Thanksgiving crafts

It has been so nice to be on break.  The kids and I have slept in (well, ok, just I have slept in)  had many playdates with friends we dont always get to see because everyone is in school, and have done some "fallish" things to help us get ready for our Thankful season.

At school Justus got to do a wreath that he labeled each wreath with what he was thankful for.  Then because I am a room mom, I got to bring one home for Haven to do.

Js Wreath

Hs Wreath

Then we went on a hunt for leaves.  We painted the leaves then made a collage out of them, which I framed.

Today we made sugar cookies in the shape of a Turkey via our hands.  Then when Neil was home we decorated them and had them as a yummy after dinner treat.

Home Projects

This weekend Neil and I took on the task of covering up our pool equipment.  Now, these types of things are such a feat for Neil and me for several reasons:

1) we both are power tool illiterate
2) anything he and I want to do, we always come at it from completely opposite angles/outlooks

3) we are not handy


It took us three days.

Day one was cut the posts and set them in quickcrete.

Day two was cut the biggest panel and attach it using latches so it could be taken off easily in case our equipment needs some serious maintenance.  This was the most challenging day of all.  Its a good thing we both know how to hold our tongues and not say hurtful things in our frustration ;)

Cutting posts

Posts up, waiting for panels

Day three - much easier.  We finished all our cuts, hung our last two panels and our gate.  Whew....we sure got a lot done and for a couple who is so not good at stuff like this, Im pretty impressed with our outcome if I do say so myself!!

Cutting panels

All Done!!

Halloween 2012

Halloween always presents a conundrum for me because I want to go out Trick or Treating with my kids, but I hate to leave our house dark.

Soooo, this year, we forsook all and just went to another neighborhood and trick or treated with a family from our life group.  They invited our LG over and some family to eat dinner on their super long drive way and then we left to go Trick or Treating.  We had a yummy dinner and it was nice to be outside.  A few stayed back to pass out candy.

The kids had a great time and  scored lots of candy!!

Havens class Halloween Party

As if today (Halloween) the kids will not get enough candy, Hs class decided today would be their party day.  And not just any party day, but one that includes every type of treat imaginable and known to man.  :)

She got to wear her costume to school.  That is always a fun thing!


Then after 30 minutes of, Im sure, great class teaching and instruction it was party time.  And keep in mind the party lasted ALL the rest of class time.  Recess was over looked as we ran out of time.

Onto the stations.

First was cupcake decorating and Monster mouth (apples, pb & marshmallows)

Then Pumpkin sewing and bat goodie cup making.  The goodie bags were filled by the Room Mom.  And silver sharpies were also supplied....not sure the janitor will be appreciate the kindergarten artwork on the tables.....

 Candy corn graph - they kept the candy corn

I didnt take pics of the other station but this is what Havens plate looked like after all the stations.

 And they got to eat it all.  Mind you this was at 10:50.  Yes, I put the breaks on what Haven could eat :)  Gotta love being a parent helper ;)

Fun times for the Girl!!

Havens first bus ride

Today Havens class took their first field trip and they went to the pumpkin patch.  I was a little sad when I learned I was not chosen to be a chaperon  but then equally happy when I realized I didnt have to be mindful of a group of 8 kids!  I did not get to ride the bus tho, that was reserved for chaperons only.

When I watched the kids line up and walk out of the classroom, I instantly saw that Haven was holding hands with one of the boys.  Now, I happen to know this boy through working in the classroom and talking with his mother on occasion, but that didnt really calm my hesitations.  I watched as the held hands all the way til they got on the bus.  Then they sat together on the bus, in the back of all places.  Thankfully the chaperons were right there with them.

 At the patch, the kids had a great time.  They listened to the life cycle of the pumpkin,

  took a tractor ride,

 walked through a corn maze

 and finally got to pick a pumpkin to take home.

Such fun!

Oct 24 & 25 - Busiest Days EVER!

October is such a busy month for us.  Usually the weather is changing and that always makes me want to do extra crafty stuff with the kids.  Also makes me want to be outside and enjoy life after our hot summers.  A little cool off is always a treat.

Pumpkin patches, Halloween and Halloween parties, pumpkin carving, school parties and all sorts of fun things happen in October.

Add to that two very important people in my life have birthdays.  Havens is the 22nd and Neils is the 26th.

Enter in the 24th & 25th of October.  Wednesday. Thursday.  Here is the lineup of the days:

Wednesday:

1) Make luscious lasagna with a girlfriend while kids are in school
2) Pick up Haven from school
3) Friend comes over to play Arbonne with me til time to get J.  Other friend drops off super special cookie dough with very specific instructions on how to bake it.....ummmm, Ill try!
4) Pick up J - go straight to play date
5) Run, I mean, Run to Target super quickly.  Put luscious lasagna in oven.
6) Come home, eat luscious lasagna and take said dough and try to make a birthday cookie for Husband.  Life Group is tonight and not only does my house need to be clean, children fed and cleaned, but must have birthday cookie ready for the evening.
7) Celebrate Neil and enjoy birthday cookie :)

Super special cookie dough - prebake

final product

celebrating with LG

Thursday:

1) Js class Halloween party of which I am one of the room moms and in charge of one of the stations.
2) Rad Dads come to do annual Egg Haunt - This lasted all morning
3) Finally time to run errands

At one of the stations

Js class watching a movie

J at the Egg Haunt

H at the Egg Haunt

So cute!

Pumpkin Carving

Last week, before all our birthday celebrations, we soaked in the cool air and embraced all things fall.

After our trip to the pumpkin patch, we headed straight to Save Mart to get some pumpkins to carve.

Neil did a great job hanging with the kids and helping them cut open the pumpkins, scoop out the seeds and get a pattern to carve.