Indiana Maps

Tonight Champ and I made 3 batches of play dough so that he can make a map of Indiana at school on Friday.  Messy, but a good bonding time.  

At one point tonight, I passed by the family room, where Champ was seated on the couch.  He spontaneously said, "I love you." That brings joy to my heart.

The Jokes on Me

I loved that Champ read me jokes on the way to and from dance class.  After I explained each joke, he would laugh because he then understood.  Princess laughed to join in with us though.

Another Beautiful Day!

This morning I helped in Princess's Sunday School room.  She got to be the prayer person in the large group.

We cleaned today.  Champ was very proud of his organization of the shoes.

Princess and I hiked around Garfield Park with my mom while the boys did sports stuff. 

This girl is a natural in a photo shoot.  Her outfit looked gorgeous against the gardens.  She really liked looking at the fish.  We also loved the children's garden.   

The Rhythm Got Us!

We visited the rhythm discovery center on national Museum day.  I got two free admissions with the ticket.  The place was lots of fun for the kids to try different percussion instruments.

With the money I saved on a mission costs, I bought the kids ice cream at the mall.

We visited the 100 Acres Wood next.  We explored the art, and we all walked around the lake.

Fall Begins

Look like Princess is trying out her photography skills again.

Tuesday was dance.

Wednesday was Champ's first intramural game with his after care team.  His team lost a kickball game to another local after care team.  Champ seemed pretty pleased with his performance though.

I tried French braiding today.  I love having a life size Barbie doll to play with.  If only she would stand still...

When I picked Champ up from school, he was happy to see that I surprised him by having his friend Jonah with me.  They played well together at home.  I got them a rare treat of picking up pizza...from Jet's Pizza.  We ate in the screened in porch, the second night in a row.  I took the boys to game night.  Princess and I are now watching My Little Pony.  

That's Not My Last Name!

Princess was arguing with me tonight on what her last name was.  She was sure I was wrong.  She finally conceded.  Then I spelled it for her.  She was really confused then on why it didn't start with a Y like yo yo does.

Beauty, Beard, and Business

Princess and I painted our nails.

Champ earned a beard as a prize at school.

I made my first Vegan cake this week for my assistant's birthday.  It was Yummy!

On Friday, I hung out with neighbors.

Saturday morning I ran 4 miles inside my gym with Vanessa.  I went to both Aldi and Meijer for groceries.  Saturday evening I went to Irish Fest with my high school friends (Vanessa, Jodee, and Lori).  I came home and hung out with a different group of neighbors.

Today I volunteered in Princess's Sunday school class before going to service.  It was a great message about what to do when (through no fault of your own), a crisis arises.

I spent time sitting beside another neighbor's pool today as we chatted.

When I wasn't hanging out with people, I was taking care of business.  I cleaned the house and mowed the yard.  I also unscrewed the showerhead and cleaned it out with bleach water.  I've done laundry and changed the sheets on my bed.  I also made and froze the following: PBJ sandwiches, wild blueberry granola bars, pizza buns, turkey and bean burritos, granola, mini sausage and bacon omelettes, chicken enchiladas, sausage balls, and French toast.  (Unfortunately, I love to sample my creations as I go along.). This was also my first time to sample cooking with coconut oil.  I liked it.

You Can Pray for the Airport too!

Princess took a field trip with her class to a local airport today.  They got to ride the buses to the airport and sit in a plane.  At bedtime, I prayed first (like I usually do).  I thanked God for the trip to the airport.  Princess is still up and upset right now...an hour later...because I prayed for the airport, but she wanted to pray for the airport.   I have explained to her several times that God is okay with us praying about the same thing.  Theology is apparently wasted on a four year old.

At dance tonight, I was frustrated that the ballet shoes I had ordered two weeks ago, had yet to arrive. A lady nearby said she had tap shoes her daughter wore briefly before deciding to quit dance.  They fit Princess, and she sold them to me for less than half price.  I later got a phone call from the dance studio saying they found the ballet shoes we ordered.  We are officially prepared now for dance!

Shortened Week

Princess was the only one at dance class for awhile.  Her friends were running late.

Princess snapped a photo of Champ playing on the iPad.

From the photo, you would never know how mad she has been at me recently for making her get clean.

Such a beautiful girl!

Princess took these photos of my Friday exercise class.  She tried a few things in the class too, such as side squats, sit-ups, etc.  she also helped clean up after the class.

Guess who forgot to sleep in on Saturday morning?  Then they tried to butter me up so they could do their tech time.

We went to the Fall Festival parade in Zionsville on Saturday with my parents, Caleb, and Cooper.

We saw a 3 wheeled car.

We watched floats, enjoyed musical acts, received candy, and more.  The kids were very disappointed by the people passing out kleenexes, toothbrushes, and bananas. 

Uncle Chris, Collin, and Connor walked in the parade.

We ate lunch lunch at Red Robin with my parents, the Wood boys, and a friend of theirs.

We cleaned the house.  Princess used Barbie's curling iron to pick up all her toys.  That is an uncommon technique.  We went to the gym in the late afternoon.  

After dinner, the kids got to spend their cleaning money at Meijer.  Princess spent $4 on a mystery Frozen egg.  We later discovered a frozen Anna inside.  She also bought a Lego set.  Champ spent his money on a single Lego set.  Before bed, we put the Lego sets together.  Champ easily pieced his together on his own.  I tried to teach Princess how to read the directions.

Champ was hired for a job this weekend by the Rich family.  He had to let their dog out 3 times to go potty.  He learned to work a garage code, feed a dog, coax a dog back into the house and crate, and lock up the house again. 

This morning I helped in Champ's Sunday school room.  We ran to Menards for school supplies and Aldi for groceries.  We watched the Colts lose on TV.  Then Champ and I played catch with the football.