Fall Break

We've enjoyed a week away from school as we've taken a fall break.

Lots of fun things going on and I can't wait to share more next week.  Here's a peek!!

Have a great weekend!

Only a week late!

After my computer difficulties for the past week, I'm just happy to be posting at all, from home, even if it is a week late!!

The kiddos got their trick or treat outfits on Friday morning for the annual photo!

From left to right: Construction worker, cowgirl and Indiana Jones

Quintin was the easiest to outfit this year - he knew what he wanted to be right away and already had the hat and satchel.  We went to buy the IJ whip but no one had it.  So, he decided to put the money we were going to use to buy it towards buying Operation and Monopoly - I thought it was a better buy anyway!  He's a giver!

Elle had been planning on being a vet and then we were going to pull our wagon full of stuffed animals.  She and I had a morning to ourselves and went to purchase the pattern and she picked the cutest fabrics.  But, when it came to sewing it, I just couldn't make heads or tails (pun intended) of the pattern.  I let her know of our situation and after her initial sadness; she graciously accepted my offer to finish it after the upcoming holidays.  She even added, "Maybe we'll have it finished before next Trick or Treat!"  Wow!  She graciously gave me a whole year!  What a sweetheart!

As we were first figuring out what/who they were going to be, we were still unsure about Colin.  Daddy kiddingly asked, "Who wants to be a quarry worker like me?"  Of course Colin, who's all about his daddy, raised his hand and said ME!!  We planned on the hard hat and I even suggested throwing some stone dust all over him so he could look like Daddy too! ;-D  Once the hard hat came home, Colin decided it was too heavy (since they have an abundance of hard hats at work, we didn't go buy one - besides, the child ones aren't OSHA or MSHA approved ... hahahahahaha  [msha is the same as osha, just mine safety]. 

Colin wasn't really digging (yep, that one was intended too) the look.  We spent the morning visiting Grandmas and he left the hat behind.

When evening rolled around, and I questioned even heading out to the neighbors as I saw the abundance of candy from the grandmas (and the candy from the sweet ladies from the office my mom was working at), we decided to just visit a few houses.  Daddy was packing up his hunting gear to drive to the cabin to archery hunt on Sat.  BINGO!  We had a new idea for Colin, and he still got to go as Daddy!!  Four houses later, we were back home.  I let the kids pick a movie, so we watched Polar Express and enjoyed popcorn!

Internet Withdrawal

Yes, I'm having internet withdrawal.

We have 2 'puters at home and the laptop is on "vacation" to get some memory added, I think.  I wish I could remember! ;-D

And our desktop has decided to boycott the internet.  It needs a fine tuning as well, but it won't go until I we get the laptop back.

I'm online right now at T's office with Colin and Elle playing behind me on the floor.  T took Quintin to an eye doctor appointment.  I didn't specifically come to blog, but you know, while you've got the time, you at least have to update.  Sadly though, I won't be able to read any comments - that doens't mean that you can't leave any though!  JM!  Ginger! ;-P

I'm not sure I can survive too long this way, but it did sew up a cute little purse this weekend with all my "free time!"

Go PHILLY!!

Wordless Wednesday

Tiny Talk Tuesday

Homeschool Co-op with Colin...
I'm not usually in Colin's class at co-op, but last week I needed to fill in for a mom whose little one was at home sick. Colin was very excited to have me in his class and to show me off. He walked up to a group of children and said, "Dat's my mum," and came and put his arm around me. He further showed his cuteness by pulling up a chair for me after I tried to sit next to him on the floor for storytime! After the display of adorable-melt-my-heart-ness, he proceeded to not pay attention to the story and wander around the room.

* * * * * *
Bedtime Prayers with Elle...

"Dear Jesus, Thank You for this day. Thank You for the ... Mom, was it sunny today? [MmmHmm] Thank You for the sunshine. And thank You that we could ... Mom, did we play outside a lot today? [MmmHmm] Thank You that we could play outside a lot today. And please let it be sunny tomorrow!"

* * * * * *
Lunch with Quintin...
One day, Quintin had asked if he may make lunch. I was planning on cooking up some hotdogs on the stove so I told him sure. He was most pleased to roll the hotdogs around in the buttered pan with the wooden spoon. Colin and Elle were running around the kitchen and Quintin told them to get ready or he'd cook their hotdogs "until they were very black," if they didn't settle down. I ushered them into the bathroom to wash up and assisted Quintin with the plates and rolls. I pulled the tongs out of the drawer and placed them nearby for him to get them out of the pan. The hotdogs were ready, the younger two at the table and Quintin was eager to put them into the rolls for each of us. He turned the heat off and asked, "Mom, will you hand me the pliers?"


For more tiny talkers, visit Mary.

A Treasure

While at a very fun bookstore, which sells mostly pre-owned books, I was enjoying the back section of the store, where the older books are sold.  There is just something about that rooms that keeps me there.  Maybe it is when you open up a familiar "classic children's book" and see the first owner's name and drawings in it that makes me feel somehow connected to them.

Or maybe it is just thinking about how many hands have held and eyes have read all the books in that room.  From the leather bound to the books no longer in print.  That room holds my attention more than any other room.

While browsing, I noticed several volumes of books with animals on them.  They were two of the "Burgess Children's Books," one volume about animals and one about birds.  There was even an additional set of 10 Burgess Bedtime Story-Books, having had one previous owner, that were in excellent condition, but pricey.  I've heard excellent things about the "Burgess Books" but never ordered them or looked them up at the library.

As I leafed through the "Bird Book for Children," I fell in love with the author's style of writing an enjoyable story, but also including details about the birds.  The playful language of the birds who shared their differences with each other, educating the readers on why some travel south for the winter and others do not, among other things.

Below is an excerpt.  Jenny Wren, just having returned to the Old Orchard, following Mistress Spring, is talking to Peter Rabbit and has asked him how he likes her new suit.

"I am very fond of brown.  Brown and gray are my favorite colors."  You know Peter's own coat is brown and gray.

"That is one of the most sensible things I have heard you say," chattered Jenny Wren.  "The more I see of bright colors the better I like brown.  It is always in good taste.  It goes well with almost everything.  It is neat and it is useful.  If there is need of getting out of sight in a hurry you can do it if you wear brown.  But if you wear bright colors it isn't easy.  I never envy anybody who happens to have brighter clothes than mine.  I've see dreadful things happen all because of wearing bright colors."

"What?" demanded Peter.

"I'd rather not talk about them," declared Jenny in a very emphatic way.  "'Way down where we spent the winter some of the feathered folks who live there all the year round wear the brightest and most beautiful suits I've ever seen.  They are simply gorgeous.  But I've noticed that in times of danger these are the folks dreadful things happen to.  You see they simply can't get out of sight.  For my part I would far rather be simply and neatly dressed and feel safe than to wear wonderful clothes and never know a minute's peace.  Why, there are some families I know of which, because of their beautiful suits, have been so hunted by men that hardly any are left.  But gracious, Peter Rabbit, I can't sit here all day talking to you!  I must find out who else has arrived in the Old Orchard and must look my old house over to see if it is fit to live in."

The books' pictures had more reading even longer.

And from the Animal book.

The Bird Book, I'm assuming, was given as a Christmas present to its owner because the inside cover has his name and the date "Dec 25, 1942."  My parents were both born the following year. The Bird Book was printed in 1940 and the Animal Book was printed in 1924.

 

The books are available online.  I did purchase the "Burgess Seashore Book for Children" for less than $10, but it is not a hardcover.  The pictures lack color and are printed on the same paper pages as the story.  In my older copies, they are printed on the smooth, glossy paper that makes the colors and images stand out.

We've started reading the Bird Book aloud and I've found myself wanting to read ahead while the children rest.  I do believe these will become treasures in our home.

Need some laughs? This'll do it! :)

Yesterday, Elle asked me to videotape her doing the 1, 2 Buckle my Shoe rhyme. I obliged and got a kick out of Colin in the background. While uploading it, I watched some of our older videos on our "youtube channel" and laughed so hard at Elle singing at 2 1/2. The similarities between the 2 1/2 year old Elle and Colin (almost 3) are almost scary. I've always said they are the most similar - you be the judge watching these 2 videos! Get ready for a smile!


First, yesterday's video ...


The video from 2 years ago (with Colin squeaking in the background) ...


This last one I'm throwing in for some fun laughs too - I love this little guy! This is from 2 years ago as well.


How much they change in just 2 years...sigh...

Some friends and another grump!

My hubby took a picture of some friends that visited the corn pile last week while we were away.

The Boys!  (and a grump!)

Have a great weekend!!

Milk - it does a body good!

My daughter is the sneakiest of our 3 children when it comes to eating.  She is even fussy when it comes to drinking milk.  And the funny thing is, when you ask her what she wants to be when she grows up, her answer is always a doctor...a bone doctor!  She hasn't made the connection between milk and bones yet!

So, last night we had some chili for supper!  A cooler weather favorite in this house.  We typically add a dollup of sour cream to help cool down the kids' bowls.  But, last night, our chili was Smokin'!  And I do mean HOT!  The only thing I did differently was I used chipotle chili instead of regular chili powder.

To ease the burning, we poured a glass of milk for each of the kids.  Well, Elle drank and drank! 

Woohoo - we finally figured out a way to get her to drink milk! ;-)

Wordless Wednesday

Weekend in the dirt...er, mountains ;-)

There always has to be a grump! ;-)

A better picture of the view behind us.

Sunday morning, we drove over the road T and my brother in law (my sister and her family joined us) had gone spotting on the night before.  It was foggy when we started up the mountain, but once we got above the clouds, the view was awesome!

Friday's rain
+ Saturday's drizzle mixed with the dirt roads we drove on and parked in while at a festival
= my dirty vehicle! :-) 

The measure of a good weekend

Can you measure the quality of a weekend by the dirt on a vehicle?

We do! And we did!!

How do you measure your weekends?

Friday's Five - Farm Show Edition

High 5 JM! ;-)

1 - A busy week but we were sure to make time to hit the farm show with some friends!!  Recognize them?

2 - Soccer is more than halfway through it's fall season.  This Sunday's game was played last night - which was a nice change.  Especially when followed by supper at the Farm Show! :-D

Quintin is on the green team again.  There was a boy on the orange team named Quinlan - little bit of confusion when the coaches would call their names!

3 - Last year I posted about the "Farm Show Smoking Santa" and he was here again this year.  I tried to inconspicuously snap a picture from where we were eating last night and it didn't turn out as well as I had hoped - but I think you'll get the idea from his ripped t-shirt! ;-)

Well, that's it for the Farm Show side of Friday's Five!  You have to understand that in our small town, the Farm Show is bigger than Homecoming!  We bumped into many friends this week we haven't seen in over 15 years and it was great to catch up.  It's a great way to support our hometown, local churches and groups.  The milkshake line at one of the local church stands was the longest this year than I've ever seen!

Now, back to our final Friday's Five!

4 - As of today, our first marking period is OVER!

5 - Looking forward to a relaxing weekend!  I hope you have a wonderful one as well! :-D

Wordless Wednesday

Railroad Fieldtrip

Each of the kids participated in the library's summer reading program earning a coupon to ride a train at the local railroad station.  We also used this as bait for Colin to be potty trained.  He was very eager to ride a train and he did a great job to earn his reward.  That was two months ago and the coupons expired at the end of this month, so we decided to go yesterday.  It was a gorgeous day and T even took a few hours off of work to join us.   I'll add that I had kept the coupons on the counter since the end of summer and last week I decided to organize.  I was so organized I forgot where I had put them.  We left for the ride without the coupons and then I found them last night. LOL!!!
The ride took us through lots of the Amish countryside around us and the views were very pretty.  I don't get to enjoy them as I rush past in the business of our everyday. 

And, we're off...

Passing the time while the engine hooks up to the other end of the train to pull us back.

I felt like such a tourist snapping pictures of the Amish and their farms!

It was a great time!  Even though I left the coupons for a free ride at home!