Pumpkin Carving

 I love fall.  The beautiful colors of leaves, crisp air, apple cider, pumpkins & the excitement on the 'lilbucks faces when they talk about what they want to carve on their pumpkins. 

First, the scooping out of the pumpkin.  Everyone complains (including me) about this because it's slimy, but we still enjoy it. 

 

This year, Collin decided to use gloves.

After we scooped out the pumpkin, we had a pumpkin chunkin' contest.

They threw the seeds & slime all over the yard.  If my husband stopped cutting the grass, we may have a pumpkin patch in our yard.

Last year, we started doing character pumpkins.  They would pick a picture of what they wanted to carve.  We would print it out, tape it on the pumpkin, use a hammer & nail and trace along the outline with punched holes, then carving the design out. 

Faith had fun hammering away with her hand and a small screwdriver.  Unfortunately, her fish didn't turn out right because of the shape.  So we did a "F" on the other side.

 

Angry Birds was Will's choice.

:Faith's Pumpkin:

:Will's Angry Bird:

:Collin's Clemson Pumpkin:

Faith & I decided to paint our toenails like candy corn.  I found this cool idea on Pinterest.  It takes 2 coats of each color & you can only paint 1 section at a time.  Very time consuming, but love the final product.

Free IHOP

IHOP offered free scary face pancakes on the Friday before Halloween.  So thankful for this little free treat.

:Faith:

:Collin:

:Family friend, Jacob:

:Scary face, Will:

Aim High

Our homeschool co-op meets the 1st three Thursdays of every month.  On the last Thursday, we have a field trip.  This time it was set up for an air base a quite few miles down the road.  It was all set up & then in the last quarter, they called and said that they can only do it for 7th grade and up. 

The saying: "it's all in who you know" is so true.  I am so thankful for 2 kind men that go to our church.  They are retired Air National Guard.  They were so sweet to help us get a field trip together.  Thank you so much Mr. Danny & Mr. Bill.

(This is about 1/3 of our co-op) 

Back Row: Mr. Danny & Mr. Bill

2nd Row: Kenna, Summer, Mabry, Audrey, Addison, Laural, Will, Matthew & Michael

Front Row: Faith, Jacob, Carter & Collin

We learned so much about fighter planes.

The kids checking out under the plane.

Picture courtesy of Faith.  Super Cool!

We got to watch the F14 fighter jets take off.  I was a little bummed, because we couldn't take pictures of them due to security, but I still got some great pictures around the base.

Lego Store

Tony had an out-of-town wedding this past weekend.  When we found out that it was near a Lego store, oh my, the excitement could be heard from miles around.

Collin's birthday was in August.  He saved his money all this time just to buy Legos.  

Faith 

Will

So many Legos....

The Lego wall.  

 Collin checking out all the Lego kits.  Trying to decide what kit he wants.

Build your own Lego figure was a big hit for the lil' bucks.

Check out.

Fall Tree Art Project

I had something else planned for this week's art project, but the last minute, a friend posted this project on Pinterest & I fell in love with it.  Fall tree art. 

 The kids paint the blue sky using water color.  Then add fall colors on the bottom.

 

  

(This was the last week of class before Halloween, so it was hat/mask day in art. Notice Faith's princess crown.) 

Then, the kids get watery brown tempera paint & drop a little puddle on the bottom of the page.  They aim a straw at an angle & blow, causing the paint to move into lines creating the tree.

After they have the branches, they take Q-Tips dipped into (fall colors) paint and add the leaves.

 This project turned out great.

   

(Not sure why pictures turned out side ways.)

Strike Up The (Alumni) Band

This is the 2nd year that Tony has been able to play with his high school Alumni Band.

Getting ready to march out on the field.

The LHS & Alumni Band.

 The Gift of Music ~ Tony in the center.

 

Some of the brass section.

Will holding music for Tony.

The Krickets with the Lil Bucks.

Andrea (LHS Alumni Band) & I  have been friends for over 26 years.

Music is what feelings sound like. - Unknown

Clowning

Our local library is amazing.  They have homeschool classes through out the year for us.  This week's was on clowning.  We learned about different acts that you can do, props & the kid's favorite ~ balloon animals.

This funny lady (clown name ~Joy) was so good with the kids.

Faith, Jacob & Eli making balloon animals.

One of many animals that Collin made.

Will's poodle.

Art, Bible & Spanish Class

This week's art project was on the family crest.  The kids really enjoyed finding out where their last name originated.  They got to choose their colors, symbols, etc. to represent their family crest. 

Example: A deer represents one who will not fight unless provoked  (Click on highlighted words for sites to do this project.)

 

I incorporate a missionary from whatever country we are studying.  This week, the kids were the missionaries.  I gave them a tract for them to pass out.  I also challenged them to pass out at least 10 more.  I want these kids to have a burden for lost souls.  The easiest way to witness to someone is to give them a tract.  

Bible class.  Each week, the kids draw out the lesson using stick figures to remind them of what the lesson was about.  Then they use the pictures to do a timeline of the order that they happened.  It is a very interesting class.

Gabbie is sooo adorable.  I could just eat her up.  She is reading Brown Bear, Brown Bear in Spanish.

Josefina ~ American Girl Doll Club

This month, is dedicated to Josefina. As a New Mexican girl growing up in 1824, Josefina is trying to preserve what is precious after her mother’s passing.

The girls were given a Hispanic name for the day.  They played a game where they had to find the English word for the Spanish word.

Lots of Josefina books, Hispanic foods, traditions, etc. books.

Craft Time: The girls made a ribbon wand & decorated a hair clip.

Many of the girls dressed up in traditional Hispanic costumes.

Dancing with the wands.

Yum, Hispanic food.