The girls were excited to get on their pumpkins. They had each picked out the pumpkin they wanted and then made the big decision on what to carve. They all did good at cleaning out the "guts".
Of course Elizabeth picked to do Toothless, (it just happens to be her costume again this year - lucky Mom!)
Cera brought a little Harry Potter into the mix....
....and Emilee rounded out the group with some Minecraft.
Uncle Mike also added to the bunch with some Lightening McQueen.
What a great looking front porch for Halloween!
The costume picks this year were pretty easy on Mom - Cera wanted to be a nerd and even added some of the treats to her legs, Elizabeth wanted to be Toothless again and Emilee was a dinosaur with her dino sweater (you can't see very good in this picture but it has some back spikes and a tail. They were all ready for trick or treating!
The girls had a great time trick or treating again. They went around the block and caught a few other houses before coming home to sort and trade goodies!
Emilee was very excited to be invited to an activity for her friends church that happened to be at Lloyd's rollerskating. The girls had so much fun skating around and spending time together. Emilee can't wait to go back a time or two more before it closes for good.
Cera was excited to get one last fishing trip in with Dad. Her smile is almost as big as the fish she caught!
We were also all very excited for Nan to have a short layover in Calgary on her way to Arizona. We were able to pick her up, have a quick lunch and visit before she had to carry on with her flight.
While we were waiting at the airport the girls were excited to see some working dogs. They were dressed up for Halloween and wondering around the airport to help whoever needed it. The girls weren't feeling anxious about anything but happily enjoyed a pet or two of the dogs. They have all found their ideal job (although it's actually a volunteer position).
The girls decided Mojo needed to have a birthday celebration (especially Cera who did research on the best "cake" for a dog). Because Mojo is a rescue dog and therefore we only know about how old she is - the girls just picked a day to be her birthday. Cera made the cake and invited Mojo's friend, Murphy, to the party.
The dogs enjoyed their cake filled with carrots and peanut butter.
Then Mojo opened a few presents and the dogs played together. What a great afternoon for Mojo (and the girls who were very excited to celebrate)!
Ok Mom can be pretty fun too! The girls were excited to take a trip into Calgary with Mom. They ended up at the fabric store to pick out some material for a few new skirts. (The ones the girls made a few years ago are getting a little small!) By the time they were done shopping for fabric, rush hour was starting so they decided to stop at Ikea for some shopping and dinner. The girls loves dinner at Ikea and Mom doesn't mind the low price tag.
During our shopping we decided to get some items to make the bags to hand out to homeless people that we've talked about many times. The next day we put the bags together and the girls were pretty pleased with them.
Mom and the girls have enjoyed a few Sunday afternoon walks around the pond. We are grateful for some nice weather still and the opportunity to enjoy nature and each other.
Mom was able to go on a last minute field trip with the grade fours. It was outside in the cold but Mom survived for the day!
The kids had some fun while learning on their field trip and then they participated in a nature study. They marked an area, wrote about it and drew it. They will be returning to the exact same spot later this year to see how things have stayed the same and changed. What a great learning experience for these kids in their science unit.
Alright Mom wasn't here with Cera but wanted to share the picture from Activity Days. It was great for the girls to be reminded that they are unique and beautiful and everything else great. If I could teach and have my girls understand anything it would be that their Heavenly Father and Jesus love them and see this amazing divine potential in each of them. If we will but let Them help us and guide us through trials so that we can become what They see in each of us. We truly each are amazing in so many ways!
The girls and Mom were asked to sing in church so while practicing with out pianist the girls were able to enjoy her little dog.
Elizabeth wasn't sure about the dog at first as she attacked our toes and licked us none stop while we were singing - but once the dog calmed down and they were introduced, Elizabeth loved her!
Dad decided to take all the girls to Injanation for the afternoon. Elizabeth had told the other girls how great it was and now they got to see for themselves. They enjoyed climbing around, over and under things. They are all pretty good ninjas!
They worked together going through the obstacles and testing out their strength. It was a fun afternoon and they were tired by the end. What a fun day with a great Dad!
The girls participated in a walk-a-thon at their school to raise money for events through out the year. Cera participated by helping the kids cross the streets safely.
Mom was grateful that they were walking in their school color groups so she could walk with Emilee and Elizabeth. (All three girls are in the same color group.) Emilee walked with her friend Cooper. They chatted the whole time and Mom had to remind them to keep moving as they'd slow down while visiting. (Although Mom is super grateful for amazing friendships.)
Elizabeth moved throughout her group walking with a bunch of friends and some time walking with just Mom. It was a long walk for those kids (Mom was tired by the end of the afternoon) - they earned the money they raised! Thank you to those that supported the girls and their school through this event.
Emilee is pretty excited to be patrolling this year. She takes her job very seriously and looks forward to each Friday after school. She does a great job and learned from a good big sister.
Mom decided it was time to finish up the owls Cera had started what seems like forever ago! The girls helped cut out pieces for another 24 owls and Mom has been busy sewing when she can. Uncle Mike loves to help with the sewing process by handing the owls or taking out pins. It makes it a little bit slower but the happiness it brings is worth it! These owls will be full of love by the time they are done. Cera is going to try to sell some at her school craft fair and then donate the money made from them. Any that don't sell will be donated to Rowan House again.
We were also able to have a little birthday party for Uncle Mike's birthday. He liked the girls singing to him with his gluten, dairy free cupcake and candle.
Each of the girls thought about some thing they wanted to give to Uncle Mike. They knew just what he'd love and wrapped it up for him. He went home feeling loved and with a few extra goodies to add to his collections. We love you Uncle Mike!
We were sad to have snow roll in before cross country divisionals but Cera dressed for the weather and was ready to run. Here she is at the starting line with some of the other girls from her school.
Cera was hoping to come in the top ten again but there were some really great runners there. (and a new running surface of snow and some ice!) She ended up in the top twenty which is nothing to complain about! She pushed herself, worked hard and had a great day. Way to go Cera!
