Thankful Turkey

Looking at all the Thanksgiving crafts ideas, I liked the Thankful Turkey best. It was something we could all participate in. I wrapped a styrofoam ball in brown yarn, made a ball of light brown yarn, cut out feathers from construction paper and attached them to toothpicks, cut out a beak and that red thing from construction paper, glue face to the head, attached head with toothpick to body. Then, we were ready for making our thankful feathers.

What we're thankful for:

Jacob- green, my turkey, eggs, my family

Beth- my family, God, outdoors, my church, food, me, my home

Laura- my salvation, my church, my family, my home, our health, friends, laughter

Kevin- blessings, church, God, job, my family, my wife, Beth and Jacob

Thankful

Happy Thanksgiving from our family!

Mainstay Farm

The first official field trip for Beth's class was to a precious local pumpkin/Christmas tree farm- Mainstay Farm. I love that I get to go with her, and that they don't mind if Jacob comes along. For Beth, I think the best part was probably riding the bus to get there and back.

The presentation about the farm was far more interesting than I would have expected. The owner talked about how when they bought the land to have a farm and decided to name it, they chose Mainstay, based on I Corinthians 15:58 (Be ye steadfast and immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, ...knowing that your toil is not in vain). Months later, when they decided to start growing Christmas trees, they learned that a special stake, which is called a mainstay, used in helping the baby trees- it marks the seedling; it protects the seedling when storms come; it gives the seedling stability, disciplining it so it will become what it is intended to be. Just like the Lord is our mainstay! How cool! They give this presentation to both Christian and public schools. What an awesome testimony! Of course, for the entertainment factor, she couldn't find her chicken.

The kids got to watch a very interesting film about how pumkins grow,

race to dress a scarecrow,

play on a giant slide (Beth's teacher used Jacob as an excuse to go down the slide herself),

play in a haybarn,

roast marshmellows,

take a hayride through the Christmas trees,

and play in a big tree house.

All before lunch!

Then, a picnic lunch (and a quick visit to the gift shop- where I got some homemade blackberry jelly and an adorable ornament). Since it was the end of pumpkin season, the kids were told they could take home as many pumpkins as they could carry. After lots of indecision, we went home with 6 little pumpkins!

Ooey, gooey reward

Beth (really, Kevin and I) worked so hard on the school fundraiser, she earned two prizes- Chick Fil A lunch at school (10 items by the early date) and a field trip to Peter Piper Pizza (15 items total). She was so excited to ride the school van with her friends to the pizza. Kevin, Jacob and I met them there for some extra supervision and a little fun. There were 3 kids from Beth's class who earned the trip. I think there were 15 kids in the elementary who earned the trip.

The kids got a great behind the scenes tour of pizza making. Then, they got to choose the toppings for their personal sized pizza.

While pizzas were cooking, they got to play games and ride rides. Beth mostly played in the playset and drove the race car. She managed to play a few games to earn tickets. Jacob's favorite ride is the carousel. This was the Dino ride, and I'm not sure what that look is about. Silly boy!

Pizza time! They were so proud of their pizzas, and they were quite yummy.

Book It

Remeber the Book It program when you were in school? Oh, man, I do! For reading books (which I loved anyway), I earned free pizza at Pizza Hut. It was quite a treat! I wonder if I still have my pin with stars for the months I earned my pizza.... Kevin, however doesn't remember doing this in school. Look at this shirt I found- I think I need it!

Well, a note went home with Beth at the first of October that they were starting Book It. She needed to have 550 minutes of reading time a month to earn a free pizza. No problem! At least I thought. I timed the reading we did with her for naps and nighttime then any other we might read together. By the end of the month, we were cramming to get that 550 minutes done. Whew~ we made it! Beth earned her first pizza. In the next week, we'll actually go get that first earned pizza. I wonder if she'll get a pin or something like I did?

This month, we're well on our way to having the minutes done, without cramming. This time, I'm timing any reading she does on her own. So far, we're at 410 minutes, with 7 days to go. I love that she loves to read and be read to. Currently, she's soaking up the American Girl books. While the time concept isn't quite sticking, she's enjoying learning about other girls throughout history. So far, we've read some Felicity and lots of Molly.

Perfect Playdate

We have some friends that we rarely get to see anymore. Then, we had an ah-ha moment. Both of our kindergarteners go half-day, so we could have a morning playdate with our little ones. Plenty of playtime then off to pick up big kids. PERFECT! Of course, Jacob had to wear his ball cap for the day and put it on "all by myself".

Jacob was so interested in all the different toys they had. He and Clara played with a jump-it toy for a while, and John Michael played alone. Then Clara wanted a story. JM listened until he realized Jacob was playing with a toy he wanted.

Clara was in her girl-world most of the time. The boys played nicely together for the most part. The car was the only thing that caused some jealousy.

They made us chocolate- calorie free! What sweet boys!

More than the kids playing together, I really enjoyed catching up with my friend. Our lives are so busy in opposite directions that we don't often get time together. I think we'll have to plan more morning playdates!

Grandparent weekend

Popi and Yaya came for a visit. I love when they come. The kids have so much fun playing. Kevin and I get to get away for a date night. It started off pretty chilly, but then the weather was great! We enjoyed some great outside time.

We found a praying mantis. When Popi showed Beth, she backed away as fast as she could. What a girl! Jacob was interested for a little while, but didn't want to hold it.

The advantages of living on the down-slope of the hill. FUN!

I thought I should get in on the fun too. Jacob didn't like it until I let him ride with me. No, I didn't make Kevin pull us back up the hill.

Beth was busy singing and balancing. We think we may start her in gymnastics in the spring. Oh, see that wave in the back of her hair, that's natural, and one of the few things she inherited from me. So, while the kids really resemble Kevin, I did get a few genetics in there!

Time to rest a bit

But not for long! Beth wanted to have some Popi snuggles.

Meanwhile, Jacob discovered Beth's nature treasure box and how to get it opened. He was quite pleased with himself. :)

Don't worry, there was plenty of relaxing time too.

Computer Time. Beth showed Yaya her favorite website- starfall.com. Oh, I have GOT to find that stuff for nail biting. WM doesn't carry it anymore, couldn't find it at Target. Any ideas?

Popi and Jacob had work to do too.

Sunday morning comics.

I sure treasure these moments of watching my kids enjoy my parents and my parents enjoy my kids. It reminds me to slow down and play more, despite the chores that need doing.