A few things

Since Halloween fell on a Saturday this year, we went to a pumpkin farm in the morning. We usually end up going to this farm to ride horses, pet animals, and jump around in those "jumpy things," in early or mid October, but we couldn't get there until the last day it was open. Oh well, at least we got there.

It was a very cold morning and nobody was there. We practically had the place to ourselves. The kids held baby chicks in which the boys kept repeating, "Ahhhhh, so cute!" in little high pitched voices. We went on the the choo choo ride and the hay ride a few times, and the kids just had a blast running around. The hot chocolate and apple cider donuts were much needed to end our afternoon.

Halloween was fun, but unfortunately I do not have any pictures, since it was easier to walk with the kids and let everyone else take pictures. I'll have to get them soon. Mom, Julie, Katie, Laura, John, and Robbie came with us and we all had a lot of fun. Robbie was a monkey, Madison was a flower girl/ White girl, Christian was a giraffe, and Caleb was a froggie. There were a few falls and a few tears, but the large amount of adults and having the wagon with us was great! We ended the night with pizza at our house.

Today, November 12, 2009, was an intense homework night. Since I had conferences earlier in the week and Madison had Awanna last night, her homework piled up until the day before it was due--oops! Have no fear- Madison did an amazing job! In the beginning of this feat together, I did not think that it was going to be amazing. To start off, Madison began stomping her feet and saying that she hated stupid homework over and over again. It took her a little time to calm down and become alright with doing it. The popcorn that I popped and the reassurance that I would be with her the whole time, was what she needed. We first had to decide on how to decorate a turkey, but not decorate it yet, since we had to write about how we decorated it. After Madison decided to use flowers, tissue paper, and marshmallows, we then wrote a rough draft about that. After revising and editing, Madison wrote her final draft. Madison had a nice break with going to church choir for an hour and then back home for more homework and dinner. What a trooper she was. While eating, Madison decorated her turkey and practiced reading her "baggy books." After all of that was finished, pajamas were put on, teeth brushed and spelling words studied. These spelling words were the "challenge" words and it was our first time even looking at them this week. Another oops! I was so proud of Madison getting all her words correct on her pre-test, but I will say that challenge words are definitely a challenge (for the child and the parent teaching them). I am happy to say that Madison was in bed by 8:10 with ALL of her homework completed and ALL of her spelling words learned . . . and 10 minutes of television. Yes! I am so glad that I did not bring any of my homework home tonight- I am all homeworked out. My little Maddie Mae was such a trooper tonight, but I do not plan on waiting until homework is piled up again.