Randoms + Halloween

It's been a whirlwind end of October and I'm ready for the start of a new month. Now that Halloween is over, I'm working on Christmas decorations and all the festive things! The Barretts are READY for the holiday season! 

Here's what we've ben up to...

Charlie was home from school for a few days with what I thought was pink eye. Turns out it was just a virus he needed to get over. (Likely something he caught when at the doctor 4 days prior for his well check...)Since he was feeling pretty well, he came with me to count offering at church. His favorite thing at the church is the security camera system. This time, he asked me to take his picture on the monitor so he could see what he looked like. 

After his doctor appointment and time at the church, he asked for a happy meal for lunch. Turns out, McDonald's went "old school" and was handing out halloween buckets with them! Charlie's day was made!

Mellany and I attended a 5th grade milestone retreat at our church a few weeks ago. It was a Friday night and Saturday morning retreat. One of our first requirements was to create a team flag. Mellany couldn't wait to start creating...

The first night was an "Amazing Race" type competition and then Saturday morning had more of a biblical message tying in the activities from Friday evening. We had a great time! 

Charlie was so proud to finally get this sticker!!! We had been working every single night on counting! 

One of the weeks John spent traveling was in Minneapolis, MN. He was there for the Cargill Presidents Awards and was asked to be on a panel to talk about serving the farmer. He was one of four people asked to be on stage in front of a few hundred people.....a really big deal....and I'm so proud!! John is very highly thought of in the business (though he would never ever say that he was) and this is just proof that people love him and his style of leadership! 

Mellany's 5th grade leaf project is complete! She had to have specific leaves and their information all put together in a notebook/binder/folder and I think she did a great job! She was even very specific in the type of picture she wanted on the front cover....and I think it totally shows her beauty and personality. 

I celebrated my 37th birthday this past weekend.....and we celebrated by going to our school's trunk or treat and then trick-or-treating in our neighborhood. We all agreed that day would be best because the weather was beautiful! 

After trick or treating, we sat by the fire at our neighbor's. It's never a dull moment by the fire! 

Last but not least, it was a BIG DAY for Mellany.....her cast was REMOVED!!!! She is so excited and I am so excited for her!!!! It's been a loooooong 4 weeks, but she has powered through and handled it so well! 

The morning that I took Mellany to get her cast removed, John took the boys to school and took this in the truck before heading in....goodness the Barrett gene is strong!!! Such handsome guys! 

Waiting for ninja class to start, I looked at Johnny sitting like this and he just looked so old! He has really grown up this past year....He also is soooo happy when he's at Ninja class. He loves it more than any other activity he does and that makes me happy too! 

Charlie #6!

 

Charlie is 6!!! The baby of our family is old enough to go to school now and truly feels like one of the big kids. He is wild and crazy and loves making people laugh. He is always smiling and up for a good time. He is generally easy going and loves to try fun, new things....just don't ask him to try new foods (haha!). He is the one keeping us on our toes! 

    Here's a little bit about Charlie:

• Charlie has no problem "hanging" with the big kids
• He has really done well transitioning to kindergarten. He often tells me he's "bored" though I don't believe that is truly the case. He has also told me that he doesn't like that only the teacher can do the talking allllll day long and he has to raise his hand to speak. 
• When Charlie gets in the car at the end of the school day, he immediately starts telling me every single detail.....from who didn't follow directions, to what Mrs. A said to the kids when they didn't follow directions, to how he pushed a kid on the playground and had to sit on the wall (more on that in the next bullet), to how great lunch was, etc. etc.! He vomits it alllll out.....and I absolutely love it! 
• Mrs. A called me from school one afternoon to tell me about an incident that happened on the play ground involving Charlie. One little boy was kicking another little boy....so Charlie shoved the boy who was doing the kicking. Mrs. A said she wouldn't have believed it but she saw it with her own eyes. The kid went airborne! So Charlie and the rest of the boys had to take some time at the wall during recess and they all talked it out and Mrs. A talked with Charlie about using words instead of pushing. She said he was upset and crying but that he was better at the time she called me. So when Charlie got in the car that day, it was the first thing he told me. And I couldn't be mad at him; that sweet boy was defending his friend and in my (and John's) opinion, it wasn't anything to get in trouble for. We were honestly pretty proud! And if I'm being real honest, I only think Charlie was upset and crying at school because he was so mad at the kid for kicking his friend. 
• He loves to be silly and tell "jokes" and he is actually really funny. He asks all the time: "Mom, am I funny?" 
• He 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. He will always hold my hand when we are walking together and loves any kind of one-on-one time he can get. His love language is definitely 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
• Food makes Charlie really happy. 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. He really dislikes trying anything new....but he does ok with having 6 bites at a minimum. 
• He loves to watch Power Rangers, Transformers, Star Wars and loves the Top Gun 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 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 6 & 7 clothes
• He is very kind to Winston and loves to walk him on the leash. He's even taken him outside by himself a few times.
• He really loves riding his bike to the neighbors house to play
• His favorite snacks are goldfish, pirate booty, clif bars and peanut butter granola bars
• He really only likes to drink water and apple juice
• He can follow simple directions very well (putting clothes in the laundry basket, throwing away trash, putting away a toy)
• He really enjoys playing just about any sport: baseball, flag football, ninja class....he loves to compete and has a blast playing with friends.
• He is currently working on counting to 100 and is starting to practice some sight words.
• His favorite songs are "Fishing In the Dark", "Highway to the Danger Zone" and "We Ready" 
• He loves listening to music on the radio and wants to know the name of each song too. We got all 3 kids a walkman this fall and he is really enjoying having control of the music he listens to. 
• He can shower all by himself.
• He wants to know about everything....he is curious about life and wants to see it all
• Charlie can very clearly tell you what he wants/needs and can explain himself very well
• His pout is seriously cute (and he knows it)
• He is pretty empathetic....Mellany had to get three shots at her checkup and while Mellany took it like a champ and breathed right through it, Charlie was in tears 
• 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.
• He loves to pick out his own clothes and easily dresses himself
• It may not seem like it at first, but Charlie really cares about what other people think. He had someone at school tell him his drawing was "creepy". When charlie showed me the drawing after he got home, I told him I loved it and he responded with "but so-and-so at school said it was creepy" and he started tearing up....I felt so bad for the poor guy....
• 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 

6 Year Wellness Exam

Weight: 44.4 pounds

Height: 3' 10.85"

Charlie's appointment went great! He and Dr. Fahler talked about eating, personal hygiene, school, sports, screen time, playing outside and Dr. Fahler had a really good laugh when Charlie called him "Darth Vader". It was another year of great growth and for that I will always be thankful!

While we were waiting, Mellany gave Charlie an eye exam. (Her check up was the same day)

Birthday Celebration
Again this year, Charlie wanted to have pizza and play arcade games at Pizza King. We had no objection to that! He wanted to invite several of our family friends. With it being labor day weekend a couple families couldn't make it but a couple of them could and it was a great night! 

On his actual birthday, John had to travel for work. Charlie requested we have Culver's for dinner and I am always game for eating out during the week!

Happy Birthday Charlie!!!! We pray this is the best year yet with more amazing memories!! We love you so much and are so proud of you! 

Mellany #11!

Every year when it comes time for this post, I just can't believe she's another year older! How she is already 11 I don't even know. This has definitely been one of the biggest years of change and growth for Mellany. She's really becoming quite the young lady! 

Here's a little bit about our Mellany:

• Mellany's favorite subject is still art! She loves anything to do with art: drawing/coloring/painting, sewing, rainbow loom, bracelet making, air dry clay.....But it is her drawing skills that really continue to impress us! She even just won the Cargill Calendar Drawing Contest (again!) and won 4th grade grand champion in 4H for her drawing she entered! All of her papers from school have drawings all over them and previous teachers have said they miss getting her drawings and her 2nd grade teacher even has one hanging in her closet still!
• One of Mellany's strongest subjects in school is math and her least strongest continues to be reading. Though she will take any opportunity to read a graphic novel! 
• She still loves outer space and wants to be an astronaut when she grows up
• She really loves staying home by herself whenever she can.
• Mellany is really responsible and independent. She doesn't really need help getting breakfast/ready in the mornings anymore and after school she tackles her homework and getting ready for bed mostly by herself.
• She loves having one-on-one time with John and I. Even though she's 11 now, she still loves to snuggle and just needs a hug every now and then. 
• When she goes to bed she wants one of us to scratch her back.
• She loves to cook. Her specialty is (still) pumpkin chocolate chip muffins-she can make them all by herself now (including putting them in the oven and taking them out)
• She really loves when her brothers let her "lead/help" them. She loves playing with the boys, but most of the time she can be found playing/drawing by herself in her room. (with the music blaring)
• She is soooooo good at trying new foods! You can usually tell when she doesn't like something but she does a great job at trying to keep it to herself that she doesn't like it when in public or at friends houses. 
• Her favorite sport is dance! She made the StudioB Spotlight Dance Team this past summer and we are so proud of her. The team will walk at the Lafayette Christmas Parade, perform during halftime of a women's basketball game at purdue, perform in a competition in the spring and the recital as well. She has two classes each week which is perfect for our schedule. She has really enjoyed the "step up" in dance and I have loved the balance we can still have as a family. 
• She can now ride "shotgun" in the car and is constantly taking over my radio. 
• She continues to earn a monthly allowance by helping around the house and maintaining her room and she is quite the saver. 
• She still enjoys playing with her Barbie's, American Girl Dolls and LOL Dolls. (Especially with our neighbor Maddie) I have a feeling she won't be much longer though.
• Mellany is one of the most friendly, caring and kind 11 year olds I know. She has a true love for people. She will talk to anyone, is really good about noticing if someone might be feeling left out and truly cares about others!
• Mellany loves her yoga pants, tshirts and oversized hoodies. It is really pretty hard to get her to wear anything else.....and honestly, I can't blame her! She is now wearing some adult XS/S clothing so some things we can even share. She has grown into a women's size 10 shoe, so we can't share those! 
• She is about 50% homebody and 50% extrovert and loves to get out....She loves to go shopping, go to the movies, paint at our local pottery place, eat out....but at the end of the day, she wants to come back home (just like her mama!)
• We get the occasional attitude but as soon as I point it out, it goes away. 
• Her current favorite movies are the Harry Potter Movies, but she is also starting to watch more adult type movies like Hocus Pocus for example. 
• While Mel is very social and loves being around others, she definitely has her moments where she'd rather just be alone and have some quiet time. 
• She's so helpful--and even does things without me asking her to help.
• She loves to accessorize, especially with her earrings. I'm pretty sure she wears a new pair every day. The dangly earrings are her absolute favorite. 
• Gammy let Mellany drive her car from the garage to the barn and Mellany was ecstatic, and actually did a pretty good job. She has asked just about every other day since then if she can drive. 

I may have snuck into the school to put a few decorations in her locker on her birthday. 

On her actual birthday, we celebrated by opening presents, eating her dinner of choice: Olive Garden, and having more cookie cake. Her wrist fracture from her birthday party required a cast, which she got that day! 

11 Year Wellness Exam

Height: 5' 3.78"

Weight: 97.4 pounds

Mellany's 11 year checkup went great! Dr. Fahler asked her about her wrist, school, eating, friends/neighbors, screen time, athletics, nose bleeds, personal hygiene and they could have chatted forever. She got 3 vaccinations and a baseline blood draw and we were out the door. Overall, Mellany is completely healthy and we are beyond thankful for a clean bill of health!

Charlie had his checkup on the same day....Mellany loved giving him an eye exam while we waited. 

Celebration!

For this year's party, Mellany really wanted to roller skate with the entire neighborhood and all her school/church friends. Since we hadn't had a big party for her before, we decided to let it happen. We rented out the rink and invited just about everyone we know! I think everyone had such a great time!!! And several friends are asking to skate for their birthdays! 

Of course, it's not a party until someone gets hurt.....and about half way through Mellany fell backwards and fractured her wrist. She was such a trooper for the rest of the party and even got back out there to skate!! But once we left the party, she was asking to see a dr because it was hurting. So the 5 of us went straight to get it looked at. After trying to get into two urgent cares (even though they closed at 8, they didn't accept patients after 7....grrrr!!!...), we ended up at the ER for 3 hours, only to learn early the next morning via a phone call from the ER dr, that she has a buckle fracture in her wrist. We saw Orthopaedics a few days later on her actual birthday and he said she would need to be casted for 4 weeks. Thankfully it isn't longer, (sometimes you can get away with a brace on these types of fractures, but in kids, the dr doesn't want to take the risk of it taking longer than it should to heal), but we are definitely counting down the days till she can take it off! 

I just love this picture!! The sun is in her eyes, but it truly shows her personality! So genuinely happy and loving life! 

The "after party"!

Happiest of birthdays to our sweet, sweet Mellany!! Praying that this next year is full of the happiest of moments!! We love you to the moon and back!