A few months ago, when we were talking about Halloween costume ideas, Annie announced that she wanted to be a mailman. Adam said that if she was a mailman, he was going to be an Amazon driver. And so this year’s theme was decided. Maggie was quick to agree, as long as she could be Fedex and have some purple on her outfit.

We did a trial run of the costumes on Thursday. Unfortunately, about two hours later, we got a call from the school nurse that Maggie and Luke had been exposed to Covid on the bus and have to quarantine. So that effectively squashed our Halloween plans. We got them both tested, but haven’t gotten the results back yet.

So we’re making the most of our Quarantine Halloween. With yummy movie night treats:

Games

Crafts

Surprise treat drop offs from aunts, uncles, cousins, and neighbors

And a Halloween cookie cake for dessert.

It wasn’t the Halloween we had planned, but it was still pretty good.

Last week while we were shopping, Annie insisted on getting this cat house for Harris (I didn’t put much effort into dissuading her).

Annie helped me put it together and her little fingers did a great job punching out the carboard pieces.

It’s turned into Harris’s post-dinner nap location and Annie couldn’t be happier.

Tomorrow is the International Day of Peace. Luke was given the assignment of writing about what peace means to him. I think he did an incredible job.

Peace, it does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble or hard work. It means to be in the midst of those things and still be calm in your heart. Peace to me sounds like laughing, playing and running. Peace to me looks like nature, kindness, and friends. Peace to me feels like warmth, love and comfort. If I were in charge of the world, I’d make everyone pick up 5 litters each day and not hunt animals.

Sincerely,
Luke

The girls started dance classes tonight.

Maggie was thrilled to be dancing again.

Annie said it’s one of her “very favorite things ever.”

I’m so excited for them both.

We always celebrate the first day/week of school with a cookie cake. It’s a tradition we started when Adam was in kindergarten. This year Annie helped make the cake.

Our cake decorating could use some help, but it tasted great.

Annie and I went raspberry picking with my mom yesterday at my uncle and aunt’s house.

Annie did a great job and when decided she was done, she did some exploring.

Gymnastics started up again last night for the girls. I didn’t take any photos – but I did get one video of Maggie.

She was so proud when she got over that bar.

I posted updated “Bear in the Chair” pictures for Maggie and Luke, but not Annie and Adam. So here are Annie’s most recent pictures with the bear:

And here are Adam’s:

That bear is shrinking like crazy!

And just like that summer vacation is over.

Annie doesn’t start school until next year, but insisted (and rightfully so) on a first day of school dress and photoshoot.

We had a relaxing morning and then, after visiting with my mom, went to pick up some of Adam’s favorite chips at the store.

Annie did a great job shopping for and checking out the groceries.

Now we’re just waiting on those big kids to get home!

Maggie finally figured out shoe tying last night. To be fair/honest, this isn’t a skill we’d spent a lot of time working on because there are so many cute non-tie options for her. (Well, that and because I don’t have a lot of patience when it comes to teaching shoe tying.)

But last night she decided she wanted to try again and figured it out really fast. She asked me to take a video of it. She was so nervous she wasn’t going to be able to do it when I was recording – but she did.

Maggie is (rightfully) very proud of herself.