Thanksgiving Activities

My daughter's teacher passed out a list of "First Thanksgiving" recipes that he wanted the parents to volunteer to make and bring in to school so the kids could experience a real "first thanksgiving". I looked over the list and thought to myself "The kids aren't going to want to eat any of these" and so I decided to pick the least expensive one to make, because I didn't want to waste money and a lot of food. I decided to make a whole baked pumpkin stuffed with apples and maple syrup.
I served it up at school, and forgot to take any pictures of the inside or servings. I was right though- the kids ate the apples and thought the pumpkin part was not that great. At least I wasn't left with a bunch of pickled eggs, succotash, or swizzle drink.

Miss B's class had a project of making a turkey out of things you had at home and writing a persuasive speech of why you wouldn't want to eat this turkey for thanksgiving. She found an old watering can in our garage and decorated it. She did a great job.

The girls were in charge of making the fruit turkeys this year to keep our tradition alive. They had fun doing it, and they turned out pretty cute.

KP had to work a day shift on Thanksgiving so we brought the dinner over to his workplace and made it there. It worked out great. They got a few calls, but had to turn them down for weather, so they all got to eat with us.

Here is the whole crew. We were watching the annual dog show in the background. Good stuff I tell ya.

KP was allowed to grow a mustache for the month of November-something to do with men's health month. I just had to take a picture of it, because I don't think we have any other pictures of him when he has decided to grow facial hair at other times. I am glad it will be gone by December!

Perks of being in Student Council

Miss A got to emcee an awards assembly this last month. I wasn't sure if I would get a good picture of her at the assembly so I took a picture of her before school.

This is a short video of her demonstrating the different ways you can applaud the award winners. The other videos are too long to download to this. So family members will have to see them later.

House redecorating

This entry is mostly for myself. This is to remind me that all the changes and hard work we put into redecorating the house was worth it. I think our house looks better, even if I did have to paint over all the fun colors that I had in the house before. And the girls' rooms are a little plainer, but I fizzled out on having to buy more decor for the house. Now it is just a waiting game, the right buyer will come along eventually. 
Before picture of entry:

And then the after picture:

The great room before:

The Fireplace after:

Old Office/piano room:

New office/piano room:

Old kitchen:

New kitchen:

Old Master Bedroom:

New master bedroom

Old Master bath:

New master Bath:

Old A's room:

New A's Room:

Old B's room:

New B's room:

Old C's room:

New C's room:

Costumes

This year we had a vampire, a bat and a tinker bell.

Caramel apples

We had a friend invite us to do caramel apples with her family. It was really fun and we might have to do it every year around this time.

Ready for caramel apple dipping!

Miss B dipping an apple in caramel.

The final product, we put the sprinkles on too late, but the apples were delicious.

Pumpkin Patch

Little C had a field trip to the pumpkin patch and I got to go with her. It was a beautiful day, but had been raining before so the pumpkin patch was a bit muddy.

The kids got to pick out a small pumpkin and bring it home. This is C's good friend from school. Her name is Ava. She was in our group and she was hilarious. They seem so serious when they are at school when your volunteering, but when you get them out of the classroom then the kids personalities really shine.

The kids enjoyed a hayride to and from the pumpkin patch.

The kids got to have a snack and apple cider afterwards as well. The sun was very bright that day.

They also had some fun playing on the hay bales and running around.

Birthday Party

This year we went the easy route. With our house up for sale, I didn't want a lot of kids and mess in the house after a party so we had the party at the local roller rink. We got cookie cakes for this birthday. I didn't have time to make a cake this year. It might be the first year, I didn't make a cake.

 We split the candles on the two cookies to give her a challenge in blowing out the candles. She did a good job, but a friend jumped in and helped her after she missed a couple.

 
It was nearly impossible to get a picture of "A" skating. So after many blurred shots, this is the best one. The day was great, and not too many extra people were at the roller rink which made it a lot more fun. The kids requested their favorite songs, and also did the hokey pokey and the chicken dance as well.

This is "A" humoring her mother in trying to get a picture of her at the roller rink. Of course she wanted to continue skating with her friends.

Still happy at the end of the party. I guess mission accomplished! She had a really good time. She was really looking forward to her party with friends.

The sun will come out tomorrow!

One of my beloved person's who shall remain anonymous, gave me these flowers after a few rough days, with a note that said " The sun will come out tomorrow!"  And I know it will. I was very grateful for them.

Reflection of Primary beginnings

When I was first called as Primary president of the ward, we had only been in the ward for 5 months.I really didn't know a lot of people. I accepted with the comfort that I had served in other Primary presidencies, so I thought I was up to the task as long as the Lord helped me. Then worry and feelings of being overwhelmed over took me for the first few weeks. I cried a lot after church. I worried that if I made a mistake- it wasn't just affecting a few kids ( like my own) but affecting about 100 kids! It frankly scared me. I remember talking to my mom who had been a primary president herself and telling her I felt like a basket case. She told me " Moses started off as a basket case too." It really made me laugh, and I really needed a laugh. She also said that being Primary president was one of her favorite callings. I couldn't think of it at the beginning being one of my favorite callings, but it has grown to be one of my favorite callings. I learn so much from the kids, and I love being with them.  Who doesn't want to be serenaded by a choir of angels every Sunday, and feel their excitement as they learn the gospel and share their thoughts (stories) with us? The primary program is one of the highlights of the year for me, and this year it was rescheduled to Oct. 16th. This change however made it so that KP couldn't come because he had to work and he couldn't get out of it or the base would have to go out of service which really looks bad, so he had to miss it. The night before the program little C came down with a fever and some really bad coughing. NNOOOO!!! Little C couldn't miss the program and I REALLY DIDN'T want to miss the program because I would have to stay home with her. Well I prayed very fervently that she would get better and that the whole family would be able to attend. The Lord must still love me or I haven't screwed up the Primary kids too much, because He answered that prayer. Little C got up the next morning like her usual self. No sickness at all, but somehow I lost my voice-too much pleading I guess. But we made it to church and the Primary Program was a success and I was so thankful that I hadn't missed it. I know some day I will be released, but I will look back on this time and these kids and forever be grateful to be a part of it.