The Costumes

 Pippi

 Batman

 Luke Skywalker (again!)

 Our little chef

People were WAY too generous and we have way too much candy and it was really cold.

But- it was lots of fun!

Our First Snow

 I am one of those people who jump for joy while others groan when snow is in the forecast.  I was glad to watch it flurry most of the day yesterday and to see a slight dusting on the ground this morning.  I would have loved a little  lot more.  We're all thankful, though, that the storm really wasn't bad here.  Praying for people up north.
The kids wasted NO time in getting outside this morning.  They took the pictures while I stayed warm.

 Everyone's snow gear still fit from last year!

You'd never guess the wind was still whipping around.

Kayla found a lone strawberry in the snow.  I didn't know we had any left.

The real reason they go out in the snow.

Hot chocolate.

Of course I gave them some.

p.s This is my 700th post!  Thanks for reading!

Waiting

My kids have red, rosy cheeks.  They said they had better get outside while they still can.
There is homemade applesauce simmering on the stove.
The deck has been emptied of flower pots and bird feeders.
I have bagged ice and Brian has shopped for food and batteries (along with everyone else in town).

Will our pumpkins and pretty fall leaves be covered with that 3-5 inches of snow I just heard about?  Or will those leaves just get blown all over the drenched neighborhood?
What will be, will be.
For now, there is a quiet, cloudy stillness outside.
And we wait.

What's the forecast where you are?

Read Aloud Thursdays

We have come across some treasures in the past few weeks.  I often wonder how I missed so many of these as a kid, and I was a reader!  I remember my mom taking me to B. Dalton's and Marie's Bookstore and the library.  I read lots of good books then, and I still get to read lots of good ones now.

 

The Family Under the Bridge is our current morning read aloud, and it's quickly becoming a favorite.  I love how the "starlings" effortlessly work their way into Armand's heart.  There are sweet lessons to be learned from these homeless children and an old man in France.  We've enjoyed looking up some of the famous Paris locations mentioned in the book.  It takes place right around Christmas- maybe save it for December!

 

I read  In November Sammy and Lucy this week.  The imagery and illustrations make November and colder weather so very appealing.  A beautiful book with lovely language.

Also- though these aren't "read-alouds" in the sense of settling in on the couch and turning the pages, I'm putting a plug in for books on cd- in the car on a trip, in a kid's room for some quiet time, while playing with legos, etc...  While they aren't a substitute for reading aloud as a family, they are a good way to get in even more good story time.
Here are a few titles that have been playing in our house the past few weeks.
Pippi Longstocking
Ramona and Her Father
Mr. Popper's Penguins
Nancy Drew

Linking Up to Read Aloud Thursdays

Kayla's 9th Birthday

I am having a hard time pulling my kids indoors out of this beautiful fall afternoon.  What I'd really like to do is find a place in the shade and settle in with a good book.
But.
There is school to plug away at so we will in a few more minutes.
First I need to backtrack a little in my blog/family journal for Kayla's birthday.
Our girl turned 9 on Friday and we took a little trip, complete with birthday money from family.
She really enjoys her American Girl dolls so my mom and I took her to the A.G. store near Washington, DC.  Jack and Brian stayed home and had their own fun. Sammy and Lucy stayed with Papa and went to the pumpkin patch, among other things.

First stop- Starbucks for coffee and hot chocolate.

Next stop, American Girl Store!

 Kayla had fun spending her birthday money after looking around, and looking around somemore.

I was so proud of her- she had plenty to spend but chose not to spend it all there.  I think she made some good choices.

We had "tea" after we shopped.  

 Mimi made one of her famous homemade cakes.

Enjoying birthday cake.

Our trip was lots of fun but I think my favorite thing about this birthday was what I saw between Kayla and Jack.  He didn't come with us so she didn't see him or daddy on her birthday.  Several times during the trip Kayla commented how she couldn't wait to see Jack.  She also saved her "birthday cereal" for Sunday, when we would be home and could have it with everyone.  And, Jack made her (second) birthday cake.  He did a really good job, and she loved it.  

I hope those two along with Sammy and Lucy are always good friends.

Happy Birthday Kayla!

Brian's uncle, Tommy Sutherland, passed away Friday morning.
I always think of his kind smile when I think of him.
I know he will be greatly missed.
Pray for his family and pray for Brian as he leads the service this coming Friday.

"Death is swallowed up in victory.

O death, where is your victory?

O death, where is your sting?"

1 Cor. 15:55

A New Reader and A Thankful List

Guess who read his first book today?
He did great and was so proud. Loved it.
This is the book all the kids have started with- it's full of short a words and a few sight words.  It's been fun teaching this little guy.
So far our week has been very busy but somehow we're fitting it all in and I find myself thankful.
Sunday afternoon I had a mental "thankful list" going.  The death of someone you know should always give you a little perspective, and it did.
A few things I was/am thankful for:
*a warm, breezy fall afternoon
*my boys playing together out in that lovely day (with saws and branches)
*people who let their tears flow in church
*people who let their tears flow at my table
*marshmallows and happy kids and my husband building a fire out back
*the church coming alongside those who mourn
*night-night kisses from my littlest one
*Kayla's day with a friend
*texts telling us we're missed
*a check-on-you call from Mom
*lunch after church
*friends who take time for my kids
*a husband who loves people well
*morning rain on the window when it's still dark
*friends who make me laugh

A Homecoming

Our hearts are saddened this evening.
Today our friend Mr. Tovey passed into the presence of our good God.
I don't know if I'll ever be able to wrap my heart around feeling sadness at such a loss and at the same time joy at the homecoming of a saint.
He never failed to smile and say something like, "What a wonderful family you have."
As I hugged his dear wife this afternoon she told me to go home and "enjoy those children."
We are thankful that we could be a part of Mr. Tovey's life, for his cheerful spirit, and for the kindness he showed our family.

The Crickets

The last of the summer flowers

I found my favorite chapter of Charlotte's Web, chapter 15, "The Crickets."   E.B.White captures the end of summer changes so well.

"The crickets felt it was their duty to warn everybody that summertime cannot last forever.  Even on the most beautiful days of the whole year- the days when summer is changing into fall-the crickets spread the rumor of sadness and change.  Everybody heard the song of the crickets."

Checking In

Last night I went out to Olive Garden with some ladies to celebrate a friend's upcoming birthday.  It was just what I needed.  I think these sorts of things should be scheduled weekly- wouldn't that be nice?  So good for my frame of mind.
Today was crayfish day.  It went pretty well.  We brought one home.  Why??  I guess we'll take another look at him tomorrow then be done with it.
We came home to dinner in the crock-pot.  I love crock-pots.  All the work is done by dinner and we just sit down and enjoy.  So, while dinner cooked....

This little one needed some time to wake up after she fell asleep on the way home this afternoon.

Jack made some hot tea and brought a book out on the deck with me.  He got to talking and didn't read much.  That's a treat for me.

Raking up pine needles for fun.

A Soggy Day

I have been cold all day.
Reminds me why I like summer so much.
Not too much going on today.  It seems that my mood as been about as soggy as the day (and I usually like rainy days.)  But it has gotten better.  I won a drawing at the library for a Rachel Ray cookbook- that was a nice surprise!
I've spent the past hour or so preparing for CC this Thursday.  We're starting tin whistle- not my favorite- and we are dissecting crayfish.  Really just an external inspection but if you can imagine me and eight 4-7 year olds working on some crayfish then you get the picture.  It should be an interesting morning...

 We had potato boats (twice-baked potatoes) with dinner in honor of Columbus Day.  Lucy kept saying her potato was the Santa Marina.  :)

Do you see the Crunchy Nut Man in the picture Sammy cut out of the coupon section?  Well, he is our friend.  Really Brian's childhood friend.  Sam put that picture on his bulletin board and wants to be the Crunchy Nut Man for Halloween.  Too bad he can't have the cereal due to his peanut allergy.  I think he's happy with the picture, though.

The Weekend

Is it strange that I am excited for the 48 (!!) degree, rainy day that Sunday looks to be?  It just sounds like the perfect napping weather.
Friday we hit the YMCA Thrift Store Book Sale. We came home with many treasures.  Everyone was so quiet that afternoon- it was hard to pull them away to finish up our school work.
We are having a breakfast potluck before church tomorrow- doesn't that sound good?  Can't wait.  I have been enjoying our services at Providence so much.  My heart needs that weekly coming together to worship, to hear the preached Word.  Brian's preaching through Philippians- it's been so good!

 Taking pictures of himself again.

 She was supposed to be asleep...

Linking Up to Read Aloud Thursdays

We're trying something new that none of us have read yet- and that's hard to do around here.  For our morning read-aloud, we have jumped from Tom Sawyer (which we all loved) to The Golden Goblet.  The older kids and I are hooked.  I do think it's best for older listeners, even with skipping a few lines here and there.
I chose it because it goes along with our CC history right now, the Ancient Empires.  It didn't take long for the plot to thicken and for us to care about Ranofer's plight.  We haven't finished yet so I can't vouch for the entire book, but so far, we like it.
 And for the younger ones, Charlotte's Web.  I knew Sammy (5) would enjoy it but I have been surprised by how much Lucy (2) listens, too.  I love getting back into these books that we read to Jack and Kayla a few years ago.  It's a joy to get comfortable with blankets and pillows and laugh along with the little ones.  With such a classic as this, it's no wonder we all are ready to read "just a little more" every time.
It made me laugh when we got to the part where Wilbur goes to live with Fern's uncle, Mr. Homer Zuckerman and  Sammy said, "Hey!  There are three Homers:  Homer Price, Homer and Hesiod, and Homer Zuckerman!"   I can tell he's paying attention!

Linking up to Read Aloud Thursdays       

We're in the Paper!

We're in the paper!  Well, we will be soon. 
Here's a link to an article (online for now) about the church plant, written by a friend from our "old" church.
Well done, Dawn!

http://blogs.roanoke.com/theburgs/community/2012/10/03/hometown-boy-leads-church-plant/

A Good Start

 Welcome, October!


Here's to one of the smoothest days we've had in a while.  I'll take it, especially since it's raining out and we're all in for the duration it seems.  One munchkin is feeling a little bit pitiful this afternoon so she's on the couch while one more naps and one listens to Homer Price on cd.  He loves it.  Jack and I are headed to the basement in a few minutes to see if we can create some order out of chaos.

 Listening to some quiet piano music and looking at books this morning.  I think he's on to something.

 A little journaling after reading about the Roman Republic and the Punic Wars (which I, by the way, am just now learning about myself.)

 Jack helping Sam skip count the 2s.

 Kayla helping Lucy cut and glue some shapes.