November Catch-Up

 Putting leaves on the Thanksgiving Tree. We started out writing just one thing on each leaf at suppertime but it quickly became several things per leaf since we were trying not to have duplicates "gratefuls" and a certain someone started to be thankful for the table, her fork, the vacuum, light bulbs, her right hand, her left hand, etc.. It was a good exercise in being grateful so I saved the tree, I think we'll make it a tradition.

 I love how this picture so accurately portrays their personalities. Our polling place is just beyond one of the parks we frequent so on voting day the kids and I walked there. As we approached the building I stopped to prepare Luca and Madi (and Court but he didn't listen, there were cars to watch) for the type of behavior I expected while we waited in the line, things like silence and no running and silence. Turns out, it was not crowded, I had my choice of seven booths and the kids sat nicely and ate their raisins while 5 of the volunteers (grandmas all, I think) gushed over them and gave them stickers. Luca asked if we "could go there again tomorrow".

 Art day with Noah. We "salt painted" where you draw a design with a bead of elmers glue, cover it with salt and then gently drop watered paint onto the salt and watch the colors race across your design and merge with each other.

 My favorite is Luca's red volcano buried in a green mountain with blue lava spewing out the top.

 Court didn't exactly follow directions.

 Court is a shoe-aholic. He doesn't much care to be barefoot. Socks are for lining shoes, they are not to be worn alone. Sometimes he likes to get out all of his shoes (and some of Luca's too) and just admire them. His favorite pair are not pictured here because of course, he's wearing them.

 On November 2, 2012 Joe and I passed our 10 year anniversary. Holy cow, we're old. Anyway, the next weekend we took our first trip sans kids since, well, since we've had kids and went to Minneapolis. We saw the Vikings play the Lions for my first ever NFL game. Sadly our Lions lost but it was still a very fun afternoon. We ate delicious sushi, went to a movie that wasn't rated G, were amazed by the Terracotta Warriors at the Art Institute, went hiking, slept through two tornadoes (!) and reveled in the long quiet drive.

 When we bought our house it was disclosed to us that the chimney had not been checked in years and they couldn't remember building a fire in even the past decade so this year we called a chimney sweep to do a safety check. As the kids watched in rapt attention while the off duty fireman inspected everything, I realized that they probably didn't even realize that that grate could open, that there was space behind it. I believe I was right because not half an hour after he left I found this. And yes, they were quite sooty.

 This picture just makes me laugh.

 A teaser...Joe (with helpers) put up my curtain rod...Dining Room Makeover!

 Luca gave me one of her headbands to wear (i.e. presented it forcefully and demanded my compliance) and then Court photo-bombed us.

 Love this little boy and his tummy play. He'll plop down randomly with whatever toy, book, blanket is near and kick his little shoes back and forth while he concentrates. (He was a fan of tummy-time as an infant too.)

 A chicken driving a Bobcat? Well, why not?

Snapshots

Sib Love (They're pretty photogenic, I did not pose this.)

Sunday School Pics (Melissa and I bought fabric to make dresses for the girls when they were much younger and I recently found it resting forlornly at the bottom of my stash. Luca and Miya are big enough that we had to add side panels to the original pattern but they still loved them. Matching headbands too!)

Saying Cheese, or in Court-speak "Chepbth"

 Helping Daddy make some sort of yummy dessert.

 Napping with Daddy

 Three nights in a row with 102-105 temps and wanting to sleep most of the day. Luca does not usually get severe fevers or the flu but whatever bug she got this time around had her down for the count and had me "sleeping" in her bed to make sure her temp did not go over 105 degrees. I know my Bean Girl really doesn't feel well if she doesn't want me to leave her. Sure enough, Miss Independence was back by Monday!

Court's newest game.

 Sweet boy

 Learning to use a spoon....on a cupcake.

 He can successfully use a spoon, he eats his breakfast cereal with one every morning.

 

 Where's Luca?

 Painting the dining room, with helpers.

Another new Court skill- climbing up and down ladders unassisted.

 Flashback Crafts. Luca and I were looking through one of my childhood photo albums and we found this picture of me in front of our fridge showing off my leaf crafts when I was 4 years old.

 So we made this: the Luca version, 4 years old.

Oh How I Love Fall!

 Heading out on a leaf hunt

 Playing with the hedge apples which make very good bowling balls according to Court.

 Fall color on the porch.

 Leaf art inspired by pinterest. Other than helping her choose three good leaves for chicks and cutting "bumps" for clouds, Luca created this entirely by herself.

 Her fish (I gave input on the tail leaf and small fin, the rest she did herself.)

 What would October be without caramel apples? Especially when the Honeycrisps are on sale. Mmmmmmmmm.

 A caramel covered Honeycrisp apple dipped in white chocolate and rolled in cinnamon and brown sugar makes a girl happy.

 It's also a good thing to surprise a Daddy with.

 And of course, we have to share with all.

 One more pumpkin craft.

Ladybug Girl and Dragon Boy

  Heading to Boo at the Zoo...

 

 Loving the spider webs...

 Pumpkin Carving

 Awwww

 Hitting up the neighbors for more candy...