preschool field trip

Lily's preschool went to Linder Farm for a field trip.  The field trip was on probably the coldest most blustery day of the entire month of October.  Lily was a really good sport, but I could tell she was cold. I was freezing and worried about how long Grant would stay happy in his stroller, so I offered Lily a deal.  I told her if we left right after she choose her pumpkin, and skipped the rest of the activities, we could go get a treat from McDonald's.  Smart girl.  She made a wise choice. We only stayed at the field trip for 30 minutes and then enjoyed sharing a treat at a warm McDonald's.  It was fun just to sit and talk with my little girl.  If you give her the chance she will talk your ear off.

Costumes

So I procrastinated the costumes a bit this year.  Luckily the boys wanted to be ninjas and their were plenty of ugly ninja costumes for them to choose from.  The ninja costumes are probably my least favorite thing the boys have ever been for Halloween, but they insisted, and Halloween is about the kids and not cute pictures.  At least that is what I repeated to myself when the boys choose these costumes.  I talked Lily into being a pirate princess for the family Halloween Party, but when it came to the real deal she opted to be a dragon.  Grant did not officially go out on Halloween night, but he still had to be posed wearing the chicken costume.  All the kids wore the chicken costume on their first Halloween, and I didn't want him to feel left out.  He liked the costume as much as all the other kids did at his age.  He tolerated it for about 5 minutes and then he was done.  The kids were very into the trick-or-treating this year and got a ton of candy.  Eve went trick-or-treating with us and she and Lily were very cute together holding hand as they walked.  My Parents and Sandi and Mike came to our house after trick-or-treating for wassail, hot chocolate and doughnuts. My parents brought several full sized candy bars for all the kids, Grandma and Grandpa spoil them.  It was a really fun Halloween!  I talked the younger kids into donating their candy to the soldiers, but could not convince Carson to.  The Dentist pays the kids for the candy.  Carson did the math and figured out that the amount of money he got from the dentist would not even come close to buying the amount of candy that he had gotten trick-or-treating (darn that kid he is getting too smart).  I really wanted to force him to donate his candy, but Nate talked me into letting him make his own decision.  I am sure that was the right way to go, but it was very annoying letting your kid make a choice you disapprove of.  He milked his Halloween candy until Christmas at which point I declared the rest of it expired and threw it away.  Overall it was a great Halloween and we had a darling bunch of trick-or-treater's

Halloween Party

I have to admit I was extremly worn out this Halloween from responsibilities with my church calling and a baby who was still not sleeping through the night.  I was tempted to cancle the Halloween party that I always host for the cousins, but decided to push through and still do it.  I was glad I did.  I think tradition is important, and my kids always look forwar to it.  This year I tried to make witches brew with dry ice, but was very disapointed with it.  The dry ice fog didn't last very long at all (it's possible I didn't do it right), but still I expected more than 5 minutes of good fog.  Anyway I think the party was a success.

Jack-O-Lantern Time

I love pumpkin carving time!  The kids get so excited about it. They always try to make little sketches of their pumpkins so that Nate can get their pumpkins just right.  I admit that I am mostly the photographer at this event.  Nate usually collaborates with each child to make sure they get the look they want for their 

Jack-O-Lantern.  Then he carves all of the pumpkins (except mine).  Granted our pumpkins are nothing fancy, but if you are carving for three small children it does take a bit of time.  The kids mostly participate in the gutting of the pumpkin, which takes them a while, and Nate usually finishes it up after they have gotten most of the gross stuff out.  I am so glad I got a husband who is such a good sport and kids that are so fun.  We love Halloween Time!

Pumpkin Patch

This year we kept up the tradition of going to Linder Farm to get our pumpkins.  Getting pumpkins tends to take a long time in our family, because Nate has got the kids convinced that they have to find the most perfectly deformed pumpkin for a cool jack-o-lantern.  The hunt for this magical pumpkin keeps the kids looking and looking and looking for just the right pumpkin.  Usually they give up and just go for a normal pumpkin, but not until they have made a very diligent search of the pumpkin patch for the "best" pumpkin.  This year we added the stipulation that you had to be able to carry your own pumpkin, to try and cut down on the cost of the pumpkin patch.  Carson choose a huge pumpkin and was barely able to carry it to the weigh in.  Nate was a softy and helped Lily carry her pumpkin, so really I don't think we saved any money at all.  As usual we had a great time.  I am really trying to appreciate these little outings, because I know in a few years that the older boys are going to loose interest and it won't be as fun.  I love that we have these traditions that all the kids love and look forward to!  

Big Eater

In October we started Grant on solid foods. I don't know why we call them solid foods they are definitely a liquid.  Sorry, I digress. Grant pretty much loved baby food right away and ate just about anything we put in front of him.  The exception seems to be peas.  Grant hasn't been a big fan of peas, but I can still get him to eat them, it is just a bit more work than any of the other foods.  In fact Grant did so well with the pureed baby food, that I have already started him on some table foods. Of the table foods, bread is his favorite.  I love bread! I guess he did inherit something from me after all, definitely nothing in the looks department he is totally his fathers son.  He is such a cutie even with a messy face.  I  love this little guy.

McCall

In October my parents invited us to stay at their time share in McCall with them.  It was so much fun!  We did a lot of fishing at a reservoir near McCall.  Although it was a bit chilly, the kids caught a ton of fish.  I think in all we caught approximately 27 fish.  We played  family games, went on a beautiful walk, went out to dinner, and just enjoyed time together as a family and with Grandma and Grandpa.  It was so nice to be able to get out and enjoy the beautiful outdoors without staying in a tent. We had such great success fishing that I think we may go back next year.  Nate was thrilled that with the busy year we've had that he was able to do some good fishing with the kids.  Carson is old enough where he does most of the fishing himself.  Lincoln and Lily enjoy the fishing but do not have the attention span of Carson.  Luckily there are always rocks, sticks, and bugs to keep the little kids busy while the more serious fishermen: Nate, Carson, and my Dad fish.  It was a fun little trip!  Thanks Mom and Dad for the good time.

Grant 4 months

Grant is the most darling little guy.  He is a very easy going baby.  He is very active for his age.  He is  sitting up and rolling around.  At 4 months he continues to be my smallest baby.  He was in the 50th percentile for height and weight.  Also he is my worst sleeper (this is probably mt fault I have not been as diligent in my sleep training) he usually is up at least once during the night.  His favorite things are probably the song "twinkle twinkle little star,"  he always gives huge smiles for that song, and his sister Lily who gives him constant attention.  Despite the sleep deprivation, we just love this little guy.