Trick or Treat

While TJ took a really late nap, Ashton, Jackson and I went to our local trick or treating spots to snag some sweets. They were slim pickings this year, but we knew we weren't in it for the candy Grandma took care of that. Nope we were simply in it for the fun. The boys and I had a lot of fun together.

Ashton was Anakin Skywalker, Jackson was a Clone Trooper, and TJ was a vampire.

Cookies and Pies

More baking with Mommy.

The boys were responsible for making Halloween cookies. They added and mixed ingrediants, rolled out cookie cough. Pressed the cut outs and placed them on the pan. My responsibilites include clean up and oven duty.

Our starting point . . . a clean table.

Rolling and pressing the cookies dough.

Cut out time.

Almost finished.

Frosting time.

I thought they did a great job. It was very messy. The even frosted the cookies themselves. I have to point out that my children felt any real detail of whatever they made was not important, made me a little sad. I was also not allowed to hlep frost. :(

We also made choclate chip cookies for Daddy, and Mommy made him a pumpkin pie when the kiddos needed a baking break.

Sorry, my oven needs a good cleaning.

Instilling a Love of Reading

I have been reading since a ridiculously young age, and loving it. Reading is one of my very favorite activities. A person can get utterly engrossed in a good book. As a parent, I am so eager to introduce my children to that world . . . the passion of reading and loving it.

Ashton started reading at 3.6 years old. His preschool teacher surprised me one day by having Ashton read me a book. I knew he knew many sight words, but listening to him read was . . . phenomenal. He received his first library card when he was six, and has enjoyed checking out a variety of books.

Jackson has been begging me to teach him to read. We are starting small, usually books that contain one to two words per page. He is doing great! He was downright desperate to get his own library card. So, since he has reached the magic age of 5 he was allowed! He received his own card, bag, and book. It was a very exciting day for him, and for me. We are going to continue practicing reading with Jack, and I can only hope he will fall in love with reading as much as I have.

My secret dream is for all my children to become little book worms!

Baking With Mom

Ashton and Jackson have been in the Halloween holiday spirit. The house is decorated in an unspooky manner (Jackson is terrified of anything spooky or scary). We have begun baking . . . cakes and cookies. On Thursday the boys each made their own not-so-spooky cakes. Ashton made a orange cake (he called it a pumpkin, I think it looked kind of sad) and Jackson made his with silly spiders, one sat under a candy-corn rainbow.

Jack, TJ, and I made Jesse a welcome-home-pumpkin pie Friday morning. They love to help pour, stir and mix.

Sadly there is no picture of the pie, my family quickly ate it after dinner.

My Little Artist

My Jack is turning out to be our little family artist.

He is into building with his legos and duplos. He also loves to draw, anything and everything.

Here he is with the dinosuar he drew.

Here is his lego clubhouse he built for his Super-Guys.

Ashton Started Religious Formation Class

My little boy started catchism, or religious formation as they now call it.

He loves it, there are lots of kids in his class, and a few of them he knows. It was very exciting, and he can't wait until next Sunday. He loves learning about all the awesome things God has created! Did you know God created flowers? I know, because Ashton told me so!

Jack, TJ and I hung out in the playground and waited for Ashton to finish. We are going to try church next Sunday and see how that goes. I don't know if TJ will sit through mass, but all the boys want to try.

Pumpkin Patch

My niece Arianna and I took the boys to Zifko's Pumpkin Patch on Saturday. The weather was unbelievably gorgeous! We attempted the corn maze, sadly we searched and searched and could not find the all 6 scarecrows, but we did find 4. Ashton was very disappointed, he wanted to keep looking. But TJ was having trouble breathing, he needed his inhaler before the maze even started, and was worse by the end. Halfway through he wanted me to carry him, all 38 pounds! That didn't work out well, I was so hot!!

The boys picked out a pumpkin each! My rule is, if you can carry it, you can get it. Well, they could carry them . . . barely!

We had so much fun, and were so thankful for all the blue skies, sunshine and warmth. Every year we go, and every year we freeze, but this year was heavenly!

I've Been Hit . . . I Mean TAGGED!

Well, here is more information on me that so many of you never really wanted to know. ; )
10 years ago I was:
1. Living in Cedarburg, WI attending Concordia University.
2. Driving a brown Chevy Celebrity (named her Plain Jane, loved her to death, literally).
3. Working a Blockbuster Video.
4. Enjoying college life (a little too much).
5. Spending way too much money on clothing (favorite store . . . The Limited)
5 things on today’s to do list:
1. Fold Laundry.
2. Empty Dishwasher.
3. Start another load of Landry.
4. Clean off My Desk.
5. Clean Out the Fridge.
5 snacks I enjoy:
1. York Peppermint Patties.
2. 3 Musketeers.
3. Medium Cheddar and Ritz Crackers.
4. Candy Corn.
5. Oreos and Milk.
5 things I would do if I were a millionaire:
1. Make a List of all the People I Promised Money to If I Won a Million Dollars.
2. Change my Phone Number (kidding, maybe).
3. Open a Preschool.
4. Donate My House to Charity (and build another by a lake, surrounded by trees).
5. Get My Tubes Untied.
5 places I have lived:
1. Ashland, WI.
2. Washburn, WI.
3. Cedarburg, WI.
4. Mellen, WI.
5. Peoria, IL.
5 jobs I have had:
1. Shavuot School Teacher (no I am not Jewish).
2. Blockbuster Video.
3. Video To Go.
4. Elementary Substitute School Teacher.
5. Mommy.
The rules say I have to tag 5 people:
1. Joy!!!
2. Steph, Queen of the Castle
3. Stacey, Life With Boys
4. Andrea, AnderaandBoys
5. Michele L, Raising All Boys

Fun Fall Day!

We had a very busy day enjoying all the warm autumn fun! We went to the Blue Vista Orchard and picked apples. Then all the boys ran around enjoying the warm weather. Jackson and Thomas picked out two fat pumpkins for carving. We ate a yummy lunch outside in the sunshine and we played with our fun W.A.K.O. friends!

After we picked up Ashton from school we went home and got our carving supplies ready. Then we cut out the tops of our pumpkins, I (notice I said I here and not WE) cleaned out all the pumpkin ickies. The boys drew what they wanted their pumpkins to look like on one side and I carved out the other. Ashton and Jack took pictures while Mommy did all the hard work.

Then TJ got a hold of the camera. He took some awesome pics from a two year old perspective.

I took the camera back, he's sad.

Jackson wanted his pumpkin to have angry eyes, but a smiling mouth (with two top teeth).

Ashton wanted his pumpkin to have square eyes, triangle nose, and a happy mouth.

They turned out nice. Jack wanted his jack-o-lantern lit, even though it was 4 pm. So I did, you can barely see the flame. But, later that night, I took the boys outside and lit them both up. The kids loved it!!!

I forgot how fun carving jack-o-lanterns can be. It has been years (if ever) I have done this. Now if only I could get Ashton's costume figured out!!!!!

I hope we get a few more of these wonderful days before the snow begins to fall.