October Olio

Dave and Roger (visiting from Nebraska) prove some theorems at the backyard chalkboard.
Sam testing for his white belt in taekwondo at the Y.
Breaking his board. He requested two boards stacked, but Ms. Jenny said he'd need to wait to do that when he tests at the next level. The kids could choose between a chop, punch, or kick. Sam went with a chop.
He's official. Sam's taekwondo teacher also teaches my strength and conditioning class on Wednesday nights. If I'm not working hard enough, I get yelled at, "Sam's mom, get your knees up!"
Post-belt ice cream.
Grace enjoys Sam's leftover shake. The standard stroller configuration has now been shifted. Isaac has a habit of grabbing Grace's hair, so he's moved to the front seat. Luckily, Grace is very forgiving and doesn't retaliate.
Sam demonstrates his form to the shark tent at home.
This weekend was gorgeous. Saturday afternoon, Dave set up the hammock and the kids put it through its paces. (Aforementioned kids are the bumps inside the hammock.) (Note to Julie DB - you choose wonderful family gifts!)
Grace and Katie cuddle in the hammock. Katie is the queen of cozy. My favorite daily request from Katie: "Mom, can I cuddle with you?"
And on the other end of the hammock, Spiky Sam. In the morning, we went to the Buddy Walk, an event to raise money for the local Down syndrome partnership. One of the tables there was run by a local haircutting shop for kids, and they were coloring and spiking all the kids hair. Katie got purple stripes, Sam got red spikes.
Isaac enjoyed the swing. He's under the weather today - the first time he's had a fever. He tested negative for the flu, so he's not part of the national emergency. Just your basic run-of-the-mill virus.

October fun

Spent the afternoon at a local farm that sells pumpkins and Christmas trees (in October and December respectively). The kids had a great time playing on the round bales in the hay barn.
Katie displays some nontraditional farming attire.
Grace and Isaac had a jolly time in the loose hay. I swear I didn't purposefully dress Isaac in the pumpkin getup. He wore it for pajamas last night, and as is embarrassingly often the case, they ended up being his clothes for the day.

Here, Grace was moving in for a big hug.
Sam and Katie on the hay ride.
The hayride was fun, but my view was best - Isaac in the Snugli and Grace on my lap.

The whole crew (minus Dave, who was at a math conference). Isaac was getting cranky here. He desperately needed a nap, but his expression looks like he was probably begrudging the decorative green leaves on his outfit.
We stopped to play at the three story tree house and the sand box. Once we got back to the hay barn, Isaac and Grace were down for the count.
Sam catches some air.
After we got home, Grace showed off her skills at stacking rings. Big news - Grace is crawling now!
Last week, Sam and Katie had an overpowering urge to roast marshmallows. Without firing up the charcoal grill or the fireplace, Dave found a way to make it happen.
These two just watched the roasting, but didn't partake.
Dave shows Katie the finer points of roasting technique.