Musings of Mommy Dearest: And just like that, they're all gone.

The boys went back to school today.

Yes, fall break came....and two and a half weeks later....went.

Goodbye, sleeping in. Goodbye 3 hour-naps for Clementine. Goodbye 50 kids in my front yard playing every single day. Goodbye all the noise created by those same boisterous youngsters. Goodbye boys that come inside and DESPERATELY need a bath and soon. Goodbye running errands with mommy. Goodbye.

Hello routine! There you are! Oh, how I've missed you so! The vacation was terrific, don't get me wrong, but so many activities have been thrown by the wayside, and now it's time to get back on track! There are rooms to paint, a cabinet to finish, my photography website/blog thingamajigger to create, a playroom to turn into a bedroom for the youngest boy............and on and on and on.

So, glad to be back.

Halloween is literally around the corner. 10 days away--wow. I still haven't had any luck finding an "Edward-style" jacket for Seb's costume. I may just have to go with another look from the movie. Guess I'll just HAVE to watch it again. For inspiration, of course.

In honor of Halloween, and our annual pumpkin decorating activity, I will end this post with a few photos of all the INSANE FUN we had this year creating our "patch." I bought a HUGE tub of 50 glitter pens, so there was more than enough to go around. I love seeing the boys' pumpkin faces. They always make me smile, and in fact, if I start to feel a little sour over something, all I have to do is walk over to our pumpkin family and almost instantly I feel better.

Just like that.

Seb's finished pumpkin head.

LOVE the eyes...and that mouth! Are those braces?

Ethan's pumpkin. He has lopsided eyes, ears that slid down from all the glue he used.....

......and he's perfect.

The Pumpkin Family. Mommy P. Daddy P. Sebbie P. Ethan P. and Clemmie P.

That's one good-lookin' family, if I do say so myself!

Which I just did!

Watching the show.

This next picture is for my Bobby.

Dear Bobby,

I miss you. I loved kissing you goodbye this morning. I know what you meant when you said it felt like the "early days." If I could have, I would have cast a spell on you to make you stay, but I know that you had to go.

So good luck over there. Be safe. Eat good food and have some fun if you can. Know that all is well over on this end, and although I panicked at the thought of you leaving me ALL ALONE WITH THREE KIDS, FOOTBALL PRACTICE, A FOOTBALL GAME, 2 BIRTHDAY PARTIES, and NO KISSES, I will be okay. Because I always am.

BUT--hurry home. I will fill my time to make it pass so that I can kiss you again.

Maybe you'll even have a clean closet! Can you imagine that? Or what about your very own toothbrush in a very special place where little hands can't reach it?

Surprises may be coming your way, Mr. V!