Halloween 2018

We had a lot of bats this year.

Decorating
This Halloween was another year for some creativity in decorating! I must have missed getting a picture, but Lorelei used white yarn and put it in various corners throughout the house to look like spider webs! It was such a rainy October it really took away their chances to decorate outdoors, so hoping next year the weather cooperates so they can go all out again. We actually had to wait for the rain to stop to go out trick or treating!

Not Pinterest-worthy, but somehow I came up with this idea when I was looking back through all the Halloween costumes through the years. With all the digital pictures we take it was fun to get some printed for them to see!

They could only decorate the part covered from the rain!

Cobwebs in the candy bowl.

Pumpkin Carving
The kiddos had a great time carving again this year. Makin used a stencil this year and really took his time working on it. (We also learned that when it is rainy and warm you should just keep your carved pumpkins inside until Halloween even if its just for a few days...)

Trick Or Treat
The rain definitely affected my picture taking this year...but here are our scary costumes, a witch and "Rotten Jack"...can you tell they wanted to be scary this year? I'm a little devastated we may never have cute costumes again.

Hope you all had a Happy Halloween!!!

Fall Fun

 Pumpkin Painting
We enjoyed our annual pumpkin painting with our school friends.

Lorelei, Rory and Savannah
Rory doesn't get to see Lorelei that often but she seems to adore her so that is so special!

Art

Somehow we made it a priority to get some fall artwork! They each chose a different one when I offered up a few ideas and I love how they turned out.

Football
Makin was thrilled to play some football at The Star with friends. One of Makin's classmates is very passionate about football so the two of them have some great conversations and were totally thrilled for this after-school activity. Hoping to fit in another trip when the timing and weather work out!

5K/Fun Run
Both kiddos decided to run the 5K this year and we were so proud of them. They both said they will do it again next year!

Pre-5K we met The Very Hungry Catterpillar
Can you believe that thing!?

Makin and Amelia were running buddies.
They are both competitive and keep a similar pace.

Lorelei pushed herself harder than I thought she would.
It helped that Nayeli has run several 5ks and she tried to keep pace with her as much as she could.

The only 4th grade runners - Lorelei, Reagan and Nayeli

Makin and Amelia

Pumpkin Patch
We headed to try out a new pumpkin patch this year. It was great to get outside and enjoy some sunshine after a LOT of rainy days this October. They enjoyed seeing some animals, a very muddy corn maze, a hayride with a stop at a pond to feed catfish, and rolling in whatever this thing below is.

This N That

GCA Picnic
We had a fun time at the school picnic. Makin played endless running games (this is a pic of him playing capture the flag) and Lorelei did various activities as well, including getting her face painted. She requested Winter of course.

C'mon Mom!!!
(Just a little excited...)

Birthday Party Sleepover
Savannah had a "glamping" birthday party at a hotel. Brittany invited all the moms to join too (and even got a suite) so it was quite the event! So much fun for all.

Rooftop pool...awesome!

Games

Cake and Presents

Movie Time

We won't mention the lack of sleep for both girls and moms, but it was definitely a fun day celebrating!

Top Golf
The boys had a lot of fun while we girls were away at Pine Cove. This included a trip to Top Golf.

God-Centered Mom/Don't Mom Alone Live
This is a podcast I love. They had a live event in Dallas and I got to enjoy a night out with seven amazing ladies.

We did get to meet the host and got our pic with her too. :)

Kai
I was having a moment. Lorelei asked for a beta fish and I think because I was trying to be an understanding mother and it was the easiest pet she has ever asked for, we now have a pet fish.
He is technically Lorelei's because she bought him, but we all seem to have pitched in for one thing or another so he is mostly the family fish. He is some gorgeous shades of blue, so because of that, our love of the ocean and L's love of all things Hawaiian, the name Kai was an easy fit. In Hawaiian Kai means "sea".

We had to chuckle at our "low maintenance" pet idea. Shortly after getting him, there was a cold snap and we realized our heater was not working...this is not good for a tropical fish.
He had a fireside seat for several days as well as getting his water changed several times a day to try to keep it warm. 

Visit With The Rogers
We were excited to get a chance to see The Rogers Family when they came to our area for a little vacation. It was just a quick lunch but still a great time to catch up and get to meet the girls they have welcomed into their family.

Pine Cove

The school decided to take the 4th and 5th graders to Pine Cove this year. This is a camp that does animal/science education as well as various camp activities. Of course, this meant I would go as well because that's just how we roll around here. I'm not a huge camper, but knew Lorelei would be elated to go. A few of her classmates were unable to make it, but she loved getting time with the ones who did.

Mrs. Smith and I showing the kids how you play tetherball!

Temporarily capturing bugs to get a closer look at them.

Horses!

Our view as we walked to the main section from our cabins.

"Campfire" time. The kids loved the songs and stories the Pine Cove Staffers sang/told.

Our usual walk from the cabin.

So most of you know Lorelei is reeeeeally not a fan of heights. She was adamant she would not participate in ziplining and would not be talked into it. Addison persuaded her into joining her for The Breathtaker the next day. They were able to tell them "stop" so it didn't go as high as they could have, but it was still an exciting feat for Lorelei!

Thrilled the lemur came right up to her.

Pet a sloth? Yes please! Mom did too! (How could you not?)
This sloth was the most active I have ever seen. He probably should have been named Flash. ;)

Standing on chairs each meal after they enter.
Then they have to yell "open the doors please" for the food to be served.

This one was probably a bigger feat than The Breathtaker. The Barn Swing. This girl instantly wanted to try it (the least high of these types of activities seemed more appealing to her) but then got to the top and realized it was higher than it looked and walked right back down. I had to do some serious talking and she agreed to try it if I went first. I did (also agreeing its way scarier when you get to the top!) and had a great swing in the barn! Then she was super hesitant but finally did it! So proud of her. Then I really wanted her to try one more time and bribed her with extra cake at supper so she actually went twice. :) (Regretted that one because suddenly it was more exciting to get cake than be proud that she overcame her fear...but even old moms like me make mistakes... ;) )

Whoo Hoo!

The proud group in front of the barn! One of my absolute favorite things about these few days was hearing the students encourage each other. Anytime a student was scared (and you know this happened a bit with L) they were super encouraging and it just made me happy she has those types of students around her each week at school.

The students used mud and debris they found nearby to build a structure.
Then they proceeded to show them what happens when weather hits.
Lorelei's group's structure actually held up fairly well considering this "storm".

First time in a canoe!

This seems to be one of Lorelei's favorite memories of the trip.
Pizza Polo. This is basically a version of Marco Polo they played in their cabin...a girl walked around wearing the pizza sleeping bag while the other girls hid. She loved having so much friend time.

Learning more about animals is always a hit with my kiddos!
This speaker was great and it was wonderful to see the birds so close and learn some amazing facts.

Pine Cove Group 2018
(Lorelei is front row, fourth from the left.)