Jack-o-Lanterns 2012

We carved our Jack-O-Lanterns last weekend.  While everyone was pleased with the final product, the "getting there" was hard.  Did you know that pumpkin "guts" are slimy?  Apparently Lizzie had forgotten that nugget of truth since last year!   

Brian rocks!  Master carver at work!

 "That looks GROSS!  I have to touch it?"

                     "SICK!!!"                             "Get over it, Lizzie!"

Jacob and Brian with the football pumpkin.

Lizzie and Brian with the smiley face.

Zach wasn't home but we painted a pumpkin in his honor.  His favorite phrase is "No me gusta."  It means, "I don't like this" in Spanish.  He says it ALL the time.  Often, he truly means it.  "Zach, empty the dishwasher please."  Shaking his head, he mutters, "No me gusta."  But he also uses it just to be silly.  "Zach we are having steak for dinner tonight."  Giving a smirk with a twinkle in his eye, "No me gusta!"  

When he returned home and saw his pumpkin he laughed.  He liked it!  We decided the pumpkins were saying "No me gusta" about being carved!

The final products.

They were so excited at how well they turned out.

Lizzie's Eyes

In first grade, Lizzie failed her vision screening at school.  Her exam with the optometrist showed that she was slightly nearsighted but probably not enough so for  corrective lenses.  We left with the understanding that eventually she would need glasses.  However, she has never complained of not being able to see, so we plugged along.

This year, Lizzie greets me after school with "Well I failed that vision screening AGAIN!"  After laughing about her frustration and dramatic flair, I made her an eye appointment.  Sure enough, her nearsightedness has worsened.  It is now at the point where she did need corrective lenses.   

I know I am partial, but I think my little girl looks pretty darn cute in her new glasses!  

Now, I just have to convince her that they are for a purpose and not just "fun" glasses that she would buy at Justice or Claire's.  I caught her this afternoon with her glasses on top of her head holding back her hair.  She did look cute, but that is not quite why I wrote that big check today!  :)

Zach's Wrist

Zach broke his wrist again.  Same one as last time.  Although this time, he broke it in two places and it looked grossly deformed.

They put him in a hard cast, but split it so that there was room for the swelling to go down.  A week later, they put him in a hard cast with no split.  He chose to have a red cast for the Hoosiers.  He just loves to mess with his Illini friends.

We returned today, after two weeks, for a follow up x-ray.  I thought his wrist still looked deformed, but the doctor said that his wrist is healing and his wrist should not have the permanent deformity.  He chose a black cast this time.  We go back in two more weeks for another x-ray.  At this point, the doctor believes that he will be in a hard cast for at least another 4 weeks.

Zach with his "I am trying not to smile because this really stinks" face.  

Flag Football 2012

Flag football has officially begun.  Jacob likes playing and it is nice to see him laughing and enjoying himself. 

 Listening carefully for directions.

 He WILL get that flag.

 I think this may have been the last huddle and play before the thunder and lightening hit!

There will be many pictures to come as the season progresses!  

Girl Scouts

Lizzie has bridged from Brownies to Girl Scouts.  Her favorite part is when she earns a patch.

The "Bridging" Cake

 Lizzie crosses the bridge to Girl Scouts

The Girl Scout Promise

Lizzie had her first "hike" Saturday.  She had fun, but was complaining that she was tired.  I told her that the hike was only 1/2 a mile long.  We take longer bike rides and walks than that all the time!                                                 

 

Lizzie and the Totem Pole at the Girl Scout Camp

It was a nice trail

We practiced writing and looking for trail signs throughout the morning.

The colors were absolutely incredible!

We are looking forward to new and exciting Girl Scout experiences.

Homecoming Dance

Well, with high school comes the Homecoming Dance.  Just when I was getting used to this high school thing, we come to the dance.  Zach decided not to go with a date, but rather go with friends.  He said the pre-dance and bonfire after were fun, but the dance itself was "boring."   We are so thankful for Zach's group of friends and their parents.  It is nice to know that they were safe and having fun.  

Zach was invited to eat with a group of friends.  Thank you to the mom who put the meal and activities together.  What a nice way to start the evening.

The entire group

 Zach and one of his best buds, Cameron.

 Zach at home before taking off.  His tie was askew because he was playing basketball while waiting on his ride.

Good friends.

Homecoming 2012

Like last year, my kids loved M*S Homecoming/Spirit Week.  They especially went all out for Orange and Blue Day.  I love how our town and school district promotes Homecoming.  Our Homecoming Parade is so much fun.  We take our students out to watch and the look on the face of our kindergarten students is priceless.  This year there were 60 entries in the parade.  That equaled lots of fun and lots of candy.

All ready for school and the Homcoming Parade.  As we "colored" Zach's hair, I asked Brian if he ever imagined himself doing this and he just smiled and shook his head!

MSHS Golf Team float.  I think they did a pretty good job.  

Go Bulldog Golf

 Not sure what Zach found so funny!

Before the parade could even make its way back to the high school, we were greeted with a nice thunderstorm complete with thunder, lightening, and hail.  You can imagine what Zach's hair and Jacob's face paint looked like after that!  :)