Our Week

We had a wonderful last week, and here are three pictures for you. Above is our annual picture with Santa Claus at Fantasy of Trees. I think it turned out pretty cute. :) Both kids talked to Santa, and Josiah even hugged him at the end of the photo shoot. So super sweet.
Josiah's half birthday was on Thanksgiving Day this year. He is officially 5 1/2 years old. Granna and Z-pa bought him a turkey cake to celebrate. He told me today that his favorite part of Thanksgiving week was celebrating his half birthday.

To complete our week, last night Mackenzie's other top front tooth was so loose that I insisted on pulling it. On the third try, I got it! Here is her new smile. I believe she is adorable in this phase. She says she is embarrassed to be missing those two top front teeth. After assuring her that she is beautiful, both inside and out, I tucked her into bed. The tooth fairy came while she was sleeping. All is well in our world that seems so full of fun milestones these days!

Thanksgiving School Parties

It's official. The kids are out of school for Thanksgiving break! Yippeee! :)I joined Mackenzie's class for their party this afternoon. Mackenzie did a great job of quoting her memorized lines for the Thanksgiving program that her class did in the room. I am proud of how well she did! Above is Shaun and Mackenzie.
Her class decorated giant sugar cookies for the party activity.

Mackenzie, Savannah, and Hollie

Part of Josiah's class. His class all had t-shirts with a turkey made from the child's hand print on it. Super cute. They were out of dress code and in turkey shirts with pajama bottoms and slippers today!

Most of the boys in Josiah's class are in the picture. I love how excited they are, though I have no idea just what happened to cause such happy faces! Made for a great picture, though.

Mackenzie and Josiah, ready to head home for the holiday!

Classroom Crafts

I am so incredibly thankful for my job that allows me the flexibility to work and still be present for my children's classroom activities. I had the opportunity to do a craft with Josiah's class last Friday. One of the things we made was a Christmas door hanger. Kids had fun. I did, too! Above is Josiah, Tucker, Isaac, and Riley.
Josiah busy painting his ornament craft. (Yes, we did Christmas crafts before Thanksgiving because the stores were sold out of Thanksgiving crafts, lol!)

Rylan, Josiah, and me.

Rylan and Josiah. Definitely buddies!

Today, I had the opportunity to join Mackenzie's class in making a Ginger Bread house for the Fantasy of Trees, a fund raiser for Children's Hospital. Above: Sophia, Emma, McKenna, and Mackenzie.

Mackenzie, McKenna, and Emma

Caleb and Mackenzie mixing icing for the gingerbread house.

Mackenzie and Savannah taking a turn at decorating.

Mackenzie and me with the finished ginger bread house!

The kids tried to make a cross out of skittles on the roof on this side.

This side of the roof has a Christian fish on it, and "Baby Jesus" (i.e., Ginger Bread Man) is in the Manger at the front door!

I think the kids did a great job. We all had fun. I think the best part was watching the kids enjoy some of the left over candies! I loved getting to be with the kids for these fun activities at school.

Trunk or Treat

Tonight was Trunk or Treat at church. Here's my two kids: an angel and Jango Fett off of Star Wars. :) Ready to enjoy some crafts and games!
Allison, Lauren, Mackenzie, and Josiah

Mackenzie making a bracelet craft.

Josiah "fishing" for candy. Fun game!

Jango Fett

Josiah, Britton, and Owen

Mackenzie, with Josiah close behind her, making the rounds to gather candy. Another annual Trunk or Treat. Another fun memory made.

Pumpkin Patch

About a week ago, following our annual tradition, we headed out to the pumpkin patch with our friends. We all look forward to the day at Oakes Farms each year. My two little pumpkins! Aren't they cute?! :)
Mackenzie holding a little pumpkin in her hands.

Josiah holding a little pumpkin in his hands.

Mackenzie "holding" Josiah, lol. They do have fun together!

Josiah driving the tractor with Mackenzie riding along behind it. (Okay, they were just pretending. Not really driving it!)

This thing is really neat. It is like a balloon trampoline. David, Bill, and all four kids enjoyed jumping on it!

Zoomed in on the four kids.

Josiah, Mackenzie, Lauren, Allison
(Petting zoo in background.)

All four kids peering in at the animals in the petting zoo area.

These big culverts were tons of fun! You climb in and roll them from one end of the yard to the other. :)

Mackenzie on the tractor bike.

Josiah loved the culvert slides!

Allison, Josiah, Mackenzie, Lauren

Zoomed in on Allison, Josiah, Mackenzie, and Lauren.

The four of us.

Josiah, Mackenzie, Lauren, and Allison.

The four of us.

We took a hayride out to the field and enjoyed the pumpkins. Josiah on a pumpkin.

Mackenzie on a pumpkin.

All four kids in the pumpkin patch.

Sweet Friendship. Fun times. Gorgeous day.

Kindergarten Craft, 2nd Grade Field Trip, Julia

Have I even taken time to mention in my blog that Mrs. Haluska asked me to be Room Mom for Josiah's class? Well, I said yes and tagged Allison, Lexi's Mom, to be Co-Room Mom with me! Nice to have a friend involved and to be able to share the responsibilities. I love being involved in the classroom. We had our first Craft Friday September 23rd. We will do those about once per month. Here's my little man. The kids were allowed to be out of dress code to celebrate Fall in farmer style clothes. Josiah wore a flannel shirt and blue jeans. The craft was nice and messy with paint to create hand print trees and thumb print leaves on the trees. We all enjoyed it.
One Sunday night we hosted our H2H small group Bible study at our house. One family has a new baby girl, Julia. She has an entire fan club, you see. Mackenzie was delighted to get to hold precious baby Julia.

SOOO super sweet. I love this picture! Julia doesn't seem to mind the attention, and the kids are learning so much from being around her. I am grateful that her parents are willing to share her with our whole H2H group! Thanks, Mike and Cindy, for sharing your blessing. :)

September 29th, Mackenzie's 2nd grade class took a field trip to Safety City. Sadly, I had to work that day. However, David was able to go and represent us and enjoy the day with Mackenzie. She loved having her Daddy there, too.

Safety City is a miniature city that teaches kids all kinds of safety skills, including rules of the road.

Mackenzie is on the bike to the right with a white shirt on in the above picture. Her class really enjoyed the trip.

That was 3 posts in 1! Getting caught up! More posts to come very soon. :)