It's Halloween!

Here are the kiddos' offerings:

The Doctor (from Doctor Who)

A Vampire

An Un-Dead Hunter

A Granny

Happy Halloween, Everyone!

Today's Project

As a consequence for some less-than-wonderful choices, Mike and I took away Jer's and Jen's "handheld devices" and unplugged the TV last night.  This morning, Jer was up doing his jobs at 8:30 am, and then he made this--I love when he's in creative mode!

After a few trial runs, Jer made some adjustments, added a couple of accessories, and loaded passengers:

Ah, chores...

Last night, after trying to get the younger kids to do their jobs ALL afternoon, I decided to have them write (themselves) a list of what they each had left.  Here's Jessie's:

Miss Cynth in the Kitchen with the Butter Knife...

Hmmm...  So I admit, it was a REALLY stupid decision to use a butter knife to try to remove the avocado pit.  But I was in a hurry, and I didn't have time to wash a paring knife.  "Let that be a lesson to you..."

(Apparently, avocado pits are a really common cause for emergency room visits.)

Fall Colors

The colors are SPECTACULAR this year!  I got to join Jess this week on her 1st grade fall field trip up the canyon, so I saw them 1st-hand.  Then, Mike and I took a little drive yesterday.  Here's a little taste of what we saw:

Oh, BOY!!! A FALL bird-visitor!

We've gotten used to the springtime visits of birds trying to nest in our dryer vent.  Jer even looks forward to it.  But today (of course while I was in the shower trying to get ready for the Brigham City Temple dedication...) we had a fall visitor.  It was announced, as we've become accustomed to, by the shrieks of Jennifer who said, "MOM!!!!  There's a bird in the dryer!!!"  And, as usual, my heart stopped, and I instantly felt a surge of panic.  How was I going to take care of this NOW?!?  Why again this year?  We already housed 4 starlings this spring.  Here comes the cleanup of feathers, food, droppings, and various cages...  Ugh.

Well, there was only one.  Jer happily caught it, placed it in a licorice tub decorated quickly with a recycled robin's nest, some grasses, and some bread crumbs. He took pictures of it, and tried to feed it microwave popcorn.  When he placed a "leash" of string around it's neck, Mike and I decided it was time (also in a panic) to let it go...IMMEDIATELY!  Jer did, with some discontent, and we managed to clean up and still get to the dedication on time.  Barely.

What fun he has!

Jer Finally Got His Electric Guitar!!!

After lessons at school with a ukelele (and a gift of his Gram's special childhood uke), dreams of guitar lessons for over a year, a wooden guitar made by Jer and Mike, and much planning/begging/pleading, Mike ordered the much-researched (by Jer) item, along with amp and case.  It came while we were out of town.  I'm sure you can guess what Jeremy's been doing every waking minute since we got home...  He is one happy camper!  :)