Happy Halloween

Alexis didn't have kindergarten, so we got the rare opportunity to sleep in...well more accurately with kids this age, more snuggle time in bed. Mom attempted to make pumpkin cinnamon rolls by dying the icing orange and frosting on for the face. It pretty much just melted everywhere, but the kids didn't seen to care!

Next, we tried to do a craft. Gavin couldn't decide if it was more fun to throw the paper on the ground or glue it on his paper. He finally got he hang of it and then I couldn't get him to quit.

In the afternoon, Alexis had a Halloween party at the Moog, which Brian joined her for. They had a good time.

When we got home, the neighbors that were supposed to come over for dinner but were sick and couldn't gave us some Halloween games. Conner loved dressing the felt skeleton! So nice of them to be that thoughtful!

Finally, it was time for trick-or-treating. We headed out with our elephant, robot, and geisha. It was a little cold, but the kids didn't seem to notice. Luckily, all had costumes that we could bundle them up. Gavin surprising walked the whole way. His favorite was suckers. We had to fight him at several houses not to drop his candy to open the sucker. At one point, he opened two suckers and was double fisting.

Conner's costume didn't end up being the most practical. Even though it was hard to walk, get candy into his bag, and see the edge of the doorstep, he refused to hold our hand. So, he ended up falling a few times. But didn't get hurt.

Alexis's counts were high enough to get to go trick-or-treating. We were glad she didn't have to miss out on the fun. One neighbor even had a special bag if candy prepared for her in case she didn't get to go. So sweet! What a great Halloween!

Crazy

Gavin had his Halloween party today at school. Since I couldn't do that and pick Conner up from school at the same time, Conner joined us and handed out candy to the kids during the parade. Both boys had a blast! Gavin got almost to me and got a sucker. He stopped, dropped his candy bag, held up the line and worked on getting the wrapper off. That was all he needed apparently was a sucker. Conner and I joined Gavin in his classroom then for snack and craft.

Alexis went to school all day. She had two more seizures while there. I talked to neorology today, and they went up on her medication. We still have some room to go on that before we have to try some other medication. We will hope we find the right level soon. 

Other than seizures, when I picked her up from school, she had a second red spot on her face (she had one on tues that they determined to be a bug bite). Between that, the red, glossy eyes, and her seizures, I wanted our fabulous pediatrician to check her out. So, we headed there. She confirmed I was neurotic. I was happy with that diagnosis and not that there was anything really wrong. I apologized and said was sorry. She said I could be as neurotic as I wanted and had that right after all Alexis has been through. I really am there. I feel like any little bump that I might dismiss might be that big something that could be detremental. So, for the next couple years I reserve the right to be crazy mom. I'm okay checking on a simple bug bite instead of regretting not checking. 

We ended the day with Brian's birthday celebration. The kids had a great time making cupcakes and helping open gifts. Great end to a good day if we just ignore crazy mom! 

Bunch Pumpkin Patch

For the second time this week, we were lucky enough to have our very own pumpkin patch. This time, it was brought to our house! When my good friend heard that we couldn't go to the pumpkin patch, she asked if we could get together one night. Her goal: to bring the pumpkin patch to us!

We started out with decorating spider with foam stickers and googly eyes. Gavin loved this activity! He loves stickers about as much as Alexis does.

Then, the kids went on a scavenger hunt to find clues that ultimately landed them in the "Bunch Family Pumpkin Patch" where there were pumpkins for each kid. The kids took those pumpkins upstairs and made masks for the pumpkins. They decorated them with stickers and placed them on their pumpkins.

Next, the kids hunted around the house for skeleton parts and put them together in a puzzle once they were all found.

It was then time for dinner, so the kids made their own pumpkin pizzas and decorated pumpkin cookies.

Finally, they read a book to finish out the night.

It truly was a great night. To have friends put this much effort into making a night for us is truly amazing. As much as having a kid with cancer isn't fun, we really have been uplifted with people's kindness. This is a great example of the huge hearts people have and the lessons they are giving to their kids. To look at a crappy situation and think how can I make this better and then proceed with a plan is amazing. We are so grateful to have these friends in our lives!