October moments

October is always exciting as it seems to kick off the holiday season with all of the excitement with Halloween...and we all know that once Halloween is here then the excitement for Christmas is right around the corner!  This October was especially exciting though because on October 1st the school opened for the kids to go back!!  Yay!! We received the pm slot so they only go for half the day (from 11:45-2:30) but they are so happy to be back. I kept going back and forth as to if I wanted the am (8:00-10:30) slot or the pm but now that we received the pm slot I am so thankful it worked out this way.  It is nice not to have to rush out in the mornings and they just get their independent work done leisurely before 11:00, which allows for plenty of time.  It has also worked out well that Charlotte is in school MWF from 8:45-11:45 so I can help the kids those days without interruptions from her with their independent work if needed.  The kids eat an early lunch around 10:45 and then we leave around 11:15 to pick Shane up and then to be at school when the gates open at 11:30 so they can talk with their friends on the blacktop before going into school.  I then go and pick up Charlotte and Spencer at 11:45  from preschool and then Char and I have a few hours just the two of us before we pick the kids up at 2:30.  We wish that they could be back full day but are thankful that Poway at least opened up for half days and that Westwood is one of the pilot schools to open up on October 1st (most of the elementary schools aren't opening up until mid-October).  The kids don't mind at all about the masks-they are just so happy to be back.  Praying for a healthy and safe school year!  

This one has been in school for a month now but is finally starting to come around to it.  She isn't crying when Christy comes to pick her up in the morning anymore and has told me that she doesn't cry every day at school because she misses me...although she still does miss me.  Sweet girl!!

Charlotte was start of the day at the beginning of October, which was actually the first day when she didn't cry going to school and I think was the turning point for her.  She was so excited to bring in things to share wtih the class-she brought her Audrey tiara, her *******

Julia created a candy dispenser...always inventing something! 

This may be our favorite picture all year!  Rich found a fake rat at work and wanted to bring it home to scare the kids...so at dinner one night he and I played it off like we heard something in the bushes behind the table and he went and grabbed it and brought it over to the kids. The event made Charlotte jump into my lap and start crying and this picture is priceless!!  So funny!!!  

We met up with the Martins and the Clintons on a Sunday afternoon to hike (well, kind of hike) from the community park.  It ended up being more of a short loop walk and then the kids played for a long time at the park.  The kids all seemed to have a great time and it was fun to have three of us Hawaii girls together!

The girls and I went to the Clinton's one Saturday night to celebrate Spencer's 4th birthday-it was a "pink party" so we all made sure to wear pink for her.  We had fun celebrating her and it was nice to do something with just the girls!

Joseph hanging out on his rock with his new slingshot!  He has a newfound love for the preserve, for trying to shoot birds and for hanging out back here-he wishes I'd let him explore more but for now I think he's good just where he is!  

This girl...so much personality in a 4 year old body!  She sure does keep the days interesting!  

Joseph and Rich found a "watering hole" just down the hill from us in our backyard and went earlier this month and came home with big smiles because they caught 7 fish!!  They brought us the following weekend so we could check it out!  We didn't catch as many but everyone caught at least one and Joseph even caught one without a pole-he just dropped his line and came up with a fish!  That was pretty awesome!  Even though the hike down to the watering hole is a short one, it still isn't quite a trail so the girls didn't love it since there were plenty of bushes poking them and things they had to walk over so don't think they'll be asking to do it again real soon but it is pretty cool that it is so close to home!

Joseph and Poppa have been fishing weekly and although they don't have much luck catching anything, they both really enjoy their time together.

We had the Martins over one night for dinner which was so nice to see them!  We swam, ate, caught up-it was great!  

We aren't taking as many bike rides around the neighborhood since the pool has been done and since soccer has started and we are at the community park 3 afternoons a week but every once in awhile we'll go down to the waterfall or to roly poly street for a change of pace...

The girls being "elves on the shelf" getting excited for Christmas!

Lots of time at the community park this month during soccer practices-it has worked out great though and is a guaranteed hour and a half of being outside, especially after school!  

Still crazy that they have to wear masks on the playground but we're rule followers and want to protect our community so will...

We found out that Hollie is pregnant this month (yay!!!!) and that she is craving meat so Rich went out and bought the biggest piece of meat he could find!  Unfortunately she ended up being sick when we all got together so couldn't enjoy it but Bubs brought home leftovers for her.  We are so happy for them though and can't wait to meet our newest little cousin/nephew in May!!  

Hanging with Nora!

Still swimming!

We finally met up with the Reppas crew for an after school cul de sac time and it felt great!  So great to see them all and just feel like normal for a bit.

Sleepovers at Nani and Poppa's are the best!!  

We picked up the kids on Sunday late morning and headed to Carlsbad to meet Linz and Nora at a hidden swing!  

Just a leisurely walk around the neighborhood with a few extras...

Always selfies...

Charlotte always looks forward to Thursdays with Nani, Poppa and Finn and she loves when they go to the zoo or to the Safari Park!  They have to wear their masks the entire time but she doesn't seem to mind too much. 

They had the best time at the beach, too!  Well, until Charlotte told me it was a bad day because Finn wouldn't share the shovel.  Ha!

Westwood held a virtual fundraiser this year in place of the fun run which was a remix dance party-the kids had to do 36 different moves and earned money for each dance move they completed.  Although it wasn't as great as the fun run, they still enjoyed it! 

Julia and Ella made little backpacks and purses for their dolls.  So cute!  

Still playing plenty of board games!

I've been trying to wake up early and get my workout done before the kids are up but there have been some mornings when Charlotte hears me and wakes up shortly after...I try to put her in the stroller with hopes that she'll go back to sleep-she never does but at least is contained so I can finish my workout!  

Ella had to create something for class one day and she created a basket for her scooter-it has come in handy!  

We are ready and excited for Halloween!  Although this year may look a little different we are looking forward to it and going to make the most of it!  Halloween fun will be a different entry though.  

Continue to be thankful for these amazing views-they never get old!