Growing up small...

Landry's school had their annual Fall Family Fun Night and our crew was busting at the seams. It's crazy to think about this table and how it has changed over the years. As we've each had more babies that table seems to have shrunk as those babies grew. This school has really meant so much to our family in what it has provided not just our kiddos, but us. Our best-friends are here and being able to raise your kids with your people is a big ol blessing. 

This event is accompanied by an annual chili cook-off and Mr. Ryan King has become a little "famous" for his entry. He's always placed and won 1st most of those times so there's some pressure for him to take home a ribbon. He didn't disappoint again this year and the kids (all of them) were so excited when his name was called! When I talked to him later that night after the kids had gone to bed he wanted to know who won... 

Ryan: Who beat me?

Me: Ms. Brooke - isn't that fun?

Ryan: The teacher?

Me: Ummm. Yes.

Ryan. A GIRL?!?

Me: Hey... watch it. 

Ryan. Sorry. 

After everyone stuffed their faces it was time to stuff their loot bags with tons of crap we don't need toys and prizes. Each classroom as games set-up for the kids and Landry and Mills like to visit each one...sometimes twice.

Emersyn looks so giant in those rooms now, she also looks like she could use a brush.

The "former students" were managing the tattoo station in one room and I'd say they used enough water for an entire sleeve of tattoos.

Everyone ended up at the cakewalk and each person won their far share of goodies.

Landry guarded that bag like she was an old lady on the subway.

And this image frightened me more than you now. Why does our house need more sweets? It doesn't. Quit bringing them home. I almost let them eat them all in the car.

Nights like this are so fun and sadly we only have one more of these left at the WDS. These events really just remind me of my hometown, and growing up small. Growing up where it was safe to run around and check-in with my parents every now and then. Growing up where everyone knew me and was watching out for each other. Growing up simple. Growing up surrounded by my people. Just thankful that I get to provide that to my kiddos in some small way, too. 

Let's go in reverse...

Halloween brings more than ghosts and goblins to town, the day (or week these days) also means that we have about 236 more pounds of candy than we need in the house. Well, Holly came up with the amazing idea to go "reverse trick or treating" at Evans Library on campus. Our kids would pass out candy to the biggest kids around studying for their upcoming tests. PERFECT! (And not surprising that she would think of it). So Shelly, Holly, me and all the kiddos met on campus on Sunday to pass out some fun. 

Holly and Shelly have done this before at finals when their kids pass out bubble gum to encourage Aggies to "blow away finals" but this was a first for my crew. Radley immediately ran off with those two big boys and was in heaven while the girls stuck close to Holden who they have met several times and are a bit more comfortable with.

But they soon warmed up and just started chunking candy like pros while Holden gently (and quietly) passed out strips of paper explaining what and why these crazy kids were giving away sugar!

She was totally eating it up - I am not surprised. 

Fun fact: This is the first time that I have actually walked through the aisles of the library - you know where the books are located. Yeah, I got two degrees from this place and never checked out a book. 

#momanddadareproud

I was thinking this would be a fun photoshoot backdrop....anyone else agree?

By the time they were done, Radley had gotten a comic book from a grateful Ag (we talked about how kindness begets kindness but also to noted that's not the purpose of service. Dang Aggies. ;)), the girls had lost the ability to keep voice levels low, and sweet Holden was exhausted from chaperoning those littles. ;)

Thanks for the fun idea, Holly! We had a blast!

All the feels...

Like 1000s of other families in America, we saw Inside Out this summer and fell hard for those 5 feelings. My kids just loved the movie and Emersyn instantly decided that she wanted to "Isgust" for Halloween. And as much as they act like they want to be independent and do things on their own, Radley instantly realized that there were five feelings and that there are "FIVE KINGS!" And a Halloween costume theme was born.

May I present...

ANGER, fear, JoY, Disgust., and sadness

I don't know if I'm embarrassed or proud to admit that we had every item of clothing we needed for these costumes except the masks and Radley's shirt/tie (and that's only because he grew so darn much). So the total for these costumes was under $25! I found these darling masks on Etsy and I can't recommend them enough! I lucked out and got them on super sale from her shop and she totally should have priced them higher. So stinking cute!

We did Halloween a bit different this year and celebrated in Waco. Mom and Dad have never seen the kiddos trick or treat and we wanted to check on how Pops was doing after his surgery. It was a nice change of pace and my kiddos love hanging out with their Waco crew friends. And it was fun for me to run into my friends and all their kiddos. As I looked around I couldn't believe that "all us kids" had so many kids. Crazy cakes.

Landry clearly loved all that candy - ha! The air was a bit crisper than usual but the kids still worked up a sweat with all that running around. 

I could barely keep up with them!

This picture is quite literally a miracle. Cooper Kent never slows down and he actually paused and SMILED for this. Jenni - mark this day down! ;)

(Also, Radley was so worried that I had given Cooper his old pirate costume. After we got home he said, "Mom - am I going to get my pirate pants back from Coop?" He was relieved to find out that Cooper had his own costume and his pants were safe at home.)

Landry just "had" to be held for the second half of walking. But that was okay with this guy - her joy eased some of his fears. ;)

And my sadness turned to happy with these goofballs around. 

"Mom, you are smiling too much. YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO BE SAD!"

After a final stop and one last inspection, we headed home.

Where this happened before I could even check the candy for illicit/nasty things. Everyone survived.

Radley thought he should have been in character. I think he should actually dye his hair red. Also - how stinking cute are our kids? I mean, really. So darn cute!

They clearly get it from their mommas. Also - we took the picture on the right about 20 times because Jenni just could not get her pirate face/hook action down. I stayed strong looking sad.

And then it was time to go home and I really was sad. 

So sad that Landry had to drag me home.