Leaves, Art, Pumpkins Galore, and a bit of monkeying around

Another month of giving some of the highlights. I know I should be more creative but I'm so busy that I'm seriously just doing a photo dump for my posts these days. I want to have more/better posts but I think my pictures tell so much of the story on their own that they don't really need me. So here are some recent highlights of what our little zoo has been up to:

1. Lots of art projects, science experiments, and school all together:

 E for elephant day artwork

 Shaped colored and cut and then Payton creatively put together Noah's ark

 Along with our elephant artwork above, we made elephant toothpaste. We have also done magic paint in milk, volcanoes, and raining from clouds experiments. I'm really trying to work in the science this year.

Lots of food activities as well. Here are fruit cars. Our oldest, Payton has also been making one meal a month (with our assistance but she plans the whole meal and helps with groceries and the making of the meal, all the way to serving and cleanup). Payton is also increasing her kitchen skills, like cutting food with knives, putting away dishes, etc.

2. We get outdoors whenever we can.

Snagged this cute picture at a park play date we had.

 This picture was also taken at the park when Payton and I snuck away for a bit for some 1:1 girl time. Quality time like this is so special.

3. We are working on our next big donation 

So since having baby Jayden (baby #3) and spending time in the NICU, we have found a lot of joy in coming together as a family and making donations. Back in June we had the kids purchase toys and we donated those along with several handmade blankets. I was so impressed with how willing they were and they LOVED doing this. They  have been helping us make activity packs for families to take with them to fill time as they are going to appointments and/or spending time in the hospital. My mother-in-law gave us the fabric and cut the bags and we sewed them and put drawstrings in them over this last weekend. 

I love my kids and their big hearts! I strongly encourage you to focus on finding more ways in your life you can give. It is amazing the difference it can make in this world.

4. Extra curriculars are in full swing

 While Payton is in gymnastics, this little man chooses to come along just to spend time with his mama. As you can see by the cookie in his hand (we stopped by McDonald's) he isn't spoiled in the slightest on these outings.

5. Nothing Says October like the Pumpkin Patch

 We spent a Saturday at the pumpkin patch with Grandma and had a blast. Unfortunately, I didn't come back with many photos to show for it but I did take pictures of the pumpkin decorating party we had that afternoon!

Does it feel like Jayden is missing from all photos? He is. Many of our outings are taken when his daddy is home and he is napping. AND, when he is awake, he is on my hip. He wants to be a part of it all. As long as that means permanently attached to his mom. But....

6. Preparing for Halloween

We pulled out our hand me down costumes and the boys decided to dress up for some outside play. They are set on being monkeys this year. Jayden doesn't have a choice as they other 2 wore this monkey costume when they were his age and so I want all 3 kids to be monkeys as babies. But he doesn't care either.

Payton is now thinking she needs to be a monkey as well despite my attempts at convincing her to be a zookeeper (for those monkeys) or a circus trainer (again for those monkeys) but she isn't feeling that. It will be interesting to see what they do for sure on Halloween.

Fall is just so fun! We hope you are enjoying this month as much as we are!