More of October

 Dallin had his first visit to the dentist. He barely opened his mouth, but he never cried, so that's a good thing.

 I just love Fall in Virginia!

 I've been part of a weight loss challenge. I've lost 20 lbs  and 13 inches in 8 weeks! I'm so happy with the results. Now I just need to keep it up.

 Doesn't every kid like to play school on Saturday morning?! If these girls aren't drawing chalk houses on the driveway, they are inside either playing school or Legos.

I can not believe I bought some of these for Carmen.... but I was in 4th grade when I got my first bra, too.

I got this cute picture from Charlotte's primary teacher. They had a lesson on talents and how each person is unique. I love their smiling faces! 

The Pumpkin Patch with Charlotte

Going to the pumpkin patch just never gets old. I figure I still have a few more visits with Dallin in my future. This trip was to Greenleaf Farm. Here she is on the hay ride with her friend Kyla.

We had a fun race through the corn maze.

 And all the kids took turns flying down this tube slide. It went really fast!

 And they got to climb all over these giant hay bales.

 We saw goats, sheep, turkeys, rabbits, pigs and a mule.

 Mrs. Welborn's class on the spider web

 And here's the pumpkin she picked!

Aliza's Special Trip

David and I decided to start a tradition that when you turn 8 you get to attend General Conference in Utah at the Conference Center. He took Carmen last year and this year was Aliza's turn! What a neat experience to sit at the feet of the Prophet at such a young age. I hope Aliza will always remember the special spirit she felt this day.

 

 She got to spend a few days with her Utah cousins, but then her trip got unexpectedly extended and she got to go to California with David who had to be at a work meeting. Aunt Rebecca was so kind to watch her while David went to work. I think Aliza loved every minute of the attention and missing a whole week of school. But we missed her terribly!!!! Aliza and Laney really hit it off this summer at the cabin, so I think it was a happy reunion for the two of them.

She went hiking....

 She even got to go swimming, as it was still so warm in California.

Here she is, finally home!!! I missed her so much. Having a child gone, even for a short time, just leaves an empty spot in my heart. 

Dallin and I made her favorite cookies, No Bakes, for her return.

MEANWHILE BACK AT HOME: We played at the park, several different parks....

The kids got a package from Oma. We love surprises in the mail!

 I had to sneak a picture of Dallin sleeping. I love the way he lays on top of all his blankets.

And Carmen got new glasses. They are adorable on her!

Pumpkin Patch

The Frontline company picnics seem to get better every year. This year we went to the Pumpkin Patch! We had fun sliding on a giant underground slide, racing rubber duckies, getting lost the corn maze, sling shots, eating good food, riding the train.... and many other activities. I think everyone's favorite was the slide, though.

Kindergarten Picnic

Charlotte's kindergarten class had a "Hello Fall, Goodbye Summer" Picnic. It was a fun opportunity to get to have lunch with her AND play on the playground. While I was watching her eat and play, I couldn't help but notice that I just had a huge smile on my face the whole time. It felt so wonderful to be there with her. I know it was such a simple picnic and she spent most of the time with her friends. But I just felt such a joy that I haven't felt in a really long time. I was glad I went! And Dallin was pretty excited about the playground - he cried when we had to leave.

Matter Day

I'm certainly learning my lessons the second and sometimes 3rd times around. When Carmen had matter day a few years ago, I wasn't so sure it sounded that fun. But when she came home and told me all about it, I was sad that I missed it. Well, Aliza's Matter Day rolled around last week and I knew I wanted to be there to help (even though it meant dragging poor Dallin along with me). 

All the second graders rotate around the classrooms and make something different in each room. All the experiments revolve around things they've been learning about matter. I got to help with Aliza's really great teacher, Ms. Williams, to make slime. The kids all loved it and were really great at figuring out the states of matter that each step of the experiment went through.