Happy Halloween!

As soon as the school bus left this morning, we went to buy pumpkins for carving. I was amazed at how much easier this process has become since a few years ago. This year I had multiple children who not only could draw a triangle but also kids who wanted to help younger sisters and brothers do it. Charles was able to do a lot of the carving himself, and Maria was a great help after she finished carving her cyclops.

Before trick-or-treating we had a pizza party with our friends and then the 2 moms took out 12 kids to get candy. Maria dressed as an Indian in Catherine's old Indian Maiden dress, and Cecilia was a running angel--after a debate about which of her shoes were the most "angelic". (She said black patent leather in the box until Christmas Day shoes and I said sparkly purple trainers.) Thomas and Anthony seemed to choose their outfits based on the weapon accessories that came with them so Thomas was a knight in paperclip chainmail and Anthony was an archer.

Charles was borrowed this soldier costume and we ordered his winter boots to match it.

Firefighter James had great fun trick or treating and saying, "Happy Hall'ween!"

Baby Joseph stayed home with the daddies.

Columbus Day

Warm sunshine, thirteen kids, 2 moms, 2 dads, one stroller, 2 backpacks, and a gallery full of fine art make the ingredients for a perfect field trip.

Luke's review of the National Gallery

Sean and Joseph

A creative moment in the dirt walkway at the Sculpture Garden

Here's the plan for our prep and follow up: Book Nook

Today's Menu

Breastmilk

Oatmeal!

Joseph's Journal--October

Last night I overheard Anthony talking to Joseph:


"Portugal."

"Spain."

"England."

"Crossbow."


"Broadsword."

"Flint."

"Knife."

"Rock."

"Bellybutton."

"Tickle."

When he saw me looking at him, Anthony said, "I'm just teaching him the words he needs to know to survive in life."

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October has been a big month for Joseph. He is trying to crawl and starting to wave and cutting teeth. He can sit a little and scoot all over on his tummy and play with any type of chewable object. He loves to jump in the jumper, and it looks like he's going to start table food soon. He ate a goldfish cracker at lunch today!



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Last week Maria spent the night in Thomas and Anthony's room. To most people this is no big deal, but to the parents of quite-a-lot this was a Golden Opportunity!

"James," I asked,"Do you want to sleep in Maria's bed and let Baby Joseph sleep in the crib?"



After 2 successful nights with Joseph in the crib, I dragged an old mattress out and put it on the floor of James' and Maria's (and Joseph's) bedroom.

"Is that James' new bed?" Cecilia asked wide-eyed. And before I was back with sheets, she and James had spread the blankets and positioned the pillow just so. And then as we read bedtime stories, each child walked in and exclaimed, "Is this James' new bed?!", "Can I sit on it?!" or "Great bed, where did you get it?!" All this over a matress on the floor....

Nature Study--Week 2

This past week we looked at the Walnut Tree again. Maryan had done her homework and was able to expound on her lesson from last week. These are Black Walnut trees which do have edible fruit, but the kind we buy in the store are either Persian or English walnuts. Supposedly the black walnuts don't taste as good as the others, but when we cracked ours open last week, it smelled delicious.

This is Cecilia posing under the walnut tree.

A birthday treat for Charles was a nature class about apples which he attended with other 6 year olds and no siblings. If you click on the picture, you can see him walking with the group. The kids who were left behind all wanted to lurk and wave--especially the 9 year olds--which I thought was pretty cute. We also read poetry and books about Impressionist art in preparation for our Columbus Day trip to the art museum. Charles made applesauce and a craft and recited an apple poem for me later.

Maria Girl Scout

Welcome Back Campfire with singing and smores

With Ashton at the tiger exhibit

With her troop and leader in the invertebrates exhibit

Grooming a goat

Maria is officially a Brownie and her troop has been busy! The two of us went to a campfire and on a zoo trip with her troop and they have already earned a Try-It which are the awards that Brownies earn.

Charles at 6 years old

Charles is 6!

Charles is a social butterfly with lots of neighborhood friends. I was thinking I was going to have to tie him to his chair for Kindergarten this year, but he has done very well. He is even starting to read (whew!).

He plays soccer on a team with Maria and is more than holding his own.

For his birthday dinner Charles asked for hot dogs, french fries, onion rings, and milk. He helped make his chocolate birthday cake and asked for Cherries Jubilee ice cream from Baskin-Robbins to go with it.

On Monday when we visit the National Gallery, he is looking forward to seeing his favorite piece, Wassily Kandinsky's Improvisation 31 (the Sea Battle).

For his birthday Charles got a Razor scooter with green tires and grips, money, and green crocs.

Did I mention that his favorite color is green?