History Museum and Friends

We went to the county history museum to check out an exhibit of Mexican art. It was neat, especially since they had crafts at the end for the kids to do. We also checked out the prairie room, in which the kids were able to dress up and play. Just between those 2 exhibits, we stayed for 2 1/2 hours!

A first

This is the first year that JA went trick-or-treating and ENJOYED it! We actually haven't even gone trick-or-treating in 4 years because she disliked it so much. The last time we went, when she was only 4, was so traumatizing for her, that I began teaching her to memorize Scripture, and the first verse was Psalm 118:6, "Dios esta conmigo, no tendre miedo." ("The Lord is with me, I will not be afraid.") All 3 kids now know that verse, and usually bring it up around Halloween because they really do get scared by the decorations and stuff.

Anyway, this year, JT really wanted to go trick-or-treating, mostly because he wanted an excuse to dress up as Batman in public. So, Papi surprised us by coming home from work an hour early and we went trick-or-treating in the daylight. Wow! What a difference for our family. There were very few people out with scary costumes, mostly animals, fairies, and cartoon characters. And, there were just very few people out at all. So, we went for about 40 minutes and had a great time.

A glimpse at last week

Thinking of Noni

Leaves

Someone discovered markers

He got both sides of the hallway, the wall next to the fridge, the back door, a wall in the bedroom, and we continue to find more.

Look who's 8!

 Always so good about wanting a simple birthday, this year was no exception for JA. We spent the day as a family, even taking the boys to the doctor about an hour away because this was the date wee were given for the appointment. JA didn't mind at all and just asked if we could enjoy the day in that city since we'd already be there. We had our birthday pancakes (which I forgot to take a picture of, sorry), sang "Las Mañanitas" and opened presents. After the appointment, we played at a park a little, tried to visit extended family (they weren't home) and then headed to JA's request of Golden Corral for lunch. We walked around the mall and the kids even got to ride the little mall rides (a first for us, I think.)

She guessed what this was - a fairy Flexi

JT picked out a basket and bell for her bike

Papi took up us up a very high bridge and we looked out over the city

Can you see the city in the background?

The sun was in her eyes

This is my favorite. What do you think?

The kids have AWANA tonight and then we'll enjoy pumpkin pie; JA's dessert of choice for her birthday. Papi is working on it right now, so I hope it is done in time. In about a week, we'll head to my parents' for a party with the extended family. We don't normally, but do try to celebrate one birthday there every few years. And then that's it for a whole year. Time really is flying by; I can't believe my baby is already 8 years old!


Edited to add:

The pie was ready just a few minutes after we got home from AWANA. It was still so hot that the candle melted from the bottom up and the Cool Whip on top boiled up. It was delicious and JA loved it