Jack-o-Lanterns

10.31.14

Pumpkin Carving Time

[Skeleton, KC Chiefs, and a Zombie]

Spooky Things

Halloween Breakfast:

Witches Brew Smoothie

and Zombie Stew Cream of Wheat

{Ooooooooo}

               

                The kids couldn't do Blood and Gore for School 

so they came up with these beauties:

   A Vampire, a Hippie and a Soccer Star

Then at night they got to let their Spooky Selves Shine!

Mom activities

My kids attend a year-round school,
so they attend school, year round, but have
3 week breaks about every 9 weeks.
We actually LOVE it!

While my kids were "Off-Track" in October,

I tried to have a fun "Mom Activity"

for Me and Them to do together Everyday.

I've been doing this for the last year,

when ever they have been off-track,

and they really enjoy it, and so do I!

Here is a peak of what we did in October:

Picked out Grody Gourds

Made Fall Banners

Took Treats to Neighbors

Had a "Wear Orange" Day

Made Carmel Apples

Made "Witches Hats"

Read Spooky Stories

Had a "Poet's Society"- they each memorized a  

Fall/Halloween poem to share with us

A Movie with Popcorn

and

An Afternoon of Witches 

One night,

Dad Decided to plan the Activity for the Boys

and He planned something that 

was much Cooler than any of My Mom Activities,

in that it involved getting Messy!

A look-for-the-prizes-in-the-cool-whip-with-your-face-kind-of-activity!

And they Loved it, of course!

On our Last Day of Off-Track,

I did something the Boys had been looking forward to

for weeks-

They got the money they had been earning and saving,

and we all rode our bikes down about 

a mile and a half (on sidewalks)

to a Convenience Store,

and I let them each use $2 to pick out a treat or drink

that they wanted to buy.

(I was very good,

and said nothing about sugar content, 

or healthy vs unhealthy choices,

just smiled and let them have a little fun)

They had to use their math and buying skills

and the clerk was very patient with them,

even though they slowed down the line.

I LOVED doing this Outing with them.

It was a BEAUTIFUL Fall afternoon,

the leaves were falling gently here and there,

they were kind and patient with each other,

and

I had this feeling,

that THIS is what I had hoped Motherhood 

would be like when I was a little girl,

and had wanted to be a Mom.

I don't know how to explain it-

My heart was full and Happy and it seemed Magical.

I never want to forget this afternoon.

Birthday Girl

Pretty Much the Perfect Birthday for Me
looks like this:

Early Morning Run

[Earning that "Extra Frosting" Badge from my Running app]

Breakfast in Bed,

Money for new Running Shoes,

a New Cookbook,

Sushi,

and Chocolate Cake

A couple of very sweet gifts:

7 yr old wrapped a handful of pennies for me-

in christmas paper, all by himself.

And a Bundle of Red Roses from my sweet Husband and Boys.

It was a Wonderful Day

10.19.14

Fall Family Hike

Pumpkin patch

My Mom Hosts
a Fall Festival for all our Family
every October at her house,
and along with hot dog roasts and hot chocolate,
and lots of cousins to play with,
We always make a trip to a local Pumpkin Patch.

And it is a Pumpkin Patch that is stocked with all locally

grown pumpkins and squash like you wouldn't believe-

of all kinds and varieties!

Annnndd,

it looks like I only got pics of One of My Pumpkins,

at the Pumpkin Patch.

Cute, though,

real cute.

You've Had a Birthday!

Look Who's 7!

The Birthday Boy got Breakfast in Bed

with Presents,

including a new soccer ball-

so we had a game of backyard soccer

to test it out.

And who won?

The Birthday Boy of course!

On the first day of being 7,

he said he could tell that he was taller,

liked more food,

had more muscles,

could kick farther,

and was much more smarter.

Turning 7

changes a person, 

I tell ya.

Soccer Mom Stripes

Can You tell how we've been spending our Saturdays

and weeknights?

Dad Coaches the Older Boys' Team.

And I Hop from Field to Field to Root for Them all!

I LOVE watching them Play-

My Mom Heart 

just swells with Love and Pride for them! 

General Conference

Remember THIS POST from April?
Here it is, October.
Remember how I said I had some plans
for a Less-Sugary kind of Reward Plan/Conference Consessions?
What do you think?

Instead of Sugary Treats Galore,

I made more healthy options 

that the kids like

[I used my no refined Sugar recipes],

including chocolate covered strawberries,

popcorn, almonds, and fruit leather.

Also,

we made coupons the kids could use 

for extra game time,

lunch with mom,

or

a trip to get an ice cream cone

(I figured a one time outing for a treat, 

was better than a bucket of candy to munch on for weeks).

Also,

we had lots of non-food items for the kids,

that we knew they would like.

I thought I would get lots of complaints,

but there were none-

they were quite pleased with their options!

Just to restate what this is all about:

Twice a year,

our Church has General Conference,

where we can watch on TV (or attend in person),

and listen to the words of our Prophets and apostles.

In our Family we encourage our kids to watch,

and take good notes (or draw pictures for the young ones)

for at least one of the 2 hour sessions.

And we reward them (bribe them?)

by giving them points for doing well,

and they can use the points at our

Conference Concession Stand,

to purchase things to enjoy during the next session of conference

(there are 4 2-hour sessions over two days).

Also, 

a Special time in our Family-

Our Oldest Boy turned 12

and was able to attend the Priesthood Session

with his Dad, Grandpa, Uncles and Cousins.

Even though anyone can watch the meeting 

on TV or via internet, it is a Special time and tradition

that the men 12 and over attend together.

And I believe the tradition

also calls for Ice Cream after the Meeting! 

[My Heart Loves this Picture]