Halloween

We went trick or treating tonight with a few of the neighborhood kids. The weather was great, there were a ton of kids out and two of our neighbors had bonfires going. Everyone had a blast!

Homeschool conversation

We spent another beautiful day at the park today with some friends. On the way home I asked Abby what she wanted to do once we "officially" start homeschooling next year. She said she wanted to learn her letters and numbers. I told her we could start working on that now if she wanted to and she thought that was great and announced that we were starting our first day of homeschool today. After dinner she realized we hadn't done her school stuff (she was playing with the neighbors and went on a walk by the river) and declared that we will do it tomorrow right after we eat breakfast and get dressed. We have music class tomorrow at 9 and are meeting friends for a hike afterwards so we shall see what happens. It will be interesting to see if she wants me to "teach" her or if she wants to just practice on her own. She already knows how to write her letters but not any numbers. We'll see.

Pumpkins

Yesterday was a beautiful fall day. We spent the whole day outside absorbing as much sun as we possibly could. Abby played with the neighbor kids and helped carve pumkpins with one of the families. While she was playing, Joe and I scooped the guts out of the pumpkin that dad and Abby carved after dinner. Joe thought it was great fun to feel the goopy innards. Abby really enjoyed drawing the type of face she wanted for her jack-o-lantern and worked hard at trying to carve it.

Fall Day

This morning we went to a make-up music class. Shawn had the day off so he went with us which was really nice for me. During the class the teacher talked about macro and micro beats and later in the afternoon Abby was sorting her beads into macro and micro bead piles. I thought that was awesome. Later I asked if she knew what was a micro or macro beat and she said no so I showed her by clapping the different beats on my legs. I think she was a little disappointed that it wasn't beads the teacher had been talking about.
While Joe napped with dad, Abby and I made chocolate mint (gf/cf)cookies and then went on a walk. It was nice to have that alone time with her and knowing that I didn't have to keep one ear to the monitor.



Later we raked leaves and played in the piles. Abby loved jumping in the leaves and Joe loved playing with Abby's fishing pole. He is already figuring out how to cast. He can push the button to release the line and he is attempting to reel it in.
My kids are awesome!
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Making apple sauce

About two weeks ago we went to the orchard and picked a bunch of apples. Abby has really been into eating applesauce lately and so she wanted to make our own. I was able to borrow an apple peeler and corer from our neighbor, which turns out is an awesome gadget. Abby used it to peel a few apples but got tired of it quickly. Joe and Shawn ended up doing the majority of the work. We cooked the apples down and then froze some and put some in the refrigerator for Abby's breakfast tomorrow.

Lanterns

Today Abby and I made lanterns for her lantern walk at Maple Tree Cottage. Her favorite color is purple which you can see from her lantern.

homeschooling

My mom asked me today when I was going to start taking classes to learn how to teach my kids. I guess I will be hearing these sorts of comments more and more. Of course now that Abby is 5 we get the non-stop kindergarten questions.

weekend

We started our Friday by going to Gleason's open gym and watching the kiddos run, jump and bounce. It was hilarious to see Joe bounce on the trampoline, he absolutely loved it. Abby loved running up and down the long trampoline and then jumping into the foam pit. In the late afternoon we intentionally tryed to catch the chicken pox. Abby shared suckers and Joe shared a sippy cup with two girls who had the pox! From there we went to a halloween themed bday party. Between the pox stop and the bday party we stopped at the co-op and Abby learned where paper bags come from. Lately, everytime we go somewhere she wants her own bag. Usually I don't mind or I try and remember to bring her bag. This time we only got butter and so did not need a bag. When I said no she got really mad. When I stopped and explained to her why I thought it was wasteful and told her where the bags came from (cut down trees) she was like oh ok - but of course my ever thinking girl said well what about plastic :) It is funny how if you take the time to explain things kids of course get it.
Saturday we missed music class because Abby slept in and instead we went and cheered on a friend who ran a half marathon. We then went to the PO for an API meeting and snacks. Home for lunch and nap. Abby had a playdate here so we played in the yard and enjoyed one of the last warm Fall days.
Today the reality that winter is coming struck us as a few snowflakes fell from the sky and we hunkered down in the house. While Joe napped, Abby and I made GF/CF pumpkin bars. She has really been getting into helping in the kitchen. Afterwards, I mixed up some paint for her and she painted while I made dinner.

In the beginning

This is my first post to my first blog. I decided to create this so that I can document our "relaxed homeschooling" days and have something to look back at periodically to see if I am living the sort of life I really want to be living.