A Happy Thanksgiving!

We hosted Thanksgiving at our home this year. There were 14 people, including some special guests: my aunt Kathy and Han and Mac's Grandpa Mike. The weather was so warm that we were able to put the kids' table on the porch! We had a lot of fun getting the house ready.

We started by making a thankful tree in early November. On each leaf, we wrote items for which we were thankful. What we were thankful for included: that I have a family, food, my room, stuffed animals, a clean house, dolls, strawberries, candy,  medicine, music, water, pets, clothes, the seasons (especially fall), books, singing, birthday celebrations and more. I loved reading all the sentiments.

We also made some silly turkey party favors:

  

I covered the kids' table with paper and put crayons in some antique toothpick holders. 

The kids started coloring right away.

  

It was cousin Mac's first Thanksgiving!

We took some family pictures:

Of course, Peanut had to get in on the action.

We played a game of hide the drumstick.

Willa was very excited to eat her real drummie.

Jia enjoyed some pie with her whipped cream for dessert.

 

 The temperature dropped rapidly over the day and by nightfall it was snowing! A perfect end to a great day. 

Happy 5th Birthday, Willa!

Our little Willa turned five on the 11th! She has been very into gymnastics lately, so that was her chosen theme for her party. Her big birthday present was her doll (a gymnast, of course) and she was very excited that they could wear matching leotards.

We made ribbon wands as party favors:

We also decorated huge suckers:

And each child received a personalized water bottle!

I used some photos from her gymnastics class for the cake:

The day of the party involved a lot of swinging, flipping and jumping!

 

The kids enjoyed the obstacle courses:

The most dramatic activity, however, was when the kids were bounced high into the air (by a real Russian gymnast no less). These three pictures show poor, unsuspecting Willa's progression up up up!

 

  

The other kids knew what to expect:

 

But they were still a little surprised:

Jia didn't mind that he almost dropped her:

Happy (and worn out) kids (click to enlarge):

Silly faces!

 

  A sweet ending.

 

 

We couldn't love you more, little bee!

Happy Halloween!

We love Halloween. We decorate a lot and make fun Halloween food. Our wreath monster ended up looking more scared than scary!

  

 

We attended so many Halloween events this year. One of our favorites was our neighbors' haunted house party. Their son set up a very elaborate haunted house in their garage. It took him weeks to prepare, and it was a huge hit with all the neighborhood kids.

We also attended the Wood Lake Half-Haunted Halloween, a nature trail with trick or treating stops and activities at the end. We danced and had a great time. This year the girls dressed as Olympic Gymnasts.

We made a fun pop-out bat pumpkin this year, and did a taste test with pumpkin seeds. One batch was cinnamon sugar and the other was garlic salt. The vote: we all loved both equally! 

Halloween itself was terrific as usual. Our block had a party with a fire and lots of food. The street was blocked off so the kids could run around and play games. We trick-or-treated for an hour (until their pumpkins were full) and then Willa and I returned and joined the block party, and Jia and Joe continued for another hour and a half. Wow, did she get a lot of loot! We had so much fun.

Our girls earned a perfect score in the candy-getting category! 

Happy Halloween!