October Round-Up!

I've already mentioned in a few other posts about how we are in a very busy season of life right now. As we come into November, I'm hopeful things will slow down a little bit . . . just in time for the holidays :-). While our schedule has been very full for the past few months, I try to never take for granted just how blessed we are in so many areas of our life. Here are some of the things that blessed our October.

In the September Round-Up post, I mentioned that I've started learning to make shirts with my Cricut machine. I've really enjoyed this new endeavor and have made sure we all have Falcons gear to wear to meets! 

The photo above is from a XC meet held in Chandler Park in Tulsa. After Bri and Bren ran, we enjoyed the playground a bit before heading home. Of course, Chris is always right in the middle of the fun with the kiddos :-)!

Once we got home, the twins and I spent the afternoon making Fall shirts for them. They turned out so cute, but I don't have a photo of them (bummer!). They love crafting with me, and I love having the company.

Sadie and Caroline both play softball, and we went to cheer them on a few times this month. 

Sadie at bat

Sadie's groupies - Caroline, Brecklyn, and Brooke

We adore our next door neighbor, Mrs. Mooney. The kids have developed a special relationship with her, and they love to visit her, take her food, and help her with tasks. She will often call and ask if one of the kiddos can come reach something for her since she's only 4'9" tall! In October, she turned 90 years old, and we attended a lovely birthday party her family threw for her. When we walked in, several people said, "Oh, you must the neighbors. We've heard so much about you!" Love it!

We didn't know anyone at the party besides Mrs. Mooney, her son, Chapman, and her grand-daughter Rhonda. While Chris and I got to know some of her other family and friends, the kids at the party played a game of kickball with the ball and net our kids drug over from our house :-). 

I had a few errands I needed to run before we went on our Hot Springs trip, so Brooke decided to join me. We had a great time together, and even ate at Olive Garden for dinner. This was the first time Brooke could remember eating at Olive Garden, and she thought she was living high on the hog, lol!

This girl loves her some salad!

Coach Renee's husband, Mr. Randall, has recently started offering some local apologetics classes for homeschooled kids. Brianna and Brenson are taking a class about the Flood, and they have really enjoyed it. As an added bonus, Gavon is taking the class, too. Brianna loves being in class with him again! 

Bren and Gavon drawing a giant

Chloe spent the night with us during her fall break, so she (and Brooke and Brecklyn) just tagged along with us to class the next morning. 

Demonstrating plate tectonics with graham crackers and marshmallow fluff

Brenson's project was a little bit of a disaster . . . because of course!

Last month, Brianna and Brenson started taking a local band class. Unfortunately, the teacher has never directed/taught band before and basically knows little to nothing about brass instruments. Sigh. This means that Bren and I have been putting in some practice time together since I know more about trombone than she does. I can't say I haven't been enjoying it, though!

Ever since Cvid, things with public school have been a struggle for me. I hate that I'm not allowed to volunteer in classrooms much or eat lunch with my girls. I've always loved getting photos of my kiddos during the day, but I appreciate them even more now! Here are some of the photos I've received recently: 

Brooke and Makayla practicing math

Remi and Brecklyn working together

Brecklyn telling the joke-of-the-day in her classroom

Brooke and Makayla dressed similar

Brecklyn won the Character Counts drawing (on the day of Halloween parties). I was present when this happened, but this photo hung in the hallway for the remainder of the year. 

This year, I decided to put a few autumn decorations in my bedroom. I'm in love with the green pumpkins!

I also really love my mantle and fireplace decorations, too!

Autumn decorations make everything feel so cozy to me!

Sadie's birthday is at the end of October, and we celebrated by going to The Melting Pot for dinner. Of course, this was an experience dinner, and my girls loved it! Peep the shirts I made for the occasion. 

Annabelle, Brooke, Sadie, Brecklyn, and Caroline

How is she already 9 years old?!?

Brecklyn living her best life with the chocolate fondue!

Brooke loved it all!

Birthday crew!

We've had to start doing a little more "divide and conquer" as the kiddos are getting older, and the weekend of Sadie's birthday was one of those times. While we were celebrating with her, Chris and the big kids were at XC Homeschool Nationals in Springfield, Missouri. The foliage is always amazing on the course, so he sent me this photo of Brenson and Brianna.

It never disappoints!

The races went really well, but I was for sure sad to miss them.

Whew. October was quite the month. I'm thankful for the flurry of activity, but I'm also grateful that we'll be able to take some deep breaths and relax a little before Thanksgiving!