October was jam packed with fun so let's get started!
The kids had a family campout with AHG and cub scouts.
It was very cold so I convinced the kids to stay up until lights out and then head home to our warm beds.
Taylor earned her theater badge during the campout and used her new-found knowledge to make some videos of various styles with her brother and sister. This was the puppet show portion of their video. (They were being resourceful and using their hands.)
We have several walnut trees that discard 100s of walnuts in our yard and deck. It's the kids' job to gather them up in buckets, but I make them wear helmets on windy days because the walnuts are always falling.
Morgan had a field trip to a farm this month. She did not like the smell of the turkeys.
She did like picking her own pumpkin.
I think she found the smallest one in the patch.
Grandma watches the kids on Wednesday evenings. I came home to this heartwarming scene one night.
This is Charlie's buddy from school.
Charlie and Jacob sold popcorn outside of Lowes. I'm told we have a good little salesman in our midst.
Charlie turned 7 this month and celebrated by inviting some friends from school over for a party. This was the first time we had a 'friend party' for him and my first experience with 12 6 and 7 year old boys in the house.
Thank goodness for Charlie Cadabra who came and performed a magic show for us.
Charlie thought he was hilarious.
So did the girls.
This photo right here tells it all. This face on Charlie made it all worth it.
This face, too.
My favorite trick was when Charlie Cadabra made Charlie levitate.
At first we weren't too impressed.
Then we were!
Singing to Charlie.
The kids have been caught by the magic bug and have been putting on shows for me at home.
We went out with Grandpa to a restaurant to celebrate with Charlie.
The girls bought Charlie a minecraft book for his birthday.
We had another birthday dinner for him at Grandma's house.
Followed by another magic show.
Morgan had a fireman come to her preschool.
Taylor also had a birthday this month. Here she is bringing brownies to school.
Charlie was the star student in his class this month. First he showed his All About Me poster.
Then he invited Grandma to come read to the class. I was surprised at first when he didn't pick me, but then he graciously said I could still come and take photos.
Then the kids got to ask him questions. Almost everyone started with "what's your favorite..."
We went on our annual camping trip this month with the Wells family and Grandma and Grandpa from KY.
Grace was excited to show off her new fire-building skills.
There was live music being performed at the campground so we went to check it out.
Charlie practiced some of his new dance moves and even danced with his little cousins.
The girls managed to get a fire going despite the rain on Saturday. I was impressed!
The campground had trick or treating that weekend so we donned on our costumes for a little pre-Halloween practice.
Overall we had a great time. It's a tradition that I'm sure my children will look back on with fond memories. Heck, so will I!
I think it is so cute how Morgan likes to 'do her homework' whenever she sees her big brother doing his.
I got to be the mystery reader at her school this month.
Taylor celebrated her 9th birthday with a slumber party.
The girls had a great time. I was amazed at how much noise 5 girls could make!
Grandmama took Charlie to Kings Island to partake in their Halloween festivities.
Meanwhile, Taylor got ready for the Father Daughter Dance at school.
Our church has a pumpkin carving day complete with games and face painting each year.
We always enjoy it very much.
Jessica and I threw a bridal shower for Julie this month.
Taylor and Grace helped with the games.
I'd like to think she felt very loved.
I've started something new with bed times this month. I had been so frustrated with the amount of activity that goes on after I put the kids to bed. So I started putting them to bed, but letting them do a quiet activity before lights out. By golly it works! Now they quietly read or play legos or write before bed. Charlie started writing in his journal a complete account of our camping adventures. Here he is writing before school one morning when he woke up extra early.
We had a great time carving our pumpkins this year. Why haven't I gone outside for this before?
Taylor even got to try her hand at carving. (Here she is using a butter knife after breaking the real carver.)
Honestly, how sweet is this?!
Charlie is officially a cub scout. I finally got to go to one of his meetings (usually dad takes him), and I was so impressed with how well behaved he acted despite the other boys.
I also helped out at one of Taylor's AHG meetings.
Morgan got to dress up for her dance class the week of Halloween.
Charlie had a field trip that ended up getting postponed to Oct 30th. It was the same farm that Morgan had gone to.
He also got to dress up for dance class. Have you ever seen a vampire wearing jazz shoes? Now you have.
I helped out at the kids' halloween party.
They get to wear their costumes to school on halloween.
We decided to trick or treat in their cousins' neighborhood.
I did the boys' make up.
They had so much fun running from house to house.
The little ones held their own for a while, but eventually needed to slow down.
Afterwards Morgan took stock in all the goods she had acquired.
And the big girls had fun trading their candy which is a Halloween memory I have from trading with my sisters.
It's been a busy month, but oh so much fun. I am really looking forward to what November has in store for us as well as the holiday season!
