Happy Veteran's Day!

A^4 is so thankful for all of the brave men and women - including many family and friends - that serve our country!  The kids have been learning about our veterans in school and the sacrifices many families make while family members are deployed.  At home, Mommy and Daddy remind the kiddos of everyone we know and love that are veterans.

Addie ended up staying home on Tuesday but was back to her normal happy self on Wednesday.  Mommy and the kiddos had Friday off so we had friends over to play! 

While waiting for the bus last week, the kiddos spotted purple cone flowers blooming in our front garden!


The pumpkins are (use Wicked Witch of the West voice) MELTING!!!


Cool teeth on Ayson's pumpkin


Addie painted while Ayson worked on his homework


One of Ayson's homework assignments last week was to interview an adult family member and ask the adult about a favorite memory from their childhood.  Ayson was to write down enough details so as to be able to remember the story once back in his classroom.
Daddy told Ayson about his FIRST time on a riding lawn mower:)  Daddy was about 8 years old and really wanted to ride his Grandpa Chuck's (Ayson's Great Grandpa Chuck) mower. Eight year old Daddy walked behind Grandpa Chuck while Grandpa Chuck mowed his entire yard.  Finally, Grandpa Chuck let Daddy drive the lawn mower:)

Daddy pretending to be on a lawn mower and explaining to Ayson how 8 year old Daddy walked behind his Grandpa :)


Ayson is now reading chapter books!  When Ayson first saw all of the words on the page he freaked (hahaha!).  "This is too HARD!!! WHERE are the pictures?!?"  Once Mommy showed him that he really does know the words, Ayson had no problems!


While eating dinner this week, Mommy noticed that Ayson had 2 long sleeve shirts on.  Then Mommy and Ayson realized that he put his school clothes on OVER his jammie shirt when he was getting dressed (at 6:30 am that morning)-hahaha.


Addie explaining to Mommy her homework




School pictures arrived!
Ayson insisted on styling his own hair (he used lots of gel).  The picture turned out great EXCEPT for the fact that Ayson does not look like Mommy's baby boy anymore :)


For Addie's picture, she insisted on wearing a head band.  Addie really likes how the photographer styled her hair over her shoulder. Mommy thought Addie's Pre-K picture smile (last year) turned out better than this picture but since Addie likes it, we will keep it :)


Bat mask! With Ayson creeping in the background :)


Hi Big Guy!


On Friday, the kiddos each had a play date at our house (meaning Mommy was busy cleaning Thursday nigh ;)!  In honor of Veteran's Day, Ayson set up his army men so that the boys could fight in a battle.

Parker came over and we played with the snap circuits!  The below snap circuit used sound from a Kindle, had lights, AND a fan!




It was BRR cold out on Friday but the kids wanted to play outside.  Mommy made sure that everyone was bundled up and we headed out.  The kids built a teepee out of the sunflower stalks.  The birds were not deterred and kept flying in and out of the teepee.




Ayson and Parker with their water cooler (bucket of snow - to keep their water cold:)  The boys also needed a snack to go with their water - too cute!




Saturday afternoon, Mikhan came over to play!  The kiddos played with the doll house, ponies, puppy tent fun, and Play-Doh!