Halloween Weekend Roundup!

Our Halloween Festivities started on Wednesday with the Cub Scouts Annual Halloween Pack Meeting. It was fun. Christopher was a Native American, and Anneli was Raggety Ann---not Wendy from Wendy's like the other Cub Scouters thought! She was super cute in my old costume! :)
On Friday, we rushed out of school and got into our Halloween costumes SUPER fast! Christopher was a Native American (yes, I made his costume!). Anneli was a black cat! Then we raced over to the Recreation Department for their Annual Halloween Party at Veteran's Park. It was freezing--but a lot of fun as usual! The kids both won prizes for their awesome costumes! :) Way to go guys!

After the Rec Center Party, Mom took the kids home so her and Valerie could take them to the Trunk-or-Treat at church. Shaun and I were heading to a friends wake in town and then we headed off to the church to pick the kids up.

The kids then got into their costumes again on Sunday evening and went Trick-or Treating around town with Shaun and Aunt Val, while I stayed home handing out candy to the kids in town. As usual I was dressed as the 'Wicked Witch'. It sure doesn't scare the neighborhood kids away. I had a little over 120 Trick-or-Treaters!!

Wordless Wednesday

Our Two Little Fish!

Anneli is very brave this fall and has joined Swim Team with Christopher! YIPPEEE!! That means I don't have to entertain her during the many practices and LONG swim meets, like I did last year with my many bags of tricks and quiet toys! YIPPEE!!! I can watch the practices/meets, read a book, visit with friends, or play with my phone! :)

Today was a practice swim meet where the kids just practice like it's a swim meet. It was fun to watch all the new kids, like Anneli, jumping off the block and swimming their little hearts out.

We are very proud of our 'Two Little Fish'. They are doing a super great job! Way to go Christopher & Anneli!

Christopher getting ready for his heatstopping to pose before getting on the block,
Anneli at the Practice Swim Meet!!!
Sitting quietly waiting for her turn. She's sitting with her good friend Syd. Look how little she is--her little feet don't even touch the ground!!

She's a little nervous as she approaches the block---or the edge of the deep end of the pool!

No fear---there she 'dives' right in!!

She's swimming her little heart out as everyone cheers her on from the bleachers and side of the pool!!

Time for backstroke. She takes a minute to look at the crowd and then says loud enough for everone to hear 'Hi Nick--am I doing it right?" Nick is one of her coaches and also calls the heats. Everyone laughs and thinks she's so cute! The kids know Nick very well since he has taught their swimming lessons since they were 6 months old!! That's probably why she's not afraid to swim with all the big kids!

Way to go guys! Keep up the great work!!

Anneli's Fall Walk

It was a super chilly day! Look at the sky!!A little cold for a walk, I thought, but Anneli's teacher and I took the kids on a 'Fall Walk'. We bundled everyone up with coats, hats & gloves and off we went to explore the signs of spring around the neighborhood. After observing/collecting 'signs of fall' and it feeling like winter, we took the kids to the High School track. There the kids had the opportunity to run around the track--for fun and to keep warm!
Look at Anneli stretching before she runs....her daddy would have been proud! :) I felt like running with them to keep warm---not necesarily to run, since I am NOT a runner!! :) The kids had a great time and we got everyone back to the warm school safe and sound just in time to board the buses to go home!

Kindergartens Minor's Farm Pumpkin Trip

Today I went with Anneli and her class to Minor's Farm. Minor's Farm is the home to Daisy the Pig. Daisy is a famous pig that loves to read!! We've seen her quite a few times--she has even visited our Library with Farmer Minor! You can read more about her and Farmer Minor here. It was a little chilly with some dark looking clouds, but we stayed dry and had a great time
on a hay ride

riding in a cow pulled by a tracter

finding our way through a maze

pickin' a pumpkin

getting our picture taken

riding bikes

playing on blow up bouncy toys

enjoying a snack

and a ride home on the 'luxury bus'!

What a fun day!