Happy Halloween!

We had another great Halloween! The kids had fun at school with their various Halloween activities. After a quick supper of pizza, we went downtown for trick-or-treating. Maelle planned her costume for months. She was Luna Lovegood from Harry Potter. Benny was the drummer from Aerosmith, but he looked more like an 80's groupie. He was sick of the wig by the time he got home from school, so he opted for a bandana this evening. Michayla was home in time to go trick-or treating, too. Everyone got lots of candy, and we came home and divvied it up. It was a little cold tonight, but not too bad. It was a great day! 

Witch's Broom

This broom came from Grandma and Grandpa. It used to be up at the cottage. A couple of years ago it got transformed into a witch's broom for part of Maelle's Hufflepuff costume. (Was that last year? I can't remember.) Anyway, this broom is off on another Halloween adventure as we loan it to a friend, the Wicked Witch of the West. (I made that last part up. Not sure where she is the Wicked Witch of.) Can't wait until tomorrow!

Football and Pumpkin Carving

Today was the championship game for flag football. Benny's team, the Seahawks, played the Raiders. It was a close game, and Benny scored a touchdown. Unfortunately the Seahawks came up one touchdown short. Later in the day we carved pumpkins, or I should say, Michayla carved pumpkins. She did all the work while Chris and I did the dishes and made lunches. They turned out great. We are now officially ready for Halloween! 

Operation

I almost called this post "Concentration," but that would have been confusing. These three were all silently staring at the board concentrating on Maelle as she tried to extract Jingle Tingle from the Abominable Snowman. I don't think there are any future surgeons in the family. 

Artifacts

Today I visited Benny's classroom to view the Native American artifacts that he and his classmates made. There were a lot of very impressive projects. I was impressed with the quality of their work. Here is Benny with his bow and arrow. 

Bow and Arrow

Benny needed to make a Native American artifact for his social studies class. He wanted to make a bow and arrow from the Great Plains. He and Chris went out to the creek and found some sticks that would work. They worked together to whittle them down. We got some rawhide and an authentic arrowhead that we found at an antique store in town. Tomorrow his class is having a Native American artifacts exhibit. I'm excited to see all of their hard work. (Now that I think about it, I think this project is what reminded me of the bow we had forgotten to give him for his birthday.)

Piglet

This picture is from several days ago, but I haven't had a chance to post it. It is one of out IPP babies. They are growing like crazy, but still so cute. I just love this little face!

Cartwheel

Maelle went to gymnastics tonight with the older girls because she has play practice tomorrow. She was so excited because she did a cartwheel on the high beam the first time she tried it. She did several in a row for me. It's fun to see her excitement about her accomplishments in gymnastics. 

TSO5

Tonight was Benny's orchestral debut. It was the Tecumseh Symphony Orchestra grade 5 costume concert, along with grade 7 and the high school. We were very impressed with all three groups. Benny and the other kids, as well as the directors, were very entertaining in their various costumes. (Benny was an 80's hair band member.) We are so fortunate to have opportunities like orchestra in Tecumseh. We are looking forward to the next concert. 

Playoffs

Benny's flag football playoffs started today. They won their game and will be advancing to the championship game next Sunday. Benny did a good job at center today and made one nice catch near the end zone for a first down. Best of luck to these terrific boys next weekend. 

Grandma and Grandpa Day

We had a great day! Grandma and Grandpa came to watch Benny's last cross country meet of the year. He ran 2 miles and got a PR. We stopped at the cider mill for donuts on our way home. Later we met Grandma and Grandpa and Justin and the kids for supper at Ruby Tuesdays. We enjoyed visiting with them. They are off on their southern adventure tomorrow. 

Little Cheer Pictures

We picked up Maelle's Little Cheer pictures today. They are cute. I'm guessing you'll be able to pick Maelle out in the group picture pretty quickly. 

Breakfast

Every once in a while Benny gets up early. He likes getting up early. I have no idea why. Today he was up early enough to eat breakfast with Chris. When I got out of the shower they were sitting at the table together chatting away. 

Snug as a Bug

This guy loves lying on our bed. It is literally the first thing he does when he gets up in  he morning and the last thing he does before going to bed (and lots of other times during the day). We don't actually let him sleep with us at night, but he would if he could. Here he is snoozing while I got some work done on my computer tonight. What a love! 

Bow

We bought Benny a bow for Christmas, but decided to wait until his birthday in June to give it to him. We figured he would get a lot more use out of it in the summer. We actually forgot to give it to him for his birthday. Now that it's finally bow season, we remembered it and told him about it yesterday. He has been super excited about it ever since. He and Chris were able to get outside this afternoon and both practice shooting their bows. Sounds like Benny is a pretty good shot. He will need to take a hunter safety class before he can take it out and do any real hunting, but we at least know now that he's interested. 

School Pictures

We got school pictures about a week ago (maybe two). Here is a picture of our fifth grader and third grader. It is hard to believe how fast they are growing up. Sometimes I wish time would slow down. I am so proud of these two and so happy to be their mom. They make me smile every day. 

Autumn Sunset

Autumn has had an interesting start this year. It has been dry and unseasonably warm. Thankfully we have gotten a little bit of rain the last few days. However, our pastures continue to beg for moisture. Today's weather was just as strange. It started out warm and muggy. The wind picked up throughout the day with soft rain on and off this afternoon. This evening the sun finally emerged. It cast its glow as the dark clouds of evening set in. I was able to capture a tiny piece of the sky over the farm. It finally looks like fall. 

Pirate Ensemble

The list for the Tecumseh Youth Theater production Magic Treehouse: Pirates Past Noon was posted today. We went over to the TCA this morning to see if maelle got a part. She did! She will be in the ensemble. She is excited to have a part this year. Her first practice is tomorrow and I'm looking forward to learning more information about what being in the show will entail. Looking forward to a very fun and busy few weeks!

Homecoming Parade

Spirit Week culminated today with the Homecoming Parade and a pep assembly at Compass. It was also "Orange and Black Day." I was at a training, so I didn't make it to these events, but the kids said it was a really fun day. I'm glad they had such a great Spirit Week! They both love school!

Cognitive Coaching

I have had a busy week of training to improve my capacity as a Literacy Coach and as an Instructional Coach, my new roles this year. It's a good thing I have a growth mindset and love to learn new things, especially if they will help me support teaching and learning better. Today I attended the first day of Cognitive Coaching. It has been a wonderful experience so far, and I'm looking forward to more learning tomorrow. This picture is the only one I took today. I think it captures the essence of the training as well as my new job as a Coach. I am so happy to be learning the skills that will help me support my teachers in their own professional growth. 

Decades Day

Today's Spirit Day theme was "Decades Day." I dug out my old Aerosmith shirt for Benny so he could represent 80's rock. Maelle wanted to wear my hippie costume from last Halloween. I have to say, she rocked it! She told me at bedtime that she had so much fun wearing it today. She laughed all the way down the hall. Her smile when she was telling me about it was so precious. 

Auditions

Today Maelle tried out for the Tecumseh Youth Theatre presentation of "The Magic Treehouse: Pirates Past Noon." We will find out on Saturday if she got a part. Fingers crossed! 

Wacky Hair Day

It's Spirit Week at school. Today was Wacky Hair Day. Benny had me mousse up his hair and blow it dry as big as possible. Maelle was a little more unsure what she wanted to do. She opted for a ponytail on one side of her head and a braid on the other. I snapped this picture right before they headed out to the bus. 

Touchdown and Roast Beef

Benny had a really great football game. He scored one of his team's touchdowns. They won. After the game we went right over to church to help at the annual Roast Beef Supper. Chris helped cook while Benny helped in the carry-out room. Maelle and I helped with dishes. After a while she got tired of that and helped pour water and clear tables in the dining room. It was a lot of fun. We took our Roast Beef to go and ate when we got home. Everything was just as delicious as we thought it would be. 

Burgers

Chris made hamburgers for supper, and a turkey burger for Maelle. They were delicious! It was a gorgeous day, very warm and windy for October. We have gotten a good bit of rain this evening. I hope we get even more. 

My View

I am exhausted from a long, busy, and emotionally draining week. I didn't take any pictures today and I am already in bed. I am not getting up to take pictures. So here it is. My view right now. Tomorrow I will need to clean off the clothes on top of my dresser. But for now, I'm going to bed! 

 

Closet Science

A few days ago we were having trouble with our vacuum. Maelle told me that she is going to invent a new vacuum. I told her that would be great. When I went upstairs at bedtime to say good night, she was in her closet. When I asked her what she was working on, she said it's the new vacuum. She showed me how she was putting the pieces of her electrical kit together and a page is a science book about building a battery. It's great to see her working with these things to invent something new. 

Dog in the Hat

Winston has been the star of the blog lately. Today Chris had Benny were apparently messing around on their phones. One of them took a picture of Winston. Then Benny used an app to draw this funny swirl and hat on him. They sent it to me, and although I don't know when or what exactly they were doing, it made me laugh. 

Winnie Saying Goodbye

Michayla was home when the kids left for the bus stop this morning. She sent me this picture of Winston watching them go from the front yard. He is such a sweetie.  

Body Slam

Today's picture is of Chris and Winston bonding. Despite the fact that they weren't too sure about the other when they first met, these two have really grown to love each other. 

Piglets...

We had a busy day with football, but for some reason I didn't take any pictures except when I went out to visit Miss Piggy and her piglets. They are all doing well. There is on who is a bit small, but she's hanging In there.