Ward Halloween Party

Last night was the ward Halloween party.  My older kids helped with the games and the younger ones got to play them.  Everyone had a great time except Gordon who had a late night meeting and wasn't able to come.  I  love to have a Halloween party before Halloween because it gets us prepared for Halloween night so we aren't dashing around looking for costumes.

Yesterday I had an SEP (parent teacher conference) for Bridie.  Jacob and Eleanor's were earlier in the week.  They all have adjusted well to the move and a new school.  It's neat to hear Jacob and Bride speak and read Chinese.  It is such a hard language.  I am so glad that they have the opportunity to learn Chinese.

2 field trips today

Bridie and Eleanor both had field trips today.  Eleanor went to Hee haw farms.  It was her first time riding a bus.  I was so sad to miss seeing her ride the bus and go on her first field trip but I had received information about Bridie's field trip first and I was so excited to finally be able to go as a chaperone because all my kids are in school.  I signed up and then realized both girls had field trips on the same day.  Bummer.

Going with Bridie was great fun.  She went to the museum of natural curiosity.  She wanted me to ride the bus with her.

Both girls were up early and so excited to go to school.  Riding on the bus with Bridie was an adventure.  Especially when the alarms started going off on the way home.  We pulled over to the side of the road and the bus driver made sure that nothing was wrong, called in and got permission to proceed to take us home.  To drown out the noise of the alarm the bus driver turned on the radio.  Needless to say it was a very noisy ride home.

I asked Eleanor all about her field trip.  They had a hay ride, slides on potato sacks, a sandbox full of corn, and they got to pick out a free pumpkin.  So both outings were a success.

Bridie

Bridie come home yesterday from school and told me that her class had run the half mile.  She had gotten the fastest time not only among the girls but also the boys.  I looked down at her feet and she was wearing her Uggs.  I was kind of surprised she wasn't flip flops or her super girly leopard flats.  She has style and she doesn't let that get in her way of being the fastest in her class.  Bridie is such an individual that sometimes it kills me.  She has such a cute personality.

Tonight she has her first dance class since we moved.  She has been asking when she could start taking dance again and I have been putting it off not knowing where to put her but the BYU creative dance program felt right so tonight is her first class.

Conference weekend

Is there anything better than conference weekend?  I love that the world stops and everything is put on hold while my family listens to living prophets.  Friday night I got things in order so that I could  enjoy conference.  Saturday morning I ran to home depot to pick up somethings for some projects that needed to get done around the house (we have had a toilet that has been leaking for a while and need immediate attention).  It was wonderful to listen to the sessions Saturday.  Our new house an ancient intercom system so we had conference blaring in each room.  Saturday night Gordon, Matthew and Isaac (his first priesthood session) went to dinner and priesthood.  I love seeing the men in my life striving to be valiant.
Sunday I got up early to make a special breakfast.  We had a fruit crisp and sausage.  Then Bridie and Eleanor made their "nests" and printed out paper to color.  Morning session was great.  For afternoon session the boys got out the knitting and worked on that.
I remember when conference was a struggle with lots of little kids.  I couldn't pay close attention because of the demands of little children.  Those days are gone and it makes me a little sad but then I realize there is a silver lining.  One silver lining is that I can sit and watch conference- I could have even taken notes if I had wanted to.
After the afternoon session we made Monte Cristo sandwiches for dinner.  They are a conference treat.  Then we went up to show Gordon my parents remodel.  He hadn't seen it yet.

It was a great weekend but mostly I am so thankful for the Lord directing not only my life but His church.  I am thankful for a prophet and apostles that speak for Him.  I am so blessed to be a part of His church.