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!
