Fall Update!

Woah! Somehow a few months got away from me!! We've been very busy with school and lots of activities and can't believe it's almost December!!!

We had a really fun day in October with friends picking apples, making soup, making and more importantly, eating, apple crisp. Not to mention we also carved pumpkins! It was a delightful day spent with amazing people!

Ayla and Sophie spent a day with Aunt Karen, Grammy Robin and Amelia making really awesome fairy gardens. I had no idea how involved and intricate they could be! They were made in large bowls and are decorating our dining room and kitchen until the weather is warm enough to have them outside. Trevor, Corinne, Lincoln and I met up with them in Freeport for the annual Pumpkin Festival. The girls had their faces painted, carved more pumpkins, play games and marveled at the thousands of pumpkins all over the sidewalks.

Halloween this year was interesting now that Lincoln is walking. He is very independent and doesn't want to be carried anywhere. Chasing him around and scraping him off the pavement every time he fell, got old rather quickly. His night ended early with me nursing him in the car while Trevor followed the girls from house to house trick or treating. Corinne marched with the band in the Halloween parade and went trick or treating with a friend.

We just had conferences for all three girls and couldn't be happier. Corinne led hers by going through her portfolio with us. She has some great writing pieces that had me in awe (a science narrative) and made me laugh out loud (a story about sniffing cocoa powder). I was proud of her ability to show me her work and explain what she's been learning. She doesn't offer much at home, so it was a great insight into her world at school.

Ayla's teacher expressed her happiness at how Ayla's focus and attention have been right on target. She is completing her work and doing very well. Sophie is also doing great! She is solid across the board with academics and is also starting to open up more at school. She has been raising her hand to contribute to class discussions and making and playing with new friends.

Corinne is in the second round of her manga drawing class. She is working on finishing the writing for her graphic novel and putting final touches on the drawings. Her teacher has mentioned publishing to her on several occasions and she seems excited about the possibility. She started guitar lessons again, after a few weeks of her teacher being unavailable. She continues to do really well and enjoy it.

Ayla's Girl Scout troop put a ton of work into a celebration for veterans. She continues to enjoy Girl Scouts and also hip hop dance class. Both her and Corinne have their dance recital on the 18th. I'll see what I can do about recording it for all of you to see.

Corinne and Trevor have enjoyed time together hunting the past few weekends. They both love being out in the woods, in the quiet, observing. They have only seen one deer and are anxious to get one in the last few days up at my mom's.

Lincoln is getting funnier every day. I love this age and seeing his personality emerge. He loves running around the house and being chased by his sisters. He loves playing Ring Around the Rosies with Sophie and riding on Corinne's back. He has a contagious laugh and lots of energy!

We are looking forward to spending Thanksgiving with family in Bangor this week. Not that I'm counting, but if I were, I would know there are only three weeks left of school before a two week winter vacation!! I have a great class this year and am trying hard to keep everything balanced, which is always a juggling act!

Another  month and I'll be writing about the end of the year as 2015 begins! Happy Holidays!!!