Happy Halloween!

Benjamin dressed up like Mickey Mouse this year.

And I must admit he makes quite a handsome mouse.

Faith dressed up as Minnie Mouse.

And she is quite adorable as well.

Here's Mickey and Minnie together.

And Minnie was fascinated by Mickey's tail because she doesn't have one.

Mickey was just as fascinated by Minnie's ears.

They played outside for quite a bit today.

Then we finalized costumes.

And then played some more.

Finally Grace got home!

She dressed up as a ghost.

And she got to ride her bike and play, too.

Trick or treating doesn't begin until 6:30.

Such a long time for the children to wait.

But finally it was time to get their buckets.

And hit the streets.  

Cars and golf carts full of children lined the sidewalks.  And the candy giving began.  David took the kids while I passed out candy.  He took all three down our street and then dropped Benjamin off with me.  Benjamin helped give out candy and he ate quite a bit while the girls went to some houses a street over.   

Funny story:  Benjamin had a poo poo and I let him sit in it because of the nonstop flow of kids.  One little girl asked me what that horrible smell was.  I told her Benjamin had a stinky diaper and I was going to change him after we finished giving out candy.  Then I offered her some candy and she replied "No thanks.  I think I'll get some from the next.  It smells over here."  Who ever heard of a kid not wanting Halloween candy?  Hilarious.

The kids made out with quite a stash of candy. 

I couldn't believe how much they brought home and I have no idea what we are going to do with it all.  Maybe a Halloween fairy needs to come visit our house...

Bug Parade

First graders had a bug parade today.

Grace was a butterfly.

Benjamin thought she was gorgeous.

Faith ran around to "ex-size" (exercise) before the parade began.

There's our favorite little bug!

And here she is with her bug-filled class.

There was one cockroach, a couple of flies, two praying mantises, several butterflies, a bumble bee, lots of lady bugs, one little spider, and an awesome teacher keeping them all together.

Report card

Grace brought home her report card and she made all As and 1 B.  We're super proud of her.

How a pumpkin grows

Grace came home with a little book she helped write.

It's called How A Pumpkin Grows

First, you have to plant the seed.

Next, the sprout grows.

Then, a flower bud grows.

After that, a small green pumpkin grows.

Finally you have a large pumpkin.

I never realized how much I would enjoy seeing the work Grace does in school each day.  And they do a lot of school work.  She brings stacks home each day with reading, spelling, handwriting, English, math...  It's a joy to see how she matures and learns a little bit more each day.  I love to see her attempt to spell words she hasn't learned yet.  And I'm a little envious of her simple view of the world.  She's so sweet and innocent.   And each afternoon I look forward to her face lighting up as she excitedly tells me about all the new things she has learned at school that day.  I am so thankful that she enjoys school and is eager to learn.  It is a trait that I hope she never loses because she still has quite a bit of learning to do...

Costume party

One of Grace's best friends invited her to a costume party at her dance class.

Grace wanted to be a ghost.  So this Momma made her a girly ghost costume.  (Thank you Pinterest!)  I have decided that making costumes is one of the best parts of all the Halloween fun.  

And here they are ready to party in their Halloween costumes.  What fun.

Two pediatrician appointments

Benjamin had his 18 month appointment today and he wasn't happy about it.

He is 36 1/4 inches tall and weighs.   He's off the charts for his height and is in the 95 the percentile for his weight.

Grace finally went in for her 6 year visit.  She weighed 48 pounds and is 48 inches tall and she's in the 80% for height and 60% for weight.   And everybody, including Faith and me received our flu vaccinations.  I should specify that we received the flu mist because I'm a total weenie when it comes to shots.  Unfortunately for Benjamin his only option was the shot...

Outdoor decor

We aren't really into the ghosts and goblins with Halloween.  So instead, we decorate with our scarecrow family and pumpkins.  And we are ready for the trick or treating to begin.

BOO to our neighbors!

We are boo-ing our neighbors tonight.

We filled up a bag full of treats and now we're going to sneak up, drop them off, ring the doorbell, and run away.  And then tomorrow they will get to boo someone else.  How fun.

50th day of school

Grace brought a little booklet home about their 50th day of school.

So far Grace is having a rocking good time.

Her handwriting is starting to improve but we're still working on her spelling.

And she's still writing some of her numbers backwards.  We're working on that, too.

My favorite part?  In her mind she doesn't change a bit when she turns 50.  Grace told me, "When I'm 50 years old I will be tall with curly hair and clothes.  And I'll still be beautiful because that's the way God made me."    

Seth Graduates and is now a Marine

We got to see Seth actually graduate today.

First we saw officers.

Then the platoons marched in.

This is Seth's platoon. 

They stood so still.

And in neat formation.

The saluted.

And the band marched through.

Then they stood at rest while some speeches were made.

This was their commander I think.

Here's a closeup with Seth.  Can you find him?  He's the third guy in the row to the right of the flag. 

Then each platoon marched by.

I took pictures of just about everyone in Seth's platoon.

Constantly searching for Seth's face.

There he is.

He was so solemn.

Then they marched around.

And stood at attention again.

The flag holders marched out.

The recruits said "Yes Sir!" to something.

Then they were dismissed.  Can you find Seth?  He's the only one really smiling.

What a handsome soldier he makes.

Grace again was the first one to him.

There I am with my not-so-little brother.

There he is with Hope.

After the ceremony we headed to Buffalo Wild Wings to eat.

And they made a special burger just for him.

And it was good to see him.

And all too soon it was time to go home.  I hope to see him soon.  And I pray he stays safe while serving us and our country.