Apple Orchard

The kids had a Monday off school so I took them to an Apple Orchard/Farm that was closing for good in one week. They had a lot of fun looking at the animals, petting them, posing, jumping into the corn pit, and feeding the cows crab apples.  I knew Reagan would be beyond excited to hold the baby chicks.  She was the brave one who first caught one.  She would pick them up and hand them to Hunter or McKenna.  Finally, when Hunter and McKenna saw that they weren’t in imminent danger they cuddled some chicks of their own.  Hunter was especially gentle and soft.  It was neat to see that tender side of him.  

I bought the kids caramel covered apples and we called it a day.  It was family time well spent.  We did miss daddy though.

Little Gymnast

Reagan and McKenna have both been taking gymnastics this fall.  I’m not pushing them to pursue it but Reagan is a natural.  She jumps all over the furniture and won’t stop doing somersaults and headstands.  She passed “Shooting Stars” her first time around.  She said she would like to try swimming next.  We will hit the pool come January then.

Destination Imagination

Hunter expressed interest in participating in an extra program offered through school called Destination Imagination (DI).  He had to “try out” by decorating a potato and introducing it to a group of kids as well as the teachers (Kline’s) overseeing the program.  He could write a poem, song, do an interview or anything he wanted.  He chose to interview his potato who was also known as Tim Duncan star of the San Antonio Spuds.  I am excited to see him push himself in a non-athletic arena. 

Our Date with Daddy

RJ got some discounted Twins tickets through work.  Reagan and I got to go downtown and have lunch with him before attending our first Twins game.  It was actually a really slow eventless game but it was awesome to be with Daddy.

Caring and Sharing Hands

When Tiffany and I delivered the candy to the shelter, we watched a 30 minute video showing how a woman named Maria had started this project.  It was so impressive to see her selflessness, non-judgmental attitude and the joy that her faith and living it brought.  After the video, she walked in and it felt like meeting a celebrity.  She was very sweet and made sure we were taken care of.  We took a tour and it was impressive what this woman has accomplished.  It was disappointing to see some of the patrons throwing away excess food.  I also really admire programs that allow those receiving to somehow give back whether it’s cleaning the kitchen, helping serve meals or organizing the donated goods.  Either way, I am so grateful for everything I have.

Halloween For a Month

When Amanda gave McKenna her birthday blanket and Reagan a Little Mermaid dress, we went to JoAnn Fabrics and picked out material to make a blanket for Hunter and baby Reeve.  I was so inspired by Amanda and loved looking at the fabric that I talked myself into making the girls mermaid costumes for Halloween.  When I had all the fabric picked out and went to the counter to have it cut, it hit me that I didn’t really have a clue and I might have bitten off more than I could chew.  I also came to the depressing realization that sometimes it is more cost effective to purchase costumes as apposed to making them.

It was so fun to have a project, I couldn’t stop after making the dresses.   I had to make them shell bags and head wreaths.  In the end I doubt I could have purchased all this mermaid fun for less than $21/each set so I am at fiscal peace.

My addiction continued and all but Hunter decided to participate in the Little Mermaid theme for the ward Fall Festival/Trunk or Treat.  I turned myself into Ursula the Sea Witch and for under $10, I made RJ a King Triton costume.  Now I am turning the girls’ room into an under the sea theme.  I think the only thing that will stop me is this baby coming so until then… project on!

The primary was in charge of the Fall Festival/Trunk or Treat so I was running around like a chicken with my head cut off and thankfully one of the members asked if they could take a picture of us on their phone which they emailed to me.  It’s the only picture we got that night.  Hunter was at a birthday party and McKenna was playing a little witch ring toss game.

McKenna looked merrific in her school parade.

I decided that it would be fun and festival to start a tradition of enjoying a Halloween themed dinner.  Reagan helped me make these cheese ball bats.  I carved oranges and stuffed them with salad.  The mummy wraps were a big hit.  I didn’t give them their mustard eyes because the kids are prejudice against mustard.  Lastly was the bloody heart salad.

RJ has been concerned with our children’s selfishness so he wanted to implement a little something that he did as a kid. He was not allowed to trick or treat as a child because his parents believed that he should not get something for nothing. Instead his family made treats and went out to certain families to treat not trick.

Reagan and I made pumpkin rice krispy treats with cream cheese frosting and the kids chose a few families to take them to.  The kids squealed as they delivered the goodies.  Unfortunately they were horrific as we drove from one spot to another.  After asking, pleading, threatening and yelling at the kids to stop fighting or lower their voices, RJ dropped the bomb and said they could not trick or treat around the culdesac.  It may not seem like much but compared to last year, their haul was substantially less.  It started with me making them donate all of their trunk or treat candy to a project I called “Maple Grove Candy Bombers.”  For book club, we read about the Candy Bomber (Gail Halstrom) who began dropping candy from his airplane shortly after WWII to the children of war torn West Berlin Germany. I shared his story during sharing time and invited the children to donate as much or as little as they wanted to a local shelter called Caring and Sharing Hands.  Tiffany Larsen and I were able to deliver 50 lbs of candy to the shelter as well as sending a few bags worth with our Sunbeam teacher who was doing some medical volunteer work in Guatemala.

Last year, the kids went around a few neighborhoods and came back with buckets about to burst.  We told them they could only go around our neighborhood this year.

Hunter was beyond upset but I was able to get two pictures of him in his too small Storm Trooper costume.  I told RJ I couldn’t find any in his size and RJ came home one day with one that was on sale but on the small side.

In the end I am glad the kids didn’t have hundreds of pieces of candy.  I didn’t worry about regulating it and was pleasantly surprised by how often they were willing to share with each other, RJ and I and their friends.

Handsome, Silly Husband

 

RJ played “Fibber” with the kids but McKenna and Reagan kept trying to get the longest nose which is contrary to the purpose of the game.  Oh well.  They seamed to have fun either way.