peaceful pause

There is something about the month of November that feels peaceful. The sugar rush, carnival atmosphere of October gives way to a season of gratitude, family, fall leaves and quiet as the year draws to a close. Of course the grand finale of Christmas has it's own hype and frenzy but for now we are in a breather. Sweet.

We had a fun Halloween night. We invited a couple of friends over for some spooky food. Izzy and Clay came (Liz was sick :( ) and the Marshes with their cute crew and the McCombs and John Croxson. We ate dinner in a pumpkin and slithering sandwiches and monster toes and "frank"nstiens and deviled eye balls and pumpkin muffins and pumpkin cake and swamp juice. Everything was yummy. We filled all three of our tables and the kids had a wonderful time. After dinner Johnna and Cristianna, the Martines' and Stephanie joined us for some trick or treat fun. I stayed home to hand out candy and Johnna joined me on the porch. We had a great time handing out a ton of candy! Maybe over 1000 pieces. And seeing all the cute costumes.

The kids came home with a ton of candy, over 30lbs worth.

This month and next we are starting a season of service in our family. It's a surprise for them, they don't know it yet. I have really been concerned about the holidays because the kids want things that are so expensive and I know they will be disappointed, which is an awful feeling. And actually this is a long standing concern of mine. I want my children to be grateful and appreciative instead of feeling entitled and dismissive. They rack and stack what they have to what each other has or friends have and always feel like they get the short end of the stick (some of them more than others).

Anyway, I am not at all against giving and getting gifts, love it. I just really want them to give back some how. So I have made it my goal to find 8-10 meaningful acts of service we can do together as a family in the next two months. They don't have to be huge things, but they do have to be something that's real.
I already have 3 things in mind...which only leaves me (and the big guy) to come up with 7 more fabulous ideas.

Idea number one is: a lady in our neighborhood is collecting candy for "treats for our troops". Last night the kids sorted out all the candy they don't like and put it in a bucket. Tonight we will sort the candy they do like and they will choose 1/2 to put in the bucket as well. We will then pull our little red wagon, loaded down with 15 lbs of candy and donate it to our nations heroes. Small, easy, good for our teeth and waist lines and service. Perfect.