Pumpkin-Carving

 Pulling out pumpkin guts still isn't their favorite thing to do, but they get more and more out by themselves each year!

 Jake and Emma designed their own pumpkins and got to work!

 Lucas made a spider on one side, and a ghost on the other!

  Turned out great!

Oct 2018

Pumpkin Patches

Lucas and I started the day with a field trip to Linder Farms. He enjoyed all the picture posing.

  A very bumpy hay ride, that he was ready to get off of within the first minute. It was a fun first minute though.

 Corn pits and cow trains. He had a bit of a melt down when the train drove off without me in it. When they came back, he was in tears because he thought he lost me... poor kid.

 After some bounce house fun and petting zoo, we headed out so he could find his perfect pumpkin. 

When everyone else got home, we headed out to the Farmstead. We let the kids lead us through the kids corn maze -- which lasted longer than it should have, but it was fun to watch them try to remember where we'd been and how to get out.

We all had some fun throwing balls into hoops and holes, more corn pits, big slides, and a game of Tug-of-war where Brad was against all of us. We lost. Badly. Emma and Jake came with me through the monster in the dark. Jake couldn't wait to get around each corner, and Emma was a bit nervous hearing it's heartbeat and not being able to see where things were. We all made it out in one piece -- a fun little experience!

 Emma and Jake with their pumpkins! 

 They took turns pushing the pumpkin-barrel through the patch. I'm loving these bigger kids and their ability to do more! 

 A quick picture in the big chair!

Oct 2018

Swings and Soccer's End

Swings have always been more of a stressful activity for Jake with his sensory issues with speed and height. He would only allow me to push him about 1/3 of the way this time last year. This may seem like a small thing, but is a major improvement to see! Jake and Emma finally enjoying swings and swinging all the way to the top! Baby steps -- but we're moving! Now to work on Lucas, who only likes to swing on his belly!

Lucas and Emma's soccer pictures.

Jake's soccer team at their pizza party -- crazy group of fun boys!

Lucas at the library with Ms Nicole for silly song and dance day. He loves to sit at the very front with the teacher!

A morning snuggle. Lucas and Lizzy are always finding me and climbing into my lap. It seems there's a whole 'lotta couch going to waste here... Feeling the love.

Oct 2018

Zoo Field Trip

Lucas isn't doing a real pre-school this year, but we still wanted to do some field trips. I got a group of mom and kids together, and off we went to the zoo!

Here's Luke and Tyler watching the penguins -- always a favorite. 

 Almost able to reach the pedals.

 Luke's favorite animal on this trip was the zebra. It kept making lip/blowing noise that horses and zebra's make which he said was "tooting," and then it would turn around "showing us his butt," and walk off... He was laughing hysterically. Yep-- I've got another boy on my hands! 

 We laughed at this bear chilling and soaking up the sun. 

 Climbing on the statues. 

 He was a bit hesitant to feed the the goats with their necks and tongues all stretched out to get him, but after a couple attempts, he was a pro.  

It was a fun group of kids! Lucas, Luna, Tyler, Jo, Lilly, and Perry.

Sept 2018

September

Jake's doing great in his martial arts class, and is only one stripe away from his next belt! He's also tried out flag football for the first time. Neither Brad nor I are into football, so Jake came into it with zero experience. It was a struggle for a while, but he continued to try his best, is getting better, and earned the shark flag for one of the weeks. The football and soccer coaches have given him the nick-name "Gazelle" because he's so stinkin' fast -- just need to work on the football handling skills!

Lucas and I love trying out new parks.

Second season of soccer for Lucas, and he did SO much better! He scored two goals for his team, and two for the other -- so we're breaking even! He loved running around and kicking the ball, and is already asking when his next soccer game is, making the tears in the first season worth it.  

  

 Emma is continuing to progress beautifully on the piano. She pulled out another good recital -- she made a mistake where she had to pause and find her spot, but instead of letting it crush her, she started right back in, and did wonderfully. So proud of her!

She's in fifth grade, and this year they get to do their own science experiment and share their results with their class. Emma tried out "knotted bones" where she put chicken bones in vinegar and some in water. The bones in vinegar softened over a few days to where we could bend them around. We made a fun poster with all the pictures and observations, and it turned out great! The teacher was very impressed with her presentation skills.

Jacob's also in soccer this season -- which has made for some busy weeks and Saturdays. Something has really clicked in him this year, and he's become very aggressive and working hard out there! He's getting some good footwork, goals, and his speed allows him to run up and down the field to help where needed and catch those breakaways from the other team. He's one fast kid.  He's #15 in the videos.

Sept 2018