Hi Friends! Let's catch up on the past few weeks, shall we?
The kids and I decided to show some love to our very neglected family garden. We turned the soil, added fertilizer, and planted some seeds.
Emmerson got to watch so that she didn't get her cast too dirty.
Fast forward a few weeks and we have peas, zucchini, pumpkins, radishes and carrots taking off.
We're late for pumpkin season but it's still fun to watch these plants grow like crazy and change each day.
School update. Lots changing here. I have been teaching from home for the most part this year. I have grown very accustomed to sleeping in well past my morning wake up alarm and folding laundry and vacuuming during my lunch breaks. But this week I officially report back to school and next week my students begin in person with me! We are returning to a hybrid model, meaning that on Mondays we are all still online and the rest of the week, my class is split in half with a Tuesday/Thursday cohort and a Wednesday/Friday cohort. I am excited, nervous, and pretty much every other feeling I could possibly feel about it. But as in all things, I put my trust in God and just keep moving forward.
Our big kids are excited to finally return to school in person. But they're not super excited for the restrictive nature of it. (Masks all day, shortened lunch and recess, no playground etc.) But before we know it, this will become our new normal and we will adapt accordingly.
Donovan has continued to go to a friend's house for school 2 days a week. He is so sad to be split from his two best friends into the opposite class cohort. :(
Emmerson has been meeting up with a little group twice a week after school to do crafts and to play outside together.
Now onto Fall family traditions. At the end of September, we broke ot our matching fall jammies and read aloud my most favorite fall book.
We began to decorate around the house. Inside and out.
We had our first fall bonfire and roasted marshmallows.
Our neighbors have Booed us generously this year! This has become such a fun neighborhood tradition.
We have enjoyed donning our favorite Halloween festive outfits now that the weather has cooled off a bit.
One Friday, the kids spent the night at Oma and Grampie's! They had a blast and Dustin and I loved being able to sleep in for a change.
The next morning we picked them up and walked through one of our favorite neighborhoods to see their Halloween decorations.
The decorations weren't quite as big as many houses have opted not to join in this year during the pandemic. But overall, this family tradition never disappoints.
Mom changed out all of our sheets to soft fleece sheets, which made this boy so happy like it was Christmas morning. There's just something so cozy about cooler nights and cozy sheets.
The house has pumpkins... everywhere.
Family suppers are still a favorite. Here are Oma and Grampie kicking off their own version of Oktoberfest.
This night was SO special because as I was cleaning the dishes from our family dinner, I looked out the front window and saw Grammie and Uncle Dave outside! We had been expecting Grammie to fly in the next day, but they surprised us by both driving in a day early. It was the BEST surprise!
Here was our version of "church" watching online together the next morning.
We also decided that since we had such a successful tea party for Oma and Oma Oma, that we should do one in honor of Grammie's birthday too.
It was such a fun afternoon filled with sweet and savory treats and good company.
Other news of the season: Donovan got his braces off and looks like a teenager to me all of the sudden.
He and Dad have been getting in lots of boy time together these last few weeks.
They've discovered Dad's old Play Station.
The girls have also been busy with lots of crafts and special time with Gram while she's been here staying with us again.
It's been a lovely season and I am trying to soak it up while I can. It's hard to believe it will be November in one week!
I hope you're enjoying all that Fall has to offer as well!
xoxo
