Trees

Leaves from the lower part of our back yard. Bagged by yours truly (49 bags to be exact).

The trees are worth it, right?I'd say yes

Bike gang

There is new bike gang in our neighborhood.They are on the streets on a daily basis. Their trips are getting longer and longer. They are on our streets because of this guy. He seems to be the cause of all the biking these days.Ryan got a new bike from Grandma Ginger and Grandpa Bill. They have helped Ry relearn how to bike and improve his confidence and skills. They have spent so much time with him. Ryan is really a lucky guy. Now they are having a great time together roaming the streets.As long as the weather continues to be amazing...this will be a frequent sight. I think I need get myself a bike and join the gang.

Art Adventure

When I was in elementary school, there was an art program that brought works of art into the classroom for kids to see. It was a parent volunteer thing. I can remember the mom..Virginia Sweeny's mom to exact that would do it each year. I can remember thinking that I wanted to do that for my kids. Fast forward a bunch of years. I am innocently going to open house. Andrew's teacher asks if I would be interested in being the "Art Adventure" parent for their class. I went to a training at the Institute of Arts. We were introduced to eight different works of art. Our focus is Artists' Inspirations. I really enjoyed talking and learning about the art. It was so fun to look for what we thought the inspired the artists.

Today, I got to go to three Kindergarten classes. I chose these two art pieces to talk about (I get to go back in about a week and discuss other artworks):A Fishing Party Off Long Island. By Junius Brutus Steams

This painting lends itself well to talking about art portraying hobbies and other interests.
Baboon and Young by Picasso
We talked about the fact that Picasso loved playing with his kids..thus the car head etc.
Also we talked about using things around the house as materials for our art (assemblage). This conversation lead straight into our class art-project.

To make this art adventure experience more hands on for the kids, we made classroom sculptures. I told the kids that I loved making new friends. I told them that I wanted help making an art project about friends. I brought in a bunch of stuff from home (Picasso style) to create a "Playground Playmate."
I just put the X structure out and can and let them roll with it. I also put out cotton balls, silk flowers, Popsicle sticks, feathers, puff balls, tubes, Styrofoam peanuts, Christmas bows, shredded paper and necklaces.
This is what Andrew's class made. Everyone had a chance to add something to the sculpture. You know what is funny..when I envisioned this project I thought the can would be on its side for a round face. I was just the gluer..not the creator though. I like it better their way.
The second class came up with this fun friend. I love the yellow pants and flower hands. This one even has bows on its shoes. They were all really engaged in the project. It was hilarious to see these minds create. I took the above picture after the project was made. The teacher was trying to get them back in their chairs. They kept wanting to add more things though. Good sign.
This was the last playground pal. The class named him Spy Guy because they gave him a telescope to spy on people. Notice the cute bow tie.

I really liked working in the Kindergarten classes. It makes me super excited to get back to school to get my early education degree. Next week is the fifth graders...Heaven Help Me!

It's all about pumpkins

We had another recipe night tonight. Let me tell you something about these ladies...give them a theme and it is AMAZING what they come up with to eat. Oh boy, did we feast. Our theme for the night was pumpkin. Anything Pumpkin. There were breads, cookies, cakes, desserts muffins, pies, bars

and not just one..but THREE different yummy soups.

These girlies can cook! I loved getting to try things that I have never had before. I loved hearing that these things really aren't that hard to make. I am now ready to spring the new pumpkin recipes on my fam!

I have to point out another great part of this night. This might be my favorite part of the night...that's saying a lot because I like me some food...
I love spending time with these guys!
I love talking to them. I love laughing with them. They are so much fun to be around.
I also enjoy a night out and the chance to not come home until after the kiddos are in bed..thank you Erik : )
Super fun Loni...thanks for hosting the night!
Here's what I brought. (It is pictured above next to the bowl of whipping cream in the 9x13 pan)
Pumpkin Dessert

Combine:

1 12 oz can evaporated milk

3 eggs

1 29 oz (or 2 15 oz) can packed pumpkin

1/2 tsp salt

1 c sugar

2 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp ginger

1/2 tsp ground cloves

Pour mixture into a sprayed 9x13 pyrex pan.

Cut 3/4 c softened butter into a yellow cake mix.

Crumble over top of pumpkin mixture.

Sprinkle 1 c chopped pecans on top.

Bake at 350 for 1 hour.

Best served warm with whipped cream!

ENJOY!

Thank you Stacey P. for the incredible pumpkin dessert recipe! It is oh-so-enjoyable!

It's working!

I have exciting news. Well, it is exciting if you live in this house. It is exciting if your name is Erik. Finally after 13 years of marriage, I have established a laundry routine that seems to be working. Laundry has been a problem. We have always lived with huge piles. Dirty piles. Clean piles. Piles Piles Piles. It was never ending! We would have to dive into the clean clothes pile to find clothes to wear. We would have to run to Target because we cannot find clean socks. It was all stressful and took a lot of time.
I now feel it is safe to go public with my laundry goals (this system has worked for 3 weeks). Each person has their own bin..and I wash one bin a day plus their bedding. Towels have their own bin. No more combining all the dirty laundry into one HUGE mountain that will never be conquered. Now we have simple piles. This is probably how all you normal laundry people already do it...but it is revelation to me :) Next step: each person washes and puts away their own bin. Dare I dream?

Halloween-

Like I said-I am working Halloween night, so I have to grab any taste of Halloween I can before the main event. Last night was the church chili contest/trunk or treat. I brought some chili...I did not even want to be in the contest...I just wanted to bring some chili. It was fun to see all the different kinds of chili. I thought all were yummy. Contest schmontest.

Unfortunately, I could not find Ryan, Emily and Andrew to bring to the party.

I was able to bring Luigi
Mario
and a creepy vampire (seen in the top picture).
They all had a great time.

Band Begins...a few weeks ago

I finally got myself over to band with Ryan this morning. We had to be at school at 7:15 am. That was early for us! The car was frosted over. The sun still had not started the day. It was COLD. I was not sure if band was worth it. But guess what...it was!I am excited to be a band parent volunteer. It is fun to help the band kids find their spots in the music. I got to help pick up dropped music (a few times...and surprisingly Ryan was not one of the kids to drop the music) and stack chairs. Also, now I know where Ryan is supposed to be in his band music and I can be a better help to him. I bet he is so excited about that!
It was fun to be back in the presence of a fifth grade band. Things have not changed much since my days in fifth grade band...girl flutes...boy saxes and trumpets...etc.

The songs the band plays are cute and fun. They even are starting a Jolly Old St. Nick Salsa.

It is exciting to have Ryan be a part of the band.