Tuesday, October 30, 2007

Pumpkin Carving Time



It was very sad to realize that it was time to carve the pumpkin and Don was not here to do it with us. For those of you who don't know, Don is in Maine for the next 11 days (but who's counting?). So, obviously he won't be here for Halloween tomorrow and we are so sad about that, too. We had two pumpkins to carve and Don and I always compete against each other, so it looks like I win this year for the coolest looking pumpkin. Sorry, honey. You can carve yours when you get home!

Pumpkin Day & The Halloween Parade

What a treat it was for me to get to volunteer in Ryan's class last week. It was their special Pumkin Day on Thursday where the kindergartener's got to pick their very own pumpkin from the "pumpkin patch", then weigh it, measure it and wash it. Then on Friday, Ryan and her class got to parade around the school in their Halloween costumes. It was such a treat for Ginger, Gilli, and Davis to see their sister come through their classrooms all decked out as Snow White. Ethan loved every minute of participating with the kindergarteners and actually behaved himself. Thank goodness for shy kids!

Wednesday, October 24, 2007

Power Out Play-dough Time

Last week we spent 2 full days without power. That meant a weekend without movies, video games, or computer time (not that my kids spend much time with these anyway). The kids broke out the play dough and played for hours. Ginger and Gillian created their very own restaurant, name "GiGi's Cafe". They created a menu and took orders from the younger kids. Don't the salad and hamburger look real? Later, Ginger made the little family of frogs and Ryan created a self-portrait. The resemblance is amazing, isn't it?

Wednesday, October 17, 2007

Our little Kindergartner, Ryan Jane

Ryan is LOVING kindergarten. She has become addicted to coloring and making pictures for everyone she knows. She literally spends hours at the table working on pictures for people. It's all I can do to pull her away from it just to eat her breakfast. Yes, she insists on drawing before school!


The other day, Ryan came home from school very excited to announce, "I can read!" She quickly pulled out the little book she had created and sang this song...
View this montage created at One True Media
My Montage 10/17/07


Monday, October 15, 2007

Spooky Spiders!

For those of you who live in Washington, you know this year we have been bombarded with spiders and the most amazing webs! Well, the other day we were driving home and started noticing hundreds and thousands of spider webs everywhere! Don grabbed his camera and we soon realized that the reason they were so visible was because each and every web was covered with tiny dew drops. Spiders are amazing! These are some of our favorites... (Make sure to double click to enlarge and get the full effect.)

Monday, October 8, 2007

TRICK OR TREAT!

Happy Halloween from 2006!
Are you ready for Halloween? Here are some early trick or treaters knocking on your door! I am afraid to admit that I only have ONE out of the FIVE costumes figured out this year. I am a bit behind schedule. Time to raid my sisters-in-laws Halloween boxes...
Ginger was Hermione; Gillian, an old lady; Davis was Batman; Ryan Jane was Dorothy; and Ethan was our little German boy.

Saturday, October 6, 2007

"Bishop" Daddy

Here is a classic example of what goes on Sunday night, once Don finally gets home from church. He collapses on the floor and willingly allows his five children to climb all over him, brush his hair, go through his pockets, take off his shoes, or do what the picture displays. Amazingly, he can usually catch a quick "cat" nap during all the commotion. He is a good daddy.

"Go, Dragons!"

Davis, 7, finally gets to take his turn playing soccer. He has spent the last few years watching his older sisters play soccer and basketball and now it's his turn to be in the spotlight and he LOVES it! He has been so much fun to watch and his game improves every week. "Rain or...rain", we are there on the sidelines freezing to death, cheering him on. "Go, Dragons!"

Friday, October 5, 2007