A Beautiful Performance!

Eric has really become quite the talker lately.  It is so nice to be able to communicate with him in full sentences now and not have to guess what he's saying.  He is constantly impressing me with the things he says and he can be pretty funny too.

I was talking to Eric last night at dinner about Sunday School, when the topic of going to public school came up.  I asked him if he would like to go to school and be with more kids.  Here is a recap of that conversation:

Me: "Would you like to go to a school?"

Eric: "Would there be girls there?"

Me: "Yes.  Would you want other boys to be there too?"

Eric: "No."

Me: "Why would you not want boys there?"

Eric: "Boys don't share with me, girls share."

I couldn't really argue with that logic.  I have noticed that he is always leaving Sunday School disappointed that he didn't get to play with one of the toys (usually a truck or car).  I ask him why and he always tells me that the boys didn't want to share, even when he asked politely.  I remember Ella having this same issue at this age.  I'm just glad that they know sharing is important and still handle themselves well when the other kids don't share (at least with other kids - siblings are a totally different playing field :).  

Ella was so excited to participate in her first horse show.  She appeared at my bedside at 6am announcing she was ready!  We didn't have to leave, until 7:30.  When we arrived, we had to wait for the horses to show up with the trainer, but Ella jumped right in as soon as they showed up.  She helped get "Brenner" all ready and brushed up for the show.

She was in the lead-line class for her 1st show, although her trainer thought she could have done the next class up (walk-trot).  We all wanted to be sure Ella's first show experience was a good one, so we took it easy this show.  She had three other little girls she was competing against.  Ella was the only one who actually did a trot and it paid off. We all thought Ella was still warming up, when they called the girls to the center of the arena for ribbons.  

Ella took home 1st place!

She did an awesome job and we are so proud of her!  Even Eric gave Ella a hug of encouragement and told her, "Good Job, Ella!"  He can't wait to start riding too and said it was the highlight of his day to be able to go see Ella's horse show.

This was a nice small show to get her feet wet in the competition arena and she impressed everyone.

Ella can't wait for the next show and she gave a beautiful performance!

Ella and Eric have been having lots of fun with all their activities this fall.  They both received their level ribbons in swim class.  Ella completed her 2B level and is now moving on to side breathing and big arm strokes.

Eric was like a fish to water, as soon as he started lessons.  So, he received his 1st level ribbon with just a few lessons.  He's blowing bubbles well and loves to jump right in! His only complaint is getting out of the pool!

The kids also have their weekly gym classes.  Eric is loving his Monday class at the Little Gym, learning how to tumble and balance.  I'm always amazed at how well he can pull himself up on the uneven bars, rings, and pummel horse.  The kid has some arm strength!

Ella has met a few girls at her weekly homeschool PE Class, which she always looks forward to.  There are over 35 kids in the class from 4 - 10 years old, but it doesn't seem to faze her.

She jumps right in and loves all the games the kids get to play.

Speaking of performances, we were all delighted to watch Ella's first performance with her new dance school.  The school is a Christian Worship & Ballet dance school, primarily for home schoolers.  Ella has really enjoyed her classes and with only 6 weeks to practice her routine, we were delighted with how well the girls did.

Ready to Dance to "You Knit Me Together"

(Ella is in the Center)

The entire recital was very moving and inspirational.  We are so happy we found such a wonderful group of ladies to mentor/teach Ella the art of dance, for the glory of God.  

Another beautiful performance!

Happy Happenings!

We were hit with our first real snow of the season this past week and the kids couldn't be more thrilled! Ella was most excited to be able to take her riding lesson outdoors and in the snow for the first time.

We had anticipated the snow arriving, so purchased some new riding gloves and pants.  Her teacher doesn't have an indoor arena, so we expect this will be the first of many cold and snowy lessons.

We couldn't have our first real snow fall go by, without building our little snow bunny.  

The snow came and went fast, but looks like we'll get another change to build a bigger and better snow bunny as we expect another storm front this week.

Ella was very excited and nervous about her first belt test this past weekend.  She practiced hard and was thinking about all her techniques the night before.  She was definitely ready and focused with one goal in mind, her new white/yellow stripe belt.  

She did very well and kept up with the bigger kids.  I could tell she was really concentrating hard and kept her focus.  Ella even insisted she watch Cousin Seth finish his testing.  He did awesome on his belt test as well, as he advanced to orange belt.  It's so nice that the kids have something in common that they can practice together. 

Ella wore her new belt home and was so excited to show it off to everyone.

Ella was also very excited to carve pumpkins for Halloween.  We decided to wait to carve pumpkins this year, until Hallow's Eve as the deer tend to gobble them up rather quickly.  I was not anticipating having such a difficult time finding carving pumpkins; however, most stores were sold out or were left with rotten pumpkins.  Finally, after driving around town all afternoon we tracked down a couple nice carving pumpkins.

Ella insisted she wanted the biggest pumpkin ever.  My only stipulation was that we had to be able to carry it. :)  She was happy with the pumpkins we found and couldn't wait to get home and carve the big orange beauties.  

Pumpkin carving was a bit easier this year, as the kids were happy to do much of the work themselves. They had no problem getting right to business and emptying the "guts" out of the pumpkins.  

Eric wanted a happy face on his pumpkin and had fun watching his pumpkin take shape.

Ella finally settled on a witch with a cauldron on her pumpkin.

What a fun night of carving!

We have been studying Egypt in our history lessons and when Ella saw this Cleopatra costume she knew immediately that's what she wanted to dress up as for Halloween.

Ella even made bunny his own Cleopatra costume.  

Eric wanted to be a John Deere tractor of course, so we put on his farmer best and Daddy went to work.  We searched for tractor costumes and found some great examples online.  We all worked hard to get the tractor done in time for Halloween.  

Eric was a "real" farmer with his John Deere tractor.  Everyone loved his costume and most of all Eric loved it!  While putting the finishing touches on his tractor he turned to Ken and said, "thank you for my tractor." 

Ella was sure to correct anyone who said her little brother was a cowboy.  She would immediately tell them he was a farmer and show them his tractor.  

Ella ran to each house, as Eric lighted her way.  She was so excited to show her little brother just what to do.  Two kids who seem to always tire just taking a short walk around the block, had no problem walking up and down the neighborhood streets.  After each house, Eric would say, "Let's go to another house!"  The had a blast trick or treating!