Little Pumpkins

Today is the first day of October!  I love this month; I feel like it ushers in holiday season (and cooler weather, I hope).

At the beginning of October, I take the kids to the grocery store and let them each pick out a little decorative pumpkin.

After they go to bed, I hide the pumpkins somewhere in the front rooms.  Some hiding places are pretty obvious.

Others, not so obvious.

Hills and Trees

The little kids and I took a stroll to the library today . . .

. . . to play around the big tree.

There's something about pictures of little girls and big trees that always makes me think of pixies and elves.

When we visit the library, Anna's favorite game is to climb to the top of a (very, very small) hill and pretend to be stuck.  She says I have to tickle her to get her unstuck.  Todd likes climbing the hill, too, but he doesn't stick around waiting to be rescued.

Homework Time

There's a lot of homework to be done around our home lately.

Daniel has a little to do every day, but it takes him a while because he often gets distracted.

Joy has a lot of homework this school year.  Her school kicks things up a notch or two at third grade, and she gets a lot more assignments and projects now than she did last year.  She's always very grateful when Friday arrives and she has no homework after school.

Anna has no homework at all for her preschool class, but she likes to have something to work on while the big kids do their assignments, so she practices handwriting in a workbook.  She does pretty well for a preschooler.

Rob's Wedding Day

My brother Rob was married today.

His bride is Amanda, who he baptized back in April.  We're happy to have Amanda's son Ethan as an official cousin now. :)

Phillip got to be a groomsman and help Rob get ready.

Anna was the flower girl (complete with flower).

The wedding and reception took place at my parents' home.  Right after the ceremony, as the bride was wheeling the groom back to the patio where he could maneuver his chair more easily, I happened to mention to Joy that Amanda was now Aunt Amanda.  Joy was so delighted that she ran right over to give Amanda a big hug while they were still five yards shy of solid ground.  I think the happy couple appreciated the sentiment, but not the timing.

The reception was lovely.  It was nice to celebrate this big event with family and friends.

My not-so-favorite part was when Todd fell in the pool right after the bride and groom cut the cake.

As usual, the after-party party was extra fun. :)

Anxious for an Apple

I had planned to slice up an apple for lunch . . .

. . . but Todd got to it first.

"What's the matter, Mama?"

Pumpkin Cookie Day

Today is the first day of fall, so pumpkin cookie season is now officially open at our home (sweltering outside temperatures notwithstanding).

Joy helped me measure the ingredients into the mixing bowl. 

Daniel helped get the ingredients out, but he doesn't like having his picture taken.

Sometimes Joy doesn't either . . . 

. . . especially if you gently tease her by making the same face she's making.

Anna helped us clean the mixing bowl . . .

. . . and Todd helped us eat the cookies.

Actually, we all did that.  I love family traditions that involve yummy food.

(P.S. Those polka dot leggings are Anna's favorite pants right now.)

Brownies

We signed Joy up for Brownies this year . . .

. . . and she met her troop for the first time today (after taking her shoes off somewhere in the park).

Their main project this time was to make a gift to give other troops in the area.  Joy seemed to enjoy the meeting well enough, but toward the end I noticed her hanging out with her siblings instead of the other Brownies.  I'm glad our kids like being together, but I think I'll take the younger ones somewhere else next time so Joy can bond with her troop more.