Aaaahhh....

I (usually) love that ending of the day when Lucy and Sammy snuggle up with me on our bed with some books.  Especially now that they are in warm, cozy jammies.  Last night while we were waiting for Sam, this is what I heard:

"Today I told my preschool that you are thinking about having another baby."

Jaw drop.  

"Really?  What made you say that?"
"I just raised my hand in circle time and told them."

Aaahhh...

I'd say I don't know where she got that idea but I think I do.  For some reason, it seems to be a big topic of conversation among the children in this house lately.  Someone wants to know if we can have more kids or if I can ask the doctor to give us twins or something along those lines.  

It's funny how their minds work. 

And really, it makes me smile to know that they enjoy their lives enough in a semi-big family to want a little more of it.

Learning to Sew

 My mom can sew.  She doesn't much anymore but I know if she set her mind to it, she'd whip up something great.  She made her own wedding dress among other things! 
I, for one reason or another, did not pick up that sewing gene.
Kayla might have.
And lucky for us, a super sweet friend of mine offered- yes, it was her idea!- to help Kayla learn more about sewing.  To me, it's much more than sewing "class" once a week.  It is a Titus 2 kind of thing, my friend pouring into my little girl.
So, on Monday afternoons Kayla and Rebekah work on projects from this book, Sewing School: 21 Sewing Projects Kids Will Love to Make. This book has fun ideas and tips on how to do them. 

This is a t-shirt pillow.  Kayla picked a favorite t-shirt (that had a hole in the back) and made it into a pillow. She learned the whip stitch for this one.   So cute!

 You can see some of Rebekah's own projects here, at Homemade Engineer.

From the Week

"I just absolutely love fall."
That was from Kayla not too long ago.  I am with her- partly.  I'm thinking I'll be cold from now until May- which I don't necessarily love. But I do like the things that come with fall (and winter):  warm drinks, blankets, snow, little kids in foot-jammies, baking a little more, holidays, etc...
For now, here are some pictures from the week:

My friend Kayla posted this on Pinterest.  Isn't it cute?   Little tea lights in mini-pumpkins!  Brian was a good sport and cut the middles out for me before home group the other night.

We don't have many trees in the back yard but these guys gathered up as many leaves as they could and had a great time- even though it was pretty chilly outside.

A house divided- at least when it comes to the World Series.  Sam's t-ball team was the Red Sox; Jack's (way back when) was the Cardinals.  They've enjoyed watching a little of the games together.  Sam usually falls asleep just a few minutes in.

Linking Up to Read Aloud Thursdays

The Mother/Daughter book club that Kayla and I are a part of read Masterpiece by Elise Broach as this month's selection.
This has been one that all the kids have listened in on and have really enjoyed.  I love to find a good chapter book that appeals across ages.
Meet Marvin- a beetle.  Marvin lives in James's family's apartment and is pretty tenacious and skillful as beetles go!  A sweet friendship forms between James and Marvin which ends up in a wild adventure.  Art, theft, and the Met in New York City.  Fun! 
Overall, I have liked this book.  There's been a good bit of suspense and some pretty humorous parts.  Some good vocabulary, too!  Also, we learn a bit about the artist Durer.
Depending on your family, you may want to consider a few things that pop up in the story:  divorce and remarriage, some lying, and a couple instances of "Oh my God!" (One good thing about read alouds is skipping words I'd rather not have my children repeat!)  While they aren't deal breakers for us in this book, it's good to be aware. 

Pumpkin Patch Trip with the Preschoolers

Lucy's first preschool field trip was this morning.  Families were welcome to come along so all the kids and I went to the pumpkin patch.  I can't say that our eldest was too excited about going with a "bunch of preschoolers" but when it was all said and done, he decided it wasn't so bad.

I think the one thing we will all remember is that it was COLD and windy!  

Sticking close to Jack.

Lucy has a wooly worm on her sleeve.

Smiling despite the wind, the sprinkles, and the cold,

So proud of her pumpkin.

For My Memory

Some quotes from the past week or so:

Sam:  "I'm starting to understand why people wear long pants in the fall."  Finally.
And Sam again:  "I'm thinking about getting one of my ears pierced."  What??!!??
One more:  "Mom, you are pretty old, even if you do look like a college student."  I'll take it.
From Lucy:  "Do you know why I'm smiling at you Mom?  It's because I love you!"  Pure sweetness.

And last:  "Do I look awesome?" 

 Notice the tie, vest, helmet, boots, and shin guards.

Yep, looking pretty awesome, Lucy!

Kayla is 10!

Our girl hit double digits yesterday.
10!
She has been so excited for her birthday, and I think she enjoyed it.  The past year has been a big one for her:
*She went to "sleep-away" camp for a week in June.
*She got her ears pierced in July.
*She stayed with her Ohio cousins for nearly a week without the rest of us.
*She joined a mother/daughter book club, a stema club, and started sewing lessons.
*She likes to serve in the nursery or in children's worship with me.
*She still loves to bake and is pretty good at following a recipe on her own.
*She also really likes to write letters- real, handwritten letters complete with decorated envelopes and a stamp.
The thing about Kayla is she is pretty quiet- both around the house and when we're out.  She has her loud moments, to be sure, but if there's one in the bunch who doesn't demand much, it's her.  (Which makes her one to seek out a little more, too!)  She really is a sweet, thoughtful, easy-going, fun-loving girl.

She had a little party with some friends- tacos, chocolate fondue, and open gym at the local gymnastics place.

A special friend who moved away in the summer was back for a visit just in time for her birthday so of course there was a sleepover.

A convertible ride with our neighbor, Miss Ronda

Birthday dinner:  homemade meatballs, twice-baked potatoes, fresh bread, fruit salad, and an ice cream cake.

The ice cream cake went something like this:  we made some chocolate chip cookie dough and baked one big one in a square pan.  We melted some chocolate and poured it on, followed that with chocolate ice cream then a little more chocolate drizzled on.  Froze it and ate it.  Yum.  Just yum.

Black Bean Sweet Potato Chicken Chili

Last night Brian made some bread in the bread machine to go with our vegetable beef soup.
It was so good that we're making some more this morning.
 I do feel like I am cheating by using a bread machine.
However.
Throwing ingredients together in the morning and smelling it bake while we work on school is a really nice treat.
So, I'm ok with cheating in this case!
And in case you are looking for a new chili recipe for the chilly weekend coming up, I have just the thing.  Not sure how I stumbled on this one but it's a little different and really good.  I found the recipe here.

Black Bean Sweet Potato Chicken Chili

coarse salt and fresh black pepper

1 pound boneless chicken breasts or 2 heaping cups rotisserie chicken cut in bite-sized pieces

 

olive oil, for sauteing

1 small onion, diced

1 small bell pepper, cut into small, thin strips

3 cloves garlic, minced

2 cups cubed sweet potatoes

2 cans (14 ounces) diced tomatoes with the juices

1 can black beans, rinsed

 

1 cup corn

1 tablespoon chile powder

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional

for serving:

shredded sharp cheddar or montery jack cheese

sour cream

tortilla chips

Instructions

1. Season the chicken with salt and pepper. Add 1 tablespoon oil to a Dutch oven or large soup pot set over medium heat and cook the chicken breasts on each side until cooked through in the center. Remove to a cutting board and cool.
2. Add 2 tablespoons oil to the pot over medium heat and cook the onion and pepper (season with salt and pepper) until tender about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and saute until fragrant.
3. Add the sweet potatoes, tomatoes, black beans and corn. Season with the chile powder, cumin, red pepper flakes, about 1 teaspoon coarse salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper.
4. Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces and add to the pot. Bring to a simmer and cook about 35 minutes, stirring every so often and adding more seasoning as needed until sweet potatoes are tender.
5. Serve with shredded cheese, sour cream and/or tortilla chips.

Read more: http://www.cinnamonspiceandeverythingnice.com/black-bean-sweet-potato-and-chicken-chili/#ixzz2i5GbgxCQ

Quick Update

I got a nap today, whipped the house into shape (at least the downstairs), and enjoyed home group  this evening.  Blueberry cobbler was on the menu and that always makes for a good day.
We've enjoyed lots of pumpkin lately:  pumpkin pancakes, mini pumpkin whoopie pies, and of course pumpkin bread.  Pumpkin candles and pumpkin m&ms.  Pumpkin coffee creamer.
It might be a bit much but 'tis the season!

I love this picture.  It kind of sums this guy up lately.  Much more interested in playing around than doing school work.  Last week he and Brian went to the aquatic center- Sammy had been practicing putting his face under water.  So, he decided once he got there that he'd take his life jacket off and swim.  And he did!  First time.  The thing with Sam is that he doesn't do something until HE is ready.  I'm gonna tuck that little piece of info away and hopefully remember it!

And then there's this little one.  Just so cute.  She plays Batman at preschool with Brock.  She likes to ride her trike and tries out a bike that's way too big for her when no one's looking.  She's pretty good at hanging with the big kids and gives the best kisses.  Enjoying her at 3 for a couple more months.

First Women's Retreat for PPC

Can you hear the birds?  Maybe a couple of fish jumping out of the water?  And the quiet?

This was the setting for our women's retreat this weekend.  

A "cabin" in a state park with two porches, several rocking chairs, 15 ladies, good food, sweet fellowship, and a call to rest.  Not to do nothing, not to demand "me" time, not to "veg" out but to purposefully rest in the finished work of Christ.  

Our speaker- a long-time friend

Foggy Morning

I have heard it said that the number of fogs we have in August equals the number of snows we will have this winter. ( My Papa believed it so I do, too!)  I've also heard that in general, a foggy fall means a bad winter.  If that's the case, I say get to the grocery store now, friends!
I have loved these darker, foggy mornings.  The house seems cozier and the kids sleep a little later- which means a little more time to enjoy my coffee and the stillness before the busyness of the day kicks into gear.
*I'm into a really good book- a friend recommended The Orchardist to me.  I am slowly reading through it.  Slowly because there is wonderful detail of people and place.
*This week of school has been pretty good.  It's always nice when we get to some projects- I"ll post on one of those soon.
*This is the first week of preschool where Lucy didn't cry when we dropped her off.  She seems to have turned the corner.  I love how she sings all the time now.  So cute.
*This weekend is the church plant's (PPC) first ladies retreat!!  I don't know about everyone else but I am really excited about it.  Our speaker is a long-time friend and treasure.  Pray for us if you think of it!