November 3: Paper Chain

For the third year running, we put together a paper chain to count down to Thanksgiving and Christmas.  Ty loves ripping a chain off each night before bed and looking at how close we're getting to the holidays!

Ty loves using the paper cutter.

Brielle wanted to try the paper cutter, too.

The finished product!

October 31: Happy Halloween!

The three cutest trick-or-treaters!

Brielle was so taken with the tiger costume that she had to try it on and roar at all of us!

October 27: Visit to the Dentist

The boys had their second trip to the dentist today and it went well!  The pediatric dentist we visit is fabulous!  Tysen actually let the hygienist take x-rays this time!  Both were cavity-free once again! :)

October 25: 10 Minute Cookie Bars

These are quick to make and great to eat! 

10 Minute Cookie Bars

• 1 cup butter
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 4 cups quick cooking oatmeal
• 1 cup chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup peanut butter

1. Melt the butter.
2. Mix the brown sugar and oatmeal in a bowl.
3. Pour butter over sugar and oatmeal and mix.
4. Press oatmeal mix into a 9x13 pan.
5. Bake for 10 minutes in a 400 degree oven.
6. Melt the chocolate chips and peanut butter together in a pan on the stove top.
7. Spread over the baked oatmeal.
8. Chill and cut into bars.

From takethemameal.com

October 23: "D" Verse

"...do to others as you would have them do to you."  Matthew 7:12

Another one from Steve Green's Hide 'Em In Your Heart  series.  We play these in the van and the kids are great at singing (and saying) the verses!

October 22: Another Birthday Party for Tysen

 Ty's final birthday party was with a few friends.  He wanted a Dinosaur Party!  We played Caveman, Caveman, Dinosaur (think Duck, Duck, Goose), Feed the Dino (Bean Bag Toss), Dinosaur Tail where the kids wore a "dino tail" and knocked over a stack of boxes, Find the Dino, Dino Says (like Simon Says), read dinosaur stories, and colored dinosaur pictures.  Overall, the event went well and ended with a dino feast of Dino chicken nuggets, rainbow jello, carrots, chips, and dirt dessert with dino crackers.  Happy Birthday, Tysen!

Can't you hear the dinosaurs roaring?

October 20: Sandpaper Leaves...or Not

I thought these Sandpaper Leaves were a perfect fall craft!  Ty did not agree so much.  He decided to do his own craft with markers, glue, and stickers and had a grand time completing it.  I know it's great to let kids explore and create using their own ideas, but I have to admit it's a little disappointing when he doesn't like the ideas I have.  So I made the sandpaper leaves and he made his own creation, and we enjoyed each other's company while working!

Brielle helped me select the colors for the leaves.