October

Oh, October. such a beautiful time! I love the air, I love the weather, but mostly, I love that my birthday kicks off the holiday season. We were all settled in our new house and ready to STAY put! No more moving. Ever. Except, I don't really want to live here forever. So...

Anyway...

Temperatures began dropping drastically. I mean, one day, the beginning of the month, it got down to 63 degrees. Compared to our first week of September spent in 115 degrees, my kids thought it was winter already.

I decided to use some of the techniques and activities I learned in school to help Bekah and I use our time together wisely. She looked worried when I pulled out my backpack and asked if I was going to school again. I told her no and that I was just going to teach school to her. I started explaining that we were just going to do a couple of fun activities a month but before I could, she jumped off the couch and said, "I have to get ready!!!" She ran down the hall and came back moments later dressed in her favorite dress, with her backpack on, her shoes on, and her tiara and earrings. She was thrilled! Then I had to tell her that, no, we would not be riding a bus, and no, we would not be going to a real school, and no, there wouldn't be friends with us. "Well," she said, "I guess this will still be fun." (Also, notice the photo-bomber above. He's so cute!)

In mid-October, we took a trip to the Gila Cliff Dwellings. It is a short hike up and then you get to walk around in the dwellings. It was gorgeous and the kids liked it, too. On the way, we crossed several bridges and had to say, "Trip trap trip trap" and then run from the troll that was definitely hiding underneath. 

Another day of school. We read a lot of princess and fairy books this week so we decided to make a crown and wand. It was really a fun time. 

We went to the park several times each week. So much outside time after being stuck in with the air conditioner all summer has been heaven.

For school we made a bunch of Halloween decorations like pumpkins, skeletons, and bats. It was lots of fun. Also, we spent a lot of time with the cat. Bekah adores her.

Happy 25th to me! My husband surprised me with flowers and chocolates. Love that guy!

Another fun school day: we made an autumn tree by collecting leaves on our nature walk (above) and sticking them onto contact paper (below). It looked beautiful and we left it up there for about a month.

On Halloween I pulled out the pumpkin costume Bekah wore two years ago. Xander didn't like it, but Bekah was in love and tried it on immediately. 

This is her on Halloween 2012:

After Xander saw Bekah loving the pumpkin costume, he decided to give it a try. We took the kids trunk-or-treating. It was Bekah's first time and she was giddy, but as we went to the first car I found that she really didn't know what to expect or do. I coached her to say "trick-or-treat" and she hesitantly complied. The person put candy in her basket and I coached her to say thanks and then she looked at me with awe as she realized the magic in the phrase I had taught her. She giggled so excitedly and dragged me to the next car as quickly as she could! It was so much fun!