November 30

While everyone else was at work/school, Lucy and I brought up all the Christmas decorations. I am thankful that she still likes to help me with this!

She has also decided to do the Elf on the Shelf this year. She plans to move it herself.

We also puréed all the pumpkins that had been on our front porch. We had five small pumpkins and one large  one. We have four containers of purée, so we’re going to make pumpkin bread and sell it. We are giving the money to the Salvation Army.

We also made dumplings for dinner. 

November 29

While I was dropping Kat off at school, Lucy came up with a plan to study for her vocabulary test at co-op on Monday. 

She also helped me sort the sprinkles for our co-op Christmas cookie party. 

This is how Kat handles her frustration over having to put fitted sheets on her bed. Ha! 

November 28

My U.S. History class gave presentations on American Landmarks today. Elliott presented Fenway Park.

November 27

Happy Birthday Stump!

We made it home this afternoon. It was a rainy drive.

November 26

We visited the Humane Society

Elliott and Lucy ice skated for a little while.

Nonna and Lucy made a paper gingerbread house

Kat loves cooperating for pictures

November 25

Nonna and Grandpa Carroll took us out for a yummy dinner.

November 24

Happy Thanksgiving!

November 23

We made it to IL today. Wasn’t long before these two were outside playing catch.

November 22

Kat, Elliott, Lucy, and I volunteered at the Operation Christmas Child shoebox dropoff yesterday. We always look forward to it. We had one man who worked with us that was a shoebox recipient as a child in Guatemala. That was neat! 

Lucy went home with Amelia and Sarah for a sleepover.

November 21

Happy 5th Birthday Nora!!!

When your parents are old and forgetful, you put the tooth fairy pillow on your door so they see it. Poor fourth kid. She has lost a lot of teeth in the last couple of months and we repeatedly forgot to put money in her pillow. She told us last time that she knew we were the tooth fairy because we kept forgetting. She also informed us that she knows Santa isn’t real. Sigh. 

Blindfolded makeovers with Lucy and Nadia.

It was coooolllldddd outside! 

November 20

We celebrated Nora’s 5th birthday yesterday. 

November 19

A new painting by Julia

Clay has been in Texas this week for work. He got home yesterday. He and I hung out while each of the kids had friends over (except Kat, who went to a friend’s house).