Backyard Fun

Eddy took the kids outside to play for awhile today. We haven't been outside much since moving. Between the weather not being great and having so much to do inside, we haven't taken advantage of our yard.

They had fun playing football...


...basketball...


....


...and baseball (how did I not get a picture of that?!).

Trick or Treating

Our new town does trick or treating the Sunday before Halloween, if the holiday falls on a weekday. At first I thought it was really strange to do it this way, but in the end I was grateful, because I will be working in Duluth on Halloween. Also, the kids go out from 4-7pm. Again, I thought it was strange...trick or treating during daylight hours?! But, it was great to go out and be able to see! And we took the opportunity to meet a bunch of neighbors.

Isaac went as a baseball catcher and Piper was Cinderella (just like last year).











A firetruck went down the street and handed out candy! I don't think I've seen kids flock together so quickly!


A short time later, we had a little "incident". A guy dresses up in a wig and bloody mask scared the kids by jumping up off a bench and chasing them with a "bloody" chainsaw. It was HILARIOUS. But poor Piper didn't think so! She SCREAMED bloody murder. We were able to go to a couple more houses, and then she was done. She and Eddy headed back to the house and Isaac and I kept going. Then we saw this...


A guy in full Batman costume, riding a motorcycle decked out to look like the Batmobile with a sidecar. And then he would do a side wheelie. Isaac LOVED it!

Then when we got back, Isaac joined Piper with passing out candy.


The kids had a great night and it was fun watching them.

Fall Festival & Football

Concordia had a Fall Festival for kids this morning. They wore costumes, watched a puppet show, played games, decorated a cookie, drew on their own kid-size apron, and went trick or treating.








We met a very nice family that have twins that are 7. We exchanged contact info. Feels like we're dating again. So strange!

Eddy had two recruits to visit with, so the kids and I got lunch and then met him at the Concordia football games. They play during the day, as the field doesn't have lights. I haven't been to a football game since high school! Isaac was very interested in the rules of the game and Piper LOVED the cheerleaders.

We Were "Boo'd"

The first weekend we were in the house, we got "boo'd", which we learned is like May Day, but you do it around Halloween and at night. The sheet that came with it asked that we "boo" six other neighbors. Neither of the kids had school today, so we turned our "boo" preparation into a project.

It started with me making up a little poem and typing it on the computer. We broke from tradition and said who we were--figured it'd be a way to introduce ourselves to a few neighbors.

Since the ink was low on the computer, I had the kids draw pictures on each sheet instead of using clip art to decorate. Isaac made skeletons and Piper colored pumpkins that I drew for her.


Then I ha them draw jack o lanterns on sandwhich bags.





Then, in assembly-line fashion, they filled the bags with treats.


And the final product! The kids had a blast passing them out. And every night leading up to tonight, they check the front door to see if we got "boo'd" again.

4K

Piper got to go on a field trip during her second day of school! They took a bus (her first time riding a bus!) to a pumpkin patch. When I picked her up, she was so excited to show me her pumpkin, gourd, and "colored corn" she picked out! The director of the school said that Piper has totally integrated with the class--woo hoo! She can be so shy sometimes, but I realize that she usually does better when Eddy and I aren't around.

Today I decided that she and I would walk to school. It's 1.1 miles away according to my map app. It seems so silly to get in the car for that short distance. Plus I thought I could go for a run after dropping her off. It was cool and windy, so we dressed appropriately.

Look at my big girl!





She made a game of running to the corner and seeing how fast she could go...made the walk go pretty quickly!


When I picked her up, her teacher said that she is doing really well. In fact, one girl in the class, L, who had been very shy and quiet, latched onto Piper and would show her around the room and tell her what to do (in a helpful way). She said that she has talked with L's mom, as she is so quiet in class, but mom has said she says positive things about school once she is home, so they assume she likes school. The teacher talked to the mom about L being so great with Piper and the mom got teary-eyed! Piper has been talking a lot about her new friends at school. So fun to listen to her!

First Days of School

Isaac started school on Monday. I walked him in and the secretary walked us to his room. As we got there, his face got red and he started rubbing his eyes, which is his universal sign that tears were near. His teacher was very friendly and helped me make a quick exit. Staying longer would have made it worse.

I thought about him all day, somewhat expecting a call from him. Piper and I drove over to the school to wait for the final bell. Here is what I saw...


I was so happy when I saw a happy face! Without prompting, he said "I had a great day". Unfortunately as we drove back to the house, my balloon was deflated a little; he started telling me the things about the school that he didn't like. I'm trying to acknowledge his feeling, and yet at the same time, encourage him to be positive. I have to remember that he initially didn't like preK at St. Rose or kindergarten at Lowell, either.

Piper started 4K today! She was SO excited to be going to school and using his brother' sold backpack!



She was really talkative as we got in the car and when we walked into the building....and then she saw other people and clammed up. We had gotten a tour the day before, so she and I navigated finding her coat hook and hanging up her backpack. Once in the classroom, three girls came up to us immediately and wanted to play! I got a few extra hugs and kisses from her, and I was off.

I had a job interview, so Eddy got to pick the kids up. He said she was all smiles and had a great day. Then they went over to pick Isaac up. When he got in to car, the first thing he said was, "Piper, how was your first day of school?". So sweet!

Weekend Continues

For the life of me, I can't remember what day my mom took Jason out for a walk in the wagon. Nonetheless, I think he liked it!







Sunday morning the Menards left before we headed out for church. It was a time I had been dreading. We live so far away now. And I don't have a date on the calendar of when I will see her again. Makes me cry just thinking about it.

Then we went to the church that is about a mile from our house. I was preparing myself, as I LOVE our church in Duluth and doubt that it could be duplicated. It's a really old church. And there were a lot of elderly people. Not older, but seriously elderly. The piano playing was nice, but then there was a switch to the organ during the Mass. Four lovely ladies were singing and although I appreciate their efforts, it's not the same. The music at St. Lawrence moved me. This did not. The priest's homily was ok. He spoke really fast, even for me. At one point Eddy looked over at me and said, "we can try out other churches". I was prepared to not love the church, but yet, it was still disappointing.

My parents were still here (so thankful they didn't leave the same time as my sister) and so unpacking the house continued. But we took a break mid afternoon and I took my mom and the kids to a second-run theater in the next town over to watch Despicable Me 2. The kids got the first one from friends as a going away present and love it. We were running a little late and in the flurry, I ordered enough pop and popcorn for an army!

There were booster seats available, so Piper could see easily. She was so cute, sitting with her legs crossed with a sucker.





It was fun to listen to Isaac and my mom laugh!











I believe the theater is showing Planes the end of November, so hopefully we can go to that one too.

Saturday

We really put my parents, Lindsey, and Paul to work. And we got three extra sets of hands today, when my dad's cousin, his wife and son drove up from north of Chicago to help!

Paul and Tim put up a board in the shed to hang up tools AND put up some awesome shelving in the garage. What I thought would take all day, took a fraction of that! I had to scramble to find a couple of projects for them to do! Mom and Tim hung up this mirror with hooks--looks easy, but the jokes where the nails go make it a pain in the rear. They also put up a picture up in the living room. Having a few things on the walls makes it feel more homey.


Lindsey put Jason in his tiger Halloween costume, so of course the kids wanted to put on theirs. Danny was given the task of trying to hold Jason still.


Jason is laughing at silly faces that Isaac was making.


We now live closer to these great family members than another other Tischer relative. That statement makes me super sad--it means we are farther away from my parents and my sister (and her family)...but the T family are amazing people and I hope we will be able to get together on occasion.


After they headed back home, Lindsey helped the kids make (or was it my mom who made them, but sister that brought the box??) hot chocolate cupcakes with marshmallow frosting.


Not sure why my dad took this picture, but I do remember that I wanted to be sure I was taking a sip of wine as he snapped the photo!


And another day on the books.

More Unpacking

Today was spent unpacking, organizing, and being with family. They are unbelievable--we got a TON done. But before we got too far, we headed over to Isaac's school to get a tour and meet his teacher. He seemed ok with it, but a little apprehensive.

Lindsey getting the kitchen organized.


The cousins taking a break, playing with a box!


Grandpa J has helpers.





Isaac was helpful entertaining Jason.


Tonight the elementary school had their Fall Fest, basically an indoor carnival. We all headed over to partake!








Another successful day.

Moving In Day

Truck was here about 9 this morning. I felt like I was being pulled in every direction--since I was the one who packed all the boxes, I was the only one who knew what was in them and therefore which room they should go in. And just as they were finishing up around 2pm, my parents and sister/family came!!!!! I always love seeing them, but I was especially happy today. After some initially unpacking, we had a pizza supper.


Unpacking continued that night. My mom and sister got the entire kitchen unpacked and in order. I brought a bunch of disposable paper goods to use, but with their swift work, we didn't need them.


Piper showing off her room.


Grandpa J getting started on getting rid of the bright pink paint in Isaac's room.


That night, Dad had some cognac to share to celebrate.


It was a very productive day.

Homeowners Again

Other than an issue of having access to our money at Wells Fargo (learned our lesson about "pending" deposits), we were homeowners again, as of 10:30 this morning. We headed over to the house to let the kids explore.


The day was spent moving the two car loads of stuff we had brought with us, as well as the stuff Eddy had at the host family's house. We also tried to figure our where we would want the furniture to go, so we'd be prepared when the movers come tomorrow.

I'm realizing the only picture I took today was of the kids in the hot tub!


They both seem very excited about the house, which makes me happy. Time for bed. Movers come tomorrow.