Hiking at Moss Rock Preserve

  Moss Rock Preserve is only a short drive from home and we took advantage of the last 70 something day in forecast, which we were lucky enough to have off from school for Veterans Day, and went hiking. The leaves are in full color and it’s just gorgeous around here right now! Even driving down the road to the grocery store takes my breath away right now! 

Moss Rock Preserve is 345 acres of nature, with streams, waterfalls and the very cool boulder field. Boulder field did make me a bit nervous with the younger kiddos, with all the huge drop offs, but they all LOVED it!!

We got a LITTLE WET, a LOT DIRTY and had an EXTRAORDINARY TIME!

Over the river and through the woods!

I loved catching them helping one another!

The boys!

Cool Stuff!

Say Cheese!!!

Me too, Me too!!

Look at me pose so high up!

With Daddy

And then Mommy

"I found a tunnel!"

I can climb just fine

We are BIG stuff up here!

On top of a high boulder with the beautiful trees in background.

These are photos in our neighborhood. Just to show how beautiful the scenery is around here right now! 

Trick or Treat...and the rest of the week

HEAVENLY DONUTS!!

REPORT CARD TREAT!

They all worked hard and brought home excellent report cards for the first 9 weeks. So we took a special trip to local donut heaven, Heavenly Donuts (where just the day before Alton Brown had been there for breakfast). We had a variety dozen of Red Velvet, Apple Crisp, Reeces, Oreo, Coffee and even Maple Bacon...you name it, they have a donut for it! And seriously the BEST donuts you have tasted!

PUMPKIN CARVING

Sunday evening we carved our pumpkins.

Carson had a little hammer and golf tea action to make holes in his.

Logan Scooping out the seeds.

Meeka did some cutting with the knife and then drew
butterflies andother girly things with a sharpie. 

Melina picked out a pattern, transferred it to her pumpkin
and went to work!

Check out her finished product!
She did it all herself!

Here is "my" pumpkin. Logan kept saying he couldn't do it,
so I ended up carving his, so we took a picture jokingly of "my pumpkin."


 KINDERGARTEN HARVEST HOEDOWN

Real cowgirls wear tiaras!
Is Meeka not the cutest cowgirl ever?

Owl Treats

It seems every year that someone studies owls. 

So for years I have been making these treats for classes. They are super easy and cute and the kids and teachers love them!

This year they went out to 2nd Grade; Melina's class.

Ingredients:

graham crackers

large marshmallows

candy wafers (orange or yellow)

chocolate chips

candy corn

cookie icing tube

preheat broiler.

break graham crackers in half and lay about 6 at a time on a try. Broil for about 30-45 seconds- just until marshmallows start to get soft and very light brown.

Remove and immediately place candies to make the face. I put a dab of icing on each piece so it sticks. 

Let cool and dry before placing in container or everything will stick together.

Enjoy!

Harvest Hoedown

My little cowboy!

I have heard the comment from a lot of people now, "Boy, the south must be a culture shock for you coming from Ohio!" Well, I wouldn't say that, but there are some differences...like the fact that its October 26th and we are still wearing shorts instead of winter coats. Another might be that instead of Halloween parties they have hoedowns...so I put on my cowboy boots (Ok, I really don't have any boots) and got to work. 

I am so lucky to be able to volunteer for Carson's preschool and the Elementary school. Ya'll know how happy I am be involved! So of course, I loved being able to help plan the hoedown! And it gave me a chance to meet some other great moms too! So much FUN!!

Each child had this place setting

Check out the whole table

I made these little bags for the popcorn

And Rice Krispie Hay Stacks 

And Smores Pops! YUM!!

Enjoying Lunch!

Each class had to come up with a game, our game was horse races

Carson bouncing his way down his lane!

Are they not adorable?!?!

So happy to spend the day with my little man!

(notice I did dress in plaid for the occasion!)