Halloween at CFJ!

(Let me just say that I am a little disappointed that after asking many times, Molly's teacher this year did not accept any of my offers to come in to help in the classroom with organizing a Halloween party for the kids.  Hence, I have no pictures of what they did in the classroom, as I WASN'T INVITED.  BOO!!)

Caleb's class enjoying lots of goodies prior to the Halloween parade.

This is about the best look that I could get from him whilst eating.

Mugging up to the camera

He wore the whole Batman costume that I spent a long time sewing by hand.  I am so very freaking excited by this!!  He looked awesome!!!

With the other boys in his class, watching the other classes parade by first.

Molly as  CFL lightbulb.  You just can't see the tealight on her head, but it is there.

Weekend visit to Chautauqua

We spent a quick but beautiful weekend in Chautauqua in mid-October.  Granddad heads home to NC at the end of the month, so we squeezed in a fast trip over to see him off and enjoy the quiet grounds.   The weather cooperated for the most part and the kids spent a lot of time outside, hanging out at one of their favorite playgrounds and enjoying our huge front yard (aka Sherwood).  

Molly and Potter on the climbing playground.  It is set back off the main path, but now that it has been around a few years, the wood have grown up around it and it stays well hidden.  I don't think many kids would ever find this playground on their own.

The playground at the Children's School is not as age appropriate, but they still had fun.  Boys whirled Molly around and around, luckily without puking.

A smaller, but still enjoyable, climbing adventure.

Caleb on the other side of the Children's School at yet another playground.

Potter, Granddad, and Caleb.  You can see, they are going to double the size of the sand pit over the winter.

Just relaxing on a chilly morning.

Ping pong was extremely popular this visit.  Granddad got some new paddles and balls and there were many face offs in the basement.

On our way out of town, we stopped by Jamestown to visit Granny.  I miss her.

Craftiness

A bunch of paper flowers I made.  They are pretty to attach to gifts.

I used Mod Podge to attach fabric scraps to a vase for a fall-ish look.

Potter cut out a jack-o-lantern face on paper that we inserted into a tall cylindrical vase with a tea light.

I found this idea on Pinterest.   I painted a canvas and used scrapbook papers in coordinating colors to make the petals of the flower.  The colors are different in person, but I think it is very beautiful!!  I have a second canvas that I think I'll make another one in funky colors.

Disco Halloween pumpkin!!!

Star Wars day at Barnes and Noble

Our local Barnes and Noble had Star Wars day a few Saturdays ago.  There were MANY characters, all volunteers, who dressed up and roamed around the store, posing for pictures and answering questions.  There was a scavenger hunt where each child had to find the 6 stations around the bookstore, using the given clues.  Upon earning a sticker for finding each station, each kid got a prize and was entered into a drawing for other prizes.  My kids had a FANTASTIC time on this day!!!

Making Yoda stick puppets in the kid's section

Posing with some bounty hunters, their weapons made realistic sounds.  And they had really awesome costumes.  I think it was a father/daughter duo.

Posing with the big man himself.  The sounds that this guy made were just like the Darth Vader breathing sounds in the movies.  Eerie!!

Posing with R2-D2.   This was a droid built by a man, over the course of 2 years (yikes) that was controlled with a remote.  The dome of the head moves around in a 360 and he lights up and makes all the sounds that the movie version does.  He can also move all over the store with the remote.  This was probably the most impressive character we saw.

Posing with a Sand Woman.  She didn't say anything.

Another awesome photo with Boba Fett.  A favorite character with my kids.

Caleb turns 6!!

October 2nd, my baby turned 6, hard to believe!!  We had dinner while he opened some presents (a night early, shhhhhh), and then on his birthday morning, all the kids were up early, so he opened the rest of his presents in very short order!!  

Starting the unwrapping at dinner..............

New baseball bat, which sadly, didn't last very long.

Birthday morning, Potter ready for school and the other kids in jammies

Bubble wrap is a big hit!!

Legos........

Gift cards, always a good present.  Open it, then make another trip out to use it!!!

BOSTON HAT!!!

Dirt cups with gummi worms.  Ick.

Caleb wanted to take a couple friends mini golfing for his birthday, so on a windy and chilly day, we headed out to Chucksters for 18 holes of fun!!

Caleb with his friend from school, Kameron

Caleb showing some good golfing form, in action to boot!!

Caleb is watching everyone tee off

Kameron, (sibling of Dominic), Dominic - friend from school, Caleb at the longest mini golf hole on the planet!!!

Having treats and opening presents!!

Group shot after bellies full of more dirt cups

After his friends went home, we stayed on and the kids each got a turn in the batting cages.  Fun!!!

Potter

 Molly (that girl can whack the ball!)

Dave (the biggest kid)

First day of school

Ok, so it is almost the end of October and I am just now getting these pictures on the blog.   Better late than never!!

Potter, 7th grader

Caleb (K), Potter (7), Molly (2)

He is sooooooo ready for kindergarten :)

Beautiful girl!!

Me and my kiddos

Dave and the kids (with a longing doggy in the house)