Halloween Week

Dance was canceled Tuesday when there was a power outage.  We went to the gym every night this week except last night.

Champ had school Intramurals yesterday morning.

My mom helped at Champ's fall party yesterday.

I was frenzied yesterday morning when I saw a mouse crawl out from my closet and scurry through my bedroom.  I set up mouse traps around the house last night that are still empty today.  The mouse is still on the run.

Last night I took the kids to Chick Fil A for dinner before going on to the family fun fest at church.  We played some before I volunteered at the hockey station.  After the event ended, I helped with clean up.

This morning I ran 3 miles at the gym with my friend Vanessa.  Today I also helped throw a baby shower for my dear friend Mandy.

I spent time with grandma and Gus.

Tonight we had a great time partying and trick or treating with the neighbors.

Fall Break Ends

I helped in Princess's Sunday school room yesterday.  Then I went to a small group meeting.  We played with our neighbors before running a few errands.   We can't stop at my school without using the playground though.

Today we returned to school.  Princess was thrilled that she finally earned five tokens and could pick something from the treasure chest.  She loves her stretchy man treat.  When we went to the gym tonight, Penny gave Champ a Toby Mac shirt as a gift for his baptism.

There are times when parenting is tough. Tonight though, I relished in the fact that Princess was thrilled to be eating broccoli for dinner.  Princess has also been able to clearly articulate to me while doing the Bible app for kids that the "religious leaders" didn't like Jesus.  Moments like those bring me joy because I know I must be doing something right.

Fall Break is Wrapping Up

More pictures from our get away:

O'Bannon Woods: top of the firetower

O'Bannon Woods

Rocking after lunch along the Ohio River

Children's Museum of Evansville

Hiking at Spring Mill

Checkers: learning the game and good sportsmanship

Building

Princess was fascinated with the gal making dolls at the Pioneer Village at Spring Mill

Spring Mill

Pioneer Village at Spring Mill

Today we began the day with homemade doughnuts before heading to the gym.  For most of the day, the kids played really well together.  That gave me a chance to work on lesson plans, organize some paperwork, and do a little cleaning.

We ran to Meijer to return a few things before heading to Target.  Champ's Spider-Man costume that he bought yesterday came with a mask that didn't fit.  I was happier with the items we picked out at Target because they could be worn for more than just Halloween:  Spider-Man hooded sweatshirt, Spider-Man gloves, and blue sweatpants.

I made pizza for dinner.  We played Operation and Monopoly tonight.  Princess wanted to play Monopoly like everyone else, but she quickly grew bored with it and tried doing leaps over the board, which Champ hated.

Home from Adventures

Yesterday I did lots of loads of laundry.  The kids helped me rake leaves.

Savannah helped me make vampire teeth.

Today we bought Halloween costumes.  Princess will be Anna and Champ will be Spider-Man.  

For lunch, I made pumpkins and ghosts.

After running a mandatory errand in Franklin, we visited Blue Heron Park and Wetlands.  

Dinner included healthy candy corn, fingers, and insects.  Princess doesn't like Cool Whip on her fruit!  None of us liked the ranch yogurt dip that I made.

I was finally feeling like exercising again tonight after a week of eye problems.  So I went to Zumba tonight.

More Adventures

Spring mill lodging

Digging for fossils

Success at practice fishing!

Pioneer village 

Beautiful scenery and people!

Day 2 of Fall Break Getaway

We began our day at the Children's Museum of Evansville.

Princess made a beautiful bird in the bird cage.

The Quack Factory was a big hit.

Champ would only give me fake money from the fake bank.  No real money!

The upstairs part of the Quack Factory was great too.

The kids acted out a play.

Princess bought time until she could

watch herself on the time delayed viewing of the play.

Champ loved pretending to be on TV!

Princess gardens!

Princess could be a surgeon someday!

Dad is very good at making stuff up.  When Champ laughs, it just encourages dad though.

Look what we dug up!

Maybe Princess will work in a pit crew someday.

Or, perhaps, she is headed for the runway for Fashion Week!