Happy Halloween!

Last night we carved some pumpkins to put on display by the front door, courtesy of ISU. Yesterday evening, I was at ISU picking up copies and I noticed there was a carnival going on in the gym area. So I went in there (the kids were not with me) and saw they had pumpkins already gutted and ready to carve. So I took a couple home with me for the kids to carve. The kids had fun working on the pumpkins. They turned out fantastic!

Today we went to a trunk or treat for our ward. Kaitlyn dressed as Hannah Montana and Jared was a Jack O' Lantern (pumpkin). I did something clever. See if you can figure it out! The answer will be after the slideshow.

I have to credit my costume to my old friend, Michelle W. I saw her today with a cardboard sign hanging around her neck. There was an "I" painted on it. I asked her what the "I" was for and she answered with a question- "What color is the 'I'?" The "I" was pink, so it's Pink Eye! It's gross and funny at the same time! Since I didn't have a costume on, I decided to borrow her idea. Everyone asked me "What's up with the I? So I asked them the same question my friend asked me. So many people thought it was so funny! I put pink lipstick/blush around my eyes, but people didn't really notice that until they figured out the sign!
HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

A few cards I've been working on

I subscribe to a monthly scrapbooking kit. The kit comes with stuff to make cards- envelopes, paper, and all sorts of embellishments. When I got this month's kit, for some reason I just sat down and actually started making cards! I've been getting the kits for 4 months now and this is the first one where I sat down and used it! And I don't send Halloween cards! I guess I'll be giving these to the sisters I visit teach- along with a little treat.

Super Saturday

Today was my ward's Super Saturday. One of the things I learned was to make cards and envelopes using freezer paper and tissue paper! I would never have thought that the two would go together! First we traced a template for the envelope and the card onto the freezer paper (the non-shiny side). Then you iron the tissue paper onto the shiny, slick side. It works like fusible web or whatever it's called. For the envelope you fold the flaps, glue and ta-dah! You've got an envelope! The card is the same except you just fold in half. This is the perfect way to use the tissue paper you get at parties- besides reusing them in other gifts! In some cases, the more crinkly the paper, the better!

Playing with clay

I went to work for a few hours today and left Caleb in charge of Kaitlyn and Jared. When I got home, Caleb and Kaitlyn surprised me with something they made with clay. I don't know if most of you are familiar with the movie "Flushed Away". I borrowed it from the daycare at my office (it has become Jared's favorite movie) and one of the features on the DVD is to "Build a Slug". So Caleb and Kaitlyn were watching that and decided to try it for themselves. I think they did a fabulous job! Check it out!

Pumpkin Patch

This last Monday (Oct 1) Jared's preschool class went to a local farm- Swore Farms- to visit the pumpkin patch. We just had a cold weekend (snow!) and hoped for warm sunshine so the kids could enjoy the field trip. They day started out nice but by the time we got to the pumpkin patch, the wind started picking up and the wind was just enough to make the kids cold. We went through a long corn maze. There were questions posted throughout the maze and the answer you choose determines which way you go. Some were easy but most stumped the adults! It was a good learning experience. After a while, we adults learned that if we didn't know the answer to the question, we could just send the kids ahead to tell us which answer was wrong (wrong answers were dead ends). They had lots of fun!

Snow?!

I know this is a little late to post about the first snow here in Poky. I wanted to share these pictures but never found time to post. The headlines in the newspaper the next day announced that there was 6/10ths of an inch to 2 inches of snow reported throughout Poky. The higher areas (where we are) got 1-2 inches of snow. The snow was gone by the next day though.

A conversation with Jared

Tonight as the older kids were getting ready for bed, I was watching Jared as he went about doing what 3 year olds do best- discover the world around them. I was thinking, with a little sadness, that this little boy that I enjoy being with right now will someday grow up. These words were exchanged-

Mom (to Jared)- You're so cute... I don't want you to grow up.
Jared- But I want to grow up!
Mom- (a small sigh and lost in thought)
Jared- (sigh) Fine, I'll stay small.

If only that were possible. I just thought it was so sweet that he offered to stay small to make me happy. As if he could control his destiny!

Developing a new musical talent

Kaitlyn is learning to play the violin!

Today was her first day in the Strings Program. They only let 3rd through 6th graders learn in this program. If you wait until 7th grade, it's too late. I was really disappointed because I thought I could sign Caleb up for it in 7th grade but everything related to instruments requires previous experience. So, I learned my lesson and signed Kaitlyn up this year. We rented a 3/4 Violin for her to use throughout the year. She has been anxious to learn to play it since we got it. I wish we lived closer to aunts Molly and Shelby! They could help her fine tune her skills. They play the violin beautifully! In fact, Kaitlyn says they're the ones who inspired her to want to play!