Leaves

I'm going to start this blog by bragging. Just a little.  I guess you might just call it reporting, but I might not "report" as much if it wasn't positive.  Last week Nick and I met with Willa's teacher for our first official Parent-Teacher Conference.  I was kind of nervous, but not too much, as the one comment I had already heard from Mrs. O'Conner was "Willa is a crack-up!".  It seems Willa is doing very well and more importantly her teacher really likes her.  She called her "delightful" and "fun to be with".  Willa is one of those kids that can be frustrating for those who demand a bit more control in their lives than, let say, me.  So I am very relieved that her first teacher appreciates the happy-go-lucky, eager-beaver, goof that is my daughter.  I hope future teachers will be as positive. She did comment that Willa is a wiggler, but she is improving and seems to understand her limitations as far as that is concerned.  Her academic work is right on, so no concerns there.


This weekend I spent trying to read a book that had completely sucked me in.  You know, one of those mysteries with great characters and interesting setting.  Can't say it transcended it's genre, but it was a page turner.  That said, my kids spent a lot of time playing with their dad.

I really like seeing them all play together.  With me it is book reading, project doing, puzzle-making or toy based: stuff that is kind of low-key and creative with certain rules and structure.  With Dad it is different: more physical with random made-up games and scenarios (and so still creative).   In the pictures below, they were playing a game where the giraffe and crocodile puppets were defending their turf from encroaching children.  The kids were taking turns between the puppets and being the sneaker. 

Here's Dad playing while watching soccer on the computer!

Willa tries to sneak into the lair of the giraffe and crocodile.

I don't think the giraffe is attacking here, but perhaps.  Yes, she has chocolate milk on her face (not the giraffe, Willa).

Can't leave out pic of Lego Star Wars play.  Nick looks like a Jawa.

Of course there is also the beloved Lego video games.  I think Nick and Willa finished Star Wars the other day.

I did take time off from my book on Sunday to go outside with the kids.  Saturday morning the English honor society from Westsfield State came to our yard and raked leaves as a fundraiser.  We didn't have them bagged as we want to use it as mulch/compost, leaving a large pile of leaves in the side yard just perfect for jumping into!

I guess they got hot because they took off their coats.  I was cold, as usual.  Perhaps I should have jumped with them.  They had a great time and brought their friends from next door over to jump later in the day.  I think even the 9 and 11 year old got into it.

I finished my book yesterday and I'm kind of relieved to get back to my life.  I guess I shouldn't read those kind of books until the kids grow up.  I'll have a lot of reading to look forward to! 

It is getting colder and we had our first itty-bitty amount of snow Sunday night.  I think our outdoor adventures are going to be fewer as winter comes on.  We'll have to commit to some indoor adventures from now on.  We all enjoy getting out and seeing new things and I like writing about them.

As you can see, all is good here with us, though, we miss you.