Feathers, Rocks and Leaves

Ella said this morning that she wanted to go on a "nature hunt". So, after lunch and before naps this afternoon, we went over to the pond to feed the ducks and explore along the creek. On the way over, Ella saw a school and kids playing on the playground. She related to me that she does not like school...She said she was afraid kids would push her down. I am not sure where this came from....Then I heard her talking to herself and this is what she said... "Think, think, think" (this is what Winnie the Pooh says). "God, would I like to go to school?" She waits for a moment and then says, "No, okay". That was it.

We had a great time on our nature hunt. We fed ducks, well, Ella fed the ducks and Caleb just ate the old bread, and we then played along the creek finding treasures, walking sticks and throwing things into the creek to see what would float or sink and what it sounded like when it plunked into the water. Great fun! These are a few things Ella collected on her nature hunt.

Thanksgiving

We spent Thanksgiving here in Austin with Jeremy's dad, Greg, who was visiting from Montana and his sister, Trinity, who lives here. We did not do a whole lot, but we had a nice, restful time. Here are a few pictures.

Playing horsey with daddy!

Aunt Trinity

Our spread! We are so blessed. God supplies so much more then we truly need!

Caleb reading with Grandpa Greg.

Recent picture of Ella with a ponytail.

Brrrrr..., but see my new hat and gloves!

The weather is getting colder! Yeah! But, we still had to visit the park this past week. I am so glad Ella's coat still fits again this year! We did get her a new hat and gloves. She is very excited about them, especially because these are the first gloves she has ever worn with finger slots in them. He are some Ella expressions... Amazingly enough, she was still happy although she had just accidentally gone down the big slide at the park headfirst...all the way to the ground. Typical Ella style!

Grandma Katherine's Fall Visit

We had a wonderful time with Grandma Katherine this week. We did not do a lot of things, but just took it easy and spent a beautiful day at the park feeding ducks on Monday before the recent cold snap. Here are a few pictures of our visit.






































































Painting toenails!

Words from Ella - Sharing

So we were hanging out at B&N tonight, playing with a toy trainset they have and Ella was having trouble sharing. So we took her aside and had a talk about how to consider others instead of herself. The following conversation ensued:

Dad: Ella, you know you are not thinking about how other people are feeling when you take toys away . You are really just thinking about yourself, aren't you.
Ella: Uh huh.
Dad: Do you think it makes them feel loved when you take toys away?
Ella: No.
Dad: Do you think you can go share with Caleb?
Ella: I know. How about I go to Caleb and ask him "may I please have that toy?"
Dad: Thats great. ..and what do you do if he doesn't want to give it to you?
Ella: ....He will.

...effective talk...I guess.

Rainy Day Words from Ella

Here is some sweet little comments from Ella yesterday... We had a heavy rainshower/light thunderstorm yesterday I think around dinnertime. Ella looked out the window when I mentioned it was raining and got a little nervous because she does not like thunder. She turned around and said to me, "Mommy, God will take care of us always." I assurred her, yes, He does. Then she said, "Good thing it is not raining in the house."

Charlie Brown and Princess

Caleb and Ella both had a great time on Halloween. We went over to a friends house to go trick-or-treating. Caleb dressed as Charlie Brown because of course, he looks like him! Although his head is in a little more in proportion to his body now then it used to be. Caleb mostly just enjoyed eating candy and riding in his new red race car. Ella wore an old flower girl dress of mine that I wore when I was in a wedding back in 1981!? Ella liked dressing up, candy and spending time with her boyfriends Seth and Josh...who can pick just one!

An unhappy Charlie Brown!

A happy, pizza-eating Charlie Brown!


All the kids. I think Ella chose Curious George over Thomas the Tank Engine.

Snoopy, is it you?!