October!

October was so good to us. We've been busy with homework and school events, as well as sports and even a trip for my 40th birthday! We've enjoyed the warm fall weather and are loving the change of the colors of the trees. With Halloween behind us, the kids are begging to put up the Christmas tree and I'm so tempted to say "Let's do it!"....I think we're just going to need to convince John :) 

One of the biggest projects for 5th graders is the State Pizza Box Project. Johnny was given the state of Michigan and really enjoyed being creative with it. I also enjoyed working with him on it and watching his vision come to life. It turned out amazing! 

For my 40th birthday, John and I decided to celebrate with a trip to Nashville-one of our favorite places! Mom came to town for Mellany's birthday, so we took a few days away while she was here with the kids-it was amazing-for everyone. I think the kids love it when we are gone just as much as we love being able to get away for a bit just the two of us. I'm pretty sure Gammy loves it too!  

Buc-ee's was a bit different without kids! We saved a lot of money :) 

My favorite find of the trip was this Billy Ray jacket! It was way overpriced so it didn't come home with me, but gosh I think about this jacket often haha! 

Same store with the Billy Ray jacket...I lost John in the store, then found him at the bar in the store. It was a win-win for both of us. 

Broadway! The rooftop bars are my favorite! 

On our last trip to Nashville, we went to the Rymann. On this trip we decided to go to the Opry. While it was a wonderful show, we decided we prefer the nostalgia of the Rymann. 

Johnny spent a Friday night and Saturday morning at church one weekend completing his 5th grade milestone event. John took Friday night with the Amazing Race activities, and I took Saturday morning with the "inside" activities. We had an amazing time learning more about Jesus and how we can grow in Him. 

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I spent a Friday morning subbing in Johnny's class and he was so excited to show me his science project on the wall. 

While Gammy was in town, she was able to be the Mystery Reader in Charlie's class. I don't know if Charlie loved it more or Gammy! I love when things like this align.

Charlie's class also took a field trip to Purdue. The visited Neil Armstrong Hall to build and test some rockets then we headed over to Mackey Arena to tour the faciilities there.

When the field trip was over, Charlie was starving and wanted to see my new office at Campus House. While in Chic-Fil-A, he was sure to keep his eyes open for any football players he could meet. He also kept talking about how cool it was that Mr. Jon went to Purdue.

8th Grade Football Night was next on the list of activities in October. It's hard to believe that Mellany danced at her last football game in middle school-time sure does fly! 

A fellow 8th grade mom put together these banners for all football players, cheerleaders and dancers and they turned out amazing. Each athlete got to be recognized on the field which was super special for them also. I love how our middle school celebrates these 8th graders. 

Johnny's cub scout den had a fishing activity and he was in HEAVEN!

Another morning that I subbed at the intermediate school was Fire Safety Day. The local firefighters came to the school and gave a presentation on fire safety and each kid got to hold the fire hose. I had never seen this presentation in person and it was amazing! Charlie's teacher even brought him over to me so I could see him! 

Mellany had her first band concert with two other middle schools while John was out of town one week so I got to take the boys along and we all enjoyed some amazing music. These school bands always impress me. 

Car line selfie! 

The kids love riding their bikes to the bus stop and I love watching them get there...

Random photos with Winston....I love these boys so much. 

Friday morning headed to art club. When your middle school girl asks for a selfie, you take the selfie. 

BG Trunk or Treat. We couldn't convince Mellany to come, but it was her loss because the trunks were so good. 

Had a friend send me this picture, John and some of his co-workers putting a tarp on a grain pile! Such hard work! 

Student Community Costume night.....these girls went as "6-7"

Charlie's cub scout den went on a mile hike to fulfill some badge requirements and I got to tag along. It was actually a peaceful walk. 

More carline selfies!

So proud of this kid to make the honor roll! His teacher was so proud she took a pic and sent it to me. He works so hard and this was a huge accomplishment for him!

Mellany with her fellow 8th grade dancers hanging out at Starbucks before practice. 

Charlotte's 14th Birthday Party! This group of girls is such a sweet group. 

Halloween! Mellany went to a neighborhood with friends to Trick or Treat and the boys hung out in our neighborhood with friends. I subbed during the day and got to spend a small part of the day with Mrs. Frizzle. :) 

The boys had their first basketball game of the season and won! They are on the same team with their best buds and that makes it extra special!

Hanging out at home one night and decided Winston needed some shades 

Happy Monday! 

Charlie: #9!!

 Our baby is NINE!! I say it every year but I can't believe he's that old. He's not changed a whole lot this year in some ways, but in other ways has grown significantly! He's a genuinely happy kid who loves to laugh and be funny and have a great time and wants to be sure everyone else is doing the same! He cares for others and can "read the room" better than some teens can and even acts as mature as teens some days. He loves sports and will practice whatever sport he is currently playing until he's reached complete exhaustion-he is one committed 9 year old! We couldn't be more proud of the young man he's becoming!    

Here's a little bit about Charlie:

• Charlie has no problem "hanging" with the big kids and even sticking up for himself when he needs to. He may get a bit emotional and have to explain things through some tears, but he does it!
• When Charlie gets home at the end of the school day, he immediately starts telling me every single detail.....from who didn't follow directions, to what Mrs. Schwartz said to the kids when they didn't follow directions, to how great lunch was, who played what position at recess, etc. etc.! He vomits it alllll out.....and I absolutely love it! 
• He loves to be silly and tell "jokes" and he is actually really funny. He asks all the time: "Mom, am I funny?" 
• He still loves to tell all of us that he loves us and he loves to give hugs. He loves for us to snuggle with him on the couch and lay with him in bed till he falls asleep. His love language is definitely still physical touch and quality time right now. 
• Charlie is loud....when he laughs he is loud, when he cries he is loud, when he talks he is loud....you will never have a problem hearing what he has to say. He may have a problem with interrupting us while we are talking with someone else, but he's working on being patient and waiting. 
• Food makes Charlie really happy though he is still pretty picky. He loves McDonald's chicken nuggets and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches the most. He also enjoys a spoonful of peanut butter while I'm making sandwiches. He really is pretty consistent on what he likes to eat on a daily basis....cinnamon bread for breakfast, pb &j or chicken nuggets for lunch and then pizza for dinner-anything other than those foods and he will usually do some sort of complaining. He really dislikes trying anything new, though he has gotten a bit better over the past year....but he does ok with having 9 bites at a minimum. This next year his goal is to work on eating more dairy. 
• He loves to watch Star Wars and loves the Top Gun and Back to the Future movie as well as the Marvel Avengers movies and the  "Twisters" movie.
• He loves tractors, trucks and any kind of construction equipment
• Charlie is a huge helper and loves to have a "job". Whatever job he is given, he really does well too! He also loves a checklist! I've developed a morning and afternoon checklist for the boys to follow and it is so helpful for Charlie to know what else needs to be done and he enjoys crossing off each task. 
• He loves to be outside! He loves to help John with anything....driving the tractor, yard work, tinkering in the barn, etc. 
• While driving, he will point out every single tractor, truck, lawn mower, semi, dump truck, excavator, etc. etc. etc. along the way. There is no such thing as a quiet ride with Charlie. He also asks thought provoking questions that sometimes I don't even have answers to.
• He is wearing size youth medium clothes but still really prefers just walking around in his underwear.
• He is very kind to Winston and loves to walk him on the leash. 
• He really loves riding his bike and hoverboard with the kart attachment to the neighbors house to play
• His favorite snacks are goldfish, pirate booty and clif bars
• He really only likes to drink water and apple juice
• He really enjoys playing just about any sport: baseball, flag football, basketball....he loves to compete and has a blast playing with friends.
• He can read very well!
• His favorite songs are anything by Imagine Dragons and Thomas Rhett. He also loves Alabama.
• He loves listening to music on the radio and wants to know the name of each song too. 
• He wants to know about everything....he is curious about life and wants to see it all...and asks LOTS of questions
• Charlie can very clearly tell you what he wants/needs and can explain himself very well
• He is genuinely kind....he is constantly giving out compliments that are 100% sincere. And is even very interested in how someone is feeling about a situation 
• He speaks very well. He has quite the vocabulary, he can say his words clearly enough for most to understand, and speaks in complete sentences.
• If he isn't at church or school, you will see him wearing a hat 
• He is very kind hearted and just wants everyone to have fun.  If he gets in trouble or upsets others he starts crying and runs to his room. 
• Charlie is very outgoing around familiar people, but when in front of people he doesn't know, he is extremely shy
• He loves to dance! (He's got some rythm too!)
• Board games are an absolute favorite for him and he's super competitive (his competitiveness carries over into just about everything he does....he has my Jones genetics in him for sure!)
• This fall season, Charlie has really enjoyed following every team. He entered into a competitive "pool" with some of John's coworkers and has thoroughly loved picking a winning team for each week. He is totally invested.
• Charlie plans to be a football player when he grows up. His backup plan is to be a Paleontologist or be in the air force. 

9 Year Wellness Exam

Weight: 59.75 pounds

Height: 4' 6" (at this point he's projected to be 6' tall!) 

This appointment was almost identical to last year's. Charlie talked with Dr. Fahler about his eating habits, football, school, friends and plying outside. Dr. Fahler was pleased with Charlie's growth and his projections are still that he will be slim and 6ft tall. After Charlie's physical exam, we got our paperwork and were on our way out. He didn't get any shots, but still requested a cake pop from Starbucks before going back to school. I say this with every single yearly checkup, but I am so thankful for an uneventful exam. 

Birthday Celebration
Charlie wanted to do something pretty different this year and asked to go to Holiday World to celebrate his birthday. After discussing it, we decided why not?! and booked it for later in September. It was so much fun! While it was hotter than we thought it would be, we all had a great time spending the weekend in Southern Indiana. (Pictures in "Boy Things, Holiday World, Pep Assembly" Post)

Because we were celebrating his birthday a bit later, we still had cake at the Purdue game the day before his actual birthday and let him open presents on his actual birthday.