To SAY we've been busy LATELY...

is a COMPLETE understatement. I will attempt to blog about all the projects/happenings/events in our lives JUST this week.

I got to eat lunch with the kids on Monday at Plano. I rarely get to do this because I get out of preschool (T/Th) at the same time the kids go to lunch, and Miles is at preschool on the other days (M,W,F) dismissing at the same time. In order for me to eat lunch with them, I have to book it to town and grab Miles a little early from school and book it back to Plano (and hopefully not get a speeding ticket). SO, when I get to go to lunch with them, the lunch better be good, right? And for me, there is no other day that's better than CHEESY MAX STICKS day. Warren County follows a three week lunch rotation so Cheesy Bread only comes around once a month, and this is the day I eat with them =).

Isaac came home with an "All About Me" poster project. He is the Sailor of the Week in his class.

I especially love his answers, particularly in the last photo where it says "I show others I care by _____listening_____. Isaac is quite selective in his listening skills. It's definitely not his strong suit. I do love this poster though and how he decorated it.

Karson came home with a PROJECT. And that means, our house is turned upside down until it's complete. Actually, she hasn't been to demanding with this one. I wish the 3rd grade teachers would call this project what it is, a PARENTS project. Karson is supposed to creatively construct a cabin based on the story, "William's House". Since she misplaced her reading book and was a bit panicked, we had to reserve a copy from the library. I emailed her reading and homeroom teachers to let them know about the missing book. And while I was heading to town to pick up the library copy, her teacher texted me and said they found her reading book. Go figure!

The building of William's house prompted Isaac to start an Art Company. He loves playing with the Woodsies Popsicle Sticks. I've had my glue gun going for days as we attempt to do all of our building.

Karson met with her basketball team on Tuesday evening. No, I'm not coaching this year. Karson has high hopes of going skiing with the church. We haven't been able to do this in the past because of my commitment to the team. We're excited about the upcoming season (and going skiing with the church). Nat's is having their basement sale this week, and I scored a great new ski jacket for her.
Karson has been working on thank you notes for all her nice birthday gifts. I love that she is old enough (and wants) to tackle that responsiblity now.

Her birthday cupcake on Plano's wall.
I've been diligently packing treat bags for school events. I'm thinking 3rd grade may be my cut off year for doing this. Plus, Karson's class isn't dressing up this year (which is fine by me). Isaac has decided to be a doctor zombie (see trunk or treat pics below). Fortunately I found a costume that suited him on Amazon.com. Thank goodness for prime. I ordered on Monday and had it Wednesday for Trunk or Trreat. He LOVES it. However, I doubt he will be able to wear it to school on Monday--I emailed his teacher to check??? The verdict, no blood, guess we'll have to be a wolf ninja again.

Wednesday night was Trunk or Treat at our church. It's nice having these events and fellow- shipping with our neighbors.

SOME GHOULISH TRUNKS

SOME GHOULISH CHARACTERS...

LOTS OF SPOOKTACULAR FUN!

I started a nielsen diary this week. I have a soft spot for advertising marketers. I did my share of cold calling and surveys during my time at WKU. I always feel an obligation to fill out surveys and participate in consumer reports. The cool thing about nielsen is they actually pay money for their reports. The books are easy to fill out. And because we aren't big T.V. watchers, I don't have much to report. Win, win.

Worn-out Miles in his chair. He reminds me of Al Bundy--this chair is HIS chair and he stakes claim on it daily. He fills it with all his things--toys, Dsi--I find all kinds of knickknacks in this chair.

Thursday Karson and her friend Kaylee had their last talent show practice. Brandy (Kaylee's mom) and I went over to the school to practice. It was way to COLD and WET that day, and the girls needed at least one more practice. Wish we had thought to go there before...it was nice having the gym to work on their routine.

Friday was the "Plano's Got Talent" talent show. The show was NOTHING like when we* were kids and simply performed in front of our classmates. *I say "we" but should say "others"--I was never brave enough for Talent Show. Karson's talent show was nothing like that. You actually had to audition for a part in the show. There was an admission fee for us audience members. It was kind of a big deal. Karson and Kaylee were the 3rd act and performed beautifully. I was super proud of them. It's not easy getting up in front of all your peers, their parents, teachers and staff and showcasing a talent.

Their performance.

Matt and I went to an adult Halloween Party as Bacon and Egg afterwards.

SIMPLE was on the agenda. Our week has been so crazy, we didn't have time to be very creative. I thought our friends had some of the best costumes EVER though.

Me and my girls!

Paul and Shannon had the most HILARIOUS costumes!

Karson started Super Saturdays at WKU today.
Karson is in Hogworts 101. Her friend Becca is also in the class. They divided up the first day, and unlike 90% of her classmates, she chose to be in the House of Ravenclaw (not Gryffindor). I asked her why to which she responded, "Their symbol is an eagle which is intelligent, and I'm intelligent." Pretty good answer, eh? I tried my best to get Isaac to participate In Super Saturdays this year, but he had no interest. I wouldn't care to push him, but it costs $80. AND, I don't want to go to battle with him the next four Saturdays over it.
We spent the later part of the afternoon carving pumpkins from the Farmer's Market. Busy, Busy, Busy.

SPA-Fabulous Deaton Style

Karson's birthday was an EXTRA special affair this year. Since her birthday fell on a Saturday (today), we decided to have a BIG to-do. She mentioned something months ago about having her birthday at Spa Fabulous (a local day spa for girls), and I really didn't mind that. BUT, I have a team of talented friends that can pull off something like that but EVEN better. On top of that, I knew we could do everything for a fraction of the cost. I wanted her party to be perfect in every way. She hasn't had a big celebration since she was 5 years old. She has developed friendships at Plano with girls that I have absolutely fallen in love with. I knew this party would truly be FABULOUS!

Karson with her fingernail polish wreath, compliments of Aunt Lisa.

**You can find some fabulous wreaths on her facebook website: Lollydots.

No party with girlfriends is complete without a chocolate fountain. Can I get an amen ladies?

I think the girls loved this more than the pampering =)!

My talented friend Larie Vernon whipped her up some cupcakes, and I added Bon Bon nail polishes to spa-them-up.

Chocolate can be good for other things too--like FACIALS!

We love BEING GIRLS!!!!

Crackle polish anyone? Shannon is the master ARTeest on nails. She had her nails painted all different colors with crackle so the girls could pick and choose the look they were going for. I wish I had gotten a picture of her nails (they looked like those display nails at salons).

Feather hair extensions are a definite MUST. Karson told me all the popular colors at Plano. She already has TWO in (pink and purple) and added a blue one at the party. I ordered a bunch of different colors off of Amazon and stylist Lisa threaded them in. We also got some spray glitter and hair color to make them all extra sparkly!

My mom became our make-up artist by default. One of my friends who is a Mary Kay representative offered to glam the girls up but had a great uncle pass away and was unable to attend. Luckily, my mom is a Mary Kay consultant and had loads of extra palettes on hand. I thought she did a wonderful job and the girls loved MARVELOUS.

The glamorous bunch!!!

We had a fashion show after all the glitz, but I didn't get any pictures. They girls came down the "catwalk"/stairwell to Katy Perry's "Teenage Dream." Lisa got it all on video.

Blowing out 9 candles--WHAT, I have a 9 year old??? I also forgot to get a picture of the champagne flutes I bought. I made sparkling pink punch and served them in colorful flutes.

Opening up her SPA-tacular gifts. She got all the gifts a glam girl should get--like Justice clothes, Pandora charms, Bath and Body glitter, Barbie dolls, the works. Her adorable teacher Ms. Tinsley took most of the photos for the evening. Karson was so tickled that she came. We sure do love being Plano Panthers and for all the friendships made there the past four years. Happy 9th to my precious daughter. We are thankful and proud of you every single day!!!