Harvest Party

Choosing pumpkings! Madeline knew exactly the one she wanted and never looked back. I like to encourage her decisive nature. Ivan is into small "punkins" this year. We headed back to the barn at the Jones' farm and carved 3 pumpkins (well Deacon did). Madeline's was a silly monster, Ivan's was "dark" Vader and Deacon's was a sad little pumpkin with a gunshot to the head and guts pouring out the other side. Creative, but more gross than creative. Where DID I find him?


There were a lot of important things to get back to! So off they ran and dad was the pumpkin carrier. (I had to hold the camera).

Fall Festival Friends

Cousin River (the wolf) and Ivan
Madeline and Ava
Madeline and Kayte

Fall Festival

Madeline was an Ice Princess.

Deacon bought these outfits for he and Ivan in Qatar. I think they fit the part with their dark skin! Maybe next year, I will have it in me to dress up to!



The little flower conked off after resisting her enormous head of petals!

Back Off Jack

I remember dancing with my dad as a little girl. I dressed up, dimmed the lights and probably picked a terrible 80's song to dance to. My dad and I would slow dance and I loved this affectionate attention...even though Lisa and Jenny were usually waiting to take over at the next song. My dad taught us to say, "Back OFF Jack," if any young man tried to dance with his girls, and we practiced.

This phrase stuck with me and Deacon explained to Madeline to use it if a boy ever tries to kiss her (except for uncles, grandpas and brother). Along with the phrase, she practiced a punch to administer to the unlucky boys mouth. She had it down! So when she came home from school and explained that one of her classmates got punched in the face I praised her for her obedience. When dad got home and she retold what happened we learned that after she had gotten a kiss from this particular boy, she did yell, "Back off Jack!" but then proceeded to explain to him first that he was about to be punched, because that is what dad told her to do. What a lady to explain first. Next time (hopefully not a next time), she will be ready to punch without warning. She even informed the unaware P.E. teacher, "My dad told me to punch him."

Exploring

One of my favorite places to take the kids these days is the duck pond across the street from Good Sams. Growing up in Maryland we had a yard with woods in the back and a little creek. Seeing my kids enjoy exploring and using their imaginations brings back some great memories from my childhood. At the duck pond, we set a boat (a leaf) out to sea that belonged to Stuart Little. They climb a wonderful tree that is pretty fall proof. I did climb the tree myself unexpectedly to get Madeline unstuck, but it all worked out. In the grass the kids pretended to be a family of possums. Every once in a while, I hear a little one calling "Mommy Possom, I need you!"

Little Smiles

Daddy is Gone

This is a picture in Qatar. I think it is the hotel where Deacon is staying. I am hoping to get a lot of gold from this trip!!!


Deacon is in Qatar with a beach right out the hotel door. He is heading to Morocco next week and possibly Yemen sometime in between (I am hoping for no trip to Yemen). We have spent the last 2 weeks being busy preparing for him to leave - shopping, going to the Davenport, lots of family time, and winterizing the house.

I am not even thinking about how much time we have left until late next week. For now we will just keep on going working toward the day daddy comes home.


Ivan has gone a little crazy. He is the man of the house while dad is gone. He asked, "Does that mean I can't get spankings?"
Madeline is working hard to keep herself busy and cheerful while her favorite man is gone.

Fiona Four Months Old

Fiona can suck her big toe like it is her thumb.


Fiona likes to give kisses.

Fiona ate cereal, but only for 4 days. She weighs 15 lbs. and has reached a happy weight and is now eating like a more normal infant and skipping the cereal altogether.
She is very happy and mellow. She took a 5 hour nap yesterday and has currently been sleeping for 3 hours.