Week 44

I missed including this picture from last week.  Friday evening we joined this lovely group at the CT Convention Center for a fundraiser for Hartford City Mission.  They're doing a good work.  I'm the foreheard in the back next to Sandra's hair.

Monday, Oct. 29th
Trunk or Treat progress.  Gave myself a little pat on the back after this detail.

Tuesday, Oct. 30th
A friend posted that Soarin' had a one day a month for homeschoolers at a discounted rate.  Beside one other little girl, we had the place to ourselves.  The kids loved it and been asking ever since when we can go back.

That girl is brave and strong and persistent.

One cool kid!

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C4 texted asking if it was close enough to Halloween??  I thought what he meant was he wanted to wear his NJ Devil's jersey to Moe's.  I was close.

They couldn't miss the game.

Miss Kandie worked her solo magic with Renna (Maddy 2.0).

Wednesday, Oct. 31st

All the Halloween fun.

Trevor had mixed feelings about being a youth volunteer (a giver) instead of participant (taker) which is a chronic Trevor issue we work on, but he stepped up and enjoyed his night delivering candy.

Rocco is quick to jump into help.  Always.

The candy crew.

We missed Maddy!

It probably surprises no one that Renna was picked out of the crowd to volunteer with the illusionist.  He asked her name and she said, "Renna.  R-E-N-N-A, just like it sounds."  Haha!!!  She had never said that before.

The event was a huge success and it's a privilege to participate.  Several thousand from the community (most not from our church) come through.  They enjoy a safe and fun evening of candy, games, prizes, entertainment, bounce houses, and a brief taste of what our Kids' Church services are like as well as a brief explanation of the Gospel and what our church stands for.

We sure missed our Maddy-Girl.  She dressed as Maddie Ziegler during the day and a hippy fairy (I think) for her first time ever trick or treating, which in California means 75 degrees, golf carts, and multiple families making an evening of it together.

Thursday, Nov. 1st

I feel like a creator- artist almost- when I make soup.  Something so homesteader-ish about putting a bunch of stuff into one pot and making a meal.  It's comforting to me.

Facebook memory.  Can't believe how they've grown!!!

Friday, Nov. 2nd
Lisa sent this card to Maddy.  She's so thoughtful.  It obviously meant a lot to Maddy!

And then surprise!!  Renna got her very own in the mail.  

Maddy's loving her ballroom classes.  Here's a taste.

Saturday, Nov. 3rd

A day of games...we went to Rocco's game in Simsbury, then straight to Avery and Amanda's State Cup soccer game also in Simsbury, then Gabby's State Cup game (same place, same tournament, different age), and then up to Worcester for C4's hockey game.  All with a 4 month old!

All 3 nieces are State Cup champs!!!

Hard to see, but behind that plant, Renna had two different dogs from two different owners on their leashes, one black lab, one yellow lab.  She can sniff out dogs in any place before they can sniff her.

Sunday, Nov. 4th

The church had their annual food drive and Nathanael served at all 4 services, collecting bags from peoples' cars and organizing it all in the food pantry.  

Renna went to her friend's horse-riding birthday party.

This fall has been about the lamest I remember in my adult life.  All the colors seem to be so dull and muted.  This is about as good as our yard ever got.  Better luck next year!

Another C4 game.

Week 43

Monday, Oct. 22nd

For the second year, we bought a quarter of a cow and this was butcher day.  I took Trevor and Rocco with me (they were only slightly horrified by the process) to help wrap the steaks and roasts.  Then later at home I portioned out 57 pounds of hamburger!

Tuesday, Oct. 23rd
Kelly very sweetly offered to take Renna to lunch and to the nail salon; filling Maddy's shoes for a little girl who misses these kinds of days.  I was so touched by her generosity.

Wednesday, Oct. 24th

Crazy kids!  50 isn't cold enough for a shirt!

Thursday, Oct. 25th

Library run.

Saturday night we had zipped out of church and driven to New Haven to be late for C4's hockey game.  As we blew into the rink, I sent the boys in to use the bathroom and Renna and I ran into the women's.  She and I waited in the lobby, thinking the boys were taking a long time.  Trevor emerged to tell me that Rocco had a 'bunch of blood' coming down his face.  What the heck?

I yelled into the door, "Is everything ok?" and then watched as Nathanael and Rocco came out, Nathanael pressing a wad of cheap, public bathroom paper towels to the side of Rocco's face.  Apparently, the boys were peeing side-by-side and Nathanael decided to hip check him which thrust Rocco's head into the corner of two concrete walls.  Apparently this is what boys do.

Colombo and I tried to assess quickly and decide if we needed stitches.  We generally agree to not seek medical help because that would cost us $3,000 and in this case, it would mean missing the game.  So we were veering down the Dr. Daddy route.

By God's providence, a young gentlemen came up to me and asked if he could help.  I thought he worked for the rink so I asked for a bandaid and icepack.  Then he said to follow him because, "We have everything.  Let me help."

I followed him all the way over to Quinnipiac's bench.  He was one of two of the team trainers who just happened to be in the lobby when I was in the lobby.  The two team trainers (probably QU med students) gloved up and did two things for him: agreed it didn't need a stitch and steri-stripped it closed.  Saved us 3K and did a better job than Dr. Daddy would have done.  Rocco was a champ and it healed up nicely!  This picture was 5 days later.

The second little miracle of this story is that Nathanael didn't faint.  That is what usually happens when he's around blood.

Friday, Oct. 26th

Kinda cool...on Maddy's "you might like" Instagram search page, she spotted herself!!!

Saturday, Oct. 27th

Rocco's team went together to see a Wolfpack game.  Have I mentioned C3's new phone has an amazing camera??

Sunday, Oct. 28th

Trevor helped me prepare for Trunk or Treat.

 It's been so nice going to C4's games!  Love watching him play.  This particular night we all enjoyed watching from behind the warm room glass and completely teasing / embarrassing the 'water boy' in between periods.