Thanksgiving Celebration

It's one week before Thanksgiving, and I can already say that we've had our first feast and celebration. Scott's school hosted a Thanksgiving Feast for parents and it was wonderful. I took Andrew and Amanda and we feasted on Turkey Casserole, Sweet Potato casserole, Green Beans, Dressing and Apple Pie.

But the kids were the highlight of the morning. They were wearing Indian Vests on which they had painted symbols, head bands, noodle necklaces and medallions. Each child also chose an Indian name. Scott was "Clever Lightning." He says that he, Ben, Bo and Gracie are the fastest kids in Kindergarten, so he wanted to be Lightning and his teacher suggested Clever.


Aren't they just darling - makes me want to be in Kindergarten again.

Scott with his friends Daniel and Bo.

Scott spent the time to pick through the alphabet noodles to make his name on his band.

Here we are posing in front of the "river." What I loved most about this unit is that it was packed with learning, but the kids thought they were playing the entire time. For instance, the canoes that we are standing in front of here were laced together by the kids (fine motor skills.) Then, they were decorated with shapes in a pattern (Math) and finally the kids wrote their Indian Name on a paper next to their boats. Scott's boat is behind my head, but his writing is the big bubble with the purple outline just above my head. You can see that we have a long way to go with his writing, but he certainly has improved since Day 1 of Kindergarten. At least this word is written left to right, even though many of the letters are upside down and backward.

Crazy Andrew

Andrew is so full of personality that I can hardly keep up with him, especially right before bed. I took these pictures the other night after showers. The boys spiked their hair. Even without gel or mousse, Andrew's hair was still spiked the next morning.

Today he ran into the room asking me to tie his "pertility belt" - "This is where I store my guns and weapons." I smiled and tied his Home Depot utility belt, where an adult keeps nails while working.

SOOOOOO excited about his spiked hair!


I have a good friend who always says that God made him cute for a reason - who could stay mad at this face for long?

"Mom! Take a picture of my foot!"

A perfect Saturday

As we inch closer to the hectic holiday season, I am most thankful to have had the perfect Saturday. The day was beautiful - not a cloud in the sky, jeans and t-shirt weather. We woke late (really! - it was almost 8:00) and ate a leisurely breakfast. Derrick enjoyed being the short-order chef, serving eggs and biscuits to one and a bagel with cheese to another.

We had no plans, so we decided to head to the library for a "Charlie Brown Thanksgiving." Miss Jessie (our favorite librarian) served popcorn, pretzels and jelly beans. The only food missing was toast. We then settled down to watch the movie. What fun!


Amanda was all over the place! Here Derrick is trying to rein her in.


We left the library and headed to a nearby park for some pictures and play time. The slide is so long and so fun. Derrick plans to bring wax next time we come to make the slide even faster, but I'm afraid the kids will sail clear to the parking lot.









I think the shoals are the perfect spot for a Christmas picture, so you may see this background again on our Christmas card.



We came home in time for a nap on the couch.



I spent some time painting shutters and now have six of our ten shutters painted. The final two will require an extension ladder, so I'll certainly get some pictures.

Veterans Day

In honor of Veteran's Day, especially to Pop, a Navy Veteran, Scott has a song for you:



It is actually the "public school" version of a favorite around our house. We always end it with "I'm in the Lord's Army," but it was fitting for Scott to learn "I'm in the old Navy" at school today and sing it to Pop over the phone when he got home.

We honor and pray for all veterans this day.

The best parenting book

I simply love that God's word is living and active. I've been praying Hebrews 4:9, 11-12 for me this year, specifically that I would find my rest in His word and have a willing heart and discipline to seek the Lord daily by reading His word. And God has been so faithful to meet me there.

I also love that I may read a passage and discern one thing and others may read the same passage and learn something different. I am studying Genesis with a group of women and one question today was: "Reread Genesis 17. Name at least four important attributes of God illustrated in this chapter. Which of these attributes is most meaningful to you in your current situation?"

The answers were varied and insightful and wonderful.
Faithful
Personal
Gracious
Forgiving
Merciful
Everlasting
All-Seeing, All-Knowing, All-Hearing
El Shaddai, God Almighty
Sovereign

Mine was nothing like these. I saw God parenting Abraham.

1. God gives Abraham a special name that has meaning for Abraham's future (v. 5)

2. God gives specific instructions to Abraham about how He expects Abraham to be obedient (v. 10-14)

3. God is patient with Abraham's questions and misunderstandings, but he is firm in his declarations of what is to happen (v. 19 - "yes, but")

4. God affirms Abraham's desires and fears (v. 20 - "I have heard you)


I wonder, why do I need that bookshelf of parenting books when all I need is here in God's Word?

Go Attack!

There is nothing better than to end the soccer season with cookie cake (yellow and black icing - our team colors)...



...and a trophy.



Here they are one more time: Scott, Carley, Coach Chris, Cooper, Sophia, Tyler and Carter

Halloween

We had a great Halloween. It was the first year that we actually Trick or Treated. In the past, our church has had a "Trunk or Treat" in the parking lot, but not this year. We went to my parent's house, which brought back a flood of memories of my Trick or Treating days in Brookwood Hills. We selected just a few streets, but still came home with a bag full of candy and lots of great memories. Some memorable comments came from Andrew:

He only wanted to take one piece of candy from each house, even when the people offered him more. Finally, we got to a house where they were handing out snickers and the woman insisted that he take two. I told him those were Nana's favorite, so he took the second and gave it to her.

While we were walking between houses, he said in a most excited voice, "Mom, why can't it be Christmas every day!"

It began to rain and we were not quite home, but Andrew declared, "Halloween is over. Time to go home."

He ran around like Superman and I think he really thought he could fly.




Scott wanted to be a polished rock, so we asked our neighbor (a professional rock collector) for suggestions, and he came up with an Agate Carnelian. This is an orange (Scott's favorite color) quartz. He received the most interesting comments from the houses we visited. I'm sure he was one of the first Polished Rocks to visit Brookwood Hills on All Hallows Eve.

This was the picture (and smile) that I worked so hard to get.



Here is the smile that dominates the pictures I took. It must be a "polished rock" smile.



Amanda was (and is) our sweet panda. Amanda the Panda. She even wore special Chinese shoes in honor of the Panda homeland. I was most excited about this costume; especially finding the hat that she can wear all winter. If only she would keep it on her head!