The Accidental Boilermaker

 It was a cold but fun Halloween. We did have some snow, but thankfully not while we were outside. I dressed up as Professor Trelawney to go with Evelyn. Nate went as Ash to go with Jameson. One house knew who I was.  One boy pointed at Nate and knew he was Ash.  Right before we left, Jameson shut his fingers in the door. So my dad got a nice picture of Evelyn, but poor Jameson was in the house crying. He rallied once we started trick or treating.  We hit lots of houses and they got plenty of candy. We were home in time to help grandpa hand out some candy.  This year we only had 63 trick or treaters. 

 We carved our jack-o’-lanterns today. From left to right: mine, Evelyn’s, Jameson’s. 

 Friday night was trunk or treat at school followed by the Croninger Choir singing the national anthem at a Komets game. We have Pikachu and a Ravenclaw student at Hogwarts.   Trunk or treat was fun. We got there early so we could go back home, change and pick up Nathan. But that meant no lines.  We made it to the hockey game in plenty of time. We dropped Evelyn off with the music teacher and headed to our seats. Because we were part of a group they weren’t the best seats.  The view was fine but we were right near a speaker and then later a bunch of screaming 4th and 5th graders. So after the first period were moved to where Evelyn was sitting with her friends and another mom.  The choir did a great job. They were loud and enthusiastic. This was the first time the choir had performed at a Komets game. The game was not so great. Komets lost 2-9.  Today we went trick or treating at the horse ranch where my friend Victoria volunteers. It was a nice event with ...

Friday night Evelyn attended a Purdue Fort Wayne women’s volleyball match with friends from school. Nate and Jameson also went, but I had nursery at church. Everyone got their money’s worth because the match went 5 full sets. PFW lost.  Jameson had his last fall soccer game. Last Saturday we forgot his water bottle. This Saturday we forgot camp chairs so Evelyn and I sat on the grass. It worked out just fine and we kept each other warm.  Of the 10 players, Jameson knew 5 from spring soccer. I thought it was fun having a repeat team and enjoyed getting to know the kids and their parents better.  Evelyn and Jameson finished their literacy pumpkins. Instead of doing one family pumpkin, they each created an individual entry. Evelyn made the Other Mother from Coraline by Neil Gaiman.  Jameson made Super Rabbit Boy. 

Fall break was last weekend. Evelyn and Jameson had Friday and Monday off from school. On Friday they had to come to Bible study with me but that means drinks from the coffee shop and extra screen time. Afterward we went bowling because that’s what they wanted to do. Jameson got his first strike.  On Saturday, Jameson had a soccer game. It was rainy and cold. Because of fall break, only 5 kids on his team were there so they all had to play the full hour.  On Sunday Jameson and I ran the river city rat race 5K. We had lots of fun and I kept up with Jameson for the whole race, right until the end when he put the hammer down and sprinted to the finish. He ran the race in 26:00. I finished 26:07. I was also 3rd in my age group! Monday, Evelyn didn’t feel well. Jameson went to his eye appointment and had his piano lesson, but otherwise we stayed home. Thankfully Nate had taken the day off work, so having a sick kid was way less stressful. 

 Today was decades day. Suggested donation to participate was $1 and the money goes toward new playground equipment. Evelyn is wearing a dress Mimi made for Oma when she was either in 3rd or 4th grade. So definitely the 1960s. Jameson is rocking the 90s track suit fad. I told him basically everything I wore as a kid is now back in style.  I was asked to fill in as a chaperone on Evelyn’s field trip to the history museum and courthouse. I was excited because I’ve never been to the courthouse and it’s a beautiful building. The museum is fun too especially the basement where the old city jail is found. 

 New windows - scheduled, planned and saved for.  New washing machine - surprise!