Trick or Treating 2010

Dora and Boots!

Dora and Boots were excited to go trick or treating with our neighbors, Buzz, a bride and Minnie Mouse

Kate didn't last as long as Grace and came home to help hand out candy (really I think she just wanted to eat hers)

Grace did great trick or treating and could have gone all night!  She and Ella ran from house to house at lightening speed collecting candy as they went :)

Trophy! Last Soccer Game

Grace did great this season at soccer and was excited about her last game.  Kate can't wait to play- she had to be pulled off the field several times :)

Grace has really improved over the season.  She challenged herself to kick the ball three times in each game and usually met her goal :)

 

Anything to keep Kate occupied...

Grace's favorite part- the parent tunnel after the game

Grace's first trophy!  For the record, Grace told us this was going to be her last soccer game on the way to play.  On the way home, after she received her trophy, she said she can't wait to play next year! :)

Happy Birthday Addi Rose!

My Goddaughter Addison Rose had her first birthday party and we were all invited.  It was so much fun!

Jessica, another one of AR's three fairy godmothers

Addison didn't really seem interested in the cake but Kate sure was!

Happy Birthday Addi Rose!

Kate's Halloween Party

Getting ready for the big class party...

She really liked those boots...

Kate and all her sweet friends- Alex, Wade, Julia, Jackson and Kate

Kate and her buddy from last year, Alex

Reverse Trick or Treating

The girls and I went "reverse trick or treating" at a local nursing home with some friends from church.  We brought candy and pictures they had colored to hand out to the residents.  Both girls took their jobs very seriously.  Every time someone walked in Grace handed them a picture and Kate was right behind her handing out candy.  Kate wasn't as good at keeping track of who already had candy so some of the residents ended up with a lot of candy :)

After we handed out the goodies and talked to the residents, things started getting a little quiet and there were some awkward silences.   Thank goodness for Kate!  She jumped up in the center of the room and sang her ABCs (many, many times), Twinkle, Twinkle and a few other goodies.  It was great!  She also inspired her friends to sing a few also :)

Great afternoon!

Thirteen Cents- A Charity Lesson From Grace

"What does that man's sign say?" asked Grace
"He's asking for money for food.  He doesn't have a place to live" I replied.
"Well, give him some money" Grace said in her "duh" tone of voice.
"I don't have any" I replied since I never have any cash.
"Of course you do, hand me your wallet.  Look- you have hundreds in here." she said rummaging through my coins.
"Well, see if you can find any quarters, 4 quarters will make a dollar and we can give him that."

By this time the light had changed and I thought I was going to escape this uncomfortable situation.  I say uncomfortable because although I think of myself as charitably inclined, I have never given anyone money out my car window.   I honestly have mixed feelings about it.  We've actually been talking about the poor in our Bible Study and what we are called to do to help those less fortunate than ourselves.  And here I was in a real situation with my four year old wanting to help out of the purity and innocence of her heart.

"Mommy, here are four quarters.  Turn around so we can give it to him."

At this point we were on the highway and there was no "turning around."  The more I tried to explain that, the more upset she got that this man wouldn't get our dollar.   Our compromise was that when we went back out for her dance class, we would drive by and give it to him and when we did, we would bring him something to eat and drink.  In our Bible study discussions one of the women shared that she keeps a package of crackers or another non-perishable snack to share with someone asking for money.  So I thought we could copy that idea.

When we got home Grace handed me her "four quarters"- one dime and three pennies and told me to keep them in a safe place until we went back.   She ran in and opened the refrigerator.  I overhead her talking to herself "hmmm, what does an adult like to drink, I can't give him a juice box...." Luckily we had some coke and she picked out some snacks.

I was super nervous as we approached the intersection and wound down the window.  Not because I was scared, but because I was so worried how this man was going to respond.  Grace had the sweetest anticipation look on her face and I knew if he didn't appreciate her gift, it would crush her.  My prayers were answered when I (I had to draw the line at her giving it to him much to her dismay) handed over the drink, snack and money (I added a few dollars from the house) and he thanked us profusely and seemed genuinely grateful.

"Well, we'll have to look for him another day to see if he needs anything"  Sweet Grace...

Pumpkin Carving!

Grace was so excited about the annual Boryczka pumpkin carving party this year.  It was the first year she came with a "plan" for her decorating.

Kate did pretty well herself for a few minutes- "No!  I do it!"

 Grace realized it's more fun to talk about cleaning out the pumpkin rather than actually doing it.

Grace's pumpkin face plan was a princess.  So that pumpkin in the middle does not have a "uni-brow"- that's a crown :)

Happy Halloween!

Kate Reading :)

Halloween Party

 We had a fun Halloween party at church and the girls had a blast

 Grace and her friend Lilli

 Sweet Addison

 Grace is getting really good at her coloring!

After the party Kate decided to take advantage of the left over candy...

Pumpkin Patch 2010

 We made our annual trek to the Pumpkin Patch with our friends the Crimis and had a great time.  Grace was very serious about picking the right pumpkin and Kate was just thrilled to run :)

 Nice picture ladies...

 Kate and Frances

 Sweet sisters

 Best and only group picture we have :)

 Grace and Evelyn

 The hay maze was definitely a favorite.  Too bad both dads were allergic to the hay

Corn on the cob- another favorite- Yumm

Jack and me with our sweet Goddaughter Frances