new for november

This track has been in constant use for almost a full month. I usually try and rotate toys around to give them new play spaces in the winter months, but it's staying put until the tree goes up. We had 13 kids over for brunch on Sunday, and this area was in full use the whole time. I am forever thankful for our friends Simon and Dahlia, they gave it to us when Henry was a baby.

Sam is obsessed with learning this math book.  He loves it - the challenges, the problem solving. I just love the look on his face when he's thinking, he puts his head down and goes into this math place and comes out with the correct answer. Anna on the other hand wants to cry and throw hers out the window.

This is Anna's red homework folder. Grade 3 so far, is much more work at home. There is not alot of homework, but each day there is some spelling practice, and the odd math worksheet which we are challenging her to think in a growth mindset about. She did well on her report card, but we are really trying to work on good study habits, and have her feeling prepared and confident each day, as that goes along way in helping her feel proud of her work.

Anna got these new reading socks for her birthday and she's loving them.

A new holiday urn.

Our new roof has started. It's been a long wait, but so far we are pleased with the progress, and it should be as solid as a rock, which going into a winter with alot of snow (that's what I heard anyway) I'll sleep well knowing it's not going to blow off (which the old one was doing)

day at the farm

Friday was a PA day here, so we hit the road for some farm time. We are currently getting some kitchen painting done, and they also started in on our new roof, so it was a good time to exit. We had lunch with Nana, Heather, Grammy and Glenn. Anna played a few Christmas songs on the piano and Sam really wanted to show Nana how he can print and spell her name.

They got out the felt pieces, which is always a huge hit (thanks Gilly and Heather!)

This is after they rolled a big bale down from the haymow in the early morning darkness - Anna loved it!

Cute little Henry, cute little kitty.

Having some brother conversation that requires acting out, this is happening more and more lately.

Anna tipped a wheelbarrow of corn over earlier this morning, so it was only fitting we filled up the wagon.

A whole bunch of cute new calves had been born a day or two before we arrived, so these guys loved playing with them. They named them Pet, Patty, Caramel and Chocolate.

Trying to lead Caramel and Chocolate with no luck.

Cute little Pet cuddling with a kitten.

This is Sam and my Dad from last weekend, but it pretty much sums up the moment.

handy henry

We've reached that stage with Henry where he's so busy during the day - playing on his own, making up games, and he's got his own invisible friend now. Anna had one around this age, and we have fond memories of her. Henry's friend is named James, and he lives 'at Milton' not in, but at. He lives on a farm with horses and a monkey. They often travel to far away places, he told us today they went to Africa and saw a sea lion eat a baby penguin (true, Sam saw this on a National Geographic video and was telling him).  James has apparently already put up his Christmas decorations, he has an inflatable Chase from Paw Patrol! (and Henry is serious, as we saw one of these at Walmart recently). When Henry is home alone with me, James is all we talk the entire day (and we talk a lot!). Between the siren noises, firetrucks and police cars rescuing me all day, I feel safe with Henry (and James) around.

He's helpful too, he's changing the oil in the van here.

Token leaf shot!

Nothing like a fresh stack of library books to help me get dinner made.

We donated a whole bunch of Halloween costumes that were too small to our neighbours, and in return we got a whole new batch that are bigger. Our neighbours gave Henry this firefighter costume after he saw it, he absolutely loves it.

More leaf shots, this one of our favourite Japanese maple tree on Durham Street.

The toy catalogue came in the mail the other day and I found them looking through each page at breakfast one morning.

Anna is doing well with piano this term, she's really working hard (on her own!) and the songs are getting really good. She's working on her first two Christmas songs already.

We've been watching the Great Canadian Baking Show on CBC on Wednesday's, and the kids are just loving it. We usually get to it on the weekend, but on Friday Henry helped me make the dough for bagels. We really got inspired from bread week, and I have to say, the show shows you what not to do! Luckily, ours turned out great, and tasted really yummy, I should have doubled the recipe.

Henry asleep, after a lllloooonnnnngggg day.

halloween

Costume number one for Sam - rubiks cube

We had the exact right size box for this costume which made it really easy - I just spray painted it black and cut out the squares. It held up really well (despite Sam bumping into a few things), so it will be able to be used again next year.

Henry as a dragon - and all along he didn't want to go trick or treating, but hand out candy instead, so he did just that.

My pumpkin carvers. Anna does not like carving and never has, but these guys were so good this year. Now Henry doesn't want to throw them in the compost, he loves his so much.

Sam leaving for school - I said to Sam before he left that some of the kids might not know who he is, but his costume would make all the grown ups really happy.

Anna was a witch this year, and it was a special costume for her, as Stew's sister Katie wore this costume when she was around Anna's age.

It was abit wet on Halloween night here, so Sam opted for his second costume which was a turtle crossing. We see this sign as we drive by the Y, and we thought it would be a great tribute to Sparky. He was also worried his cube would get damaged, so I was happy to carry his sign. This was my first time out trick or treating in Guelph, and as it was fun.

The street behind us does a fabulous job of Halloween. They have a band, and often there is a party for adults after the kids go to bed. This year our neighbours who have the same birthday as Anna handed out cake to everyone, it was hilarious.