Our Week - The One with the Rivalry Football Game and Halloween

Last week was so BUSY, but in the best way possible.  We had so very much going on, but so much of it was fun and festive, and today I’m recapping all of it!

Monday, October 25

Monday, we hit the ground running.  We had so much on the agenda for the day, so I was barely home the whole day.  I actually documented the day in my Instagram stories, and I saved it in a highlight here.  If you’re not interested in following along on IG or if you don’t have an IG account, here’s the rundown…

I dropped the kids at school, and then I stuck around for a Home & School Meeting (our version of PTA).  Each November, our school and church distributes bags to all of our church and school families to collect Thanksgiving meals for families in need.  Each family is provided with a list of items to collect + a bag to collect them.  All of us ladies stapled the shopping lists to 750 bags, and while we worked, our volunteer coordinator went over the details and budgets for upcoming events and fundraisers.

We wrapped up by 9 AM, and then I headed home for a few minutes before my next appointment.  I grabbed a cup of hot cinnamon tea and did some housekeeping for the blog, and at 10 AM, I headed out the door again to meet with my therapist. 

After my appointment was over, I made a stop at Bath & Body Works to pick up some soap.  What would have normally been a quick trip turned into 30 minutes of browsing because our store just moved into larger space and it’s now HUUUUGE.  I could have stayed in there all day!

I walked down to Carter’s after that to pick up the order that I’d placed for some winter clothes for Olivia, and then I headed home.  By the time I arrived at home, it was noon, so I had a quick lunch with B and then headed upstairs to work until it was time to get the kids. 

In the car line, I whittled away at my inbox which had gotten out of control over the weekend, and then once the kiddos were in the car, they ate their snacks on the way to the dance studio. 

When everyone else started arriving at dance, we saw that all of them were in Halloween costumes and my heart just sank, because I’d totally forgotten they were allowed to dress up for their Halloween party.  I had packed Olivia’s regular leotard and tights, and y’all, her little expression just crumbled when she realized it was Halloween party day and she didn’t have her costume.  She had been SO excited about it for weeks, and then she missed dance the previous week when she was sick, so she missed the reminder and then we both totally forgot. 

She went to class looking the absolute saddest, and I just couldn’t take it, so I was determined to make it right.  I had to head home to drop Jacob off, and I normally stick around the house for 30-45 minutes to prep everything for the next day, but this time I only stayed for 10 minutes so I could make it back to dance before Olivia’s second class.  I was able to finish unloading and loading the dishwasher, prepping the kids’ lunchboxes, etc. before leaving the house, and I made it back to the dance studio with two minutes to spare. 

Someone from the office went and grabbed Olivia for me, and when she came into the office and saw me, her face lit up and she threw her arms around me and yelled, “BEST MOM EVER!”  It made me tear up.  Haha.  Motherhood is so many things, but moments like those are the very best part. 

I quickly got Olivia’s vampire costume on over her leotard, and she hugged me one more time and ran back to class.  Crisis averted.  Whew. 

Once that was taken care of, I headed to the library as originally scheduled.  I had two books that were due back that day, so I took them inside instead of dropping them in the book drop, and I was able to chat with my BFF, Jeannine, who works there. 

After that, I headed back to the dance studio and I sat in the parking lot for a few minutes just taking some time to chill, relax, and breathe.  It had been nonstop all day, so it was nice to take a moment to catch my breath. 

Earlier in the day, I had discovered that one of our local radio stations had started playing nonstop Christmas music, so I indulged and listened for a few minutes while I ate a snack.  I don’t normally listen to Christmas music before Halloween, but it’s reeeeaaaaally hard not to when they’re right there on the radio.  Besides, Christmas music = instant happiness, so I figured why not?  ;o)

Olivia came running out of the building just thrilled about everything that had happened in class.  They’d gotten to listen to some fun Halloween songs, they watched their performances in the recital from earlier this year, they’d taken pictures by the fun Halloween display in the lobby, and they’d gotten treat bags full of goodies.

We had to head straight to baseball after dance, so she got changed out of her costume and into some casual clothes before we left.  Before she changed, I did snap a cute picture of her in the lobby because they had their Halloween decorations up.

After that, we swung by Chick-Fil-A to grab dinner on the way to the ball field.  B and Jacob had already wrapped up all of Jacob’s homework and eaten Chick-Fil-A, and they were already at the ball field when we arrived.  Olivia and I ate, and then she headed off to play with all of the baseball little sisters while we watched the game.  Her baseball BFF, Kylie, got a new puppy, so Olivia was all about the puppy snuggles.

Jacob had one double and scored a run, and then he got a groundout.  The team ended up losing 8-5, but I think we’re still in first place.

The game wasn’t over until almost 9 PM, so it was a late night.  By the time the kids were in the bed, B and I had just enough time to eat a quick bowl of ice cream and spend a few minutes with Maui before calling it a night ourselves.

 

Tuesday, October 26

Tuesday morning, I dropped the kids and then headed to Publix.  I typically do my grocery shopping on Monday mornings, but Monday was so busy I couldn’t possibly have squeezed in another thing. 

When I got home, I got all of the cold stuff put away and then I headed to my office to work and catch up on things for the rest of the day.  I had gotten way behind on my day-to-day tasks since Monday was so busy, so I had a lot of catching up to do. 

After school, B and I divided and conquered, getting Jacob to one place and Olivia to another, and then we all met back up at home at 5:30 where we were able to stay the rest of the night. 

I cooked dinner, and then afterward, we all just hung out.  I thought about rounding everyone up for a walk, but I think we were all just wanting to lay low after our busy Monday. 

While the kids showered, I got in a cardio workout, and then they joined us downstairs to watch some of the World Series.  The Atlanta Braves are our home team, and they’re in it for the first time since 1999, so it’s a big deal for all of us here in Georgia.  I don’t get all that into professional baseball anymore like I used to, but it is exciting since it’s been so long. 

After the kids went to bed, B and I watched some more of the game, and then I went to bed while he stayed up past midnight watching the rest of the game.  I wasn’t willing to sacrifice sleep over the game.  For UGA football – YES.  For baseball – NO.  Haha.

 

Wednesday, October 27

Wednesday morning after I got the kids to school, I had to drop Maui off at the vet for her annual checkup and vaccines.  She always hates going there and I hate having to take her, but we all know it’s important and necessary to keep her healthy.

Once I got home, I parked it in my office where I remained for the rest of the day.  I knocked out some blog work, and I also did a good bit of Christmas shopping. 

At 3, I grabbed the kids and then we swung by and grabbed Maui from the vet.  She had a great checkup and the doctor said she’s good and healthy.  She’s almost 12, so I’m constantly reminded that she’s getting old, and it makes me sad to even think about that.

After we left the vet, we headed over to my friend, Jeannine’s, house to BOO them (AKA drop off a basket of Halloween goodies).  I’ve seen that on Pinterest and I’ve always thought it would be such a fun thing to do!  When we arrived, the kids jumped out of the car and ran the bucket up to the porch for them to find later. 

When we got home, I got the pantry cleaned out and then I started dinner.  The kids were wild and crazy from the rapidly approaching Halloween holiday, so after dinner, we got them outside for a long walk.  When B and the kids headed home, I stayed out to walk another couple of miles solo, and by the time I got home, they were showered and ready for bed. 

We watched a Fresh Prince followed by some of the World Series, game 2.  Olivia told us at 8:30 that she was ready for bed (she was having some tummy discomfort – I think from all the crazy running she did right after dinner), so I tucked her in, and she promptly fell asleep.  Jacob stayed up until a little after 9 and he was totally into the game and didn’t want to go to bed.  We let him stay up a little later than usual to watch more, but the game didn’t end until well after midnight so watching the whole thing was obviously not an option.  Haha.

 

Thursday, October 28

Thursday morning, Olivia woke up feeling just fine, and I got both kids off to school in a very rainy commute.  I worked all morning, ate an early lunch, and then headed back to the kids’ school at 12:30 to get ready for Olivia’s class Halloween party. 

Our school is allowing limited parents in the building now as long as we wear masks, so I was THRILLED to finally be able to attend a class party again.  I’m the room mom for Olivia’s class for the first time ever this year, and her teacher and I had come up with five stations for the party – Play-Doh Monsters, Monster Marshmallows, Handprint Witches and Vampires, Toss the Skull, and Ghost Bowling. 

When I arrived, myself and one of the other moms got everything all set up, and then we got the party started.  I was in charge of the Marshmallow Monsters station, and the kids had so much fun making and eating their treats.  We had lots of hand sanitizer and lots of safety precautions in place to make sure no germs got mixed together, and it was a huge success.

After stations, the kids went outside to play and have their snacks, and then Olivia’s teacher and the other mom and I stayed inside to hot glue all of the accessories to the kids’ witch and vampire handprints that had finally dried. 

By the time we finished with that, it was time for dismissal, so I hopped in the car line to grab Jacob and Olivia who had opted to stay in her classroom and hang out since they were watching a movie during dismissal.

Jacob’s baseball game was canceled Thursday night from all the rain, so we spent the whole evening at home.  I made breakfast for dinner, we let the kids pick out a couple of items on Amazon to purchase with their own money, and we watched Toy Story of Terror on TV.  We can stream it anytime since we have Disney+, but as a 90’s kid, it’s just always more fun when it’s on network TV.  Am I right?!

Once that was over, the kids headed off to bed and B and I watched A Million Little Things followed by some more of The Bachelorette.

 

Friday, October 29

Friday morning was Trunk-or-Treat at the kids’ school, so they were able to wear their Halloween costumes.  Jacob was a creepy phantom this year with a mask and glowing red eyes and Olivia was a vampire.  And not a cute one.  She’s a CREEPY one and she wants everybody to know that.  Lol.

In the past, the school has trick-or-treated in the halls, but last year during Covid, they started trunk-or-treat so everyone could be safe outside.  In the past, they haven’t allowed the kids to wear costume masks or any face coverings, so Jacob left his phantom mask at home, but this year since everything was outside again, they apparently allowed it and we missed the memo.  He was a little bummed that he didn’t have his mask, but he didn’t let it get him down for too long.

Last year, parents weren’t allowed at Trunk-or-Treat because of Covid safety protocol, but this year we were allowed to attend, so I dropped them at school and then pulled over in the parking lot until it was time.  Olivia’s class came out shortly after school started, and I walked around the parking lot with her and her friends. 

Our school has babies all the way through 12th grade, so the high school kids do the trunk-or-treat.  They all decorated their cars with different themes and dressed up to match and there were some really great ones – Alice in Wonderland, witches, monsters, Cat in the Hat, Georgia Bulldogs (GO DAWGS!), Candy “Wrappers” (and the girls dressed up as rappers), frat boys (but it was girls dressed up as frat boys, and they were totally in character and acting like frat boys… all the way down to the red solo cups for beer pong – LOL), ESPN College GameDay (complete with the College GameDay desk and the helmets for our school’s big rivalry football game later that evening), dinosaurs, mermaids, boxers (the girls wore boxing robes and gloves and their theme was “Knockout” our big rivals who played later that night), and so many more.

Most of the vehicles had music playing – some Halloween, some UGA football music, some ESPN College GameDay music, and some just general hype music to get everyone excited.  Friday was also our school’s HUGE rivalry football game, so that coupled with the Halloween festivities made for some seriously wild students.  Haha. 

As most of you know, I attended the same school when I was younger, and that rivalry was just as huge when I was there.  It actually goes back to the late 1950’s or early 1960’s and it’s one of the biggest rivalries in our city.  When I was there, my girlfriends and I used to paint our jeans (spirit jeans), we painted our faces, we decorated our cars, we made homemade shakers, and all kinds of other stuff.  It was always the best game of the whole year.

Shortly after Olivia’s class was done, Jacob’s class came out and I walked with him, too.  So far, he still hasn’t reached that stage where he doesn’t want me around, so I’m just gonna keep on hanging out with him until he doesn’t want me there anymore.  Haha.  Unfortunately, his best friend was out Friday, and his other BFF is in the other fifth grade class, so he was a little bummed that he couldn’t walk with either of them.  He did load up on candy, though, so he was excited about that.

Jacob’s class finished up by 9 and I headed straight to Target to try on some jeans.  I’m still browsing different jeans selections, and Target was the one store who actually had the ones I wanted to try in stock, so I figured I’d just go there in-person rather than ordering them online.

The rest of the day was spent working and Christmas shopping from my computer, and then I picked up the kids from school.  They'd just gotten done with an all-school pep rally on the football field so they were both super hyped up.  I didn't go, but my mom stopped by, and she snapped this picture of Jacob in action.

Our school’s huge rivalry football game was Friday night as I mentioned before, so we wrapped up a few things at home and then headed back to the school at 6 to tailgate with all of our school friends.  It was freezing Friday night, so we had the absolute perfect football weather, and it was such a fun night.

All of the kids ran wild and had a BLAST while the parents mingled and enjoyed drinks and snacks, and then we all went into the game at 7:30.  The place was packed as it always is for this rivalry, and our team ended up beating the stew out of the opponent, 32-0.  The other team has beaten us for the last four or five years in a row, so we were LONG overdue for a win, and it was just that much sweeter since we shut them out. 

5th grade tailgate

We left at halftime because it was freezing, and we were all exhausted after such a long, crazy week plus B wanted to get home to watch the Braves in the World Series.  We got the kids in the bed, and watched the Braves game, and I finished watching our school’s rivalry game on my phone.  They started broadcasting them live a few years ago and it’s so awesome to be able to watch right from home. 

At the end of the game, all of the students and teachers and parents rushed the field and it was just so exciting to watch.  Part of me was sad that we left early because it would have been such a fun experience for the kids to rush the field, but it was also nice being all cozy at home. 

 

Saturday, October 30

Saturday morning, B got up a little earlier to head to tennis only to find out it had been canceled due to rain.  It was SO dreary all day Friday and it carried over to Saturday as well.  Our mayor announced a couple of weeks ago that our city was to observe Halloween on Saturday, so I wasn’t sure how it was going to go.  I wasn’t super excited about doing Halloween a day early… I’ve always been one of those people who thinks Halloween should just be celebrated on Halloween, and although it was nice to have it on a night that was not a school night, B and I (along with most everyone else in our city) were not happy because we had a big Georgia game to watch at 3:30 PM, and trick-or-treating was going to interfere.  Lol.

Saturday morning, I made Halloween-themed waffles and we gave the kids a few Halloween goodies to enjoy – a mummy decorated cookie, a Halloween book, and a small Halloween Lego set.  They were thrilled, and after breakfast, they both settled in to build their Lego sets and read their books.

While they played, B and I lounged on the couch and watched ESPN College GameDay and I also snuggled with my best girl.  I love this snuggly dog so much, but it’s even better to have her around this time of year when it starts to get cold.  Being cozy is my favorite. 

I finally got off the couch at 11, and I got in a cardio workout.  After that, B made mini pizzas for lunch while I did all the things – tidied the house, worked on laundry, prepped for Halloween later in the day, opened and put away Christmas gifts that had arrived.  Just look at the stack of packages we received on Friday and Saturday.  Yikes. 

After lunch, I got some more stuff done around the house and then I got ready for the day.  By the time I was ready, it was time to head downstairs and watch the Georgia vs. Florida game.  My father-in-law came over to join us, and we all watched in horror as Georgia struggled all through the first half of the game. 

However, just two minutes before halftime, Florida ended up turning over the ball several times and we went from 3 points to 24 in just two minutes.  It was amazing!!  My worry the entire week was that the game would be close when it was time to trick-or-treat and that we wouldn’t want to leave, but thankfully, Georgia pulled far enough ahead so that wasn’t the case.

At halftime, the five of us sat down to eat a very festive Halloween dinner – mummy dogs, Bag ‘O Bones cinnamon puffs, cheese puffs, apple and marshmallow “mouths,” grapes, and candy corn.  Super simple, but oh so festive, especially since our skellies joined us.

After dinner, the kids got dressed and ready, and I did Olivia’s makeup while we watched some more of the game.  My parents arrived just before 6, and we all went outside to take pictures as we always do.

Once we were done with that, it was time to trick-or-treat!  My dad and my father-in-law stayed at the house to watch the game and keep an eye on the candy table, and my momma came with us. 

It was coooold yet again, and it drizzed for a bit here and there.  Thankfully, B had brought two umbrellas just in case along with his beer and the Georgia game on his phone.  Gotta do what ya gotta do!  Haha.

We hit up our cul-de-sac first, and then we headed to the front street.  There were HUNDREDS of kids running around and there were parents driving golf carts and tractors and trucks with trailers for hay rides.  There was Halloween music coming from every direction, and it was just a really festive atmosphere.  Our neighborhood always does Halloween BIG and I love it.

One of our neighbors had turned their front porch into a haunted house, and if you went in the haunted house, you were rewarded with a full-size candy bar, so both of our kiddos braved it and went in together.  They had a couple of guys dressed up in there, and Michael Meyers jumped out at them, so it was probably pretty scary for Olivia.  Jacob was unphased, but Olivia came out and said something like, “Whew, that was scary, but it was worth it.”  Haha.

After we made it down the front street, we turned around and came back up, and then we stopped at home to drop some candy and warm up for a few minutes.  The kids wanted to head back out, so we left my momma with the dads and B and I headed back out with Jacob and Olivia.  On the other side of the neighborhood, we found Joe Exotic, and, of course, I had to take a picture with him.  He’s actually one of Brian’s tennis buddies who lives just down the street from us, and his costume was so hilarious.

We hit up one more street after that, and then headed home.  By the time we got back home, it was dark, and Georgia had whooped Florida 34-7!!!!  We remain undefeated at 8-0, and we’re still in the #1 spot, and I’m hoping we can continue to hang onto it!!!!  Please oh please let this be our magical season!

When we got back home, my parents gave the kids some Halloween goodies.  My father-in-law had given them some when he had arrived earlier in the afternoon, so they loaded up!  After that, they both sat down to sort their candy, and I did a quick scan to check it all as I always do. 

The grandparents left just before 8 to get home so they could watch the Braves play, and the kids got into their PJs.  We watched It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown as we always do on Halloween night, and then the kids got into bed.  B and I watched the Braves win, and then we headed off to bed just before midnight.  What a day!

 

Sunday, October 31

Sunday morning was virtual Mass and cinnamon rolls with some added Halloween flair, and then I planned the week ahead in my planner.  I was soooo pleased to see that I had absolutely NOTHING on the calendar for the whole week other than our standard baseball and dance.  Last week was so crazy and I was grateful to have nothing on our plates so I could play catch-up, and hopefully even get ahead.

The whole morning, Olivia painted Halloween cards for everyone who was going to be at Sunday lunch, and she even put candy and pencils in Ziploc bags to make goody bags to attach to the cards.  It was so sweet.

I got in a quick workout after church was over, and then we got ready and headed to my mother-in-law’s and step-father-in-law’s for lunch.  They made all of my very favorites – cheesy chicken, lawnmower potatoes, jalapeno cheesy bites, and various veggies, and I ended up eating way more than I normally do when we go over there.  I typically pace myself since we eat twice on Sunday, but I couldn’t resist.

After we left their house, we headed to the park just outside their neighborhood to take family pictures.  We normally take ours way earlier in the month, but we have just been so busy that we hadn’t taken the time to do it.  I have a sponsored post coming up for Christmas cards, and I had to get them ordered Sunday evening, so we were really cutting it down to the wire.  Lol. 

The kids were grumpy after I made them get all dressed up, but they both cooperated beautifully when we arrived at the park… probably because I told them that they wouldn’t be able to play video games if they didn’t.  Lol.

We flew through pictures, and after seeing the results, I decided next year we’re hiring a photographer.  It’s just easier, the poses are much better, and the picture quality is better.  A professional photographer I am not, y’all, but momma tries.

By the time we got home, it was nearly 4 PM, and I spent the next hour and a half sorting pictures, narrowing it down to two for our Christmas card, editing them, browsing Christmas cards, designing our card, and placing my order.  I got it done just in time for my parents to walk through the door, and I can’t wait to see how they turn out.  Stay tuned!

My momma had brought over White Chicken Chili with tortilla chips and all of the toppings, and it was just delicious.  Man oh man, I love her White Chicken Chili!  It was cold again Sunday, so the weather was perfect for it.  We also popped some pumpkin spice cookies that she’d brought over and those were delicious, too!

Since it was chilly outside Sunday, we ate inside with mom and dad and Mama Cass for the first time in months, and it was so nice to just be normal.  I love eating outside, but I’m kind of over it at this point.  I just want to get back to eating inside and being cozy with everyone again, but of course, our fam is still just trying to be careful since Covid cases are still prevalent in our area.  Thankfully, they’re trending downward again, though, so hopefully it’ll stay that way for a while.

At dusk, I got Olivia to take a picture with me since we were a pumpkin and a black cat, and then I got her to snap a picture of me with my little pumpkin twin, Maui.  ;o)  She kept trying to lick my face, so this was as good as it gets.  Haha.

Everyone left a little earlier than usual to get home in time to watch the Braves game, and the kids stayed up to watch some of the game while I started taking the bats down over the mantle.  The double-sided tape that had come with them ended up leaving marks all over our wall and now I’m soooo sad because the wall looks like crap.

We got the kids in the bed around 9 and then I stayed downstairs with B until about 10:30 before calling it quits.  I was glad I didn’t stay up to watch the end of the game since the Braves ended up losing.  Sigh.

And that’s it!!  What a busy one, y’all!  If you’ve made it to the end of this post, then congratulations!!  It’s definitely one of my longer ones!  Haha.

Happy Tuesday, y’all!