We hadn't decorated Grandpa's office since Avery was two and it was time. Grandma and Alec came with us and we headed over to decorate. 
Last time we put ghosts and pumpkins all over the front windows of the office. This time since we had a key we decided to decorate a little inside. The kids had so much fun. 
They drew pictures of ghosts and pumpkins for Grandpa. Ave drew a mermaid ghost which was interestingly enough very identifiable. 
Hunter and Alec loved adding cobwebs to the place. Avery was mostly interested in the front desk area. I love the picture of her in the glasses she looks cute but I hope she never has to wear them.
I was excited about the carmels and candy corn taffy jars that we got for him. The kids all worked together and pretty much did the decorating mostly on their own. We don't get to surprise him very often so it will be fun to hear what he thought about his new Halloween decor. I love fall. I love the ghost pancakes, babies in some fluffy animal costume or another, cool evenings at the park and tons of overly sugary desserts. Halloween is on its way.
The difference between Hunter's kindergarten and first grade years has been pretty drastic. It amazes me the difference that a teacher can make and his teacher is awesome. Mrs. Painter is a great teacher and he is absolutely loving school. At the "meet the teacher" night when school first started Hunter had of course asked her about Science in the classroom. One of the big activities that they do during the year is soil studies and experimenting with Milipedes.
From that day forward the countdown was on to when he would get to hold a Milipede. Mrs. Painter told us when they would start the project. A couple of weeks before they started Hunter and I went to the library and got some books about Milipedes so that he could start learning about them and researching them. 
For the next two weeks he became a walking set of factual knowledge about them. Things like "Mom, did you know that milipedes have four legs per segment" or "Milipedes are myriapods" are examples of our breakfast conversations. Mrs. Painter said he could bring the books to school to share with the class. When the big day arrived Dr. Coleman their principal was stopping in to all the first grade rooms to check out the excitement. 
When she came into Hunter's room Mrs. Painter let him stand up in front of the class and read some of his favorite parts of his Milipedeology book. He then proceeded to share his favorite facts about the little guys with his principal as well. "I think we have found first grade's future scientist" she told him which of course left him beaming. Mrs. Painter told me the next day that Dr. Coleman commented on how impressed she was with his reading abilities. Then I was beaming :) 
On the big day they spent the morning outside gathering leaves and grass and other things appropriate for their habitats. Then each table group was given a little container and a milipede. Hunter told me that they quickly named their milipede "Cookie" and gave him the nickname "One smart cookie" which he added that he made up. 
They did all sorts of experiments with them and got to wear special gloves to be able to take turns holding them. After school he practically flew off the bus to tell us about it all. During the whole week everyday we heard about the drama and excitement of these visitors. One day one accidentally got flipped over on its back and couldn't get back over. Another one fell of the desk and ended up dying. Hunter was convinced that their milipede thought that he was its daddy because when they let it crawl it always tried to come to him. On the last day Mrs. Painter let the girls and I stop in and take a quick peek and get some pictures of him and Cookie. 
It was such a fun thing for the kids to do. Currently the big thing is growing a pumpkin they planted that has now come home to continue growing. Please don't die little pumpkin. Then on to their unit about ancient Egypt which should prove I am sure to be very interesting for all of us. Can I go back to first grade?
Supposedly they have "gourmet" cupcakes there and so we decided it was the perfect treat to celebrate. We each picked one, the flavors including: a black and white, a vanilla, a chocolate coconut, and a chocolate marshmellow. We brought them home and split each one into four and and then divied them up so that we each got a piece of all four. 
Since Em couldn't actually eat one we decided that she could at least have a little bit of the frosting. So we let her try first. Deke put a little frosting on a fork and let her taste it. 
She loved it! It was cute to watch her eyes get big and her legs start kicking as she ate it. For about five minutes after she ate it she kept sticking her tongue out and moving it around like she could still taste it or maybe she was trying to see if she had left any around her mouth. 
Then the rest of us dug in. Here comes the sad part. They were not good at all. I would take a box mix of Duncan Hines any day. It is really just a bunch of hype. Even Avery who seriously eats anything and loves everything wouldn't finish hers. That says something. 
Some cute things about miss E at six months: 
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What a wonderful blessing for our family and what a great career move for Deke. After his first day of work we made a yummy dinner and decorated the kitchen. Hunter of course had to put one of his Lego semi trucks on the table to add to the decor :) 
Sometimes it is hard to understand when Heavenly Father gives us a little push that we are not ready for. Sometimes I think he knows that we would just stay where we were and not move on to bigger things for our growth and opportunity. Sometimes he steps in and the changes happen before we feel like we are ready. Then comes the understanding and the blessings after you walk forward. The job has so many wonderful blessings and opportunities all around that he has provided to us. Thank you Heavenly Father. So proud of Deke. He is such a hard worker and such a wonderful provider to his family. We are always well taken care of and loved by him. He is an amazing husband and father. Way to go DAD!!!!!
yes I am a dork I went and got out my camera because the look of our shadows together was sweet to me. A mom, a son and two daughters walking together. The shadow of Ave's ponytails and the little figure of Miss E in my arms. Hunter's shadow already trying to reach over half of mine. Something so simple but something so sweet to me.
While Hunter is at school us girls stay busy having fun. Emma is loving her playmat that my mom gave her and it is the only way I can get her to have some tummy time. 
It cracks me up when I look at pictures of her right now because she is all eyeballs and bald head. I hope her hair starts coming in even though her little noggin is still really cute. Lately she gets a kick out of getting a ride in the laundry basket surrounded by pillows. 
Avery also gets a kick out of this activity and sometimes may get a little overzealous when "helping" to push her in it. 
It is amazing how many hard belly laughs we can get out her by simply pulling her in it back and forth across the living room. We have taken a couple of picnics to the park this week since it is finally starting to cool down a little which has been nice. Emma like to sit under the trees and look around and Avery yacks my ear off about every person, bug, cloud that goes by.
Speaking of Avery I had to take a picture of her the other day when I told her she could go to the bus stop with me and she came out looking like this... 
hilarious. Can't go to the bus stop with out her purse and bracelet, who knows who she might see :) :) Then in the afternoons just watching them hang out together, even if they are not playing anything right then. Just them being together, feeling lucky to have them. 
