A quiet Halloween...

We had a somewhat quiet Halloween this year comparatively.  Last Saturday, JP's workplace hosted their annual "Family Day" at the movies.  The movie we chose to see was Lego: Ninjago.  The kids dressed in costumes and I forced them to do the photo booth with words like:  "One day you will thank me for making you do this!" 

I believe I was right!  I LOVE how all our photos turned out!  Since they won't be available for download for another week, I had to snap pictures with my phone.  I'll update with the better photos later.  They were just too awesome not to share! 

Michael dressed in costume for karate and participated in the "trick or treat" at our wellness center.  Michael had told us that this year he wanted to celebrate at home instead of going to any trunk or treats.  So this afternoon, Tera made her delicious caramel popcorn and I pulled out the bags of candy I bought for this special occasion.  We settled down on the couches to introduce Michael to "Arsenic and Old Lace" with a rousing encore of "It's a Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown."

Tera and I left our menfolk and headed out to choir practice.  She reprised her role of "Rosie" and I became the moose in "If You Give a Moose a Muffin."

We returned home to a lot less candy in the candy bowl, so I would say everyone had a great time! 

This week--10/16-10/21

We have been trying to add in more art projects for Michael during school hours.  But sometimes I run across a little gem that he has done all on his own, like this little bird we found while cleaning off his desk. 

Science experiments about space and weather are on our agenda from now until Christmas.

Tera has been exercising her artistic muscles lately, as well, painting this Monet inspired piece as well as LOTS of rocks.  Tera has been doing great in her College Algebra class-- an A and B+ on her first two tests.  She's been painting rocks like crazy.  Aced her chemistry test that she was so worried about.

 

9 years ago today, Daniel accepted Jesus as his savior.  We have plans this evening, so I treated Daniel to a big breakfast this morning.  

Daniel sporting his new tuxedo for band!

This week was long.  It was tiring!  It was busy!  But we made it!   The next three weeks are extremely busy for us, especially Daniel and his chauffeur.  He has at least 3 performances, not counting rehearsals and dress rehearsals.  I'm planning on keeping our menu plans simple and staying grounded in the Word and prayer! 

I visited an ENT for some voice issues I've been having.  I have some vocal cord swelling, which is laryngitis, I guess.  It's been going on for months and the doctor said it's most likely allergies.  Resting to heal the swelling was the prescription.  I did ask about my performance in choir  and  it was good to know that singing in our upcoming concert will not damage my vocal cords.  I've decided to bow out before the next concert to try and speed up the healing process.  He used the sprained ankle analogy.  That I can understand!  I didn't realize how much I talk/sing during the day until I tried to do it less!  

We are staying on track in school and keeping the house picked up.  Now, I just need to makes sure to get more sleep, exercise daily and eat well over the next few weeks! 

Small-Town Adventures: Charles Hall Musuem

JP and I used to visit the small-town museums near where we were living and learn all about the local history.  Over the years, we've lived here we have visited quite a few places, but there are so many more out there to explore.  

Today's small-town adventure landed us at the beginning of the Cherohala Skyway in Tellico Plains, Tennessee.  The Charles Hall Museum has an amazing collection to look through.  You go through two gift shops to get to the main collections housed in two separate buildings.  Admission is free and the gift shops help fund the maintenance and upkeep of the museum.  

The first collection houses the widest variety of guns and coins I have ever seen. 

 The second building is dedicated to everything telephonic and more! 

I told Tera when I saw these chairs that JP would say, "Hey, that's my old chair...".  When we were moving once, I made him leave behind his favorite desk chair because it wouldn't fit on the moving truck.  Sure enough, when he spotted the chair...

Can you tell the telephone booths were our favorite part?   

 Our profiles--can you guess which child is me and which is JP? 

We had a fun day together and look forward to many more small-town adventures! 

A wedding...

A sweet friend asked Michael to the be the ring bearer at her wedding on Monday, which if you didn't know coincided with Tera's 17th birthday.  We celebrated Tera's birthday early on Saturday.  Michael and I were occupied on Sunday with the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner. 

My handsome little man!

Michael and the flower girl with the bride and groom.  The only picture I took of the wedding party.  Since I left Michael in the charge of the other groomsman, I didn't see very many of the group wedding shots.  I cannot wait to see the completed wedding album! 

Reception fun!

We were so tired by the end of the evening, we took the next day off of school.  That kinda threw our entire week off kilter.  But we survived the rest of the week and made it to Friday.  You could say the wedding was the highlight of the week for all of us! 

17 Celebration

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