the boys' costume conundrum

I absolutely, positively LOVE Halloween. It's my most favorite Holiday in the entire year. I look forward to it, shop for it, dream about it and when I found all these costumes at D.I., I was thrilled. I had to share how much I bought them for also, enjoy the show.

Here we have a pair of Batmans. (BatMEN?) Bought on SEPARATE shopping escapades too! Carter's was $1.50 and Dawson's was $3.00.

Oh yeah, go Batman. We had to convince Dawson that Batman was a GOOD dude not a bad one.
Here are a pair of Spidermans. (Would the plural be Spidermen?)

Carter's was $1.00. Dawson has built-in muscles even! The mask was given to him by Grandad back in June for fun, how cool was that?

Dawson's cost $4.00. (the most expensive costume thus far!)

We had to put these back on, Carter loved peeking at Dawson.
Here's a handsome little cowpoke. Woody from Toy Story was only $1.00.
Or if you prefer a little gourd from your garden, here's a pumpkin for only $1.00.

If you prefer Superheroes, here's a Hulk for $1.00. Muscles included.

Or if you'd rather fight Shredder, you can be a TMNT for $2.00.

I LOVED this picture!

There you have it. It's a HARD decision! And I even left out the other costumes that I bought, a Fantastic Four dude, Iron Man, and Pokemon weren't included. The boys grew weary of my fashion show! Good thing we still have a while left to choose which costume to wear for Halloween Night!!

a series of unfortunate nightly events

It all started at 9:00pm last night. I was tired. Very tired. But not tired enough to actually sleep. If I went to bed, I wouldn't have been able to sleep. Ran to Albertson's to get milk, came back and watched a couple episodes of Coupling with Ryan.

Then we headed to bed.

I sat there and watched the clock thinking and thinking and thinking. About what? Not much. How much I missed Moscow, what I used to do in Moscow, who I used to see in Moscow, where I used to go in Moscow. Then I really started feeling homesick for Moscow, so I switched to thinking about school starting and all the challenges that my kids will face. I started fretting over how bad the world is and all that, so I had to switch again.

Then I noticed every time I moved my bed frame would creak. Ryan was sleeping already, but I couldn't sleep knowing that I would wake up the entire house if I moved a muscle because of the brand new bed frame! I got stiff on my right side, so I wanted to switch to my left and sure enough CREEEAAAAAAK and SQEEEEAAAAK! But at least I was now comfortable. I tried to sleep again, but I had no success. Sat there listening to the rhythm of Ryan's breathing. While that created a whole new symphony of tones and beats to listen to, I started thinking about other things on my mind. I even tried to count sheep! I actually TRIED!

I was very frustrated. I was tired, but couldn't sleep. I was anxious, but nothing could be done about my anxiety. I finally imagined a white room with no windows, doors, clocks and NO CHILDREN. I felt my muscles relax and over an hour later I felt myself drifting and floating peacefully into dreamland. It was 1:30am.

At 1:47am there came a "Moooooooooooom!" as Dawson wispered and I opened my eyes. "WAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!" and threw my covers over my face. He startled me so badly that I actually accidentally smacked his head with his initial startling. He started to wail and I immediately scooped him up and held him. Come to find out, he wet the bed. I changed his clothes, changed his sheets and put him back into to his bed all nice and snuggly.

Dragged myself back into my comfortable bed and let my mind wander. For another few minutes, that is. It was 2:03am.

It was 3:11am and the door swung open and in saunters a sleepy Carter. Who knows what his deal was, but after a drink he was fine. Stuck him back in his own bed and climbed into my bed again. It was 3:16am.

Drifted off again just as the door swung open again. This time there was another boy in the room, but this time, he'd dragged pillows and blankets into my room and was trying to make himself a bed on my floor. I didn't care at this point, I put him into his makeshift bed and fell back asleep. It was 4:15am.

The time was 4:40am and this time the OTHER boy came into the room and fell into the makeshift bed. (I think Dawson came in first, and then Carter followed. But I can't remember at this point) I put whoever was next into the "bed" on my floor and tried to go to sleep as fast as I could.

I dreamed about all sorts of good things, I think. I can't recall a single dreaming episode from the few minutes I was asleep before there was a sobbing and emotional girl telling us all about her nightmare and how horrible her bed was. It was now 5:40am. Ryanna woke up both of her brothers with her loud and crying tales and they are not going back to sleep.

Carter jumped up, since he was refreshed with only a few solid hours of sleep. Well that's excellent. Ryanna was awake and since she now had a little playmate, she was happy. They both ran downstairs as I laid there asking the cosmos "WHY ME. WHY ME." Why can't I have a solid HOUR of sleep? This is going to be a fabulous day.

Dawson fell back asleep for another hour before he sleepily got up and wandered downstairs. Ryan woke up and said, "Oh, I didn't sleep very well last night!" and all I said was, "I'm sorry." He ran to work and I am now trying to stay awake. Considering the kids have been up since 5:40 this morning and I've gotten very little sleep...

...how much longer until nap time?

jouney's end

Banners made, balloons bought, we awaited anxiously for them to arrive.

Way to go, Ash! Your Chinese characters look awesome. Even a Korean lady came up and commented on how wonderful our Chinese was and she knew exactly what it said!

Carter waiting...

and waiting...

Dawson, I mean, Spiderman was also waiting...

Aimee waiting...

Spiderman waiting more...

Hmmmmmm...and waiting some more.

Carter and Ashley stole a kiss!

Spiderman brought some Cheetos for Grammie, something she's craved for two years!

We didn't think that they'd ever arrive! Carter was a good sport waiting for the airplane.
Suddenly, Aaron appeared!! He ran through the doors, Ryanna SHRIEKED and started crying as she ran to him.

She's still crying!

Gasp! They're here!

The kids could hardly wait!

Mom and Aimee tearfully embrace.
Before Aaron hugged me, he showed me his manly stubble.
Ryanna and her Grammie.
Carter and Uncle Aaron.
He wasn't so sure about this scruffy looking Uncle!
Ryanna and her Grandaddy.
Aaron and Ashley.
Spiderman not quite knowing how to handle all the excitement.
The bags of Cheetos that actually made it UNOPENED to the airport. (there were a couple bags that were used as snacks for hungry kids while we waited)
I see London, I see France! Ha ha ha Aaron.
Carter's decided his Uncle Aaron is pretty okay.

More hugs.

Spiderman reveals his true identity and hugs his Grammie!

Me and Aaron a little too close to the camera. Boy is it fun having them home!