Window Markers

The girls had a great time with their friends and window markers!  It entertained them for almost 2 hours (ages 3-7).  Of course, there wasn't a window in our home without doodles once they had finished.

no No

Luckily the weekend looks more promising!

Thanksgiving!

Giving thanks for a preschool that values community, feasting and guides children to open their hearts and give thanks for abundant blessings!

G is behind our little plaid friend.

We spent a wonderful Thanksgiving with Grandma and Grandpa, Uncle C and Aunt E and new friends we met this summer.  Love filling our home with family and friends!  We also had a guest of honor, a puppy named Roxy!  For dessert, we were joined by G & CC's preschool teachers!  The day was wonderful!

Turkey cupcakes? or Spider cupcakes? or Hedgehog?!
(smarties courtesy of Diane!)

Everyone wrote down one or two things they were thankful for.... here is a small sampling.  Everyone had a good laugh when the bottom left was read out loud!  :)

Giving Thanks Drawing Board

"In all things, give thanks."

I'm always looking for ways to teach my girls to be thankful.  Last year, I kept hearing about these wonderful "thanksgiving trees" with leaves that had words and phrases of thanksgiving.  I really wanted to start one for our family, but I had a slight dilemma... my girls couldn't read or write.  My hope was for them to participate actively.  So an idea started to form.  What they could do was draw.  Thus began our "Giving Thanks Drawing Board".

It's not glorious, it's not marvelous, but it's full of heartfelt thanksgiving.  The girls begged me to keep it last year, so I've pulled it out for this year and our giving thanks continues.

It's interesting to reflect.

Last year our hearts were full with gratitude for Children's Hospital as G was admitted there.  Had we known how much time we were going to spend there in the next year, our center piece phrase may have read, "Giving Thanks For Children's Hospital".

 G's heart was full of C-Bear!  :)

CC drew pictures from her new school and friends.

CC at her school desk with some WILD hair!

This year we are giving thanks for answers to G's health issues!
She hasn't been admitted to Children's once in almost 2 months!
YAY!  Trusting we follow that trend!

In years to follow, I know we'll have a beautiful "thanksgiving tree" in our home.

RIGHT NOW, I'm thankful for little sticky fingers that can't wait to draw what's in their heart.  I'm thankful for the joy & laughter we share around our board, for the conversation.  I'm thankful for the mess.  I'm even going to give thanks in the squabbles that surround pink markers!  :)

Paper + Scissors =

VOILA!

An afternoon of entertainment!

*Mess swept up and recycled by creator, G!

Ever On The Go!

Although I feel this statement describes our whole family, I was specifically referring to MM!

WHOA!  This girl keeps me super busy and she's only 10 months!  Honestly, I don't trust her for a second without my eyes glued to her.  She's quick, crafty, will chew/swallow anything and LOVES to climb!

Walking at 8 months...

Climbing.... she accomplished the summit of 13 stairs at 8.5 months!

Oh my, if you could see her try to climb the bathtub wall at the sound of water!  This girl is going to high jump before she's one!  It's hilarious!

 I strapped her (I know, only partially) into her car seat to keep her safe while I was trying to make school lunches.  Next thing I know, she's standing and the car seat looks like a turtle shell on her back (may I  add that she was clapping with glee at her accomplishment)!  By the time I got the camera, she'd "reclined" to her monkey pose.  I now know that partially strapped isn't safe at all!?  (please no judgement!  this method easily confined my older two!)

As you can see, not everything goes as planned.  I guess that's why she still needs her Mama's watchful eyes! 

Sewing Lessons!

Thank you to Grandma who has been giving sewing lessons to CC!
CC and her American Girl Doll now have matching headbands!
(I hear a dress is next?!)

Costumes!

 Halloween Troop:

 Monarch Butterfly

 Little Red Riding Hood

Big Bad Wolf

(who would not look up as she was ONLY interested it eating leaves!)

AND Grandma!

Carving

CC had a half day this week, so we spent the afternoon carving!  Ben still needs to carve his before dark tonight.  When we light the candles tonight, I'll post a photo of the end product!

Last Minute Pumpkin Patch!

 Her scariest Halloween Smile!

The Pumpkin Patch ROCKS, Dude!

Securely Attached Families

This was shared at a mom's group I attend and I loved it!  (You may need a tissue!)

Easy Distractions!

Her older sisters set up a wall to keep her from destroying their village on the other side. At first this really bothered her and she hollered at them and tried to wiggle past the blockade.  But a quick glance down proved that there was much to be discovered right below her protests.  So, into the basket she tumbled and soon she bathed in its treasures!

Island Vacation!

We live in a beautiful state! Last weekend we spent some time on one of the nearby islands. After being hot for two weeks, the winds sent in a cool system. No worries. It didn't stop our fun!

M's first swing!

Above 3 photos of Freeze Tag! (I think we played for hours)

Swinging over the rocky shore as the tide rolled in!

Thank you Need Friends for a memorable weekend!

Just Say No...

... To LONELY!

Her older sisters gather up some peers!

LOVE HER!

Kids Breakfast Menu!

G and C had a sleepover at our cabin.

When I got to the kitchen the morning after, G said she had already showed C our "breakfast menu".  She then pointed to the floor where she had stacked the menu and added, "Oh Ya, there is yogurt and fruit if you want to be healthy."

(note: chocolate covered marshmallows were consumed post breakfast)

Family Fest: Sun River, Oregon!

Ben has some great friends from high school that he likes to meet up with.  Once in a while, they bring their families along.  This is known as :

Family Fest!

 All from the same graduating class.

(note all the khakis)

 An attempted all kids group photo, but  L and G held to their own opinions.

Thanks for all the laughs!