party time. almost.

We're getting ready for the big It's a Birthday Party! It's a Halloween Party on Sunday. We've invited a lot of people. A lot. And a lot of people are coming. A lot. (And you can't blame them, really, because it's going to be quite a shindig.) So, you would think in preparation for this big party, to which a lot of people are coming, we would be cleaning. But no. We're not. In fact, the house is getting messier. I like to believe there is a reason for this. I have come to the conclusion that we work best under pressure. Sure, you might say we are procrastinators. Maybe that is true. But truly, give us a deadline of oh, say, 24 hours and we can get things accomplished you couldn't begin to imagine. There's the enormous pile on the desk, and on the floor next to the desk, and under the desk. By tomorrow it will be all tidied up and put away. There is the half-painted magnetic wall by the desk. By tomorrow night it will be finished and nicely decorated. There's the pile of random things that had been piled up in the living room, that is now piled up in our bedroom. By tomorrow it will be safely hidden in the basement. There's the dining room floor that hasn't been mopped in, oh...a long time. By Sunday morning it will be sparkling. And we'll be ready with soup, and a cheese platter, and crafts, and goodies for the kiddies.

I thought about posting pictures, but it's probably best if you don't see what the house really looks like. So, I'm off to Bunco night, Joel and the boys are getting ready for a "camp out" in the living room, and Annie is having a sleepover at her best friend's house. And the mess will wait until tomorrow when we will become cleaning machines and get everything ready.

Or hidden.

pancake breakfast

I think this is one of our favorite island traditions. (It is definitely my fave since it involves pancakes.) The fire department has a pancake breakfast with fire truck rides every fall. It's so great. We always try to go early to avoid the crowds, but it's crowded anyway which is always OK because you see everyone you know. The fire truck ride is the highlight for the kids - they get to ride on top and they take you out on the streets and use the siren. What could be better?


Annie and Jonah with Annie's best friend, Corinne, who had a sleepover with us last night.


Waiting in line for the fire truck ride with our friends Aiden, Caleb and Corinne.


Zeke and Joel on the fire truck. Zeke was a little unsure about his first ride...


But, he did enjoy climbing on the trucks.


The kiddos. One of them looks a bit bored with the whole thing.

trouble, part 2

Zeke has figured out that he can push the little chairs around to get things off the table, desk, and counter. He's quite proud of himself. Oh, and the blue tape on the wall behind him? We're not painting. We had to put it over the outlet because he likes to pull out the outlet covers that are supposed to keep him from electrocuting himself.

trouble, part 1

Zeke is quite the climber/explorer. This is where I found him this morning: