October Fun

Well, my knight, ninja, and princess have a LOT of candy and they are excited!  It's raining now of course as it is Hallowe'en but while the kids were getting their haul, the weather was great - the best I can remember for Hallowe'en.  Lily-Anna returned for mittens and a jacket over her princess dress but it was dry and not freezing.  Graham took the kids around in our neighbourhood and I gave out candy from our front step, though it wasn't overly busy.  I wore a mask and put hand sanitizer on a few times.      

I've once again added the photos to this post before writing.  I think this is the first pumpkin I have carved.  I used a template and it was easier than I thought.  I am hoping the pumpkin seeds I roast tomorrow will also be tasty.  

We went to Niagara Falls last weekend.  We were visiting a friend and our friend's lovely dog last weekend.  She lives about fifteen minutes from the Falls so we stopped there after our visit.  It was Lily-Anna's first time there and I don't think Kohen remembered his trip with Graham and Isaac when he was two.  The boys each bought a keychain (they attach to their school bags) and Lily-Anna bought a magnet which she put on the fridge so everyone could see it.  Isaac kept saying what a great day it was.  

The boys love playing soccer.  Soccer is usually the highlight when I ask Isaac about his day after school. 

 

Once again, Lily-Anna asked to make 'experiment' cookies.  She did let me refer to a previous recipe so we used up our excess pumpkin and molasses along with oats.  We were happy to eat them.  

Here's my Ninja Kohen at his piano class last week.

Kohen was so excited to leave this surprise for Lily-Anna.  He wanted to give her his pajamas that are too small. 

Our church hosted a paint event for the kids.  Kohen and Lily-Anna enjoyed painting owls.

Lily-Anna needed some bloodwork this month.  She is the first of my children to need it.  A nurse recommended that I use Emla Cream to numb her skin.  She's not a fan of creams so that was the first challenge but it helped as the nurse didn't think she felt anything.  Anyone at the blood lab would have thought she felt a lot given the number of decibels she reached but there were two nurses and they were great.  It didn't take long to calm down afterwards but I thought she'd earned a Cake Pop.

We were thrilled to be able to travel to Ottawa to visit my brother and his family for Thanksgiving, along with my parents and my other brother and his family.  We haven't been there in two years so the kids were extra excited.  It's been a long time since we've had a long drive but we all made it in one piece and it was wonderful to see the cousins playing together after such a long time apart.

My celebrated my dad's 75th birthday while we were together.  

We also had Graham's brother visiting from B.C.  which was a special treat.  

Swimming lessons have finished for a while as I couldn't get them into the classes that start next week.  They all improved but we have missed our nicer breakfast on Saturday mornings.  I am thoroughly enjoying being part of a women's Bible study.  It's a blessing to connect with others.  

It's time for bed as I will get up early to make lunches.  

Blessings,

Elizabeth

Romans 8:28

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose. 

Sunshine in September

I've been feeling guilty about the lack of photos on my previous blog posts so I have spent the last couple of hours adding photos.  If I add them first from now on, it should be a faster process.  That also means I have very little time left to write.  

I think the highlight of this month has definitely been the return to school.  Isaac is in his final year at this school (Grade 6), Kohen is in Grade 2 and Lily-Anna is in SK.  It is so nice to see them together with friends again.  They actually missed a week of school due to colds (Isaac didn't have one but due to Covid rules he understandably had to stay home.)    

Before heading back to school, Graham decided we would go to a hotel for a night.  We just went to St. Jacobs so we didn't have far to travel.  We were able to book a time in the pool in the evening and the following morning.  It was our first time in a hotel since pre-Covid.  We followed up the hotel with a visit to a park and the Wallenstein store for ice cream.  

We also spent one night in a tent outside Grandma and Grandpa Faulkner's home.  It was an adventure.  There was a loud and bright thunderstorm but Kohen and Lily-Anna slept right through it.  Thankfully Grandpa Ray made sure the tarp over the tent was tied down really well.  It was very nice to be able to wake up in the morning and go inside for breakfast and a hot shower.  

Learning from Grandpa in the garden

Our tent for a wet night

Annual First-Day-Of-School Letters

Graham and I went to Toronto for a doctor's appointment for me.  We were able to enjoy a delicious Thai lunch of Som Tum and Khao Soi.  We were not back in time to take Lily-Anna to her first piano lesson so big brother Isaac filled in and did a great job as he went through the Music for Young Children program with the same teacher.

Out for Thai food

Graham's favourite Thai salad

Lily-Anna's first day of Piano!

Cutting practice

I've started volunteering again in Lily-Anna's Sunday School class.  I've also signed up to join a Women's small group that starts in October.  I'm looking forward to that.

Graham has been back to work one day a week for the last couple of weeks.  He'll be there two days a week next week.  (Oops!  Graham pointed out that it sounds like he has not been working.  I meant that he has returned to his office at the university for the first time since before Covid.  He usually works from our basement.)  

One brief story:  Graham was putting Lily-Anna to bed one night.  As part of his prayer he asked God to, "Say hi to Josiah."  Lily-Anna asked, "Does God put Josiah to bed?"

One more briefer story: We were in a store with cards and Lily-Anna said she wanted to buy a card.  I asked her who the card was for and she answered, "For God."

It's time to get to bed.  My sweet husband did the kids' lunches so I don't have to get up early in the morning!!!  What a blessing!

Blessings,

Elizabeth

Romans 6:23

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

August Adventures

I am typing to the sound of a happy hamster in her wheel.  The kids are looking after Ginger for a few days while her owner is away.  It's lovely to see them excited to play with her, happy to crawl all over the floor after her.  I was a little hesitant to become friends with a rodent but she was too cute to resist.  

Somehow, August has come and gone.  Graham had the first two weeks off.  We enjoyed some day trips the first week including visiting family at their cottage, time with friends at a park, and a fun trip to Bingemans water park (a gift from a wonderful neighbour!)  

After a fun day at the water park

Bottom hair colour compared to top

Post-Haircut Braids

During the second week we rented a cottage in Oliphant (roughly equal distance between Sauble Beach and Wiarton but just a short walk from Lake Huron).  We had fun at a few different beaches and also visited Storybook Park in Owen Sound which we had never heard of.  Kohen went on every ride there and Isaac wouldn't stop going on the water slides.  I think Lily-Anna liked the splash pad the best as well as the playgrounds and the little houses with storybook characters.  Graham and I definitely appreciated all the shade.  I went on the little roller coaster with Kohen.  He sat beside me and told me he was going to be sick but then he ended up going on it three or four times.  One time was more than enough for me.  I don't mind the spinning rides and I used to enjoy large roller coasters but now I'm not so sure.  

The boys were delighted to be introduced to a beautiful starry sky.  We let them stay up late and then we lay down on the lawn and downloaded an app to show us the constellations.  It was wonderful to hear the awe in their voices as they looked up at the heavens.  Lily-Anna was a little sad to miss the show but I was able to use the app on my phone in her bedroom before bed and she could "see the stars" above even though it was light outside.  She was happy.  

We downloaded all of the Ramona audiobooks by Beverly Cleary from the library when we started our holiday.  We ended up listening to all of it - just shy of 19 hours, mainly while driving and at some meals.  I am a fan of audiobooks!

The following two weeks included swimming lessons for the boys at an outdoor pool.  Due to Covid, I need to be in the water with Kohen.  There weren't any openings for Lily-Anna but I was able to sign all the kids up for some fall lessons which means that both Graham and I will also be in the water.

Last week, Kohen had a special Daddy-date to go and see The Paw Patrol Movie.  This was his first time going to a theatre to watch a movie.  I then had a Mommy-date with Isaac and we saw the new Space Jam movie.  Lily-Anna is not ready for a movie theatre but she was excited to watch some Paw Patrol episodes and stay up later on a Mommy-date at Grandma and Grandpa's home along with popcorn and treats that we picked out earlier in the day.  

We have some new shoes so the kids are almost ready for school.  Kohen just needs a haircut.  Isaac is very excited to get back to school to play soccer with his friends.  Kohen and Lily-Anna are also looking forward to it.  I'm praying they will both make good friends.  

I like how Lily-Anna talks about unwrapping gifts:  "Let's wrap out the presents."

It's time to post this but it's also time to head to bed, sadly without any pictures.  For some reason this computer does not make it easy to add photos but I will add them ... but not tonight.  We are heading to a splashpad with friends tomorrow so I need some sleep.

Blessings,

Elizabeth

Psalm 31:2

Since you are my rock and my fortress, for the sake of your name lead and guide me.