The Obligatory End of the Week/Halloween Recap Post

We made it through the week, despite all of my anxieties about my busy schedule
and endless to do lists.  I managed to meet all of my deadlines while simultaneously
feeding and clothing my children, hurray!!  Big thank yous go out to my super hero 8 year
old who was kind enough to remind me that I forgot to put on a bra before work as well
as my dear husband who takes my glasses off when I fall asleep face first at the kitchen
table while writing reports in the late night hours.  Who knew opening up a new office
was such a big endeavor?  Not this eternally optimistic overachiever/glutton for
career punishment lady!  Achieving big dreams has always, in this family, been a joint effort
and this week was no exception.  I am so thankful for my job and the ability to support
my family.  But, more importantly, I am thankful for the people in my life who inspire me
to keep going and stay positive, even if it means that the laundry room just
might explode.

In the midst of all the craziness, we were able to kick up our heels and hit our small
town's Halloween festivities.  The weather was perfect, the streets filled with friends
and neighbors, and I kept my fingers crossed that Brees would overcome her Halloween 
fears long enough to at least enjoy a couple of lollipops.  We kept our expectations for the
night pretty realistic: she's barely 2 after all.  There's only so much stimulation and
sugar intake a toddler can tolerate.  

She clung to me like a real little kitten for the first couple of trick or treat encounters,
hiding her face in my neck whenever she caught a glimpse of the older kids and their
scary masks.  But she hung in there, her curiosity getting the best of her, watching after
her older sister as she bounced from place to place, her bag growing with treats.
Brees finally asked to "get down, Mama".  Shawn and I held her hands and coaxed her
over to the sweet little old ladies passing out candy.  Suddenly, the light bulb went off as
she realized, "Hey, I just have to smile and look cute and these people will give me
candy!!".  BOOM!  Brees was hooked!  Suddenly, Halloween wasn't so scary at all!  And
off we went, visiting the fire station, the church carnival, Brees walking like a big girl up
and down the street.  She and Belle waved and smiled and we had the best time
watching them on their kitty cat prowl.

We managed to get them packed up and in the car just as the epic annual Halloween end
of the night sugar rush temper tantrum struck.  They ran around the house for a
while, looking through all their loot as Shawn and I stole a few pieces of candy on the
down low.  No sooner had we cleaned their sticky, smudged up make-up faces before
they both passed out, sugar coma style.   It was the happiest Halloween.