Trunking, Treating, Parties, and 1/2 Birthdays

There have been a lot of festive things going on here in Mayberry as of late.  We've had trunking, treating, parties, and ½ birthdays.

On Wednesday our church, First Baptist, had its annual “trick or trunk’’.  You better believe the Lamar’s were in attendance.  We love an activity.   What wasn't so strongly loved was John Brantley’s feelings towards the headgear that complimented his outfit.

Presenting… Spider-Man and Bugs Bunny!!!

Ford and his buddy, Langston

Pops and the boys

Sometimes we needed to sample the candy as we were hopping from car to car at “trick or trunk”.

Ford and Mr. Blake... he taught Ford Sunday school last year.

Trick or trunk was big fun and we loaded up on the candy for sure.  As if we really needed any!!!  Then Friday came and wouldn't you know the real deal Halloween was here.  My friend, Rosy, invited some folks over for snacks and playing before we braved the cold and wind.

All the kiddos

I think my boys could have stayed at her house, but it was on to more treating.

Can you see the sheer aggravation the head piece caused the little man???

This little dude usually said, “tricky teat”.  

Ahhhh there’s nothing like pulling up to a house with “Alf” on the front porch waiting on the little treaters.  Naturally, mine had no clue about this character, and Bitty wasn’t getting out of the car.  I am beyond shocked he would take a picture with the “Mean Moose” as he called him!  

Puddin and Pops's house

Going to see Big Momma and Big Daddy

And last, but not least, we had classroom parties.  When I arrived at Ford’s school they were having a little trick or treating at some of the big kids’ cars.  I thought this was super cute and sweet.  Then I learned that Ford’s high school football buddy, Grant  #73,was out there.  Apparently, Grant goes and reads to Ford’s class occasionally and Ford thinks he is as cool as sliced bread.  So like any good momma would do, I took a picture!  

The spread

Gggrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

Toss the ring on the witch hat

Mummy time

Pin the nose on the pumpkin

Piñatas are fun!

C-A-N-D-Y

Loved being with my little man!!!!

And Bitty’s class had a party too.  I didn’t attend this one.  It was more of a glorified snack than a party.  My Tuesdays and Thursdays mornings are sacred to me.  Both boys are at school and I am in HIGH GEAR trying to clean and do productive things.  Since no parents attended the party, I just sent a camera for his teacher to take a few pictures!

Ahhhhhh and like any goober mom, I like to celebrate random things….half birthdays to be exact.  Let me first explain myself.  Children have always enjoyed sharing their birthdays at school with their classmates.  Moms send snacks and the kid gets to feel special.  I never had that.  Being that I am born in July all my friends were out for summer break.  I didn’t get to celebrate at school.  So my mom, Gran, would send cupcakes in January on my HALF birthday.  Genius, I know!!!  I got my special in!!!  Soooo I think half birthdays are a BIG deal, and today (11/1) is Ford’s 5 ½ year old birthday.  We celebrated with a special breakfast and décor.  He was pleased.  Can you tell???

The Picking and the Carving

Do you ever feel judged?  I do.  For the most part it’s when I go to the doctor.  I have had a lot of “check-ups” lately.  The dentist… judged on my teeth.  The eye doctor… judged on my vision.  The OBGYN… well, you know lots of judging there too.  Well, yesterday, I went to the eye doctor.  I honestly am not a fan of any of these visits.  But while I was there the office manager was updating my file and asking me questions.  One question was: "What are your hobbies?"  I just sat there for a second kind of dumfounded that I couldn't think of anything.  Am I that boring???  I kind of laughed and said, “Well, I enjoy blogging, and being with my family.”  Then it occurred to me that “my people” (family) are my hobby.  I am happiest when I am with “my people” and it really doesn't matter what we are doing, as long as we’re together. 

I've never had huge goals and aspirations in life.  As a small child I remember wanting to be three things: a teacher, a wife, and a mother.  Check.  Check.  Check.  Looks like I can cross all three things off.  My job is to be a wife and mother right now and I am enjoying it to the best of my ability.  So there you go office manager, my hobby is “my people”.

I’m into traditions.  Ever since I became a mom I found it to be very necessary to buy and carve pumpkins.   We have done so since Ford made his grand entrance back in 2009.  I also find it essential to document these traditions.  So here we go… Our 2014 pumpkin picking….

Ford went big.

John Brantley went small.

And after one picks their prized pumpkin there comes the night when Daddy carves them.  We are old school at the Lamar household.  We don’t buy the fancy pants carving kits, oh no.  We use a permanent marker and go from there!!!

Ford drew a “map” as he called it, of what he wanted our pumpkin to look like.

Good job, Representative Daddy

Picking the goo out of the pumpkin…

And there she is…

After the big carve Ford ran across a bag of pacifiers I had stashed away.  Ohhh how Ford loved a “pappy” for years (3 to be exact).  John Brantley never gave them the time of day until last night.

My sweet friend, Mrs. Pam Simpson, is a faithful blog follower of mine.  She and I taught together for 2 years, and she usually texts me after a post to give her thoughts and feelings on what I’ve said on that particular entry.  The other day she showed up with two gallon sized ziplock bags full of goods for my boys.  They were ecstatic.  It was as if Santa had come 2 months early.  Thank you for making their day!!!

My granddaddy turned 90 on Monday.  After I grabbed Ford from school we headed over to Oxford to see him at the VA.  He was wiped out from his hour long therapy session and desperately wanted a nap, but we still visited a while.

All the tricking and the treating is about to begin.  Stay tuned for more posts….