Oh Goody! I'm so glad the packages are getting there and all of you are able to join in on my fun. We had a lot of wonderful participants for this swap and some interesting seeds coming through. It was truly all of you that made this swap a success. I hope the rest of players get their packages quickly so they too, can enjoy the spirit of halloween and the sharing of our beautiful gardens. I'll definately be back next year IF all of you promise to be back too! Until then, Im sure I'll be hanging around this thread until all of the packages have been delivered.... and of course to bless you with a few more of these! Why do vampires need mouthwash? They have bat breath... Why did the Vampire subscribe to the Wall Street Journal? He heard it had great circulation... What is a Mummie's favorite type of music? Wrap!!!!! Why do demons and ghouls hang out together? Because demons are a ghouls best friend! Who was the most famous French skeleton? Napoleon bone-apart Which building does Dracula visit in New York? The Vampire State Building. What's it like to be kissed by a vampire? It's a pain in the neck. Where does a ghost go on vacation? Mali-boo.

SGS9 is spending part of this weekend with us for the first time in over a year to year and a half. I am picking him up after school today from the far out burbs and bringing him home. DS7 will be at an afterschool playdate while I am driving just to keep things simple. DH will take him home Sunday before church. DH has committed to spending time with the boys, taking them to the park, possibly Disneyland. I think Disneyland is going overboard but hey, I'm just happy he wants to take them somewhere together HIMSELF. If the weather is nice it just may be the beach for bikes and volleyball. Planning this little visit has put me back in touch with SS30 and GF/babymama. It's weird talking to them now but the conversations have stayed on the logistics of this visit. GF/babymama told me that BM said "how nice of LAmom to take him etc etc." Blech! Both parents asked me if other kids will be around as they know we often have playdates with a bunch of kids but to keep things simple I'm not planning that. SGS9 has already asked how many kids will be at our house. Sigh, just you and DS7 this time. We have a long way to go before any more parties. SGS9 has just been put on a three week detention at school for fighting, again. Poor kid is so troubled. DH and I discussed and decided that it is for SS to discipline his child in whatever way and that we would just play the indulgent grandparents. I've laid in some treats I know SGS9 likes. I plan to play it light and loose. DH will be at the helm for whatever activities not me. However, all have agreed that if there are ANY problems, SGS9 goes right back home. A separate but interesting development, SD36's high paying job is at major risk and she may be getting a pink slip as early as Monday through no fault of her own. We had a nice talk yesterday and she may go to work for DH as early as next week. My idea and they both like it. I know, I know, when will I learn? If she works for DH I will talk to her everyday practically and start seeing her often as I will be training her on DH's business needs. Hmmm...for the good? Good for her, she needs the work, good for DH, he needs the help, good for me and DS7 as we will start seeing her a lot. She's been the nicest to us so I was glad to help her out this time. Interestingly she volunteered that BM is going to help her financially for the first time in her life! She said that BM, SS and his crew are going to have to wean themselves off of her support, I just listened without comment. She doesn't even want to see SGS9, her nephew, during his stay this weekend since it usually means clothes buying, video buying, restaurant going gimme gimme. Wow. She lives less than 10 minutes away but said "drive the long way around with him." Wish us luck.

What a cute idea:)

If you like to bake, you can give them Cookie Coupons to use throughout the year. When my grands were that small, I made six coupons each, good for anytime during the year with a two day notice. They had their choice of their favorite five kinds of cookies, choc chip, sugar, peanut butter...whatever you decide to list. They had such a good time with this that they requested coupons for Christmas for three years afterwards. Benefits are many. They get to interact with Granma on a personal basis during the year. They get a gift that keeps giving - six times! Homemade are better (and better for them)since they are going to eat something similar anyway. Only one family lived far enough away that the cookies had to be mailed. Even that was fun since the child got real mail of her/his very own.