Thankful

 We are thankful that we four are healthy, our families are healthy, that we have a warm house, LOTS of good food, and the internet (Ayson added the last item :)  While Thanksgiving was different for most people this year, different does not automatically have to equal bad.  We were thinking of all of our family and friends and sending good thoughts to all.  We hope that everyone took the time to slow down and recharge and/or use the extra time to check something off the list.  

Our elementary school had its first reported case of COVID-19, an asymptomatic child, in Addie's 3rd grade class with the child last at school on November 20th.  SO, Addie is officially in quarantine for 14 days.  We then found out on Saturday, Nov 27th, that another child tested positive and asymptomatic in Addie's class...so her quarantine reset as of November 24.  As reported by the school Principal, both positive children are doing well.  Addie and the rest of our family are also doing well and we will continue to send good thoughts to everyone!!!  Of course, the kids are all excited as now they both will begin virtual learning on Monday, Nov 30th.  THIS spurred Adam to complete his home office in the basement.  From now on, we will call it the lower ground flower instead of the basement :)  Amazing effort, Adam!!!  All he has remaining is the electrical wiring.

We started to decorate for Christmas and Ayson wanted to make something new this year (last year we made paper snowflakes).  Ayson wanted to make origami Christmas decorations so he found a video on YouTube and then Ayson and Amy each made a Santa!

This is lemon pie #2.  The from scratch chocolate and lemon pies did not last long after Thursday and everyone requested a 2nd lemon pie.  The pie was crazy easy and so fresh tasting!

Sunday, November 29, we had temperatures in the low 50s.  What a gorgeous day!

Ayson working with his LittleBits electronic set (that he received from Grandma Collene).  Too cool!  Both Amy and Adam wished they had sets like that when they were young:)

Sun, Fun, and Fake Snow

An uneventful week for A^4.  Amy and Adam had virtual Parent/Teacher conferences for both kiddos last week and the kiddos are doing well in school - even with all of the extra COVID related protocols: masks, social distance, AND wash your hands!!!!!  GREAT job, Ayson and Addie!!!  Thursday and Friday were crazy warm so we made sure to spend time outside.  On Saturday, we got our chores done, played on electronics/read, and played outside.  Sunday funday with Grandma's cookies and a craft that Ayson made: fake now!  

We are sending good thoughts to all of our family and friends and we hope that everyone has a relaxing and low key Thanksgiving!

What's going on, Shadow?!?!  Silly cat reminded us of a favorite book about cats: "It is the Spy/ licking its chin/ waiting all day,/ watching the Fin," from the book, "Cat, What is that?" by Tony Johnston

Ayson and Addie writing code to build games in the program Scratch on the school computers that they bring home everyday JUST incase they need to switch to virtual learning the next day.

Friday afternoon was warm BUT not warm enough for shorts, Addie!

Ayson's turn!

Yes!!

Ayson wacking a pumpkin while Addie bounced in the trampoline.

Saturday was spent getting chores done, playing electronics/reading, and playing outside.

Saturday night movie night and chocolate mug cake was how we finished off the night :)  The kiddos watching the cake cook.

Making "Grandma's Cookies" on Sunday morning.  Addie was "not in the mood" to smile...her exact words.

Maybe next time!

It started to snow and Ayson decided to make fake snow.  He looked up an easy recipe: baking soda and hair conditioner - that is it!  At least it smells good!

Mixing the ingredients

Look!  It feels like packing snow!

Snow fun! inside since there is no snow outside!

Sunsets, Veterans Remembrance, and a New Hike

A^4 is doing well and we hope the same for all of our family and friends.  We are sending good thoughts to the men and women that have and still are serving our country.   Thank you!  

As winter and colder months arrive, remember to be kind to yourself, to others, and have patience for others - we are all in this pandemic together!

Sunset pictures from this week:

Monday sunset at 5:20

Thursday sunset at 4:55 :)

On Saturday, we hiked at a "new to us" area behind the "duck pond" also known as Webster Pond and as the Rand Tract - a 95 acre Nature Preserve and Bird Sanctuary on the west side of the City of Syracuse.

The kiddos were amazed by the number of ducks and geese at Webster Pond!

Family photo switch!

It was fun to explore a new area that is SO close to us!

Addie posing at the top of a hill on top of a log

We saw cool rock ridge lines

and climbed hills

There are at least four bike ramps in this picture - this area is also used by mountain bikers.

Similar to Clarks Reservation State Park - cracks in the rocks

Of course the kiddos had to give the ducks and geese corn after the hike!

Addie took this picture of Shadow sleeping on my work chair - hahaha

Addie repairing a that Shadow played with. 

Ayson chopping bacon for a batch of bacon soup that Adam helped him make.  The recipe came from his favorite video game/book, Bendy and the Ink Machine.  With all of the cheese, cream, milk, and bacon, the soup was tasty and filling!!!

Crazy Start to November

 A quick week for the kiddos and a looooooong week for all of the adults!  We are sending good thoughts to all and wish everyone health, patience, unity as a Nation, and respect towards other human beings.  Amy did not take any pictures of two play dates with friends but it was good to see the kids play outside with friends and run around.  The kids had a picnic lunch on the deck on Sunday. Ayson also tinkered with his solar powered robot - great weekend for it.

Ayson enjoying the fleeting day of snow on Monday.

And then the rest of the week got warmer and warmer

On Friday, we attended a birthday at a movie theater - only 8 tickets were sold for each show - so we had the entire theater to ourselves.  The kids loved it.

Milkweed ready to fly with warm weather on the weekend.

Gorgeous Saturday sunset

Addie wanted her picture with the sunset

A class assignment of Addie's

Halloween Fun!

We had a fun filled week with Halloween activities: pumpkin carving, finishing up costumes, school parade, Halloween Party outside, and a new twist to Trick Or Treating.  We hope that everyone is staying healthy.  We are sending good thoughts to Great Uncle Don's Family and to Grandpa Roger.  Grandpa Roger's Uncle passed away on Thursday at the age of 92.

Carving our pumpkins from our garden :)

Of course Ayson wanted to puke out pumpkin guts

TaDa!  From left to right: Ayson, Adam, Addie, and Amy

Ayson working on his Halloween costume: Boris the Wolf from Bendy and the Ink Machine

The finished costume.  Addie came up with the idea for the nose :)

This year the school did not allow parents and family to attend the Halloween parade in person but we did get to watch the parade virtually!  Addie was a black fox complete with ears and tail.

Ayson

Friday night was the Optimist Halloween party - held outside at Stafford Park. 

Addie throwing a mini pumpkin at the witch in the basket.

A spooky section of the haunted trail

Creepy!

Complete with a glowing ghost!

Hay bales set up around the "big" screen (a tarp) - what a great idea!

The Optimist Club still offered treats including individual boxed donuts and cider.

It was a gorgeous night with an almost full moon!

Addie wanted a picture with her glow sticks

On Halloween night, Amy and the kiddos Trick or Treated at our 3 closest neighbors houses and then we had the kiddos walk around our house to each door to get their candy until the candy was gone :)

Cute story from visiting the Anthony's house. Neighbor Jo gave the kids apples and both kids thought that was their treat...the apples were their TRICK.  She then gave the kiddos a bag of candy.  Hahaha. Thanks for the thinking of the kiddos, Jo!

Neighbor Denise's house

Trick or Treat!

Trick or Treat!

LOOK at all of that loot!

After the kids finished sorting all of their candy, we watched a Halloween movie that involved a magician AND a jaguar.  Ayson had to get out our magic set and practice afterwards :)

Where is the red ball?!

TaDa!

On Sunday, went for a walk in the orchard.  LOOK what was still blooming!

We were able to take the milkweed pods from our yard and spread them around the orchard.

Gorgeous picture that a colleague sent last week while he was working on a stream restoration project.