Fall Smorgasbord

I'm sorry, there is no good way to categorize this random string of photos and events, except that they all happened in the fall.  So here is our October: percussionists, broken fingers, days off, chores, ordinations, straight A's and all!

 As a 5th grader, Delia has the opportunity to join the band this year.  She was excited to sign up in the percussion section, since dance class has given her a pretty good sense of rhythm.  Our band director makes all his percussionists learn to read music by playing the xylophone before they can start "banging on things".  Learning music is hard, and Delia has already asked to quit, but we're obviously making her stick it out for at least the year.

 The girls ministry I help teach has launched again for the school year and I forgot how much I missed these goofy, amazing, (now) 5th grade gals in my class!

 A parent gave me a generous gift certificate to our town's sweet little home goods store last spring and I finally found something super special there that I wanted to spend it on!

 Ella once again decided to be on the girls' basketball team.  But then, on her SECOND day of practice, she took a tumble and broke her right pinky finger.  Soooo...another night in the ER we spent!  The break was actually a pretty common one and healed in just a few weeks with only a splint and no follow-up even required.  But, the night we spent with the x-ray technicians was the night of a big band and choir concert at school and many tears were shed over the missing of this important event.  Also, the basketball team had to be given up, as did piano and saxophone playing for the month.  It's been another good life lesson in learning to be flexible and not too distraught when our plans don't work out the way we want them too (something Ella and I BOTH have a hard time with)!

 One Friday night we attended a Harvest Party at some friends' house.  There were fun fall foods, good fellowship, pumpkin carving, and this hilarious trio of costumes!

 We had a Monday off school and spent it catching up on our relaxing!  What is better than board games in bathrobes with waffles and hot chocolate?!

 Another Saturday the girls worked hard getting all my dusty windows sparking clean, inside and out.  They did a great job and got this chore done without complaining.  Aren't they awesome?

 We spent a special Sunday celebrating the ordination of our good friend, Patrick.  Our church has been SO blessed by his ministry these past 2 years, and Dave has been blessed by his partnership.  Though nothing really changes in his job, we recognize the significance of our denomination and church affirming his gifts and calling and making him an official reverend.  We had his family, and our beloved chaplain and his wife, Pastor Jack and Sharon, over for a celebratory lunch.

And last...this is what Delia brought home last week-- a straight A report card!  We are so proud!  Her teacher had lots of lovely things to say about her at parent/teacher conferences too!  Though Ella expected her harder year to be reflected in her grades, she also did great and had As in every class but one.  What smart girls I get the privilege of parenting!

Puppy Love

Getting sick of pictures of my kids on the blog?  Not to worry!  We have an adorable new puppy to oooh and aaah over, so all my phone pics are now of her! :)  We've been a family of 5 for a month now, so here's another update on how Ivy is doing.

The above pic is when she made her Facebook Debut! :)  The letter board was a birthday present from Kristen and I LOVE it!  Also, since the taking of this picture, Ivy has learned how to work doggie door and has not had another accident in the house!  She's also much more chill about us leaving her during the school days, because she now has the independence to pass the hours running around and exploring outside!

 She's mellowed out about the guinea pigs too, though she still watches them intently and still under supervision.

 Ivy has also fallen head-over-paws in love with Delia, who gives her the most energy and attention.  They are good play buddies, wearing each other out every night.  I wonder if Ivy senses Delia is the smallest in our family and treats her like a companion, instead of a master, like Dave...

Or a cuddle buddy, like me!  Ivy has learned that I am the one who will provide her belly rubs and snuggles.  She curls up in my lap every day, a feat getting more and more difficult considering she's gained about 10 pounds already!  When I rest, she joins me.  I do like coming home to a quiet house after my day of teaching, but I love that I no longer come home to an empty one!

 Poor girl was spayed this week and spent one whole day not herself at all.  We gave her lots of love and were relieved that she perked up and was actually completely normal the next day already!

And just for the sake of keeping it real, I'll confess that life with a new puppy hasn't been 100% snuggles and tail wags.  Ivy's favorite trick is to take the toilet paper from our little bathroom and run outside with it, TPing my entire back yard!  She's gotten 3 whole rolls now!  The solution is easy enough-- keep the bathroom door shut.  But, it only takes one time to forget and we have quite a mess to clean.   Ivy has also decided that a certain pillow and a book had to die a terrible, million-pieces-everywhere, kind of death.  Frustrating, but the things she's destroyed can still be counted on one hand, so that's good, I guess.


Here are a few videos...

This one is Ivy demonstrating the 3 commands she mastered in her first week with us.

This is Ivy and Delia's favorite game.  It gets us giggling every time!