick him up.  It is one of those moments as a mom - when you just don't know what to do. Do I take him in or wait it out?  Well, after much prayer, deliberation and worry I just looked him straight in the eyes and said, "Buddy do you think deep in your heart it is broken or just bruised?" Without wavering he said, "Mom, it's broken."  So we headed to the doctor..... and he was right it was.  Thank goodness it is just a fracture.  We are now waiting to hear from ortho on whether or not he needs a hard cast.

Waiting to get some Motrin

His school picture for 2nd grade.  I am such a bad mom, I never buy school pictures.  I always just save this little picture that they send home.  School pictures are crazy expensive!

 

This week I saw a craft idea I thought Meg would love.  You take fabric puff paint and paint onto a plastic bag.  We put a picture inside the bag and then Meg would trace it using the puff paint.  Once you are finished you let it dry overnight and then peel it off and it makes a home-made window cling.  Meg loved this!

 

Another one of Meg's outfits.  I asked her what she would call this "look" and she replied with, "style and fashion!"

We went to a Fall Bazaar over the weekend.  Owen has wanted one of these little houses that you put a candle/light in since we got to Germany.  He always studies them carefully and says, "Mom aren't those just the coolest little houses."  Well, we let him pick one out as a souvenir from Germany.

This was his choice.  We put a little tea light candle in it and he asks me to light it up every night.  So funny to see what interest him.

Tuesday Tidbits

Last week we had a fundraiser for Pascal's unit.  We served up over 200 chili dogs and raised over a $1,000.00! I had to take the kids with me.  I took Meg's little cash register and let her collect the money - we took donations only and with Meg working the cash register I think we pulled in some extra cash.  There is the stack of 1,000 buckaroos, we came home exhausted but excited that we had done so well. 

 

Here is another classic example of a "Meg outfit".  Her style makes me smile!

 

Today, at the thrift store we found this bag of stuff for $4.00.  It looked promising but I wasn't sure if there were broken parts or if all the parts were even in there.  But I thought even if it is a bust I will only be out $4 so I decided to go for it.  I got to the register and the lady said all toys are half price so it is $2.00!  I thought great, maybe there will be something in there worth $2.00.  WELL....

That turned into THIS!!!

Not one missing piece!

Both Meg and I were so excited!! We called everyone we knew to tell them about our great find!  I love how God has suprises for us!

Pumpkin Fun

Another free picture slideshow by Smilebox

Looking Back

It is always such fun to look back at previous years and let the kids see their costumes.  I am not a big Halloween fan and I hate spending money on costumes.  In previous years we have found creative ways to make costumes.  A friend gave us the ladybug outfit and a dear piping friend gave Owen his REAL fire fighter's helmet when he retired.  This is the first year that Owen requested a certain outfit.  Meg is totally into dressing up as well, I know that is hard to believe.  So I finally did it.... I broke down and ordered Owen a costume online.  I am hoping I can creatively make something for Meg.  I have an idea I just hope she will go for it.  And now the waiting and hoping the costume makes it before our big trunk or treat event.  Stay tuned to see how this year's outfits turn out!