My new BFF

Shhh...don't tell my crockpot!

Hunting with PapaBear

Happy Thanksgiving!

We spent Thanksgiving week on our annual trek home to do all things grandparents.  Thanksgiving 4 times in 7 days - whew!  Here we go:

All we want for Christmas....

....is baby cousin Julia.  We all loved her.  But, since she exceeds the agreed-upon price limit, we'll have to come up with another idea.  (Matthew offered to trade Helen for her - Julia Kaye is "less trouble"-but Aunt Addie and Uncle Jason wouldn't go for it).

Priceless...

Day at the Beach

We celebrated Thanksgiving with Gram and Gramps at the beach!  I think they liked it.....

You Will Obey Me...

Last week, when Helen was especially acting her age, Matthew tried to hypnotize her.  He waved a washcloth in front of her face chanting: You will obey me.  You will obey me.

It didn't work.

He was disappointed...so was his mom.

Six Years Old

Last day to be 5

Birthday Time!

First day to be 6

Fall!

Making Crayons

As expected, Matthew was meticulous about sorting his old crayons to make new ones.  He did a great job and we had fun with the result.  Helen, of course, also got in on the act.  Just FYI - removing embedded crayon from your one-year-old's back molars is just as hard as it sounds...

Making his cake...

When finished, Matthew said "Mom, I'm so proud of myself".  Me, too, buddy.  Happy Birthday.

Happy Birthday Matthew!

Homeschool vs Helen

The question I get asked most about homeschooling is "What do you do with Helen?"  Fortunately, it's not usually this - 

Day of Rest??

After church, a Karate tournament and "Trunk or Treat", we came home to eat too much candy, watch the Berenstein Bears Halloween and crash! 

Here are our pics:

Yeah Matthew - Second Place!

Watching the competition

Our giant pumpkin (stuffed with pillows)

My favorite kind of scarecrow

Picking the best pumpkin

Checking out the stash

Our kitty and Matthew - he never wants to wear a costume!

I Heart Daddy..