OCTOBER TRIP

This past October we headed down the shore!

We missed the convention since the little guy was still too young, but we had promised the kids a trip down the shore.  One of Mike's customers bought a motel down in Seaside Park and gave us a decent rate.  We headed down on a Thursday evening--didn't get down there until around 9pm or so.

Friday we headed to Island beach--

The wind was crazy strong..but kids didn't let it stop them!

The layers ended up coming off..

Later on we went to the Bay instead..much calmer and there was a little playground for the kids.

We had adjoining rooms and a small kitchenette where we cooked pretty much all the meals..

erm, I should say that Mike cooked pretty much all the meals. 

Games outside

Saturday morning we went out for breakfast..

The pool was heated, but they turned it up especially for us!

Later on we went to Seaside Heights and walked the boardwalk and got ice cream...

This guy was so good..the whole time.

We had a beautiful beach day..sunshine and all..

Monday was cool and rainy--we stopped in Sandy Hook to see the lighthouses..

This one wasn't open due to the holiday..

But this one was and was giving tours!

You had to be a certain height though, so only Dad and the big kids went.

The light..

And then it was homeward bound...

It was just a couple of days but we had a nice little getaway and celebrated our 13th wedding anniversary.

THE MANY FACES OF ELEVEN

Miss Bean turned 11 today.
(11!!  yikes!)

What a unique personality this one is...
;p

Gotta love it.

I hope you had a wonderful birthday and enjoyed your birthday menu and gifts!!

BAPTISM

Yesterday we had the awesome privilege of having little one baptized.

The Scripture passage was Luke 18:15-17.

We are blessed to have another covenant child.

Daddy fooling around..

Smiley..

Thanks to all who came to witness the sacrament.

1 MONTH

One month.

  Eating well.  Sleeping well.  Doing all the things babies do. All around good guy.

DELUGE

Hardcore soccer practice.

Just a teensy bit of rain.

I'm sure the kids had fun anyway!

CO-OPS

We're nearly back into the swing of things--

one of our co-ops started back in August (!!!)  

Obviously, I have not been attending yet.  This was the first day for the older kids.

We were able to work it out so that I didn't have to start back right away and one of the parents there is my "go-to parent" in case anything happens.  The other kids and I will start attending in a couple of weeks. So far, they have been enjoying their classes..

Some of the classes include violin, piano, dance, woodworking, voice, critical thinking, and a couple different types of art classes.

Our other co-op started a week ago--much more of a reasonable start date in my opinion.

Daddy was able to swap his day off  for co-op day and took all 6 for their classes, covering my duties while there.  I also will not be attending this co-op for a couple of weeks.   Some of the classes at this co-op include Busy Bees, Little Movers, Lego Club, Fallacy Detective, Sewing, Nature Notebooking, Yearbook Club, General Science, Westward Expansion, Science Explorers and Gym.

We have a pretty full schedule once again--but knowing a little one was due, I didn't go crazy.

We are not doing full days at either co-op and I am not teaching at all this year.

It will be a big change from the past few years, but necessary as we adjust.  Sonny was almost a year old when we started attending our Thursday co-op, a far cry from having an infant.  I'm thankful though that both co-ops were willing to work with us in delaying the start date and so forth.  Oh!  Another thing that I am super excited about is Bubs and Sonny will be receiving speech therapy at co-op!!  How awesome is that?!  I've been suggesting for a few years that we get someone in there to do speech and finally it has happened!  

Here is hoping for a great year!

BROTHERS

This has been our largest gap in between siblings. 

Sometimes you don't know how they are going to react to a new person in the family.

I have to say though, these two have been over the moon about their new brother.

He is constantly being checked on and given kisses on his head.  

These expressions are precious.

Overall, this little guy is definitely being enjoyed by his siblings.