Fall in the air...

Fall is here and so are school parties.  Again this year I volunteered to coordinate not one but two parties for my kiddos!  I know...what was I thinking??  Luckily I had great parents that helped me with these things so I could run up and down the stairs every 15 minutes!

On Nov. 1st, Emma had her 5th grade fall party and all they wanted to do was to make rainbow looms, eat and dance!  That was easy!  Emma and her classmate Nick were a little late since they were at a leadership conference all day but still got to join in the fun!  We provide the food and rubberbands and they brought their loom kits.

Ethan's class I sent up Bingo, musical chairs, a craft, coloring station and of course food.  Again, had wonderful parents that helped me while I ran to check on each room.  It was too pj day so all the kids were in the pjs!

Then the following weekend was the Fouse Pancake Breakfast!  Emma had dance rehearsal so she was only there about 20 minutes but still got to eat her pancakes and say Hi to some friends.  Each grade sang some songs with their music teacher.  Ethan was about to sing with the first graders...which he loved!  Emma and Ethan entered a creativity show and both painted and BOTH won first place in their grade level categories!

Here are some pics of our little man racking the leaves for us...I think the last of them!

Happy Halloween!

It has been so busy and fun this fall!  Last Friday night, Emma had her last 4th Friday performance in Westerville for this year.  It was called Midnight Madness and many of the local businesses join in on the fun with sidewalk sales and lots and lots of food!  It was a little oool but all the dancers had a great time and did very well with their new dances!  Very proud of my Emma!

On Sunday, our church had a "trunk-or-treat" for the kids and it was a big success!  We decided to let the kids do whatever they wanted to my trunk and we just used our current fall/Halloween decorations.  They received lots of candy and had fun looking at all the cars!

Then this Halloween it was a little windy and rainy but the kids and I were troopers.  Erik stayed home to pass out candy but we only had a couple of trick-or-treaters.  We usually do not get many due to all of our neighbors are "snow birds" so they leave for most of the fall and winter and it is dark in our cul-de-sac.  Oh well more candy for us.  The kids still received a ton of candy which we will be giving away most of it!

Today was Fouse's Fall School Party.  I was the party coordinator for both!  It was a little tricky but I had many parents to help me with going back and forth!  Ethan's class needed more help since they were doing a a craft, BINGO, coloring and musical chairs AND I only had 2 parent volunteers.  Emma's class was pretty easy since they ate and made rainbow looms.  They LOVED it!  

Plus Emma was awarded to go to a Leadership Conference all day with all of WCS for 3rd, 4th & Fifth graders.  She wrote an essay about community involvement and it was chosen.  She was very excited to attend this meeting and she saw friends from other schools.  Happy little girl!

Here are some collages of both...

Fall is here!

This past week, Emma's dance studio invited parents to observe their dancer's progress for each class.  I took some pics of my little dancer.  The themes this year are broadway.  She even tried on a costume for her production performance as a tree in Wizard of Oz.  All cute this year!

Then on Friday evening, we went to a trick-or-treat trail in Westerville.  There were little game stations and all kids received treats.  A little young for Emma but she was okay with it to get candy!  Emma is Draculara from Monster High and Ethan is a Red Dragon Ninja.  

On Sunday we went to Boo at the Zoo at the Columbus Zoo.  It was a great day with sunshine and not too cold!  There were many treat stations and all the animals were out!

GOAL!

Ethan played WASA U7 coed soccer this fall!  He was so excited since he got his cast off right when the season started.  We allowed him to play a week earlier than he was supposed to play but he ended up being fine.  This season was a little hard since he just turned 6 and most of his teammates and other teams were a little taller and bigger than him.  However he gave it his all and did score some goals!  Proud of our little man!

Fun Times

Last Thursday, my kid's school Fouse Elementary, raised $20,000 with their Walk-A-Thon.  The money raised will go towards technology items in the classrooms.  Both my kids had a ball running the middle school track and since I work at the school during their lunches and recesses, I was able to capture some pictures.  This is Emma's last year at Fouse so I hope to capture my girl as much as I can before she becomes a middle schooler and more independent!

Then last Friday, Emma performed at the Westerville 4th Friday her dances from the previous school year for the last time.  Secretly, I am glad because I have memorized all the songs and dances and now I want to see her new ones she is learning.  Last year it was the circus theme and this year it is broadway!  Her songs this year are great and can't wait to see the new costumes.  Here are some pics of the last performance of her dances....

Then on Saturday we visited Freeman's Farm to pick out pumpkins.  We rode the hayride, petting some goats, ate some popcorn and of course the kid's got their pumpkins.  This year they have decided they just want to paint them.  Not sure what yet but we will paint!

Finally on Sunday, Emma's dance studio had an open house for new, current and past students to come in and visit.  We had snacks, took pictures and Emma got to take home some pretty ballet dresses.  Fun time had by all!

Blessed

I look back sometimes and think how blessed I really am in my life.  I have a roof over my head, food on the table, clothes on my back...there was a time in my life where I did not have many of those things.  My parents divorced when I was a teenager and I lived with my Dad who struggled being able to provide for my sister and me.  It was a tough time in my life but I got through it.  Giving back has always been a priority to me and I have taught my children to do the same.

This past weekend, Emma had the opportunity with our church to volunteer at a Westerville food pantry (Westerville Area Resource Ministry) to help sort food that was donated.  She was so happy to help and wanted to do so much more.  I am proud of her for not just thinking about herself but for others.  I hope she will always continue to remember that in her life.

Erik and I also ran a 5K last Friday night for March of Dimes Night Moves.  It was really my "bucket list" item when I turned 40 but Erik said he would like to try it too.  Thank goodness, since I really needed someone to give me a boost.  It was much harder than I thought it would be but we did it.  We ran 3.1 miles in 41 mins and 40 seconds.  That was faster than on my treadmill of 43 or 44 minutes!  We also lucked out and no rain until later that evening downtown.  I will be definitely doing another 5K in the near future.  I am keeping my jogging into my workout plan at least once or twice a week!

To end the weekend, Emma and I volunteered to help our church with a charity 5K race in Westerville.  It was a wonderful event and I will definitely try to run next year.  It was a 5K run/walk and also a 1K.  It benefited The Heinzerling Foundation along with Bradley House of Hope for individuals with disabilities. Emma and I helped pass out water and cheer them on.

Apple Picking

We started a tradition when Emma was in daycare to start apple picking at Lynd's Fruit Farm in Pataskala.  Emma took a field trip there and loved it.  So we have been going for 5 years now!  The kids get so excited and want to pick as many as they can.  This year I wanted to pick the beloved "Honeycrisp" but they were gone on 1 day!  So we decided to pick McIntosh last Saturday before the OSU game.  It was a very busy but productive day!