Halloween!

A very happy evening had by all...We have yet to draft off the candy and send as much to the soldiers as possible.

Carving pumpkins

We were a little late this year, but we have managed to get there, thanks to dad.

Little hands

Why we were nearly late for MOPs

Because there were people replacing a roof two doors down, and then, there was this digger, and then, a flat bed truck turned up with a huge amount of huge pipes (we were later informed they were manholes), and the digger started unloading the truck! (This was all done during morning rush hour without any more traffic control than someone standing in the middle of the road making hand motions.) We are looking forward to the work starting on Monday.

Craft with Nana

This morning it was a cardboard castle, a new castle for the playmobil people, with a working drawbridge. It saw concentrated play for about 4 days, proving yet again that although plastic is enjoyable in its place, you only need cardboard, scissors, sticky tape, string and staples.

Meals

The best thing about getting meals from people - the way it makes the evenings easy. The second best thing, is eating new and interesting things. The third best thing, is collecting new and interesting recipes. These potatoes were delicious!

Growing up

I know Mr 4 is growing up because his train tracks are getting more complicated... He did this basically by himself, with minimal parental input, except to solve the really tricky connections in two places.

Catoctin Mountain Park

Guest Blog from hubby

This is down the hill from our cabin where the 4 kids would go exploring. The hideout is not in view (it is a secret hideout).

Morning campfire (the fire ring is behind the cabin)

On Sunday, they lingered before heading home. They also stopped in at an apple orchard and picked 13 pounds of apples. Unfortunately Mr 4 came up with a fever about the same time, so they didn't get to try out the corn maze and other activities. Also, it was ridiculously busy, everyone else having the same idea for a Sunday afternoon!

Catoctin Mountain Park

Guest Blog from hubby

Surprisingly well stocked zoo down the mountain in Thurmont. There was even,,,drum roll... some kangaroos, emus, cockatoos and kookaburras.

Hiking to Hogs Rock

Gourmet dinner (instead of three tins of baked beans, they ended up with two tins of kidney beans and only one of baked beans... it still tasted good)

By coincidence, one of Mr 7’s classmates was staying in the neighbouring cabin, with a young sister the same age as Mr 4. Lots of time spent together exploring, at fires and building a secret hideout. They came up with a surprisingly robust structure out of fallen wood.

Catoctin Mountain Park

Guest Blog from hubby

The boys went for a weekend to Catoctin Mountain National Park, about 2 hours drive away. They stayed at Misty Mount Cabins - very basic cabins with beds and a light, fire pit out the back for cooking, toilets and showers up the hill. On the way, they stopped at Catoctin Furnace, which is an old civil war era furnace building. Stunning Fall colours all around.

Official Tree Comparison

This Fall seems to have been very colourful, but the trees aren't keeping their leaves for as long - they sort of change, then drop. We had a very dry hot summer, which may contribute, but I really don't know.

2014

2015

2016

More Fall

At the risk of sounding repetitive (from last year, and the year before that!), I Love Fall.

I love the colours, I love the ways the trees change, I love the extra rattle when the wind blows, I love the leaves falling, I love the patterns they make on the ground. I love how they get caught up in the draft behind the cars, and get blown around. I love the crisp cold air, and the clear blue skies, and the weaker sun (ie, no sunscreen!). I love getting out the winter gear, and going for walks. I love the chrysanthemums in all their colours, and the anticipation that the season brings, of Winter, and hot cocoa, and being all snug while it snows.

Chrysanthemums

Love these two colours together!

Fall Scenes

Quiet Waters

Went for an outing and left our list of things to do at home... Took our bikes and a packet of biscuits and some apple, and enjoyed the glorious afternoon. It never fails to uplift!

More colour

This tree makes my day every time I manage to open the front door.

Squirrels

There seem to be quite a few squirrels around these days, collecting nuts and eating sunflower heads. I liked this squirrel because  it looked like something out of Beatrix Potter.

Soccer days

We are in the home stretch now! Luckily, a lot of Mr 7s Tuesday practises have been cancelled for various reasons, meaning we only have Crazy Thursdays.

Those little feet!

You don't believe they'll fit the little socks, but they do...

Fall colour

Our tree is gradually getting more colourful!

The Pineapple

We don't see many fresh pineapples around here, but the pineapple is the old symbol of hospitality and friendship, so it is around in a non edible form quite a lot. 

In the olden days, the fruit was very rare and expensive, so being able to have it as part of your food display for a dinner party was a symbol of your hostesses resourcefulness and wealth. Then, the pineapple motif got included in architecture, furnitre decoration, fountains, gate posts, linen, lollies etc. If you want to read the full history, this website seems very informative - http://www.levins.com/pineapple.html.