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JR and I made the decision that it was time to put our family rules on paper. Brandon is getting older, and he understands the concept of rules and consequences much better these days. Unfortunately, he seems to frequently forget what the rules are, even when we've gone over the rules on a daily basis.

I'd seen on the TLC program Jon & Kate Plus 8 where they'd created a Family Mission statement and had it printed out. But I didnt like how they did it. Their principals were sound, but it was way too wordy for 3 and 5 year olds. I also noticed that the print was very small. I'd have been amazed if any of the kids could have read it, even if they had good reading skills.

His teacher at school has the class rules posted on large posters all around the room to help the students remember them. So we decided the same thing could work for us. We're not going to put posters all over the house just yet, but having our family rules printed clearly and placed in plain sight might be helpful.

JR and I brainstormed for about 30 minutes tonight. We wanted to keep the rules relatively simple and to the point. Brandon, and eventually Keira, will need to be able to repeat them back to us easily. So we created six rules that seem to encompass just about everything we believe in but are summed up in to simple sentences. Except for number 5, which is a little more specific. =)

I typed them up in easy-to-read text, printed them out, and hung them in a frame in the dining area. We plan to go over the rules each evening with him for 2 weeks, pointing out each word, to help them sink in. Then we'll just go over them when needed thereafter. =)

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Tonight the kids and I went up to the church, who hosted a Trunk or Treat event. Members of the church drive their vehicles up onto the church lawn and pass out candy to kids from the surrounding neighborhood.

Both Brandon and Keira were extremely shy at first. But they warmed up after a few minutes. Keira caught onto the process more quickly than I thought she would.

They enjoyed interacting with the other kids and playing fairground type games. Brandon caught a stuffed animal fish in a "fishing" game. =)

Brandon went as Anakin Skywalker. He even was complimented. They said he even looked exactly like Anakin. And Keira was a pirate, the CUUUTEST little pirate you've ever seen! (Sorry. Im a bit bias. Tee hee. )

So we're having some problems we've had to take up with our landlord. The letter is in the forums. Go check it out, to get more info.

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So its the first weekend of October, and of course you know that means we could FINALLY break out the Halloween decorations. I actually put our indoor decorations up last weekend, but this weekend was designated for the outdoor ones. So we spent this evening putting up the lights and some of the other items. We got all our lights up and set up the pet cemetary in the side flowerbed.

We still need to get up into the attic and pull down some of our "Halloween guys" as Brandon calls them. But since were still without a ladder, we're not sure if we're going to be able to get them down. =(

Doenst seem right to not have them out though, since its our first Halloween in 2 years that we've been able to decorate the outside with. I really hope our good neighbors have a ladder we can borrow.

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After I picked Brandon up after school, we we went to Wawa for some snacks. On our way back we were in an accident. I was stopped at an intersection due to traffic. Even though the light was green, I couldnt go. There were 2 more vehicles stopped behind me. Then I heard it. A loud thud several cars behind. Then another and another, then WHAM! We got hit. The fourth vehicle back failed to stop and plowed into a Dodge Durango, then into the SUV that was behind me, which then smacked into me. Thankfully the kids and I are fine. Brandon complained of a headache for a few hours afterwards, but that was it.

Unfortunately, Prodge is in a bit of hurt. The force of the impact smashed in the metal parts that hold the bumper to the car, which means its now bowing out on both sides. Its also cracked through right under my license plate. And the trunk doesnt work right. I cant shut it all the way. I had to disconnect the light so it wont wear down the battery. She's got a nifty tatoo now too, part of the number of the license plate from the SUV that hit us.

We've already talked with Geico about the incident. The guy who caused it is going to have to pay us, the SUV owner (who was pregnant and had to be rushed to the hospital), and the guy he hit first (who turned out to be someone Kimmi works with). And he was happy to do it!! Our Geico rep said he was laughing on the phone when they'd spoken with him. Kimmi says he was probably just in shock. Either way is going to be hell of a lot of money.

Ive gotta take Prodge to Geico for them to assess the damage and find out how much this guy is going to have to pay for the bumper and trunk to get repaired. And while they're doing it, he has to pay for me to have a rental car.

We were so lucky to walk away from this one. Everyone was very lucky no one got seriously injured. (I think they just took the pregnant woman in for observation.)

What a way to start our favorite month of the year. Turns out its been almost 10 years to the day since my last major accident.

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Today was Brandon's 6th Birthday! We celebrated at home this year. His birthday party was going to be on Saturday, the 27th, but two of his best friends were going to be away this weekend, so we decided to post pone the party until October when they'll be back in town.

Brandon took cupcakes to school for his class, and they really enjoyed them. While he was still at school, JR spent the the afternoon setting up decorations and filling the living room with balloons. When Brandon got home from school he was very surprised and excited, but JR made him wait until I got home from work, for any real celebration to start, When I got home we played around a bit, then we let Brandon open his gifts. He was very happy with the Batman figure, Batman helicoper, spy binoculars, Batman PJs, Superman cape (both from GeeMa), a remote control car/tank, and a cool telescope (both from Pappy and Grandma Maureen).

Then we had pizza and later cake that I had made. It was my first attempt at a rectangle cake. It worked out pretty well. Then JR gave Brandon his very best gift ever - the priviledge to play Playstation again! Brandon was estatic about this one and then spent the rest of the evening playing with all his old games on the PS2. Brandon said he had the best birthday ever!

Scary Stuff!
September 23rd, 2008 by Kimberley

So this afternoon, Brandon knocked Keira out. We mean for real. He was rough-housing and ran her over or pushed her down. Something. Either way, she got knocked down and was unconscious for about 30 seconds. JR saw her laying on the floor, not moving, on her side. He went over and saw her eyes were closed and reached out to her and it woke her up. She was a bit confused. So when he called me, I then called the Ped and they suggested taking her straight to the Emergency room, because 2 year old should never lose consciousness like that.

I was freakin!! I rushed out of work early (which I never do) and ran home to her. She seemed okay, a little dazed maybe, but she was talking, walking and giggling as usual. Nothing wrong with her eyes and didnt really seem sleepy, but I wasnt going to take any chances.

So I packed her up and rushed over to the hospital she'd been born out. Its 20 minutes away via highway. (Its the only one I really know.)

We checked in and it took FOREVER to get back to be seen, but she seemed okay the whole time. We finally got to see the doc and he ordered a CT scan, just in case. She did NOT like that - being strapped down and her head in a little squishy vice-like thing. She just kept crying and crying and reaching out to me. (They let me stay in with her, right next to her, with a big lead vest thing on.) I tried really hard to calm her down, meanwhile she's just about making ME cry. =(

She made it through all that though, and then we had to wait for the results. That was a long time too. But when they finally reviewed them, the doc said her head was perfectly normal! Thank goodness. I kind of figured it would be, but it was nice to know for sure. He also said there wasnt any immediate evidence of a concussion, but that we should keep an eye on her for the next few days and definitely follow up with her Ped. Whew!