Halloween

I hate it when I post out of order.  How annoying!

Halloween was wonderful this year.  The weather was perfect, the parties were kept to a minimum, and the costumes were earned with sticker charts.  I got a lot of help around the house in October.  Smart mom.
(My children get their knack for spazzing out in front of the camera from their dad.  But I sure do love them!)

Thanksgiving 2011

We enjoyed a Taylor Family Thanksgiving this year at Cory and Shannon's.  It was a delicious meal filled with all the favorites.  We are so lucky to have amazing families.  

 Lucy, my most helpful child, was awesome at getting Charlotte to look at the camera.  

 I had to include each of these pictures so you can appreciate the naughtiness of these two girls.  They are so funny together and love to make each other laugh!

 Cory did an awesome job on the staples of Thanksgiving dinner--turkey, stuffing, and gravy.  (Gravy isn't a staple for me, but if you are a Taylor there is no eating potatoes without it!)

 Sisters-in-law

Candace surprised everyone by coming with her sweet family from West Virginia.  It was so great to see them and to hear their great news!  We have 3 new Taylor babies coming...Aimee, Candace, and Holli!

 Three handsome generations

And, finally, here is our latest attempt at a family picture.  This one might just have to do for Christmas cards.  

I definitely missed seeing all my side of my family, and it is hard for everyone to be so spread out across the country and the world.  I hope they know how thankful I am for them too!

Thanksgiving Feast

Lucy loves kindergarten.  That is a huge understatement.  She was telling me last week how many days she was going to have to endure until she saw her teacher again because of Thanksgiving Break.  Each morning she would ask me to remind her how many more days until she got to go back to school.  I don't blame her; her teacher is the best!  I love being the room mom and getting to work with her on parties and anything she needs.  I'm praying she is still around when Charlotte gets to go to school in 19,394 years.

Lucy's class had a Thanksgiving Feast.  We had the kids made pilgrim or Indian hats and then took them on the voyage of the Mayflower.  They each had a prop to help with the voyage.  When they landed, they met the Indians (or the lucky moms who where there to help) and sat at the table to decorate it with their blessings.  Interestingly, their blessings looked a lot like scribbles of different colors.  Next the food was served and the pilgrims ate it without complaining or whining or fighting.  I was so impressed with how well-behaved each of them were at the meal.

Cute little pilgrims!

Medieval Festival

Okay, okay.  I'll blog a little.  I have taken some cute pictures of my kids since September, and I do love them.  I guess I should show it a little more!
We have done some super fun things, but most of the pictures are on my phone, which I have never synced to my computer.  I will though.  Now that I've said it, I have to do it.

The boys had a medieval festival at school to finish off their study of the Middle Ages.  It was a fun day where they got to wear costumes instead of uniforms.  They rotated to 10 stations instead of doing reading, writing, and arithmetic.  (Actually, they did have math that day and started their festival when it was over.  You can't have too much fun!)

The whole grade was split into guilds which then had to build/make something to sell at their medieval fair.  I was so proud of my boys for working so well in a group that they did not choose.  My whole university life was spent doing group work, so part of me is glad they are learning now about how fun that is!

Cam's guild made scrolls and sold quills to go with them.  Coop's guild made tiny birdhouses and painted them all bright colors.  They were the first guild to sell out of their goods and Cam's guild quickly followed--my little entrepreneurs!

The boys worked for a few weeks to earn their Knighthood of the Round Table.  They had to do 4 requirments for each of 4 different knights to earn the highest rank.  They made treats for neighbors, did extra exercise, created artwork, and about a million other things on top of all their regular homework, piano practice, and chores.  It was a little busy, but it made me so proud to have over-achiever sons!  They did it all for a piece of paper with their teacher's signature and a little extra credit.