HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME- 32 Things plus an inside joke!!!

Well I am turning 32 on the 14th !!! I thought I would write this list type of thing which includes facts from the past/present, goals, and even buckets list. There is also an inside joke about me and if if you read through it you will discover what I did ....and what I will likely do again once again.

So hopefully this will be on the funny side.... however, my humor is often a hit or miss an leaning towards the miss side.... yep kind of an odd sense of humor here....

Image found on Google Free Images

Happy Birthday To Me

1. My Mom said they were actually prepping her for a c-section because I was not progressing after her water broke. Then she said had an urge to poop...my dad running to get a nurse and I was born. I always told her "Nice Mom!".  The funny part is it was not until I had Caydance did I not relate to having the poop feeling and having a kid. Caleb was born via c-section.

2. I looked like nothing like my mother skin tone wise. I was very dark toned so if my Daddy was not around (He was in the Army) they actually thought I was mixed baby and my Mom and their friends/neighbors who were African American in Germany the husband was my Dad. They actually had a baby around the same time I was born. I have seen the pictures.

3. I am very paranoid of people in full costumes. Like Mickey Mouse, Easter Bunny, Santa Claus and clowns.... I need to see their faces.  I always feel like they are up to no good if I cannot see their faces. 

4. I was a very girly girl when I was little! I use to dress up before I went to bed. I am talking the full effect. I put a belt around my night gown, put on my jellies, and rocked the look. I was such a product of the 80's. I did out grow the stage though.

5. I played softball for many years. One day I forgot to wear my sliding shorts and it was the day I slid into third (which was the position I played) and I had biggest strawberry on my butt/upper thigh. If you have seen league of their own that is what it basically look like. It stung very bad when I got in the shower. Lets say I never forgot my sliding shorts again. 

6. I once got my pants stuck on a fence and was just hanging there while  my brother just laughed at me. I had the ultimate wedgie.... I was probably there a good 5 minutes until my brother picked himself off the ground from laughing to help me. 

7. I truly hate peas! They are little balls of green nasty. I force myself to eat the nasty little boogers so my kids will. 

8. My mom use to hate to take me to the produce section because I use to make boob references with fruits. I am about 32 and I still do it! 

9. I have an addiction to school supplies...  I mean seriously it is not healthy 

10. I steal my kids juice boxes when they are not looking. It is the perfect amount to swallow my pills...LOL

11. To just recently I had no clue how baby chickens were made...yes I know they come from eggs... but I am talking about the mating process. I was even a bio major in college,,,is that not sad? I seriously thought it was like how fished spawned...pretty sad.... 

12.  I will tell you straight out if I liked something you made food wise and if I don't like it I won't eat  it. I will however, try anything at least once because you never until you try it. So I actually like a lot of stuff... my main things that I have yet to find a yes to our cream based soups.

13. I tend to over analyze children shows. I do not do it out loud but in my head.... 

14. I love all my fur babies past, preset, and future but by far my one of my favorite was my pet rat named Stinky I rescued him. I was not sure how old he was when I got him but I had him all through middle and high school. I cannot wait to get another pet rat or two. 

15. I am the queen of unfinished projects! I am still working on a crocheted blanket for my husband that started back in 2004. In my defense he should have not wanted that thing a size of a king bed!!!

16.  I love to spoil people and theme out like it is cool...or not cool... I have no idea what is cool anymore.

17. I love Halloween and when I was younger I always wanted to be a punk rocker. Once again a product of 80's but when I look back at it... I am not sure I really knew what a punk rocker really was until I was way older. However, my parents dressed me up as one.

18. I liked vampires before they were cool and before they ever sparkled! 

19. I was such a book worm, nerd, geek, and so on by the time I was in middle school and high school my parents never asked me if I had homework. I just did it... and only came to them if I needed help which was usually math. I also enjoyed school readings and did my homework on Friday.

20. I actually failed the 11th grade with straight A's and one F! I was horrible in Algebra and no matter how much I tried and my parents helped (not the teacher-she was horrible) I could not get it. I earned that F!!!! However, since math was a required class it was an automatic fail. So I had to go summer school to go the 12th grade. The F cost me graduating with honors but I did letter in academics..... so I think it is still a win in my books!!!

21. One of greatest friends in my lives is a guy! No he is not my husband or gay... I met him in the 9th grade and still friends to this day. He is actually the only friend I still talk to from high school. He actually bit me in the 9th grade claiming he was a vampire. I should have slapped him... however, out families get a long great. You would think my hubby and him actually were the friends first but it is the opposite. He was also a bridesman in my wedding. He also has an amazing wife!!!! 

22. I love to nap.... napping is one of my favorite things to do. So if my kids are napping so am I ;)

23. I hate talking on the phone. I am guilty of screening phone calls. I much rather text.... sorry

24. I do laundry like I am still using a laundry mat.... so basically when I have no panties left or when hubby runs of out undies I will do laundry. However, that means we do not wear the same thing over and over again.

25. I am addicted to shoes but because I am so tall I end up wearing a lot of flats. My brother use to hate me wearing heals because it would make taller then him. He is barely an inch taller than me. I am 5'10 /11 depending on the doctor...and if I wore heals I was a giant.... does not matter with hubby because he is taller than me.

26. I am clumsy and test gravity all the time.

27. When I was 27 I actually thought I was 28....no joke! Most women like to think of themselves as younger. I made myself an entire year older. It was my Mom to correct me and I even argued with her!

28. I actually turned 28!

28. I will actually probably think I am a year older at some point again in my life.... lets just hope this when I am older and truly cannot remember and just not a brain fart.

29. I am pretty sure I am raising a mini version of myself and Christopher with our two kids. 

30. I am in love with a couple of celebrities! Morgan Freeman- That mans voice !!!!  Alan Alda- Do I need to say more? Angie Harmon- she is my female crush 

31. I may be an introvert but for some reason I am not afraid to dance in public.

32. I am turning 32 on the 14th the day of Pi but the ultimate day of Pi.... 3.14.15 9:26:53 the day to be irrational... got to love it!!! 

2014 Roundup ... A Little Late

Once again I am late on these type post but as I am enjoying the peace in my house if only for a moment I thought I would do my 2014 Roundup!

2014 has been full of ups, downs, twists, and turns. I am not sure where to start so the easiest way I thought about going at this was hitting 12 highlights/moments of the year. These are not going to be in any sort of order just things that I wold like to share.

Me: Property of Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life

So lets get started with my 2014 Roundup...

1. My husband has had an interesting year for sure. Back in 2004 he actually tumbled/fall down a mountain Afghanistan on a deployment and screwed up his knee. However, like most Marines he kept on pushing, fighting, band-aiding his knee, and the straw finally broke the camel's back. So it was decided that he would have cartilage replaced in his knee. He went through the surgery like a champ and the recovery was interesting. It was decided that we would take him down to my parents upon his command approval so my family could help me with the kids and of course him. However, that had a twist in it. While we were at my parents' house my dad's cat bit him on his hand and it did not look so good I took him to the ER because he was being stubborn. Well come to find out it became infected and he ended up in the hospital. So when he got home we had two grown men to take care of! I must give a huge shout to my sister-in-law Shelly who stepped upped and helped play nurse to those "big babies"!!!! They are both doing well and back up to no good.

Christopher: Property of Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life

2. Caydance turned 1 in August! She puts us through our paces, fearless, tom-boy, princess, and so smart!! She loves her big brother so much and loves to annoy him as well. I could not be happier with the little girl she is becoming. Health wise she has been staying on the small size and has not been wanting to gain weight like she should. It is sometimes so odd to have such a tiny child when we are all taller but then I realize I am actually the odd one in the females in my family most of them are short! So maybe she is just taking after them but until then she is just monitored.

Caydance's 1st Birthday: Property of Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life

3. I closed down my small craft business Gifts By Vaughn and it is okay it was one of the best things I could have done. I lost the will to create and be me when it came to my crafts and crafting. When I closed Gifts By Vaughn I became free again.

Image Found On Google Free Images 

Image Found On Google Free Images 

4. My husband I celebrated 10 years of marriage actually on the last day of the year! Had an amazing date at the Melting Pot.

Christopher and I on our Wedding Day: Property of Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life

5. We have adopted a more frugal lifestyle. It has been a learning process and it has not been perfect! In 2014 we still have made mistakes but have paid down a lot debt minus my student loans. We also had a debt free Christmas. However, our savings sucked eggs but agreed to keep moving forward with trying to be frugal.

6. It was wedding season for 2014! Christopher was his brother's best man and I was my friend's Matron of Honor. I made the custom favors for Christopher's brother wedding! I cannot believe how beautiful the came out. However, my friend's wedding was in Florida so Christopher and I got a little vacation! So not only was I part of a beautiful wedding but Christopher and I could sleep in!!!!

The Brothers: Property of Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life

The favors I made: Property of Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life

Sierra and I: Property of Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life

Rocking the flowers: Property of Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life

7. Caleb turned 3! He has become such an amazing little boy and each day he grows and grows. Last year was big changes for him. In the past year his speech delay needed be addressed. So he started speech therapy lessons and has improved so much over the months that he was in the program. It was decided he needed he needed to be transitioned into the preschool program after he turned 3 to keep his speech therapy going and improve his socializing skills. He is such a loving little boy and very energetic. Caleb is also very protective of his sister.

Caleb and Daddy: Property of Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life

Caleb and Daddy: Property of Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life

8.  I launched my facebook page A Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life to go along with this blog shortly after I closed my craft business and it has been one of the best things I could have ever done. I had no idea how fast it would take off in that short amount of time. It makes me excited to see what 2015 has to hold.

My Facebook Cover: Property of Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life

9.  Sadly I was more isolated this past year. I am an introvert by nature who much rather read, listen to music, and enjoy my own company. However, this can be a bad at times for some reason I felt no desire to see anyone or do anything. Well I take that back I know of reasons that made me not want to see anyone but that is nothing to bring up here because it is past and it is move forward.

Was Me On an Off Day: Property of Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life

10. We had amazing holidays! Easter- The weather was on the bad side but we had a lolly pop garden along with Easter Bunny visit. Halloween- we carved pumpkins, painted pumpkins, watched movies, and went trick-or-treating. I made Caydance's costume and let Caleb pick out his costume for the very first time! Christmas included not only a debt free Christmas but 24 books advent count down, Christmas eve box, feeding Chickens, and a Christmas scavenger hunt in the dark.

The Lolly Pop Garden: Property of Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life

Halloween 2014: Property of Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life

Advent Christmas Countdown 2014: Property of Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life

Caleb and Caydance: Property of Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life

11. My friend Sierra and I came up with the plan to become "Pen Pal Crafters". We use to craft all the time together and because of normal life events are now separated by a couple of states. So we came up with the idea to do crafts about once a month and share, talk, and have a good time creating once again even though we are couple states apart.

Sierra right before the wedding ceremony: Property of Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life

The Crocheting Gloves!!!! : Property of Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life

Pen Pal Crafts: Property of Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life

12.  In 2014 I struggled with my faith and what I considered to what was becoming a toxic religion. However, later in the year I never have been stronger faith and beliefs. I could not be happier, positive, grateful, open-minded, faithful, giving, loving, and hopeful person.

PLEASE FEEL FREE TO USE : Property of Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life

So Yeah.... That is my 2014 Roundup

A Message To My Readers

I have been making a lot of changes to my blog. No personal blog layout yet but that is a small goal... but one thing I have written for the blog which can be found right now at the bottom of the blog and hopefully in the future "about me" section of a new blog layout what the whole concept of "A Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life". This is my goal or concept for "A Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life".

The Face Behind The Concept and Dream of "A Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life" : Property of A Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life 

 This is my message...

 I thought I would write this message to my readers and hopefully future readers. What "A Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life" is really about. It is more than a blog but a goal and ambition to hopefully to change the world. I must first share a little information about me. I am a bad example of a Domestic Goddess. I have a very active three-year-old little boy and a beautiful one-year-old daughter. I have been married for 10 years to a wonderful Marine! I have a B.S. in Psychology and currently applying for my Master's program. I craft, cook, clean, finding something new to try, and everything in between. I tend to function on auto pilot and live in pj pants. I am on the nerdy, geeky, and a little introverted. I am a huge bookworm, music lover, love games, and love to sing and dance badly. I march to my own beat and color outside of lines as often as I can. However, something else about me is I live with two health issues. The first is PCOS and Bipolar Disorder. I prefer the term live with instead of suffer because this is something that I live with daily.

One of my huge goals in my life is to fight the stigma of mental illnesses and bring much needed education and understanding to these invisible illnesses as well others. I also want to show parents and anyone else who "live" mental illness that they are not alone!!! That they too can live, thrive, survive, and show the world that we are no different than any other person who does not live with a mental illness. We often approach life situations differently and deal with issues of the mental illnesses a little different than a physical health issue. I started this blog and the idea of "A Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life" to be part of the goal of stopping the stigma and educating about mental illnesses. An I believe in one way to stop this stigma and show people they are not alone in their mental illness and we are not the illness.

So this blog is just not all about being bipolar or other health problems. It is about my journey on how I manage this world. So you will see life events, good days, bad days, crafts, cooking, information, and anything else I can think of. I am still very new to the blogging world and also not the best writer and still have a lot to learn. I am also at the very early stages of this goal. However, this goes beyond just a blog. You can find me "A Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life" on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and even Goodreads and hopefully other social media platform even a website to follow this journey. On these social platforms you will find positive, up lifting quotes, education facts, jokes, what I am doing for my therapy, if I am having an off day, also when I am at doctor for my monthly visit, and so on. You also can talk to me and share! I love to communicate!

 I am hoping to further my education and research to help aid this goal. As I stated earlier I am currently applying for my Master's program and maybe one day even a doctoral program. I love science in general, research, social aspects of psychology, therapy techniques, neurology, and so much more. If my goal and dream of "A Bipolar Mom and Her Daily" takes off I would also not to love to just not personal experiences but credentials an qualifications as well. Not sure where my education will take me but I sure hope this dream is part of it.

 I am hoping to make a huge difference in this world so I hope you will follow me as this dream and goal grows. ~A Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life~ Courtney

Caleb is Turning 3: Part Two -Family Birthday Party Justice League of Vaughn

Caleb's birthday falls just a few short days of Christmas so I am sure it will make celebrating it very interesting as he gets older but that will be for another time and place. We were originally going to celebrate Caleb's third birthday at my parents so he could run wild with his cousins playing super hero games. However, Christopher was being transferred back to his old unit so his leave and everything that we had planned was thrown up in the air (it is the Military not much we can do) . So we decided to celebrate here throwing a small family super hero party here.

So a couple of days before the 21st we picked a day to celebrate little mans birthday. This day included playing in the park, silly string, balloons, a special cupcake, presents, and make your own pizza!

 I stand by the fact that you do not need spend hundreds of dollars to have a great party! Money does not make the memories.

The day started at the park! Where Caleb and Caydance could start their super hero training. We ended up going to a park that had a little climbing wall where Caleb could practice his Spiderman training. There was also swings where little man tried his hardest to learn to pump his legs like his Daddy, sand to play in, a purple dinosaur ride, and slides to shoot down.

Caleb climbing the wall at the local park: Property of Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life 

The purple dino: Property of Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life 

Caydance trying her hands at the wall:  Property of Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life 

After the park we went home but instead of going inside we took the little ones to the back yard for a silly string fight. I was telling Christopher when I first purchased the silly string this was a waster of money but in reality it was the best $8 spent on junk we ever spent. Caleb and Caydance giggling and laughing as they sprayed each other with color string! Mommy and Daddy laughing just as hard getting the string out of each other hair. So Spiderman training I believe was a huge success.

Silly String:  Property of Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life 

Mommy teaching Caleb how to use the silly string:  Property of Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life 

Caydance being covered in the silly string:  Property of Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life 

Caleb and Daddy playing with the silly string:  Property of Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life 

When we came from the silly string fight. We had had a snacks which included green hulk juice (Green Hawaiian Punch). After snacks were done we decided to turn Caleb into the Hulk! The previous night I blew up twenty balloons and grabbed one of Christopher's work shirt. So Caleb put on his Daddy's shirt and then stuff balloons in the shirt until the Hulk appeared. It made us laugh so much and of course what Caleb did Caydance wanted to do as well so we turned her into the She Hulk (which I guess is a real thing).

After turning the kids into the Hulk we decided little man could open his gifts! As you could imagine paper was flying as he unwrapped his new treasures! So the next hour was mainly opening his new treasures and figuring out what they did and how to operate all the super heroes! I swear toys these days are getting more complicated but to see Caleb having a blast with his new additions. With the new toys and the previous excitement! Caleb's side kick Caydance was ready for her power down nap so we put her down for a nap so Caleb could play with his toys undisturbed without extra hands that we would have to share with that instant.

The Caleb Hulk:  Property of Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life 

The Caydance She Hulk:  Property of Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life 

So instead of going out to eat and trying to wrangle to kids in a restaurant even a kid friendly/themed place we decided to make our own pizzas! One of Caleb's favorite things to do is help me in the kitchen and making your own pizza was the perfect opportunity for my super hero to help me in the kitchen! I am just upset that there were no pictures taken of this. We topped his dinner off with an ice cream cake and his special Spiderman cupcake! Which I think Caydance may have liked more than Caleb because she basically look like she ate a smurf!

Even his bath time consisted of party fun! We made them shaving cream DIY Bath paints! Where they painted the bath tub in multiple colors! Here is the link to my previous blog post on how to make your own DIY Bath paints... do not worry they will not stain your tub and your kids will love them! DIY: Bath Paints!

The last event of evening was to catch the bad guy! So we took two rolls of crepe paper and trying to wrap Daddy aka the bad guy up! Caleb also though thought he wanted to be the bad guy as well!

Capturing the bad guy:  Property of Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life 

So all in all I have to say even though it was just the JUSTICE LEAGUE VAUGHN it was a great 3rd birthday for Caleb!

What My Page and Blog Is Really About...

What is your page about?

What does this have to be with being bipolar?

Are you really Bipolar? 

You seem to positive all the time do your moods ever change?

Your Page Is Not Like Other Bipolar Pages?

I am a mom, wife, and daughter but I am also diagnosed and live with two health conditions bipolar and PCOS. However, these two sole thing do not define my life or are "me", there are numerous things that make me. That is why I created the blog "Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life" and then after the Facebook page. Now the overall purpose/goal of this blog and page is show people that you can live, strive through the obstacles that you face, and accomplish so much through in ones life. 

I can achieve this with a small amount of education of mental illness and PCOS but also how I live my life with these two health issues. So what does this have to be with being bipolar? I ask you how is this not related to being bipolar? I am me! I live my life! I do not wake up going "How is this going to be a bipolar day?" but instead think of what I have to do that day and if my moods happen to go off like a light switch or I feel myself going up or down then I do it what I do when it comes to being bipolar. As I stated before being bipolar is only aspect of my life. So on my blog and page you will discover in many aspects I am just like anyone else! Who would have thought! I love to craft, cook, diying, and everything else in between. I take care of my household which includes a handsome Marine and two beautiful miracles. So why not share it? It is my daily life! If  I share my experiences through my page and blog of my music therapy, crafts, my journals, routine, books, doctor appointments related to my mental health or PCOS and end up help just one person then I have reached my purpose of this blog and the forms of Social Media I created.

I was questioned the other day are you really bipolar? You seem to be to positive do your moods ever change? At first I was taken a back but then laughed to myself about this question. I guess I do not super show it on my page but I choose not express my 24/7. If I did express my mood like that on the page I would never get any sleep and you would likely get sick of my page and think of my page nothing more of attention seeker. Instead I love to express myself through humor, sayings, quotes, inspiration, and so on. This type of expression would also include areas of my health as well. However, this page is about Bipolar too so there are times I will and have focused on my mood. I believe it is important to let people who follow my page that I do go through downs or not feeling well. It is something I need to be open about because it is apart of my life. I do not however post or blog about all my downs or mood shifts because I do not believe that serves the overall purpose/goal of my page and blog. It is often very hard to explain mood shifts especially the downs because I just don't know. I can educate you mood shifts and what it is like to fall down the rabbit hole but I like to show you how I pull myself out of that hole as well. I also believe to much negativity can be a very bad thing not only to purpose/goal of pages in your actual life and it is something I would rather not have on page or blog every day but instead replacing it with overcoming whatever that negativity is one life. 

Why doesn't your page look like other bipolar pages? How is my page and blog suppose to look? I follow many mental health pages and I can tell you each of us are unique each bonded together by some sort of mental illness. Some of these pages are pure educational, just personal blogs, focused on a certain mental illness, and so on. My page simply speaks for me as their page speaks for them hopefully. 

What I love about my page and blog I think it goes beyond just some one who lives with bipolar and PCOS. I have already met so many wonderful people through the page and blog growth. Of course I met other people like me who live with or know someone with a mental illness but I have met crafters, business owners, farmers, homesteaders, cooks, just for fun communities, bloggers, and so on! One of the best things that have happened though through this page and blog though are the people that have come forward with their own struggle with mental illness but never shared it with anyone for multiple reasons. 

I am not sure where my blog or page is headed or how big it will become. Am I afraid of unknown? Very much so but it is no different from a lot of the other unknowns. In life I know there will people I will come across people who do not care for me or how I run my page or blog. The fact of life is we will not be everyone' cup of tea. I can promise you though I will always promote respect, no drama, bullying, or bashing! I am a very open minded person and respect peoples values, morales, religion, and opinions. I ask you extend the me the same because I can tell you now my page will be far from being politically correct. So I will tell you Merry Christmas, send you prayers, and have post that specific overtones. You can tell me whatever you want, send positive thoughts and I will like your posts if I like them or can relate to them as long their is mutual respect. I will continue to focus on what this page and blog is becoming and getting to know other people and pages. I have already learned so many wonderful things from so many people and pages.

So this is Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life and this what her blog and page is really like! 

Trick or Treat A Little Late BUT tons of pics!

Image found on Google Free Images Please Contact for credit or removal

I am a little behind on my post but I am still getting use to trying to maintain a regular blog my Bipolar world and daily life. It is a lot harder than I thought. So huge props to the ones that have really successful blogs I know they put a lot of work in it!

My House On  Halloween! Property A Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life

So Halloween has come and gone in this household but it was sure an event in this house! We usually go all out in this household but because Christopher was and is still recovering from knee surgery there was a limited stuff that we could do for Halloween like going to a corn maze, festivals, pumpkin picking and so on. So it required me to do a lot of thinking of what can we do here! 

As I stated in my last post we did tons of family movies nights and not mention pumpkin carving and painting. You can read about that here Weekend Wrap Up ....

Pumpkin Carving : Property A Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life

Something that we allowed this year was let Caleb pick out his Halloween costume. So we all went to a Halloween store and he walked up and down the isles taking in everything it was a little bit overwhelming but he decided to be one of the cutest pirates ever. I also decided that whatever Caleb decided to be for Halloween I would make Caydance's costume to match it or pair it off it! So I decided she would be Tinkerbell and I would make it! So I set off making a Tutu Dress. I have only made a tutu skirt before but it was fun overall and I would do it again. I am not sure when we let Caydance pick out her first costume probably when she ask because I am having fun making them.

Caleb in his pirate costume 2014: Property A Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life

Start of Caydance's costume: Property A Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life

Caydance's Tinkerbelle Costume: Property A Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life

The day of Halloween I was not feeling the best but I made sure to put on my best face because I would have to take the kids around the neighborhood. We got the kids ready and let them play outside as we finished up the outside and pull out the wagon for me. I do not think we could have asked for better weather!!! It was perfect not hot or cold the best Halloween weather ever:)

Well I loaded up the kids in the wagon and we headed off to explore the neighborhood! We live in military housing so we live in a huge housing community. Actually two housing communties are back to back. I have to admit I was a little nervous being by myself and how my little ones would react for a couple of reasons. 

Playing in the wagon Property A Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life

More wagon fun: Property A Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life

Taking turn with the wagon: Property A Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life

1. This was the first time I was out on my own. Last year my Daddy help take the kids around while my Mom and Hubs manned the house because hubs was also recovering from a procedure. The previous year was Caleb's first Halloween so we only went to like three houses for pictures ops then manned the house the rest of night.

2. I am not sure what is about the Military but we really get into our holidays and Halloween is no exception! I think it is because a lot of military service members often miss out holidays, special events, birthdays, milestones, and annevessarys that we tend to go all out for them. We are no different and love to decorate and just love to have a great time and have fun!!! However, just like many parents I am not sure even though you try to teach them the people walking around the decorations around are not real even if they seem scary. 

One of the most decorated houses in the neighborhood: Property A Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life

3. Finally this reason is not so much a reason of being as nervous but rather to see the progress my son has made. Caleb has a speech delay and when he is in a new situation he often will not speak until he is comfortable. Even though he gets really comfortable really fast and he will start talking in his language or say words I was unsure how trick or treating would go. We did practice tons at the house :)

Caleb: Property A Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life

When we first started I think they were just enjoying the wagon ride more than anything. The first couple of houses. I had to walk Caleb to the first couple houses and take him to hold his pail out. No matter how much we practice he would not say "Trick or Treat". He did say Hi, Bye, and signed please. I had to explain to a couple of people when he did the sign for please and others stood it right off the bat. I assume they either know some who is deaf, baby signs, or speech therapy. It is always nice when you do not have explain what your child is not doing when he is communicating :) . Caleb was also very good listening to directions very well by not reaching into the candy buckets and waiting his turn. He also grabbed two pieces of candy one at a time for his sister and him when there was just a bucket left out. He also was not afraid. I am not sure if it was the conquest of candy or he realized it most of it seemed fake and fun there was "nothing" that could really get him. I mean  I was shocked of some of the stuff he walked up too. NOTE: Most people here take off their mask to let them know it is just a person underneath but this year no need too. The only thing that freaked him out was this large type talking doll but in all fairness that thing freaked me out too! He also did an awesome job not eating the candy! I was seeing kids left and right just stuffing candy in their mouths and not that I do not let my kids have a piece from their haul (just like I did when I was little) I want to check it properly (I am not saying that parents do not check it there I just prefer to wait to I get home) when I get it home he also held onto his sisters bucket and only handed it to her next house.
I am not sure Caydance really thought about it all except loving her costume. As soon as the costume came on she knew she was a little fair/princess and the twirls and dancing begun. She also was trying to find her feet under all that tulle. She is always an amusing site for sure. I do not think this year she was really into trick or treating. She is still a little on the young side to understand she is almost 15 months but most people thought she was just about to turn 1 and this is her second Halloween. I cannot believe she was just over 3 months last year <3 . Caydance basically wanted to keep getting in and out of wagon and just walk! She got very tired of the whole trick or treating real fast! However, I noticed that among that a lot of young ones passed out in strollers or being carried by their parents. I always enjoy the sites of Halloween. So I ended up taking Caydance back to hang out with Daddy which she had a lot more fun running around the yard and checking out the costumes.

Caydance's shoe would not stay on this is are flower bed: Property A Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life

Caydance and the wagon: Property A Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life

Caleb and I parked the wagon and set out for a little more trick or treating! With having two kids it is often hard to spend quality time with just one of them. I enjoyed every minute of it walking with my little man holding my hand. He was even talking to me and holding a small conversation. It was sure a memory that I will always have with him. We actually called Grandma that night :-) he was actually telling her about that night of what we could get out of the conversation. He kept telling her Mommy and me! Then patting me... it was like he was proud of just me and him.

Well the night ended with a light meal, showers, and each picking a treat from the bucket.

Even though the next day was the first day of November it was still Halloween weekend. So we spent most of the day outside enjoying the weather. However, I decided to a Halloween fun meal for my little ones. Which included bloody spiders, purple green beans, banana ghost, and bread bones (sorry no pictures of the bread bones they came out a little...umm naughty like).

Halloween themed dinner : Bloody spiders, mac and cheese, purple spiders, and banana ghost: Property A Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life

Between baths and picking up the living room the kids decided they would find new uses for Halloween buckets besides putting candy in them....

I am proud to be their mom:Property A Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life

Only my two! They were putting them on and then head butting each other :) :Property A Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life

Proud to be their mother! : Property A Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life

So that was our Halloween Weekend.... hope you guys had a great one!