Halloween

This year Halloween was great! We started out by carving several different pumpkins on Sunday night. The kids picked out the designs and shared in the carving as much as they wanted (or could safely do).  Harrison and Noah did a bit more this year than last and that was fun. I have learned that you should not carve until the last possible moment.  Unless it is really cold outside, the pumpkin will rot in only a few days.

Here's two pumpkins, a 'trick-or-treat' and an Angry Bird.

Olivia with her Hello Kitty rendition

Our ward (church congregation) decided to have the 'trunk-or-treat' party on Halloween night this year.  Gratefully they also decided that it should be short so that kids could go trick-or-treating in their own neighborhoods. We met at the church around dinner time, and participated in the chili cook-off/trunk-or-treat. A trunk-or-treat is where people decorate their car trunk (or truck bed) and hand out candy. This is the fastest possible way of getting candy that I can imagine, because there is essentially no walking in between. As it started to get dark, things wrapped up and we rushed back to our house, worried that some people might already be coming.

The kids were all satisfied picking out a dress up to wear for Halloween this year.  Everyone was happy, and the Halloween season was stress free.

It was the perfect temperature to let the kids go around all night, a little chilly, but warm if you've got a good costume. Since Mollie is in her first trimester of pregnancy, she was not feeling well enough to go walking around the neighborhood. I took the kids out while she stayed home and handed out candy. Harrison and Noah were ecstatic as we started around the neighborhood, but Olivia was pretty cautious.  I think that the decorations and smoke machines scared her a little bit.  Then there was her newly emerging apprehension of dogs.  At each house, she would first see if there were scary decorations, and it that felt safe, she would ask me if they had a dog.  Regardless of the answer, I ended up carrying her to most doors. After maybe two streets, we happened to run into our friends the Jakemans.  Rebecca mentioned that she and the younger girls were done for the night, but that Calan and David (currently home handing out candy) would love to come out with me and the boys.  So, as she and David made the shift change, I took Olivia home.  Then, with just the kids that had the excitement (and fortunately the stamina) for more trick-or-treating, we walked a few more blocks and had a great time.  All in all, we got nearly half of the neighborhood; there was plenty of candy in the bags.

I think that Harrison and Noah really got the feeling of Halloween trick or treating this year.  Which is a good thing, because with Harrison in the 3rd grade now, there are not many more years left for him before it become a bit unfashionable to go.  They did get pretty excited when they found out their pediatric dentist would pay them for their candy.  They each picked out about 15 pieces, and the rest went to the dentist.  I think we got around $10 for the candy, which the kids thought was pretty cool.  And that way, we (Mollie and I) don't end up eating a ton of it either.

Harrison's Baptism

This year Harrison turned 8 and was baptized.  For the special occasion both sets of Grandparents flew out to visit.  It was great having everyone in town for a while and to celebrate our wonderful son's baptism.

Our ward does group baptisms, and as luck would have it Harrison's baptism was held in conjunction with three other children in the ward.  We are all friends, and one of them is Harrison's best buddy who lives a few houses away.   I really love our ward, and these four families are great.

The service was held at the stake center, as our ward building does not have a baptismal font.  I have never known a building to not have a font, even the tiny branch building in Sikeston where I was baptized had one. All four kids were baptized by their dads with plenty of family attending.

The confirmation was also a special process. My dad gave me great advice as a missionary that I have always remembered.  The confirmation is not the time for teaching, advising or reminding.  It is a blessing, and should be used to bless the life of the recipient.  Ever since then, I have had a different perspective on church blessings.  Here I blessed Harrison to both feel and understand the Holy Ghost in the many circumstances of his life.  In the days leading up to the baptism, I could really not think of anything else that was more important than that.

The baptism was great, and since then I have been noticing how Harrison is changing and becoming more grown up. He and I can talk about things in a more mature manner, and he has enjoyed learning some grown up things like cooking. He loves making scrambled eggs.

Harrison's Birthday

This October Harrison turned 8! Since he had a baptism the next day, he was able to celebrate his birthday with all of his grandparents.  Harrison enjoyed opening his presents. 

As one gift, Harrison got a set of scriptures with his name on the cover.

I think he forgot to make a wish when he blew out his candles.  Note the look of dissapointment when asked what he wished for: 

We are so proud of our Harrison.  This was a big weekend for him.  He turned 8 and chose to be baptized. We've got a whole 'nother post just about that. That same week, I was also contacted by his 2nd grade teacher, and informed that there was nothing for him to learn in 2nd grade.  She had done everything she could to challenge him, and it wasn't enough.  I am so grateful he finally had a teacher that recognized this problem - it's one that I was aware of for quite some time, but anytime I brought it up, people seemed to think I was exaggerating or bragging or something. But his teacher went to the administration herself, had him tested, and followed up. It was amazing. It was determined that he would be a great fit for the 3rd grade gifted program (thankfully also housed right in our home school) and he would start on Monday.  With our permission, of course.  After a good talk with his teacher and a visit to the new class, we decided to make the big move.  I really didn't think I'd ever consider skipping my child a grade, as I have heard quite a few negative things about it.  But when it came down to it, it was the best thing for Harrison, in the opinion of his 2nd grade teacher (who we love and miss terribly) and the principal, the school counselor, as well as officials at the district level that had to approve of the move.  Part of what made the decision quite a bit easier is that he did just turn 8, so he's not that much younger than most of the kids in his class.  He seems to be doing great in his new class, and is much more challenged.  It has been a good move. I'm a bit sad that it couldn't have been made at the beginning of the year, as it is always a bit difficult to be the new kid (again), but I think he's adjusting to that okay.  I guess I'll see if I still feel the same way when I'm sending a 10 year old to middle school in a couple of years.  Or a 17 year old to college.

Pumpkin Patch

Every year at our Elementary school, the Kindergarteners take a field trip in the fall to the pumpkin patch.  Harrison's class did this, but I was not able to chaperone, as they didn't have room for any parents on the trip.  With our new school, any parents (or siblings) that want to come are welcome.  You just have to get there yourself.  So Olivia and I took advantage, and came along. It was a great time for everyone.  If we had come on the weekend, it would have cost our family of 5 over $30 to do what we did on the field trip for $6.  And that wouldn't have included a pumpkin, and the field trip did. 


There was a hay ride

out to a pumpkin patch.

Noah had to get a picture with his best friend Dallin.

These two are like 2 peas in a pod.  The are in the same class a church, but different classes at school, but that doesn't stop them from playing with each other at recess every single day.  

Next came the huge hay bale climbing tower.  This made me a bit nervous.  It was really, really tall.  But the kids LOVED it.

 And then there was the hay bale maze.

Olivia definitely felt right at home with all the Kindergarteners.  She would even line up with then when their teacher asked them to line up:

I got a group shot of his whole class.  It's a lot bigger than Harrison's class. I think Harrison's was close to 20, and Noah's is almost 30.

There was also a petting zoo, complete with bunny rabbits, pigs, goats and a reindeer!

Noah could read the signs that were posted stating that the animals may bite.  So he kept his distance. 

Everyone had a great time, and we enjoyed fabulous weather.  I can't wait to go with Olivia's class in a couple years!