Rainbow Gravel

The kids each got packets of colorful clay as party favors from the Kidspace party two days ago.

After Daniel finished his homework today, he and Anna decided to open up their clay and get creative.

Joy was pretty bummed that she still had a ton of homework to do while the others were playing with rainbow clay.

I envisioned the kids making red clay apples with green leaves, or clay kitties where each leg was a different color.  In actuality, they both squished the various colors together and happily pinched off pieces of rainbow gravel.  There's more than one kind of creativity, after all.

A Kidspace Party and Turnips

Joy has been wanting to plant her own little garden for some time.

Now that 90-degree weather finally seems to be behind us for the year, we took a family outing to the garden center so Joy could buy some potting soil and seeds.  She selected carrot and turnip seeds for her pots (I'm not sure that she's ever actually eaten a turnip, but there's a first time for everything).  She also bought a pink chrysanthemum, to add a bit of color to her garden area.  It makes me smile every time I walk past it.

This evening we went to Kidspace to attend a birthday party for one of Daniel's classmates.  The kids had a great time climbing on the structure . . .

. . . and learning about an animal from one of the docents.  At first she told them she had a hippopotamus in her hands (which got a chuckle from the kids), then she revealed that her animal friend was actually a frog.

A Reading Award and Mister Hibiscus

Joy received an award at her school's monthly assembly today.

Her teacher honored her for excellence in reading. 

Joy was pretty thrilled that Daddy was able to attend the assembly.

I confess, my favorite part was getting to see this guy's suit.  It turns out he's a second grade teacher--the one who writes a joke of the day on an easel outside his class every morning.  I bet his class is a lot of fun. :)

A Pumpkin, a Cupcake, and a Stroll with No Stroller

Anna and I had a fun time this morning playing a game she brought home from preschool.

You roll the dice, and the number that turns up determines which part of the jack-o-lantern face you get to put on the pumpkin.  If you roll a six, you can choose any part you like. :)

Incidentally, this outfit (the cupcake shirt with polka dot pants) is Anna's absolute favorite these days.  She'd wear it every day if I let her.

After we dropped Anna off at preschool today, Todd and I went for a walk and I let him take the lead.

Usually he's just along for the ride in the stroller while we run quick errands or take his older siblings somewhere, so it was kind of nice to let him choose the pace and destination for once. He made a beeline for the train station to watch the trains.

Oh, and don't ask me why he's so keen on sucking his fingers lately.  I have no clue what the appeal is.

Our Haunted Shack

For our family home evening activity tonight, we decorated a haunted gingerbread shack using a kit from Trader Joe's.

We had fun putting the candies on here and there, and the result was a cute little shack that makes our home smell nice (at least until we eat if for dessert tomorrow).

"Mama's got the camera on.  Time to make a silly face!"

Ah, the power of suggestion.

To and Fro

I sometimes try to think up activities that will be a good fit for all of our children who are at different levels of development . . .

. . . and then they spontaneously come up with something on their own that just works for everyone from Joy to Todd.

If tonight's game had a name, it would be something like, "Run Back and Forth from the Desk to the Couch Over and Over Again."  They played it for at least half an hour.

Of course, you have to be careful to avoid collisions . . .

. . . but the thrills are apparently worth the slight risks.

Woo hoo!

Conference Fun and Games

General Conference Weekend is here!

I love the chance to sit with my family and hear inspiring messages from God's prophet and apostles.  Joy took notes on nearly every talk (in some cases, more than I did) . . .

. . . while Daniel and Anna spent most of the sessions coloring pictures and playing games.

On Sunday we watched Conference at Pink Grandma's home . . .

. . . then played Sorry!, ate a yummy dinner, . . .

. . . and finished up with a game of croquet.  I was winning by a mile until we agreed to let the kids each have three hits every turn.  With that advantage, Joy was able to pass me near the last wicket and win.  A good time was had by all players . . .

. . . and spectators.