Halloween

Mikayla thought she was too old for Trick or Treating, however once we teamed up with some friends around the corner, she couldn't wait to fly out the door for yet another year. She wanted to be a diva witch (a witch who knows fashion). Elyana was Princess Ariel. My mom sewed the girls gorgeous cloaks to keep them warm. Elyana could barely make it to bed she was so tired. She went down before her normal bedtime.  We had a blast.

My new mummy candles. Just canning jars, gauze, and wiggly eyes.

A blurry picture of "Ariel" trying to catch up with her sister.

Elementary School costume parade.

Waiting with her class to see the big kids pass by in the end of the parade.

Decorations ready for Trick or Treaters.

Mikayla and her friend, Drew.

More Miscellaneous October Photos!

Mikayla and I had the opportunity to go to a Crazy Hair Tour concert and talk on introducing self-esteem and modesty to tweens. We wanted matching hair and outfits.

I've been making crochet necklaces lately.

Elyana lost her top two front teeth this month!

Mikayla

Mikayla had an awesome field trip with her 5th grade class to our local nature center where she got to rock climb.  She had no hesitation and mastered the hardest climb first. I was so proud of her.  Also, later this month, she had decided to be baptized. She was scared to go in front of our church, yet she did it.  She often has so many little fears and yet I see her accomplish such great things. I hope she grows up to know how very proud of her I am. She is really growing into a young lady before my eyes.

Kitchen Scientist

Mikayla's group is working on a badge called, Kitchen Scientist.  My mom came back with me from our birthday trip to do some science experiments with her group since she used to teach science. She was incredible and the girls loved it.

Dry ice root beer and a skeleton cake whose eyes could light on fire!

Did you know that if you put a can of diet soda and regular soda in a bucket of water, the diet floats?

October 2, 2013

It's been awhile since I've updated the blog. I have tons of pics to sort through so that's always a sign that I'm behind. I am working more hours this year, still being an assistant leader for Mikayla's American Heritage Girl group, and co-leading a Bible Study on the book Where is God When It Hurts. October began with my birthday. I share a birthday with my sister who passed away in March so it was a difficult one. My mom and I put some fall flowers on her grave and ate lunch with my niece at her school.  Then we traveled on to Door County where we stayed at a cute place right by the lake.  We shopped at tons of little stores, dined out a lot, and toured an old lighthouse.  It was just what I needed to get through my first birthday without my sister.  If you have never been to Door County, put it on your bucket list.  It is a beautiful place, especially during Fall.

View from the top

Don't quite like heights so notice me holding on as I took this photo!

 

View from right outside our place. Spectacular!

Where we stayed.

Labor Day Weekend Lemonade

The girls sold quite a bit of lemonade today. They might be at it again tomorrow too.

American Heritage Girl Camp

Elyana earned her fishing badge and Mikayla earned her archery and Art History badge. I taught the art badge. I did 6 different 45 minute sessions: God was the first artist (after all the bible uses the word "created" in Genesis, self-esteem and how to draw faces (we are created by God and are all unique), Van Gogh, Impressionism techniques, and a few art hikes with sketch boards.

Both girls had great times fishing, swimming, hiking, and playing games. (Grandparents, I know of a great Christmas present for the girls...some inexpensive fishing poles! I greatly enjoyed it as well.) The night Elyana came to camp, the girls older than Mikayla's group were earning their Toys and Games badge and put together a fun carnival for Elyana's group.

Mikayla made a new friend!

Mikayla playing Kick the Can.

Canoeing with Mikayla

Mikayla doing a water color picture after a lesson on impressionism.

Fishing!

Mrs. Gisi (our AHG head coordinator) teaching Elyana's group fishing terms.

Playing at the carnival.

Elyana got to participate in a skit on how to dress appropriately for fishing.

Snack Time!

There were plenty of older girls who stayed to help teach and encourage the younger girls. I often found them giving Elyana piggy back rides.

Playing on the obstacle course.

Monarch catepillar near the lake we were fishing at.

My friend, Michelle lent Elyana a fishing pole and was giving her tips.

We saw lots of frogs at the lake.

After having tons of fish nibble her worm off, she finally caught one!

My brave Elyana even wanted to learn how to throw the fish back in.

I created the craft for Elyana's group. I used plaster of paris with an IKEA fish ice cube tray. Glued on a magnet.

The girls learning about the different kinds and colors of fish and their parts before painting.

Snack time with fish cupcakes made by the older girls.