Thankful Thursday

Since today is the first day of November, a month when we focus on giving thanks, it is apropos for me to write a gratitude list today!

1. The kids enjoyed going to four Trunk or Treat events (Thursday through Sunday) plus trick or treating last night. I took them on Saturday and Sunday. Paul took them the other three times. Nadia wore her new colonial costume three times, and her Descendants costume twice. Ian wore Kylo Ren (from Star Wars) once, his colonial costume once, and Lego Ninjago three times. Oliver wore Mr. Incredible twice, Ironman once, was a pirate once, and Thomas the Train once. We have LOTS of candy in the house even though they took three pounds to the dentist with Daddy. The dentist gave them each a $1 coin in exchange for the candy. I still need to get some nice individual pictures of the kids in their costumes, but other than that we are done with anything related to Halloween. Next up is Thanksgiving, various birthdays (including Grandma, Pop Pop, Ian, and Grandpa), and Christmas. I also

need to go through Oliver's costume bin because quite a few of them are size 4-6 and are too small. Time to start donating some costumes. We have quite a collection because when Ian and Nadia were younger they wore costumes almost every day of the year, and often times they wore multiple costumes per day. Oliver has never gone through such a phase as his siblings did.

2. Gym class was from 1:00-2:30 last Friday. I have to say I preferred that time (it's usually from 10:00-11:30).

3. I took the kids to a Chemistry event at the Lewisburg Children's Museum on Saturday that was put on by students at Bucknell.

4. I didn't see much of the game because #1 Paul's game was on at the same time and we only own one tv and #2 I took the kids to a Hall of Treats event at 3:30, but the Steelers won on Sunday.

5. I ordered glasses for Paul and I on Zenni, and Paul bought Ian and Oliver's glasses at the eye doctor. Oliver's glasses have

already come in. I will pick them up when Ian's also have arrived. Three eye exams plus four glasses cost almost $1,000, and that was with using Zenni for two of the glasses (which cost far less than at an optical shop). I have submitted the receipts to the vision fund for faculty and believe we'll be reimbursed for the majority of it.

6. Paul took Nadia to the WGRC skate night tonight. She loves going to this event.

7. Someone came over  yesterday to give me an estimate on a new deck. Progress!!

8. We went with Tab and her boys to a state park for a homeschool program yesterday. It was lovely to enjoy each other's company, and Tab drove which was great for me since I drive so much for work these days. Oliver was selected to pull the tickets to see who won the two door prizes. Would you believe he drew HIS number first and Ian's number second?!?!? We received a $20 gift card, and he drew a third number so that another family could receive the second prize.

The kids enjoyed making S'mores, playing a version of "sharks and minnows," playing a bird bingo game with candy corn, looking for animals in the frog pond, etc.

9. We had dinner at Applebee's last night. We went because last year they gave kids a free kids' meal if they were wearing a costume. It turns out this particular restaurant wasn't participating in the promotion this year. I should have asked before we ordered. Thankfully we were using a gift card my Dad gave us in August.

10. I only have 4 weeks left of classes (plus final exams) this semester! WOOHOO! Just two more weeks until Thanksgiving break!!