Ghost Bingo

 It's the only time of year that we get out the Ghost Bingo game. :)  I think I purchased it through Current magazine several years ago.  

This is an easy game for kids as young as 2 1/2 if they are patient enough to place an object and leave it there.  

We used candy corns as our markers. :)

The kids did a great job identifying the objects that were drawn from the ziplock bag, and I had prizes standing by.  

Glow bracelets!  I found packs of ten at the dollar store and stocked up.  Glow sticks are also useful on dark and cloudy days.  The kids like to wave them around in a dark room.

This game is a great attention keeper!  The only trouble I had was that although the kids could recognize the object being called, mark it and patiently wait, several of them couldn't identify a "Bingo".  No problem!  I just hinted to them and showed them how to yell it out and then everyone was thrilled with celebratory clapping and prize awarding.   Everyone had several glow bracelets by the time we were finished. 

♥♥♥Happy Thursday!♥♥♥

Leaf Rubbing

The leaves are so beautiful near the bus stop that we cannot resist stopping to look at them every day!  Yesterday we collected some to bring back with us and we really didn't have a reason behind it.

It was the perfect opportunity to create some leaf rubbings.  I grabbed some different shaped leaves from the back yard.

"Is it working?" 

It sure did!!  We glued our papers to a black piece of construction paper because we are learning the color black. 

They turned out beautiful!!

Out the kids went into the crisp foggy day.  We hauled our leaf collection with us.  The leaves here in Washington are usually pretty soaking wet.  This makes it difficult for us to enjoy rolling in them and playing in them.  The leaves we hauled home had been inside long enough to be dry, so the kids thought they should toss them around outside.

Fall is so fun!  I just thank the Lord every beautiful day of it.  

Please pray for Adam and I as it seems we might be getting involved in the youth group again in our new church home.   This is our hope, it is in God's hands. 

♥♥♥Happy Wednesday!♥♥♥

D Is For Deer

The deer returned yesterday! They are feasting off of the apples that lay on the ground.  They stayed for a few hours.

Zuko is fascinated by them.  He watched them almost the whole time.

They blend in really well.  Sometimes I am surprised when I realize they are here and that I didn't notice them immediately.

It's a doe and her baby buck.

The kids watched from inside.  Otherwise the deer will exit.

They kept telling me that the deer are here. 

Celebrating, actually!  

We thought Zuko was brave.  He's still a kitten.

Our worksheet just happened to have a deer on it.

Dd is for deer!

♥♥♥Happy Tuesday!♥♥♥

Playing Movie Theater

It was actually written into our curriculum to have a movie theater day.  The kids have been hard at work every day with preschool.  Movie theater day is a great respite!   I created some theater tickets for the kids to purchase.

 We used the McDonald's register.  

"Just one ticket, please!"

The kids each chose a seat.  Sometimes adding a chair where it usually doesn't go creates an adventure.  They were surprised to find the tables in the living room, too.

I popped some popcorn.  I love these plastic containers!!  My only complaint is that they are awkward for small hands to hold.  That is why I brought the tables into the living room for them.

Now they are ready!

Fuzzy photo- sorry!  Pooh's Heffalump Halloween Movie is cute.  

The kids didn't make it though the movie.  I suspected as much.  After about 40 minutes they ran outside and played in the fresh air. 

♥♥♥Happy Monday!♥♥♥

Jack-O-Lantern

Orange orange orange- we have been using a LOT of orange.  We began by painting a paper plate orange. 

The kids glued on some facial features. :)

They tried to make their own silly faces.

It's highly entertaining!

(To the tune of Freres Jacques)

♫Jack-o-lantern! Jack-o-lantern!♫

Burning bright!  Burning bright!

You are burning brightly, you are burning brightly-

♫Halloween night!  Halloween night!♫

I get out the guitar and we sing this together. 

Earlier in the week we painted some items that are orange. :)

I have been in awe at the beauty of Fall.  This sunflower is the last one in the yard clinging to life.   The others are beautifully gnarled and twisted- drying out.  The yard is full of birds this morning- I hope they find the sunflower seeds!

The morning fog has been a special treat!  The changing leaves look beautiful up against the thick air.

The vines are changing, too.  Thank you God for the season of Autumn.  It is my favorite. 

♥♥♥Happy Friday!♥♥♥

A Baby

Fifteen years ago I became a mom.  I was TERRIFIED.  Here I was with my mom, look at the size of my belly.  It was 'guestimated' that my baby was going to be large.  The big belly was actually the result of Jello boxed cheesecake, I'm certain.

Out popped my tiny little sweetheart, Stephanie.  Weighing in at 5 lbs. 9 ounces, born at 5:17AM on October 17th 1998.  She didn't have any wrinkles, just bright wide eyes.  I was scared to touch her- sure she would break.  The nurses stood by and after that first diaper change it became natural.  This tiny person who would rely on me for her every need.  How on earth was I going to be able to teach her everything?  It seemed so overwhelming.

Stephanie was an only child for five years.  I spent every free minute doting on her and going places with her.  She's my girl!!  Her horse obsession lasted about 8 years. 

Now she is a budding author, working on her first children's book and is already talking to a publisher.  

She gave me the gift of becoming a mother!  Of all of the jobs that I have, being a mom is clearly the greatest, most important and the hardest of them all.

Happy 15th Birthday my sweet Stephanie Michelle!  

We are so proud of you and love you more than words could ever express. 

♥♥♥Happy Thursday!♥♥♥

I feel old.