Enchanted Woods

Since Megan pranced around the Treehouse in her fake high heels at age 2, we have gone to the Enchanted Woods during the Halloween season. The kids have loved the stories and treats they have gotten over the years. Well, a turning point in our lives has occurred. Megan informed us she was too old to go and Tyler only went because he didn't want Emily to feel bad about going alone. He didn't want to dress up, though.

Emily dressed in her Barbie princess dress complete with her own pair of high heels. Tyler tried to blend in the background most of the time and made sure he was always in the back during the trip through the woods.
Emily had a great time and Tyler liked it o.k., but he informed me he wouldn't be going next year. He wanted to move to the Haunted Hallow next year. I guess Emily will be going alone unless anyone wants to join in the fun for a couple of more years. I'm not ready for the kids to be so grown up yet. Where does time go?

Green Extreme!

Megan some how talked us in to letting her play soccer again this year. She does love it and is quite aggressive on the field. Her team ended their season on October 23rd undefeated. In fact, only one goal was even scored against them over the 7 games. (Megan was happy she wasn't the goalie during that kick). Many coaches over the weeks have complained that it is a stacked team, but it really was random--except for Megan and one other player who were added at the last minute only as bodies. Megan did her fair share of pushing and scoring, though, to make the team proud.
Tyler, on the other hand, has given up any aspirations of a soccer career. He spent the last 7 Saturdays playing with friends on the playground and bridges at the park. He is actually happy he doesn't play anymore. Emily is in the same boat and has given up soccer for ballet. We definitely have 3 very different kids.

Looking at the lovely shade of green, it is evident why they named the team the green extreme. Congratulations girls on a great season. We'll see how it goes in the spring.

Pumpkin Patch

One of our favorite October traditions is to head to the pumpkin patch and pick our own pumpkins. Emily was so excited she giggled the entire way in the van. We started with a hay ride to the field.
Then comes the fun part---looking for the perfect pumpkin. Megan found hers right away. She just wanted the biggest one in the field. Emily and Tyler were another story. Emily looked for the perfect round one and Tyler just wanted a perfect one with no dirt.
Yeah, it took forever. The rest of the wagon was waiting for Tyler and Emily to find their pumpkins. It really is hard to find a really round pumpkin.
We finally got 5 pumpkins loaded on the wagon, though. The driver of the tractor even gave us a bonus pumpkin in case one of ours just wasn't good enough when we got home. We had a great time and even great weather. Now we'll just have to wait another week to carve them. That's the part Megan and Tyler like the best!

Fourth Grade Field Trip

As part of the curriculum for 4th grade, Tyler gets to learn state history. The teachers planned a field trip to visit "This is the Place" park and learn about the pioneers' life. I was lucky enough to be picked as a chaperone and got to hang out with Tyler for the day. I must say it was one of the best field trips I have been on. (It sure beats Megan's trip to the marshlands in 4th grade). We all got to learn about life in the mid-1800's. We visited the school house, the tin maker's house, and then finished with a square dance at the cultural hall. I loved being Tyler's dance partner, even though he didn't appreciate it that much.
After lunch we rode the train around the park.
They kids then got to pull handcarts around a short route. Even empty they were harder to pull than they all thought. Well, I guess I should say harder to stop than they all thought.
I actually learned things about our state history and enjoyed spending the day with Tyler and his classmates.

Down & Derby!

We're finally back blogging again. Tyler is in a cleaning mode and has put away everything that is normally just out---that includes our cord for the camera. Yes, it is nice to have the house always clean, but we spend an awful lot of time looking for things in places we would have never thought.
Anyway, back to our past month. On Sept. 25th, Tyler had his first Pinewood Derby experience. The car looked really cool, but we should have known something was up when the wheels were put on minutes before we left for the church and then fine-tuning was left for the "body shop."
Megan and Emily enjoyed making Twinkie cars to eat during the many heats.
This is Tyler ready to go---unfortunately his car wasn't so cooperative. I'm not sure what happened to his wheels, but let's just say by the end of the night his car barely made it down the track.
He did take 2nd in 2 of his many heats and 1 3rd place win, but of the 10 or so he did, 4th was the favorite position. At one point in the night, Tyler wouldn't even claim his own car. Emily had to go and pick it up after a few of the heats. I guess Wendell and Tyler will have to try harder next year. The good thing is that they can only go up from here. :)

No More Braces!

This is the last picture of Megan with metal in her mouth. She has "endured" her time with the orthodontist and was thrilled when he told her in July she would get them off. (Tyler got his expander out, but still has to have another set in a couple of years so his really doesn't count).
Megan's beautiful new smile. I think she looks older with nice straight teeth. She's just excited she has them off and done before junior high.

Farewell Shadow!

Remember how we had weeping and wailing when Oreo passed on last year. Well, the novelty of a pet has worn off. I was in the school this past week and a mom handed me an invitation to a birthday for a boy in Tyler's class. I asked her what he wanted for his birthday and she mentioned he was hoping for a guinea pig. What luck! We had Shadow who no longer gets the care he once did. I was tired of being the caregiver to a pet that basically made the toyroom smell like a barn. I immediately volunteered our pet to a new home.
And so, Megan and Emily willingly sent Shadow to Tyler's classmate's house. They said it was o.k. because they knew he was going to a good home and we are now just the babysitters when they go on vacation. Basically, they want to see Shadow, but not care for him. All the way around it worked out. Megan and Emily can go visit and don't have to clean his cage or feed him or play with him or..... So long to a great pet while it lasted!