Sound of Music

My good friend Elinn and I started a class where we taught our children and other children from church and our neighborhood the music from the play the Sound of Music. For three months we practiced this mini-play, where they learned choreography, memorizing lines and a handful of songs. They all did such a great job! We had two performances. What fun it was for me to help with scenery, costumes and put it all together. Here's a clip of the Brunswick Singers performing "Do Rei Me."

You can see the video here

Thanksgiving

We had a great crowd here for Thanksgiving. My grandmother, Aunt Jeannine, Uncle Leon, Heather, her boyfriend Pat, Ned, my parents, Aubs, Stuart, and baby Charlotte were the ones in attendance. Everyone pitched in to help with the feast and we all left feeling full. We felt so happy to have our home brimming with people we love and good food. We feel truly blessed. Here are some pictures to document the day. This first one is of the babies smothering poor Charlotte. They were loving being around her.
Pat, Heather, Jeannine and Ned at our pumpkin themed table. Mom, Aubs and Charlotte at the other little table we set up.

Me with the big spread. Let's dig in!

Mama Jean with all her grandchildren.

contributing to the family

I found a great chore chart for my girls. What I love about this chart is how the designer labeled it "how I contribute to my family." My girls have been on board with this from the get-go. They are feeling really accomplished at the end of the day when I say, "look how many checks you have! Thank you for contributing to our family."

You can download this free snazzy chart at:

http://www.modecokids.com/index.php/2009/10/21/free-printable-chore-chart-for-kids/

Halloween

Tracy made Thing 1 and Thing 2 costumes for the twins and I dressed as the cat in the hat. The twins looked really cute.

This is a rare picture of the twins with their wigs. Tracy spent hours making these costumes and the twins absolutely hated waring the wigs.

All of the girls helped with the pumpkin. We had to keep Lilly from eating the seeds. We weren't too successful.

Lauren was Tinkerbell and Alison was our cute witch.

I decided to use a different method for carving pumpkins this year. My side of the family has somewhat of a tradition of combining fresh produce and power tools. It's a long story... but my dad would be proud!