The Howell's 1st Annual Halloween Party

Little Red Riding Hood and Big Bad Wolf (Josh and Misty)

Robbin Hood and Maid Marian (Keith and Allie)

Vampire Couple (Mike and Jamie)

Frankenstein and Bride (Wendy and Alan)

Referee and Athlete (Chrissy and JR)

 Doctor and FAILED patient (Rachel and Travis)

Mermaid and Fisherman (Shane and McKenzie)

What we learned: 

1. People get a lil crazy on Halloween Night.

2. When alcohol is present, craziness increases TEN FOLD.

3. Adults ARE NOT afraid of making fools of themselves, especially if 

A) it gets a laugh

B) it earns a fate card

C) its gets one a silly Band.

4. A box of props can make or break the success of a game.

5. People will do anything for a prize. 

and

6. Halloween is NOT just for kids.

Too funny!

Source: stumbleupon.com via Stacey on Pinterest

Crazy Hair Day!!

I'm quite certain this was the first and last time the kid will let me give him a Faux hawk. I guess that leaves out the punk rocker spikes I was planning for the next Crazy Hair Day...

Everybody was....

KUNG FOO FIGHTING!!

Well, not really. It was Jiu Jitsu. and they weren't fighting. and they are 5-7 year olds. and its a class. But still... that was fun to say, right?

Safe Sleeping

My guess? He wanted to keep Rufus EXTRA safe.

And please, just add a little salt to the wound...

Yup, there's more. But first, you need to read the previous post Birthday Blues

And in the process of finding all of the Birthday Posts for the HERE links, I realized I didn't post about Sydnie's Birthday Party this year. When it rains it pours, and apparently I have acquired my own personal cloud of guilt. It's a good one too. With thunder and lightening and everything. CRACK! BAM!
May I have another please?

So, here it is!! Sorry Sis.

 The Dora Party!!

 The Birthday Girl! Four years old and beautiful!

 Our first activity was coloring a cupcake coloring page. We told the kids it was a contest, but we really needed them to create "Cupcake Mountain" for the adventure!

 And then we read "If you give a cat a cupcake" and "Dora Makes a Wish" to give my helpers upstairs time to set up.

 Then we headed upstairs and discovered that all of Sydnie's presents were missing! There was a letter from Swiper the Fox saying he swiped all of Sydnie's presents! Oh no! Will you help Sydnie and Dora find Sydnie's presents?

Who do we ask for help when we don't know which way to go? THE MAP!!

 First we go through the playhouse...

and then we go over cupcake mountain...

 and then we go through Happy Birthday Birthday Gate...

 to find Sydnie's presents!

WE DID IT!!


Let's go open those presents!

 

 Alli and Madi waiting for some cake!!

 Make a Wish!!







And finally, taking her new bike for a spin!

I can't believe my baby girl is 4 years old! I love you, Sis!

Birthday Blues

If you know me at all, or you click  here, here, here, or here, you know that I am "that mom" who throws those huge, elaborate parties complete with birthday adventures for all to experience like a trip to Bikini Bottom or adopting a puppy!  I have always loved planning and creating these celebrations that always reflect my kids interests at that time in their life.  I love it!

This year, it was..... a little different. Cordel had a really rough start in school. It was a really big adjustment for him. The rules at the Academy are very strict and he was having a really hard time with it. We had tried everything. No video games, no TV, no friends, extra chores, in addition to whatever consequence the school was implementing, usually missing recess! Nothing was getting through to this kid! So, after much thought and consideration, we told Cordel that if he "struck out" at school again, he would not be having a party with friends. And sadly, he struck out a few days later. I was beside myself!  I just couldn't believe it!

And to make matters worse, we later found out that the strikes he was getting at school were for very minor infractions. VERY MINOR. Now, we as Love and Logic parents know that Our Word is Gold. We mean what we say and say what we mean, and do what we say we will do. So, even though I was having enormous bouts of guilt rack my body, we stuck to our word and had a simply party with family only.

THANK HEAVENS HE HAS A LOT OF COUSINS!!

We did our best to make the party as fun as possible without breaking our word. We went to a park, invited lots of family, opened presents, and had cake and cupcakes for the birthday boy. 

In the end and in spite of the guilt, we felt good about choosing to be parents first and allow our son to learn a hard lesson.

 The Birthday  Boy at his Birthday Breakfast!

Opening presents...

 Make a Wish!!!

 This is one of my nephews friends Lucas. I, in all my walling in guilt and chaos of  planning the "not-party" forgot to buy forks for the cake. Lucas showed us how to overcome that obstacle!

 Happy Birthday, Cordel! We love you so much!