Happy Halloween!

Meredith's ABCs

Halloween on Elm

One of our favorite Halloween events is the City's Halloween on Elm festivities.  The kids love running around the Village area trick-or-treating all the merchants.  The Farmer's Market is always open and there are many activities for the kids to enjoy.  The police and fire departments are always there with their vehicles.  It's a nice community event.  This year we caught the costume contest which was fun to see, esp. when we saw friends parade across the stage.  There were the usual suspects of pirates, princesses and furry creatures -- in addition to some really cool costumes, like a fish taco.

The Rocket Launch



This afternoon was a highly anticipated event with the Cub Scouts: The Rocket Launch.  The scouts were given rocket kits a week prior so they could assemble and paint their very own rockets.  At this field location, they were able to get different launchers depending on how powerful of a launcher they wanted.  The only caveat is that after the launch, they had to go retrieve their rockets once they had parachuted back down to the ground.  Thomas got a few launches in of varying intensities before losing his rocket.  They can really launch high up in the air!  Thomas, of course, loved this event and the work that went into it. 

beautiful M

The only drawback to having nice weather all year long is that many things are done outdoors and sometimes you can't help but be seated facing the bright sun.  This morning's school assembly was no different and all the photos I snapped had weird effects from the sun.  But the photo above is just too cute to not share anyway.  I love that sweet little face of hers.

special recognition for T

6 year old boys

Owen, Isaiah and Thomas

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Tonight was the Halloween Fright Night festivities at Thomas' school.  He's been looking forward to this evening ever since they started talking about it at school a few weeks ago.  It was an opportunity to play some fun games, eat pizza and run around with his school friends in their costumes.  I lost count of how many boys I saw tonight dressed from head to toe in black. 

the "ghost face" and a mermaid

October's Fall Harvest Party

a writing sample spotted in Thomas' classroom today

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Thomas and good pal, Miko, as "Presidents"

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This morning I had the opportunity to volunteer in Thomas' classroom to help with their Fall Harvest Party.  The kids had so much fun moving around the various stations.  I was in charge of the bean bag "Pumpkin Toss" station which involved keeping the play in order, scoring and lots of cheering and high-fiving for the kids.  Yes, I am that parent.  Since the school does not allow costumes during school hours, the kids were encouraged to come dressed as grown ups today.  Thomas chose to wear a polo shirt with a necktie, as did his friend who told me "Thomas and I are PRESIDENTS."

Jack-O-Lanterns

this year's line up - Meredith's designs (2), "Scream" face and bats

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Meredith produced some templates of her designs

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Yesterday involved getting things ready for Halloween.  Pumpkins were carved, costumes were purchased, pumpkin seeds were roasted, witches' brew was stirred and lots of fun was had for Grandma's last full day with us! 

Parent Watch Day

Meredith turns on the attitude (as directed by her teacher)

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Meredith absolutely loves dance class.  She practices all the time and talks about her teacher, Miss Christina, daily.  Today's class was not only the last of the month (which means parents are invited in for the last 10 minutes of the 60 minute class), but an extra special "Parent Watch Day" so we were all invited in for the entire class.  This was perfectly timed during Grandma's visit!  Since Thomas had stayed home from school (to spend extra time with Grandma), he also got to sit in during her class today.  We all loved watching Meredith and she loved it, too.  Dancing, singing, acting... this girl may have a future in the performing arts!   

Mummy Meredith

This time of year, we really miss the wonderful pumpkin patches in and around Portland.  The last time we went out to Sauvie Island was the October before we moved to California.  Thomas was 2.5 years old and enjoyed hanging out with our friends' little boy, both boys scouring the patch for their perfect pumpkin.  Meredith was 6 months old and happily snuggled up in a baby carrier.  I have fond memories of that day and the whole pumpkin patch experience.

The pumpkin patches here in Southern Calif. really pale in comparison to the patches in Portland.  I find these here depressing -- not to mention very expensive.  I can't pay for the clunky rides at these patches when we live 2 miles from Legoland where the rides are great (and safe!).  If there is food, it's always fair/carnival food.  The pumpkins are always overpriced and trucked in from somewhere else because the pumpkin patches are always setup in abandoned parking lots.  We've been to all the local ones (one a year), even the "real farm" an hour away... and still find ourselves stopping by Trader Joe's on our way home to purchase pumpkins. 

Red Ribbon Week

The Cub Scouts (and Girl Scouts) who attend Thomas' elementary school were invited to participate in a community service project this afternoon at the school.  Their job?  Tie red ribbons around campus for the school's Red Ribbon Week coming up this week.  We all got to help out today!

Grandma's visit!!

Few things or people make these kids as happy as their Grandma.  This morning I picked her up at the airport in San Diego.  She'll be staying with us until Wednesday.  These two kids are going to love every second of their time with her!

Word Scrambles by Thomas

I love when the kids surprise me with something they've come up with all on their own.  This morning, Thomas began making me some Word Scrambles to work on.

proofs

Usually the kids' school photos are identical.  The photographer sends home three proofs from the sitting and all three photos will be exactly the same.  Same pose, same smile.  Heck, most often it could be the same photo simply printed three times.  Until today when Meredith brought home her proofs.  The three photos are actually different.  Not greatly different, but there is a difference.  And our problem now?  We love them all and can't decide which one is "the best". 

an evening with the Cub Scouts



Following their Pack meeting this evening, the boys were asked to make a quick note, card, or drawing for the troops in Afghanistan.  Thomas created this rainbow turkey and Meredith drew this colorful crown below.  Tonight's meeting was extra long because the Den meeting preceded the Pack meeting.  In total, it was 2.5 hours of Cub Scouts this evening.  Thomas, of course, loved every minute of it.  He was dressed and ready to go 2 hours before the meetings even began!  Meredith was wonderfully patient and demonstrated better listening and following along skills than most of the Cubs in Thomas' Den.  These kids never cease to amaze me.

party girls

During her friend's birthday party, I stood off to the side so my photos weren't as good as another mom's.  I love this one of Meredith and her friends Sophia and Charlise, the birthday girl. 

the Wild Wonders party

This afternoon Meredith and I went to her friend Charlise's 3rd birthday party.  A "Wild Wonders"-themed party wouldn't be complete without wild animals -- today that meant a boa constrictor, an alligator, Penelope the porcupine, an armadillo and a few others.  The kids loved learning about the different animals and getting an opportunity to get up close to them.  Meredith says the armadillo was her favorite today!

Tiger Cubs: first outing



Thomas' Tiger Cubs den had their first activity meeting this morning.  The boys met at the (local) Batiquitos Lagoon for a docent-led tour.  They learned some different things about the lagoon like special birds that come to the lagoon, lemonade berries that grow here, how water flows into the lagoon, etc.  It was a fun outing for Thomas and Mike to do together. 

pedicures

Meredith and I went out for pedicures this afternoon.  Sure, I could go while she's in school but look at the fun times I'd be missing if I went without her!  She loves to go with me and get her toes done, too.  She's also very patient, too, both while getting the service and then while having to wait for me afterwards.  I love how much fun she is!

beach playdate

I love the Santa Anas (winds from the inland deserts that bring us exceptionally warm weather this time of year) for what they do to our daytime temperatures.  Today we went over 90*F.  Yes!  Here at the beach.  Yes!  In October.  All the tourists flock to Southern California and our beautiful beaches during the summer months, but right now is really the best time to be here.  Maybe we shouldn't tell too many people and keep the best months (and without the crowds) to ourselves. 

her favorite series

Thomas loves the series of books titled The Magic Tree House.  He has devoured many books from the series.  Each book has the main characters, Jack and Annie, out on some wild adventure.  He loves them!  The first one he read was Dinosaurs Before Dark which he finished during our roadtrip from Oregon back to California last July.  He reads a few other series, but The Magic Tree House is by far his favorite.

Naturally, Meredith decided she too loves "chapter books" and found herself a series very close to Thomas' The Magic Tree House within the library stacks.  Her favorite series?  The Rainbow Magic: The Petal Fairies, each books tells stories of a special fairy.  There's a fairy for everything.  She currently has about 10 of them checked out and she'll "read" them quietly to herself.  There is a small illustration on almost every page of these books so she studies those.  I have a feeling this little sister will be reading well above her level in the next year!

morning moon

To get my runs in with minimal impact on the family, most of my runs are done early in the morning with a group before anyone (in the family) is even awake.  It isn't always easy to wake before 5am to go run but coming home to a morning moon like this over the ocean is a great reward for my effort.  What a beautiful way to begin my day!  Some mornings I want to rush inside and wake everyone up so they can see what I see, too...

cute kids with a cute craft

Have you ever seen a 4 year old that colors like this??

The weather has turned this week from mild and sunny to cold and blustery.  Okay, maybe not exact blustery or cold, but when you're used to mild and sunny all year long it sure feels stormy when you get a few sprinkles.  I don't think it had rained in 6 months so we certainly needed it.  The cool weather made me want to stay inside all day but since I can't do that, Meredith and I went shopping instead.  I was on a mission to find new boots for myself -- and I absolutely love what I found.  Meredith loves them, too.  I snapped some photos to send to a girlfriend so Meredith was posing but after a few photos she asked, "Hey, why aren't you taking a photo of my smiling face!?"  This girl is so funny.

color by number

This morning before school the kids were drawing at the kitchen table.  Thomas started drawing these Color by Number projects -- for me to do!  Apparently they don't think I have enough to keep me busy...

out with the old, in with the new

Today was a pretty exciting day at our house.  Not only did the Merecedes get towed away (donated to a local humane society), but Uncle Earl showed up!  The kids have been anxiously awaiting his arrival, esp. Meredith.  She has been telling everyone that her Uncle is coming.  It's very sweet to watch and hear but at the same time we couldn't help but know it might be a bit overwhelming for Earl.  Afterall, he's young and doesn't have much experience with children.  Meredith made him drawings and craft projects, both at home and at preschool.  Fortunately, Earl was friendly and didn't mind the sudden outpouring of attention when he walked into our house.  Earl is Mike's youngest brother -- an independent, intelligent and adventurous 24 year old who will be stationed at Camp Pendleton.  He's staying a few days with us this week while he gets himself squared away in the area.  The kids already want him to stay longer.  It'll be fun for all of us to get to know this young man!

gorgeous sunsets

Last night our family headed out for a frozen yogurt dessert after dinner and to see the glowing ocean with Mike.  We left the house around 6:30pm and were treated to this gorgeous sunset.  Meredith asked if it was Heaven.