Brayden and the costume parade

Brayden and Asia, he just loves her.

Brayden wore an old lion costume that we put horns on and gave him fake teeth so he could be a "wild thing". The movie having just come out he was all into it, but when I got there he didn't like the teeth and had lost the horns.. such a boy.

Fancy Lilly

Brayden loves Fancy Nancy books and thought Lilly needed to be a bit fancier. Lil was thrilled, she loves jackets, shoes and now leg warmers too.

This is a girl obsessed with accessories to want an eye patch on.

Some cuddle time with Sierra

Parker and Brayden at the Fall Festival

Dexter Elementary Fall Festival

On the way there, they saw the inflatables and went nuts.

Fruit Roll Up eating contest. Parker won but Bray was very close behind him.

Guest star, the armadillo from Texas Roadhouse.

The Pumpkin Roll was our class event, we had a great time.

Go Cart rides stole the show.

a cold cold soccer day

So today was a challenge. Both boys had soccer games at 9am on opposite ends of the field and to top that it was 38 degrees at 8:45 when we left. Buuurrrr. Sierra was going to watch Lilly at the house but I decided I would let her sleep in since she has been such a big help lately.

Both boys have the same coach, Ray and Wendy Shisler, who are super great people and everyone there knows I am flying solo these days so there was loads of support and noone seemed to let on that I was overwhelmed and disheveled at best. Child proof coffee tumbler in hand... and two water bottles, a set of keys and a toddler with both boys trailing behind arguing over who has bigger feet, I decide "I can do this".

So I over explain to Parker and Brayden "if you look up and mom isn't there I just ran to the other game" (mind you these games are like 4 fields away from each other, I am toting Lilly and its now a not so sunny 41 degrees) "if you need help you have Coach or Miss Wendy" then I repeat 3 more times to help compensate for my mommy guilt over things I 1. cannot control 2. am honestly doing my best at. Luckily the only incident was Bray got run over and bounced off his face, so not fun, but I was there to kiss him and he was fine.

All and all it worked. I have a blister from running back and forth and still haven't managed a shower but I did it.

Still at the house "GO LIONS"

Lil also loves my favorite baby proof coffee tumbler

Parker's warm up, he is closest to the camera.

Bray out in front with the ball

On the bench after a fast face bouncing recovery

24 hours from deployment time

24 hours from deployment time is very emotional. We are a pretty typical American family who eat dinner together much more often then not, however after dinner Sierra is in her room with homework or her days drama to text about, Parker and Bray are in the playroom calmly debating the "mineness" of various objects.., I might be with Lilly watching TV while Rob is on hid blackberry with work.. that is how it typically is. 24 hours from deployment time is different, we are together. Without discussing it it just happens, I think it is this way for most military families.

Even Heidi looks sad

Rob and I decided distractions for the kids would be helpful, so 6 hours and counting, off to Toys R Us we went. Each of the kids, minus Lilly, picked out new Wii games. It ended up being a great idea. Lilly grabbed an old movie and claimed that as her "new thing".

Lilly provided loads of entertainment, it was good to laugh.

When Rob went to get in uniform the inevitable was in place and the distractions didn't work for Parker, Sierra and myself. I often had to leave the room, Parker just hung on Rob and didn't want to let go, Sierra kept herself very busy trying to keep everyone happy.

We decided we were in need of another distraction. PIZZA. I placed the order to be delivered within the 30 minute window of when we knew he had to leave. It worked out that the pizza guy pulled up, we got the pizza in (kids doing all kids of yea pizza jigs) and Rob's ride pulled up before I had plates on the table. Rob kissed the kids and me and left promptly.

Boone kiddos early October

Sierra 's new purple hair

Lilly dancing

Lil in the back yard

Lilly is all about given some lovin

Soccer studs