Ponkin Catch...again

Landon begged and I gave in.  We went back to the pumpkin patch with Grandma.

 

 

 For some reason he prefers the pumpkins without stems.  Whatever makes him happy.

Piano Lessons

We decided to start Savannah in formal piano lessons mid-September.  She is taking from a friend of mine, Sara Millett, and loving it so far. 

She had her first piano party, which was a Halloween theme.  She LOVED playing her song for the other kids and playing music games.  I'm really happy we decided to have her take lessons from someone other than me, because she is progressing so much faster.

                                                  

Reptile Bowling

While Grandma was relaxing, Grandpa was busy finishing up his outings with the kids, before he had to fly back to Arizona.  Connor wanted to go bowling as well, but I found out that on Saturday afternoon they were having a special party to celebrate the anniversary of the bowling alley.  The mascot of the bowling alley is an alligator, so they had a reptile guy come and do a presentation.  Connor was SO excited.  First they got to actually bowl.

 

 Then they listened to the presentation.  I'm sure Connor was probably hanging on his every word.

And then Connor's favorite part...touching reptiles! 

 

 Because who doesn't want to pet a baby alligator?

Grandma's Birthday

We spent the weekend relaxing and celebrating Grandma's birthday.  It was fun to have my mom here actually on her birthday and spend time with her.

 Landon was excited about the Wall-E bedspread I found for him at a yard sale.

 All the kids' favorite spot on the couch is right next to (or on top of) Grandma & Grandpa.

 The "men" watching a ball game or something.

 

 Grandma was so nice and patient to do this craft with Savannah.  It took them hours of poking pins into the sequins and foam, but Savannah loved every minute of it.

 

 UNO and reading books

 We love you Grandma!

 For lunch Grandpa took us all to Golden Corral to celebrate Grandma's birthday.  My kids think that Golden Corral is heaven, because they have a HUGE dessert buffet.  We make them eat one or two healthy items and then they go to town.  I think Zach ate three ice cream cones and two or three cotton candy treats.

 

 

Fishing with Grandpa

(I know that I'm talking like this was last week.  It's not.  It was back in October.  But I print this out for my kids' journals, so I'm making it chronological.  Sorry if it bugs you,  I will get caught up eventually.)

Zach LOVES fishing.  When my dad asked what he could do with Zach that would be special I told him to take Zach fishing.  So bright and early Saturday morning I dropped them off at the neighborhood lake while I went to a bunch of yard sales nearby.  It was freezing cold that morning and my dad was such a trooper.  Especially since he couldn't wear gloves to continually add bait to Zach's hooks.  But Zach had a GREAT time and I know he will never forget that special time with Grandpa.

 Zach caught two fish that morning (with Grandpa's help), despite the cold.

 For the second catch I just happened to be driving by and saw them, so I got out to take some pictures and video.  Zach was all smiles.

 Grandpa spent most of the morning trying to teach Zach how to cast the line correctly.  Thanks for a fun morning Grandpa!

I have a video to add, but blogger isn't letting me upload it right now.  Mom, you can check back later for it.  :-)

Judo Belt Test

The first night that Grandma & Grandpa LeSueur we got to attend Jacob & Connor's judo belt test.  Connor received his white stripe belt, and Jacob received his yellow stripe belt.  They both really enjoy going to judo and the friends that they've made there.

Connor practicing his throws 

 Our little cheering squad in the corner of the gym

 Jacob demonstrating "breakfalls," which teaches them how to fall correctly without getting hurt

 

 Jacob doing a jumping breakfall

 Some of the kids are able to jump over 7 kids.  Connor loved being in the middle of the kids getting jumped over.

 Connor demonstrating a hold

 Jacob pinning an opponent

 Connor was so excited for this belt test.  He told everyone we saw about it for about 2 weeks leading up to it.  He is so proud of his new white-stripe belt.

 

 

 

 

The boys were so happy to have Grandma & Grandpa there to see them advance. 

 With Sensei Dario & Sensei Jeff

These men are amazing, donating their time to this program.  The boys look up to them a lot.

This is a little video clip of Jacob doing a diving breakfall over 3 kids

I saw Connor doing this at practice one day and thought he looked like a little rolling ball, so I made him do it for the video camera.

Bowling with Grandpa

My parents came into town for a visit and we were so happy to have them here.  They had just come from a week-long trip to Boston and Washington D.C.  Grandma stayed for a while, but Grandpa could only stay for the weekend.  I planned an activity for each of the older kids to do with Grandpa all by themselves, and they were so excited about it.  

Their plane got in at lunch time, and as soon as we got back home my dad went and got Savannah out of school early for her "Grandpa Time."  She has been begging me to go bowling for months.  My dad used to take me on "dates" to the bowling alley when I was a little girl, so I thought it would be great to have him take her.  It was really fun to see these pictures of them together.  It brought back lots of memories of the time I spent with my dad growing up.  Savannah LOVED it, and especially liked that it was special time just with Grandpa.

 

 

 

Whose your mummy?

Zach had his last pack meeting before turning 11 and becoming a boy scout.  He got to be part of the flag ceremony and did a great job.

 Zach earned lots of awards:

Webelos Badge

Religious Knot

Fitness, Handyman, Outdoorsman, Readyman, and Traveler Badges

Citizenship and Tennis Belt Loops

Compass Patch

 After the awards the boys got to turn their moms into mummys.  What boy would not love wrapping his mom up in toilet paper?