Fall Nature Walk

Our favorite park + our favorite time of year = a wonderful nature walk!

Halloween

Glimpses of Halloween 2009 ...

Carving our Pumpkin ...
Trick or Treating in the Rain ...
Fun with wonderful friends at a great Halloween Party ...

We Are The Champions!

We have always instilled in Devin that winning is not everything in sports. In fact, for the last two years Devin has played on, for the most part, average baseball teams. He has definitely experienced his fair share of losing. You can imagine our surprise and joy for Devin to be on a Fall baseball team that went 7 - 1 and ended up winning the Championship.
For the moment, we have allowed Devin to enjoy the feeling that comes along with working hard and winning, knowing that next season it could be his team that is on the losing end of the Championship game. Another life lesson, victory is always short lived.

Above picture is Devin receiving his First Place Trophy from his Head Coach. Not enough good things can be said about Coach Jeff. Outside of my husband, Coach Jeff has to be one of the most positive upbeat coaches Devin has ever been coached by. Coaching can make all the difference in the world when it comes to a child's enjoyment of a sport. Thanks Coach Jeff for making Devin's experience this Fall a great one!!

Saturday Fun

Yesterday we spent the morning at the ball field watching Devin's baseball team's playoff game ... they won and are now on to the Championship Game! Devin has been working really hard on his batting and got his first Double.

In the afternoon we finally found time to get to the pumpkin patch! I thought with all we had going on this month we were never going to make it there and even thought we might just skip it this year but, the kids would not hear of it. We have been going to Berry Patch Farms since Devin was a baby. The kids love going on the very short hayride out to the pumpkin patch and picking out the perfect carving pumpkin.

Halloween Party

Yesterday we hosted the Halloween Party for our Homeschool Group. For the second year in a row we had rain during the party so all our fun had to be moved indoors. Being inside did not seem to bother the kids who enjoyed some party games and yummy eats.

I think the biggest hit was the donut game. We decided against bobbing for apples in an attempt to prevent spreading any germs. One of the moms suggested a game that was featured in this Fall's Martha Stewart Magazine. It involved hanging donuts from a tree and having the kids attempt to get the donuts down without using their hands. The game provided lots of laughs and some fun competition.

Field Trip to Auburn University Raptor Center

Yesterday the kids were so fortunate to be able to take a field trip to Auburn University with some friends to visit the Southeastern Raptor Center. I hated to miss this exciting trip but, I had cardiac rehab scheduled.

My dear sweet friend Tammy took my three kids along with hers for the trek down to Auburn University. My kids are still talking about all the great birds they were able to see.

They also had the privilege of having their photo taken with the Auburn University Mascot War Eagle. This Golden Eagle flies out during their home games down the field. The mascot's handler was the groups tour guide and from what I have heard they could not have found a better person to teach the kids about the Raptor Center. A big Thank You goes out to JJ, a fellow homeschool mom, for organizing this field trip to her alma mater.

Lexi earns her Appalachian Trail Badge for GA's

Today was Lexi's second opportunity this Fall to earn a patch for GA's. So, this morning, bright and early Lexi headed out to Amicalola Falls to hike and see where the Appalachian Trail begins. Normally, Fall in Georgia is pretty mild but, today, the high was only 47 degrees in the North Georgia Mountains. Lexi definitely worked hard to earn that badge.

As a fun side trip, the girls also went to Burt's Pumpkin Farm. Lexi is still talking about the marvelous pumpkins and the great hayride they went on. We may have to break from tradition this year and take the rest of the kids up to that Farm rather than Berry Patch Farms where we have gone since Devin was a baby, to pick out a pumpkin.