Halloween

Halloween is such an exciting time for the kids. It's much more crazy for the parents, but I really enjoy watching the kids have fun so it makes it worth it. The first thing that we did to celebrate is carving and painting pumpkins. Because Rod and I do most of the work, we are currently only doing two pumpkins. However, I have a strong feeling that next year we will be forced to do 3.

Rod and Leah busy at work. We let the kids draw what they wanted their pumpkin faces to look like on paper and then we tried to reproduce their drawings.

Rod busy at work.

Pumpkin painting kept the kids busy while we finished carving.

Both Leah and Caleb have already been multiple things for Halloween and we still aren't done celebrating. This year Caleb wanted to be a tractor for Halloween. I had considered this option last year, but for some reason, it didn't happen. This year, I was determined to make it happen and so was Caleb. It was a lot of work, but the costume turned out pretty good. The biggest problem was that it also turned out a bit heavier than I had hoped.

Leah had decided that she wanted to be a cat. I was going to get her a costume, but then decided that I could make it too with the base as a black leotard and tights. I ended up having to do some sewing. Even though I am a terrible seamstress, which lead to some frustration, it ended up being just a little bit of work.

Alissa had a couple of different costumes to choose from, but she went with family tradition and was the cow. I had a really cute Minnie mouse costume, but she didn't want anything to do with it even though she loves Mickey Mouse Clubhouse show. She didn't like the head that was part of the costume. However, she made the cutest cow around.

The first of the Halloween activities was the kids school parties. Caleb really couldn't be a tractor/farmer at school so I decided to have him be something else. We borrowed the cutest Monkey costume from my SIL.

I am glad that Leah's school still does a big Halloween party and parade. I know a lot of schools aren't, but the kids love it and it's fun for parents too.

Leah and her best friend Alasia

The Class on Parade


Back in the Classroom

Enjoying the party!

Last night was trick-or-treat in our area. Every year we go trick-or-treating with my brother, SIL and the cousins. The kids love this tradition and we did it again this year. Leah decided that she wanted to dress up as Snow White since that's what her cousin Rachel was. They had a great time trick-or-treating and got tons of candy. Caleb wore his tractor costume a lot farther than I thought he would. He loved all the attention he was getting because everyone thought it was so cool and would make lots of comments about it. Someone even wanted to take a picture of him. Alissa really got into the whole concept this year too. She loved the idea of getting candy. At first she made me hold her hand and go with her to every house, but soon she was doing them by herself.

The Princesses

A farmer and his tractor. Notice the legs. He had spiderman on underneath because I knew he would get tired and need costume #2. He ended up being spiderman about the last 1/2.

What a cute cow! This cow had a ride the entire trip.

My three.

The Clan

Field Trips

Apparently, this is the season for field trips at school. Both Leah and Caleb have recently taken field trips with their schools. I've been able to go with both of them as a chaperon. I've really enjoyed watching them and taking lots of pictures!

Caleb went to the apple orchard. This field trip included a presentation on how the orchard cares for the trees and what the apples need to grow. The kids were able to put felt flowers and apples on the tree. Alissa got to go on this field trip with Caleb and she was excited to put apples on the tree just like the big kids.

The kids were also excited to get to have some fresh apple cider.

Then it was apple picking time. Leah got to fill a bag with apples too.


Caleb's picking the apples right of the tree.

Time to eat an apple.

A class picture under the apple arch.

Leah's class took a field trip to the farm. It's a farm owned by one of the staff at the school. They open their farm to the first graders and invite other area farms to bring other animals. It was a neat experience, but not as excited for Leah as some since she is used to getting to her Papa's farm.

Learning about sheep and wool.

Leah got to pick field corn and shell it.

Wagon ride time.

They had a variety of tractors and other equipment for the kids to check out and even get inside.

Our group is learning about the cows

The kids got to put in apples into this old juicer and got to drink the apple cider that they made.

Leah liked the bunnies.

The goats were actually brought by a couple from our church. They brought goat feta cheese for the kids to try. Leah like it!

I am so glad to get to experience this stuff with the kids. I think that they enjoy me being able to go with them too.

The Missing Tooth

Leah's two front teeth have been very loose for several weeks. I have been trying to talk her into pulling them out, but she has been very careful of them. She said they were hurting her and didn't want them to be touched. I was being to wonder if they were ever going to come out.

Leah came home from school yesterday very excited to show me her surprise! She lost one of her teeth at school. Her tooth is already making it's way in. Without her teeth, she looks so different. I can't get over how quickly she is growing up.

They put her tooth in a little treasure chest for her to bring it home. Leah's other front tooth is also very loose so I have a feeling that she will be asking for her two front teeth for christmas!

Caleb's First Game

On Thursday Caleb played his very first baseball game. He had a couple of practices, but I couldn't go to those since they were on Monday evenings when I had to teach cycling class. Then, his first game day we had a big storm and the game was cancelled. I was very excited that game day finally arrived and I was going to finally get to see him play. I took both video and pictures as any proud mother would! :) There was also quite a bit of yelling and cheering by mom!

Here as some cute pictures of my baseball boy.

Caleb in his batting helmet.

Caleb in the outfield. He is the one that is not so ready to catch the ball. He spent the majority of field time like this or playing the the dirt!

Up to bat.

He had to hit it off the T, but he has some good swings.

Alissa might be our next softball player! (Leah says no way)

Caleb's team. He is fourth from the end.

Camping in the Backyard!

My house is extremely quiet right now. Although I am enjoying the peace, it's a bit lonely. Rod had been wanting to plan a backyard camping for the kids all summer. As the summer comes to a close he decided this was the weekend. He surprised the kids with the news when he got the tent out after dinner this evening. They were so excited! You would think that they wouldn't be so excited about camping since we have done it a lot this summer, but the tent hasn't been part of the camping experience in a long time. There's something very exciting about a tent even if it is in the backyard!

I do feel a little bit guilty for staying in the house, but Rod gets his quality time with the kids and I get to enjoy a good nights sleep in my own bed! The kids were literally jumping off the tent walls all evening long! The were so excited to go to bed that they couldn't stand it. I am not sure how they will ever calm down enough to sleep, but when I came in Rod was reading a couple of books by flashlight. Hopefully sleep will come soon and it won't get too cold tonight. If it does, it's just a short walk to the house!

Setting up the tent.

Checking this tent out!

Lots of blankets and pillows to carry out!

Getting settled for bed.

So excited!

Although the original plan included Alissa staying in the house, she wouldn't have any of that!

The kids have a really great Dad! I hope he gets a little bit of sleep tonight.

Caleb Starts School

Today Caleb started school. He is going to pre-K 3 days a week at the same preschool Leah went to. He is very comfortable with this preschool and the teachers even though this is first time attending preschool there. Although he wasn't super excited to go this morning he really wasn't nervous either. I think he was really glad to get to go to school since he has been watching Leah go some last week.

Ready to go!

Going into school.

Sitting with his bag full of supplies!

Into the classroom.

Putting his bag in the cubbie.

I think that Caleb did have a good day. I asked him if he wanted to go back and he said yes. That's a good sign!

And the school year begins

Leah is officially a first grader! I am so proud of her, but I am not ready for what this means. She will now go to school all day instead of just 2 1/2 hours. This is a huge adjustment, especially for mom! Leah got on the bus this morning at 7:55 and won't get off the bus until a few minutes after 4. She does have a long bus ride so I am sure there will be a lot of times when I drop her off and pick her up from school, but today I wanted her to try the bus.

Leah had her open house on Monday night. We were able to go to the school together and met her teacher. Leah only knows three or 4 kids that are going to her elementary school from kindergarten because of how the kindergarten center works. I was worried that she wouldn't know anyone in her class. However, the 2 kids that Leah knew best are in her class.

I took the opportunity at Open House to get a few memorable pictures!

Getting ready to go in.

Waiting in the gym with all the school supplies.

Leah's desk. We were able to put all of Leah's school supplies where they needed to go and get her desk ready.




Leah loves her new classroom.

7:00 came early for Leah. I had to wake her up and she wasn't happy about it at first, but then when she woke up enough to realize what today was the excitement set in. She was up and ready to go. It was a challenge getting her to eat breakfast since she was so excited, but after several trips outside to say good bye for the cats we made it through a decent breakfast. Caleb told me that I had to wake him up so that he could watch Leah get on the bus, but I didn't have to, all the commotion was enough to wake him up and Alissa is always up early.

Going out the door. Leah's lunch box is in her book bag, but I think she has one heavy bag because of it. I might have gotten a little carried away, but this is her and my first packed lunch! I had to make sure it was a well balanced meal! :)

Waiting on the Bus! We were out a little early since Leah was so excited to get out.

She had to tell the dog goodbye, who after this jumped on her and got her shirt dirty! Luckily I got it out.

Here comes the bus.

Leah's off to school.

The kids in Leah's class are our neighbors and ride the bus with Leah too. It was very comforting for me this morning when she was so excited to get on the bus and then I could see the two kids sitting in the front seat and her piling in with them. They were just as excited to see her and they all wanted to sit together. At least she has some good kids to go with her on this first day of school adventure. Mom still misses her a lot.