Halloween Morning

The kids went to school as the Avengers.  Shocker.  They couldn't wear masks or take props, so we came up with other accouterments.  Now to face my house, two classroom parties and my crying-neglected baby.  Happy Halloween!

 Thor.

 Natasha Romanov -- Black Widow

Captain Stephen Rogers -- Captain America.

 Tony Stark - Ironman.

 Maddie will wear her Hulk costume tonight.

  The morning aftermath.

Tonight the kids will wear masks and look like the assembled Avengers.  If I can make it that far.

Pumpkin Carving

FHE was our annual pumpkin carving.  The only set back was that Andy was feeling a bit under the weather due to his yellow fever immunization.  Meg carved her's entirely on her own!

 

2 Weeks of Nothing

Absolutely two weeks of nothing but the magically mundane!  So here are just some random pictures from the last two weeks.

 Books with Grandma.

 Kisses from cousins.

Aunt Whitni came to visit.

 Aunt Lyndsey made boots for Ed.

 My cute boys wear orange-skinny cords.

 I made Meg a skirt - with an invisible zipper.

 Austin keeps Ed contained by placing him in the toys bucket.

DARE week -- wear red to school day.

 Bangs -- I cut them.

Big Lady

Maddie learned a few new letters this week.  Big Lady!

Conference

Last conference we had a 1 day old baby -- now he is a big baby with lots of tricks.  He is even brave enough to love being held by Nick.  This conference was wonderful.  The five older children were old enough to reverently take notes, and they did.  Caramel apples were the favorite snack.

BOO!

Here is a glmpse at my October decor.  The girls got together at Mom's house for the RS general broadcast and made these glittered BOO letters.   

This morning Nick and Maddie and I read about Christ calling himself the "Bread of Life."  I thought the wheat a perfect companion to Christ. 

 I made some Halloween skirts for my little girls.

 Meg made some changes to my harvest blocks.

 Please note the rabbit next to the blocks.

Reading List

 Sometimes I think it is fun to look at older posts and see in 7 minutes where the entire year has gone.  I realized that I haven't posted the books I've read lately.  Maybe I have, but I couldn't find that post.  Here is the updated list:

My personal list:
Anne of Avonlea
Anne of the Island
The Count of Monte Cristo (the abridged version, which was still over 700 pages)

I am currently reading a self-help book, that is awesome, How to Make your Children Mind, Without Losing Yours.

The books read aloud to my dears:
The Five Little Peppers and How They Grew
Black Beauty
Because of Winn Dixie

I am currently reading, and loving, Little Lord Fauntleroy.

Austin's List: (He IS literate!  He is reading!)
All 3 books in the "Hunger Games" series
The first 2 books in the "Fablehaven" series

He is currently working on the 3rd.

Food Rainbow

The last time I went grocery shopping was two weeks ago.  Consequently, the dinner meals were becoming quite creative, especially since I try have a "food rainbow" at every meal.  Tonight's dinner was the product of yesterday's shopping spree.  We ate 15 different fruits and vegetables (not including the grains).  The "food rainbow" was achieved more than once.  Good job, me, for finally getting the grocery shopping done!