Shelby's Thanksgiving Program

Yesterday was Shelby's class Thanksgiving Program. Her part was the female Puritan Narrator. Her pal Evan was the male narrator. The two of them greeted us at the door to the gym handing out programs. I was surprised to see her there when I walked in the door. She hadn't mentioned that she would be doing that. I also had no idea she was a narrator in the performance. I hate to brag, but that was a big part and she did an impressive job! She's a great reader and that had to be one of the reasons she was chosen for the part. She had to follow along in the program as she and Evan alternated lines with each other as well as with the other classmates who acted out the play. They were: Puritan Men & Woman, Native American Men & Women, Corn & Turkeys. It was a very entertaining play. They all did a great job but again, I was very impressed with my girl! It was one of those things I wish I had on video. Nate's mom is always saying she needs to get involved in a theater for kids program. She would have enjoyed seeing this I think.

The Puritan Narrator handing out programs

Reading her part in An ABC Thanksgiving

Letter A

Letter B

Reading her lines in the play as Narrator

Didn't have to ask her twice to pose with her favorite guy, Quinton

With classmates & church friends Emily & Christopher (Evan on the end joined in)

With Miss Hoelscher

Miss H was sick during the day and came back to school just to do the program

It was a fun program. They did a very funny song called Leftovers. As you can imagine it included all the ways one can eat leftover turkey! Happy Thanksgiving all!

Morgan's Stay at Papa & Nonny Moe's

A few posts back I had mentioned I was behind on my events, especially from this summer. This one should have come after the big Johnson Family picnic post. When Nate, Shelby and I returned home after that weekend, we left Morgan behind with my parents for the week. Now if I was on the ball (which I'm not), I'd have a picture of my little girl with her suitcase going off to her first week away from home without mom, dad or even big sis. She had no problems with us leaving her there. In fact, she was pushing us out the door! We left on Sunday and I think my mom said it was Wednesday before she mentioned anything about us. The only thing she didn't like was Nonny having to go to work every day. My mom cleans houses for a living. The second or third day of having to go to work with Nonny, Morgan wanted them to leave. My mom said the people wouldn't be happy to come home and not have a clean house. Morgan wanted to know why those people couldn't clean their own houses?! When my dad got home from work in the morning he would come pick her up and take her to McD's or the library or just to play or take a nap back at home. She joined them on a trip to Madison and stopped at the mall for some play time. I received a few pics on my phone while she was jumping on the Wisconsin Power and Light displays.

This one she is on a bunch of light bulbs and my dad said she was jumping across one to another. He said another kid tried to do the same thing and didn't make it. They slid down the side between the bulbs! What can I say, she nuts!

Sitting still on the big hard hat

Worn Out!

On one of the trips to the library, she posed with the Redbird mascot that sits inside the door.

Here she is giving him a kiss

Our old friends Ervin & Phyllis who died earlier in the year had donated the funds to build the new library. Phyllis picked out the furniture and other furnishings for the new building.

Here Morgan is posing with a doll that Phyllis had made years ago and now sits up on the bookshelf in the children's department.

When I returned the next weekend to pick her up, she was excited to see me and ready to go home, but overall she had fun and still talks about her next stay. She talks about going ice skating and I keep telling her she would have to visit in the winter time. And when Aunt Ashley was there since she is the only one in the family that ice skates. Big sis did not mind at all getting all the attention while she was gone. We took advantage of antsy pantsy being away and took Shelby to 2 movies. Nate and I took her to see Despicable Me and Ashley and I took her to see Ramona & Beezus before heading up to get Morgan. Shelby also got to do her school supply shopping that week so she really enjoyed it. Soon I will post about Shelby's turn away and Morgan's at home. Stay tuned.....

Fall Feast

Today was Morgan's Preschool Fall Feast. They had a short program guaranteed to be a little silly with a bunch of 4&5 year olds! For whatever reason, through most of the program Morgan chewed on one finger while using her other hand to pick at the earring hole in her ear. Very talented. They sang some songs and banged on their drums. Then we had some treats that they made together. After our snacks, we made a craft together and then headed home.

I got a new camera so here is Morgan posing before leaving for school to try it out.








Nate, Morgan and I dined with Henry and Claire from next door. Claire and I discussed me watching the 2 boys next week when she has her 39 week pregnancy appointment. I told her who knows maybe she wouldn't even need the appt. Appears I was right. She is laying in the hospital right now working on the arrival of Miss Alice! Nothing better to celebrate thanks for at Thanksgiving than a sweet new baby!

Fall Parties

Before we celebrate Thanksgiving, I figured I better post about the girls' Fall Parties at school. I stepped out of my comfort zone and volunteered to help at both parties. Morgan's in the morning and Shelby's in the afternoon. For anyone who knows me, they understand being around that many kids is not my first choice of places to be. I survived and it was nice to see them in action in their classroom. At Morgan's party I helped read a couple of stories to each of the 3 groups they were divided in. At Shelby's party I volunteered to make the treat bags and then helped during the party as needed. Morgan was able to wear her costume, Shelby was not. Her school does not allow costumes. They did that day however, have pajama day. That was the reward for meeting the school goal for their fall fundraiser. Here are a few pics. Forgive the poor quality photos. I have had this camera since this summer and have yet to figure it out.

Morgan ready to go

Filling her bag with treats

"Shaking their Sillies Out" before heading upstairs to get candy

Still working on those sillies

Shelby working on a craft at her party

Digging in "brains" for a prize

Got the prize!

I noticed her desk was still as neat and tidy as the night she put her supplies in before the first day. Can't say the same for some of the other desks I saw that day!

I survived and will probably volunteer again as needed!

A Funny Moment with Morgs

One day when Morgan and I were out and about, we were sitting at a red light. She as always was chatting away. All the sudden she got excited and said, "Look at that truck!" I looked over and saw a Napa Auto Parts truck sitting next to us. Morgan said, "He has a hat on top of his truck." I said, "He sure does. Isn't that funny?" She said, "yeah." And then so serious she says, "Is someone going to tell him?" I couldn't help but laugh. It's this enormous hat. She thought it was real and the dude set it up there and drove off without it! I got the biggest kick out of that. I chuckle to myself every time I see one of these trucks around town now. I had to get a pic so you readers could have a Monday laugh!

Trick or Treat (the Cubs Smell Like My Feet)

Shelby the Cowgirl

Our two trickers

The butterfly's wings & smile were frozen!

Posing with the Brucker Boys from next door

Neighborhood & school friends

We had another chilly evening for trick or treating. Thankfully it didn't rain and we don't spend a lot of time going door to door. We did our usual and visited Ray & Karen & Mark & Pam after hitting the neighborhood. On Saturday night, we took them to downtown Normal's business trick or treating. This is the first time we have done that. Holy cow. TONS of people. Since we moved at a snails pace they didn't get a whole lot of candy. Which was no big deal because they ended up with more than enough to make any dentist sick and happy all at the same time on Sunday. After grabbing a bite to eat at Windy City Wieners (yuck) we went to Jenn and Seth's since they wouldn't be home on Sunday. The title of this post is in honor of Seth, the faithful CUB fan. A few years ago we had Shelby sing that when she got to his door. We continue to chuckle when we sing that since it still applies.

Carving the Great Pumpkin