Halloween Festivities

The Halloween festivities kicked off with our homeschool co-op fall party on Friday, October 18th.  The kids dressed up in costumes, we played games, we read a Halloween book and decorated (and then ate) pumpkin cookies.  

Wrap the mummy game.  

There were lots of giggles during this game.  

Putting detail into their cookie decorating.  

This little kitty thinks the more sprinkles the better.  

Hudson is a kid who pays attention to detail, another thing I love about him.  

We went to The Great Pumpkin party, which Valley Church in West Des Moines hosts every October, and the whole princess gang was there so Greta's night was made.  

Prince Eric, Ariel and our little black cat.  

Peek-a-boo smiles.  

Greta found Dorothy and Toto and asked for a picture.  

Exploring with the kinetic sand in the science room.   

And making a spin art project in the art room.  

We carved pumpkins on Sunday night.  Greta wasn't feeling well so Roy did hers.  Such concentration from this boy (with his tongue out).  

Impressed with Hudson's completed pumpkin once again this year!

Greta decided awhile back she wanted to be a black cat for Halloween.  The funny thing is, she is terrified of most animals, including cats.  I tried to convince her to just wear something we already had here that would work for a Halloween costume but she was persistent.  I reached out to my mom, sent her a picture I found on Pinterest and a few weeks later her costume arrived in the mail, a "fancy" black cat.  Thanks to Mimi all of Greta's black cat dreams came true.  

In central Iowa Beggar's Night happens on Oct. 30, which still seems kind of strange to me.  

The kids prepared their jokes to tell...

Greta - What does a kitty eat for dessert? 

A mice cream cone

Hudson - Why did Cinderella get kicked off the basketball team?  

Because she kept running away from the ball 

Love these two so much!  It's still hard for me to believe that next year we will have a baby to add to this picture.  My heart is excited to add another one to our mix and yet sad to see our days with just these two change. 

Hudson chose to be a referee, just like his Daddy.  

Nature Hike with Friends

On Thursday, October 17th we went on a fall nature hike with friends to Jester Park.  It proved to be a perfect fall afternoon to explore, hike and enjoy God's creation.    

We spotted 4 wholly bear caterpillars throughout the afternoon.  

The group of eager naturalists ready to see what they will discover.  

So many textures, colors and beauty can be found in the woods, if only you go looking.  

Greta is able and interested at participating in more learning activities this year, which has been fantastic.  I love seeing her joy for learning grow.    

Taking a stop for some journaling in our nature notebooks.  

Hudson working on his drawing by the pond.  

When we started our Nature Notebooks last fall Greta would basically just scribble.  Now she looks at something, draws it and asks me to label items on her picture.  

A highlight of the afternoon was when Mrs. Beth grabbed a frog out of the pond.  The kids thought it was awesome.  You aren't going to see this Mama being quite that brave anytime soon.  

Yeah for a relaxing afternoon with friends!  

Amazed by God's handiwork, the beauty of his creation surrounds us.  

We Love Fall!

Some other fall happenings for our family have included...

Faith in Action Sunday with friends from church.  We worked to clean up the courtyard at a Des Moines Middle School.  It's true...many hands make light work.  We are thankful for the opportunity to bless and encourage the students and staff.    

Greta was invited to a "birthday party at a hair salon" and she thought it was close to the greatest thing on earth.  She loves everything girly and savored every moment of the afternoon.  

The party included getting her hair braided, complete with glitter and getting her nails painted.  

Sewing cards during our morning school time together.  

Apple matching of the upper and lowercase letters.  

Mm is for Mimi and M&M's.  

Hudson enjoyed playing in the creek near our house with friends on a warm afternoon when his school work was finished.  

Hudson did another session of Art Camp this month with Mrs. Kehoe and his homeschool co-op friends.

The first session they made this big canvas pumpkin painting.  

Another Pre-K story time and craft for Greta Girl.  "Mommy, Corduroy has Daddy's name in it, R-O-Y."  I am so thankful to teach her and watch her make connections and learn new things.  

A Lego Club creation for Mr. Hudson.  

Our annual painting pumpkins activity.  

I love to do art projects with my kids and we keep all the supplies handy.  

Unicorn pjs, Captain Crunch cereal and her Laura Ingall's night cap create some morning smiles.  

Ice cream cone math is so sweet.  

Greta is currently in her last level of Kindermusik (makes Mommy so sad).  Part of the curriculum includes learning to play a dulcimer.  Each student had a chance to purchase one and decorate it to their liking.  We painted Greta's pink (Greta's favorite) and added gold polka dots (Mommy's favorite).  She is enjoying strumming and making up her own songs.    

Pizza on the grill prepared by this guy.  

Greta and Daddy went to the Adel Cross Country meet and she got to ride on the big yellow bus.  

New coordinating Mickey and Minnie Mouse pjs from Mimi.  

Another fall Art Camp creation, this one Greta got to make too...scarecrows.  

Greta with her favorite pals, Laura and Karleigh.  

During their last week of Art Camp they worked on a perspective drawings, a challenge she thought they were ready for and Hudson enjoyed.  

Bedtime stories and snuggles with my (oldest) girl.  

Often times its just Greta and I at the grocery store (we got while Hudson is at Lego Club or Lego League) and she always requests a race car cart.  I don't exactly love pushing this big clumsy thing around the store but she is thrilled so I go with it.  

Hudson entered a coloring contest at Nobbies Party Store and he got 1st place.