Dairy Queen and Sunsets

I can think of lots of ways to celebrate one of the last beautiful nights of the perfect fall weather we were having last week. Pumpkin Pie Blizzards from Dairy Queen would definitely be in the top ten. The kids and I ran through the drive-thru, then took our treats to a picnic table by the lake and ate while watching a beautiful sunset.

Outdoor School Day

Last Tuesday we found out we had to, unexpectedly, be out of the apartment we are currently staying in for a few hours. I was a bit discouraged at first. It was our second day trying to get back into the groove with school after taking a week off and I hated for my plans to be disrupted. As we rushed around getting things straightened up before leaving so work could be done, it suddenly came to me that everything I had planned for the two hours we had to be out of the apartment could be done outside. The weather was still amazing and I decided we should definitely take advantage of that. After quickly cleaning up, I packed a couple of bags so we could finish our school work as well as eat a little lunch before heading to my sister's to pick her up for a doctor's appointment. That little interruption ended up being one of the best things that happened that week. What a great morning we had!

Isn't this the coolest bench?!?

We were talking a bit about the Boston Tea party, Paul Revere and wrapping up the Pilgrims and the First Thanksgiving.

Fun geography trivia game...when we could convince Kate to give us a turn with the die. :)

A man and his wife we at the park the entire time we were. At one point, he left the bench where they were chatting and brought over four nickels and encouraged each of us to toss one into the fountain while making a wish. The kids were thrilled and his thoughtfulness stuck with me throughout the day.

I cannot fully explain how excited Isabelle and Kate were to be outside running through the leaves. The picture above captures it a bit, even if it is a bit blurry.

Isaac was inspired to draw a few fountain designs he had rattling around in his head.

The Day Daddy Left

After leaving the airport, we all needed a little something to keep our minds off missing Dad.

The Swing

by Robert Louis Stevenson

How do you like to go up in a swing,

Up in the air so blue?

Oh, I do think it the pleasantest thing

Ever a child can do!

Up in the air and over the wall,

Till I can see so wide,

Rivers and trees and cattle and all

Over the countryside--

Till I look down on the garden green,

Down on the roof so brown--

Up in the air I go flying again,

Up in the air and down!

Fall With Cousins

Another attempt to capture the sweeping beauty of fall colors. Words and pictures are not adequate. A different kind of beauty was beheld as I watched my little ones playing with their cousins. It was a day of reflecting on the many, many blessings in my life.