Pumpkin patch

McWilliam's Pumpkin Patch 2009

Maggie didn't appreciate the "peanut" covered pumpkins, but Zach loved the walnut launcher.

Jill would not be denied a turn looking through the scarecrow.

Toothless

Last Sunday, a collision occurred. Casey came running around the corner and Maggie's mouth was in the way. The result was two more lost teeth for Maggie. Four across the top makes for a gummy smile.
P.S. After blood, tears, and crying, you can see the smile finally reappeared.

Lexi in Jail

My niece Lexi has come to Missouri to bail Ron out. Because script volume is going up with the increase of winter sicknesses and the update to the 1986 computer is taking time to learn and transfer, Ron was looking for someone to come in and do things in the pharmacy that he doesn't have to. So, Lexi was recruited and we have actually all put her to work. I really have been impressed with how unselfish she has been playing with the kids. She has played Littlest Pet Shop, sardines, Tiddlywinks, kitchen, dress-up, and anything else the kids have dreamed up for her to do.
But, Monday it was time for her to get ready to be a pill counter. So, Lexi, Casey, Jill and I went to the Howell County Jail to get fingerprints done and were blessed to sit on the vinyl sofas to wait and wait. After 45 minutes, I asked the front guard how much longer. He told me that at lunch time it takes time making sure the prisoners are fed and taken care of. OK. About 15 minutes later, a sheriff came to tell me that he cannot do fingerprints anymore, we have to go to Ozark Works and make an appointment. Ugghhhh. Well, it was an experience for all and hopefully after the appointment tomorrow, Lexi will be a full fledged pill counter. I am not sure what will drive her crazy first - the jail experience, or counting endless pills in the pharmacy.

Fun with Photoshop

I love October!
October is serious birthday month at our house and for the Willis household. Nana and Papa have a birthday to celebrate every 3 days and two on the 25th. Good Luck!! I have always loved October because the weather starts cooling off, there are fun things to look at in the stores, and general conference weekend comes. Ron was asking what I needed for my own birthday treat and I longed for Sprinkles. I'll have to make do with homemade strawberry Sprinkles from a recipe off a Martha Stewart episode, or Billy's Bakery vanilla/vanilla cupcakes. Speaking of Billy's, I was promised a trip to NY for my 34th, but it looks like that will have to wait. I'm trying not to make Ron feel too bad since it's not really an option to leave the pharmacy right now. Anyway, as you can see, rambling and whining is going on, so we had a little fun before Conference this morning. After a massive dress-up/trying to figure out Halloween costumes occurred, this is what they came up with. They all made me laugh and we'll see if any of the chosen costumes reappear in a few weeks. I seriously doubt it.


Oh, and Lexi got in on the fun. For some reason, Tinkerbell and the sumo costume didn't tempt her. Luckily, she had brought her own pirate costume for Halloween. I promised I would post the picture for her mom to enjoy.

Missourism #3

I have gotten in the bad habit of leaving my garage door open during the day which surpises me because in AZ I had serious paranoia. I definitely used to make the rounds to ensure that all doors and windows were locked. But, the thought has come to me that it maybe isn't such a good idea here either because I may end up with an unwanted critter in my garage. I really don't want to walk out to an unexpected visitor sniffing the garbage cans. Well, today I was downstairs and heard some noise upstairs. Figuring it was Teddy, I didn't worry about it. But, when I walked out to the garage, there at the door into the house was a package and my mail. Another Missouri surprise. I never even thought to close the garage door to keep the mailman out. It's nice to have mail delivered to the door - I just wish it was the front door.

Sported out

I have spent hours and hours lately at sporting event for the kids. Poor Casey and Jill have had to traipse around and entertain themselves on the blue blanket far too much lately. Luckily, Casey started soccer Saturday, so some of those hours include his own games. I was worried about how he would like soccer, but the smile says it all. He absolutely loves when it is his turn. I guess he feels some sort of redemption for all of the times he has had to sit and watch. Maggie is loving soccer and can't wait to be in the game. I love watching the pigtails bounce.

Yesterday, 4.5 hours were spent at the high school for Sam's baseball tournament. Surprisingly, they won their first game and made it to the championship game to take second. His team was super excited. After playing catcher all day, Sam had a sunburned nose and sore quads. We both sighed a HUGE sigh of relief that baseball is over and now he only has cross country and football. Well, that is until basketball tryouts on Thursday. Yes, that is definitely a Missourism. Sports rules the land here. But, I will save that for another post.
I was proud of all the kids this weekend - both the participators and non-participators. We made it through two football games on Thursday, the last regular season baseball game on Friday, three soccer games on Saturday, the baseball tournament on Monday, and soccer again Monday night. After eating dinner at 8:00 last night, we all fell into bed sleeping and dreaming of anything but sports.

Is football fun?

Sam and Zach had football game #2 last night. A few differences between AZ and MO football have already been noted. In Missouri:

1. It is normal to play football in mud and rain.
2. Divisions are decided by school grade instead of by weight. That puts 90 pound Sam playing against 140 pound boys/men.
3. It looks like it may be impossible to get the football pants white again. I came home and soaked the pants overnight and washed them this morning. They came out as seen in the above photo.

Zach plays on a fun team that is very efficient and wins easily. The bigger boys in Zach's division are still slow so Zach can outrun them. However, Sam's team is 1-1. Last night tested Sam's will and desire to play. It was cold and rainy and he got pounded and completely crunched and played most of the game limping. The big boys are fast and strong and I was just hoping for no broken bones. (Thanks for the images, Sue) Football is tough and I used to like watching the boys play, but as Sam gets older, I'm not so sure. Luckily, we have no games next week so the aching bodies and the mom's nerves will have a chance to heal.