Halloween at Montessori

All Hallows Eve...(spooooooky!)

First, there was the preparation. Dad and I carved a whole lot of pumpkins.

Then, dad and I practiced making weird and spooky faces.

Then it was time to get all suited up, with many many layers underneath my fantastic giraffe costume (this one's for you, Gran!)

We got the pumpkins set up and a sign letting the children know there was no candy to be had at #36. Then off we went to Aidan's...

Aidan was a Pirate. I was a Giraffe. We made a good, but odd, couple.

In stark contrast to last year, I actually trick-or-treated! I knocked, I said the actual words "trick-or-treat", held out my bucket and (most of the time) said thank you. Mom and dad and I practiced trick-or-treating ahead of time to settle my nerves. I think that helped.

After trick-or-treating we went back to Aidan's and had the hot chocolate that mom brought in a thermos, "to warm us up". It was a good night.

When we got home, we saw the jack-o-lanterns that we had created - in all their spoooooky glory.

The only thing left to do now is...eat candy.

Wye Us!

Some more pics (courtesy Auntie Mags) from our lovely time at the Wye Marsh on Thanksgiving weekend...

"Feeding" the chickadees was definitely a highlight!

Thank Gourd!

The pumpkin season is upon us - thank Gourd!

One of the great things about living outside the big city is the

proximity to farms and fall fun.

Last week we went on an outing with neighborly sorts,

to Strom's Farms just outside Guelph.

There were all kinds of fun things to do...

Like picking out pumpkins...

Competing in Rubber Duckie races...

(note how Dad and I have the same expression on our faces,

tongues firmly lodged in cheeky concentration)

Dad tested the popcorn made from corn grown on Strom's farm.

You can always count on dad for food-testing.

We did the corn maze...

And a cedar maze...

We came home with 2 big pumpkins,

bringing our current total to 3 large and 1 tiny pumpkin

as we prepare for Halloween.

Thanks for the Memories...

Lots of fun on Thanksgiving weekend and, as usual, we covered a lot of ground!

Auntie Maggie was here from BC and she stayed at our house for a sleepover on Friday night. On Saturday we all drove up to Penetanguishine for a beautiful walk at the Wye Marsh. We walked on the boardwalk, explored the various buildings and shelters and fed chickadees from our hands! (Well actually we tricked the chickadees, because we didn't actually have any grains, but they landed on our hands anyways.) We helped the Korean tourists feed the chickadees fake grain too. They loved it - they screeched and screamed with delight (the tourists that is, not the chickadees)!

After the gorgeous walk, it was turkey dinner with all the fixin's, chez Keachie-Donaldson. A hot topic of conversation was that my great-uncle on my dad's side (Grandma's brother) is in the running for Mayor of Penetang in the upcoming municipal elections!

Dad wanted to 'borrow' a 'Vote for Gerry Marshall' lawn sign (but he didn't).

We drove home Saturday night, then got up and at 'em in good time Sunday and headed to Toronto to see my uncle Anton, Gran and Grandad - and to eat some more turkey.

Here are a few highlights from the weekend; we are still waiting for a few more pictures to come through from fellow Thanksgiving revelers...

me in the 'teepee'

Me, Auntie Mags and Daddy on the trails

(looks like Dad's head is growing out of Auntie Maggie's!)

One of the observation decks on the boardwalk.

Checking out the wildlife in the marsh.

Checking out some of the wildlife at Gran and Grandad's house...

Me and Unc. Ant.

I got some very cool glow-bracelets that I plan to wear out for Halloween

(although I still haven't decided on a costume)

Me on a pumpkin with one of the winners of the 'beautiful leaf' contest

Grandad and I in the garden.

This year's Thanksgiving was really the first for me, as I now understand what the concept of 'being thankful' is all about.

As a matter of course, our team-of-three talks a lot about the things we are grateful for and why we are so lucky.

I was surprised to learn that there is a special holiday all about being thankful; I like that. It's good to be reminded of all the reasons we are so unbelievably fortunate.

So here we go...

Top 5 Reasons I Have to be Thankful

5. I am strong and healthy; I have no allergies, illnesses or deformities.

4. I live in the best country in the world, Canada.

3. I live in the best city in Canada, Guelph.

2. I am beloved by so many;

although I am an 'only', I am not lonely.

1. As Raffi says,

'all I really need is a song in my heart, food in my belly and love in my family'.

I have all three and so much more.

School Stuff

We're almost a month into back-to-school and the adjustment is pretty much complete. I am doing a great job using the bathroom all by myself, using the little cot if I need a rest during the day, and eating the delicious hot lunches and terrific snacks we get every day.

Once again this year we have music and yoga and storytelling and all sorts of great activities.

I am one lucky kid!