Beginning to Look Like Christmas

Today we went to the Grinch with Grandma Jan and Grandpa Bruce. The actors and actresses for the show were impressive. We all loved the costuming and special effects. We stopped by Cafe Latte to get some cake for Dan's birthday celebration. Thanksgiving was laid back with board games, quilling and putting up Christmas decorations.

Gymnastics Meet

Analise's team won gold for their first meet in Woodbury. The meet was five hours long, but Analise had a blast hanging out with her friends and watching other teams perform. She feels she did best on vault and bar at this meet. She is excited for her next meet in a few weeks.

Working Hard

We have been working hard this past month with conferences, competitions and big school projects. After a weekend of overload and continous homework, Mom decided we needed a tropical break. We turned the tub into a lagoon with tea lights, sand paper shores, shells, lost treasure and even a bubble wrap jelly fish. Analise and Emma had a blast hanging out together and using the hot tub jets. The bubbles got a bit out of control but it was a great stress release.

Besides work and more work, we served with Operation Christmas Child. 1,500 boxes were packed for girls and boys ages 4-14. Emma had a great time organizing boxes by color or based on the stuffed animals she chose. We hope that lots of children are happy on Christmas morning.

Fall Service and Crafting Opportunities

The past few weekends have been really busy with soap making, stained glass lamp designing, confirmation classes, birthday parties and service projects. We spent some time packing boxes for people in Appalachia who were affected by the hurricanes in the past month. Our church packed 109 boxes of clothing, winter gear, kitchen supplies and items families that lost everything will need to rebuild their lives. We also sent 32 bikes to the churches in those areas. Our team was put in charge of packing infant and little kids clothes.

Besides helping at church Emma and her friends served at Feed My Starving Children and partied with Nevaeh.

While Emma was out partying, Analise and Erin did a mother daughter soap making class. We made soap that smells of jasmine and tulips. Now we wait until Dec. 7th for the soap to fully mix and harden.

Since Analise got to do a project with a parent, Emma wanted in on the deal. She is currently making a stained glass lamp. Erin went to the first class to help Emma design the lamp and Dan will go to the second class to help her finalize the design. Erin's friend Sandy came to our AHG meeting to teach how to make paper flowers and shadow boxes. The girls will be putting together bouquets for different hospitals to have in their waiting areas. The shadow boxes will also be on display at hospitals. They give encouraging messages to people that may be facing hard treatments.

There has been lots of singing of Christmas songs in the shower to get ready for the holiday performances and lots of research work taking place for the big 7th grade project. Emma selected Mary Tudor for her research paper...guess we'll find out why she was called Bloody Mary. Emma entered a few national and state competitions for art and writing hoping to make some money to go towards her flying trapeze classes. If she wants to continue classes, she has to help out with payments. She does babysit Chica on a weekly basis but that comes nowhere near the cost of her classes. Maybe she'll win something.

Outdoor Adventures and Speech Meet

Over MEA weekend, we spent time cleaning up our yard and went out to see the colorful landscape. The girls also spent time shopping for new clothes with Grandma Kathy. They got so many cute outfits. Emma has been wanting to go back to the high ropes course we visited for her 11th birthday. This was the last weekend the ropes course was open and the trees were gorgeous. She made it to the highest level this time. Analise wasn't up for high ropes, so she and Erin went on a bike ride on the Gateway trail. It was nice to just be at home and be able to relax. Emma started her confirmation program with church. As part of her program, she is planning to do service work with her mentor. We will be packing things for Applachia next weekend. As for Speech Meet, Analise wrapped up her elementary experience by winning 4th place in the competition. She did a wonderful job presenting to our family at home, and we loved hearing her zip through the speech effortlessly. Erin thinks the presidential candidates could take some advice on how to present a great speech from the students at Liberty.

Summer Extended

This September has been a warm one, perhaps even warmer some days than it was in the summer. We spent much time outside on bike rides, swimming in the lake and going for walks. Dan finished his first triathalon at Square Lake this year. He hopes to participate in future competitions. Analise is starting up her gymnastics competition practices and Emma is still taking her flying trapeze lessons. Erin and Emma have been learning calligraphy and planning events for AHG while Analise works on her speech for Speech Meet. She is doing a speech given by Princess Diana on landmines. Here is a photo of Emma's group completing calligraphy.

Emma and Erin volunteered to pack diapers for newborns at Second Stork. Bags will be delivered to mothers in the hospital after their babies are born. Packs get them through the first two weeks of their baby's life. During the school day, Analise's fifth grade group built the Old Testament tabernacle and presented information to guests about the structure. Analise and Tessa were in charge of the golden lampstand. Erin and Grandma Kathy attended the event and got the tour.

We took a family road trip the last weekend in September to see Jay Cooke State Park and the shores of Duluth. We went on an extremely hot day and the temps reached the 80s. We started at Jay Cooke State Park and spent time climbing on the rocks.

After lunch we headed to the Congdon stream and walking trail on the east side of Duluth. Then we stopped for a walk through the rose garden and some ice cream at the malt shop. We were lucky becasue it was one of the last days the malt shop was open for the season. We also went to church at Aunt Marchie and Julie's location that they enjoyed, St. Lawerence and then back down to Canal Park for dinner and time on the boardwalk.

We start confirmation classes in October. All the fall decorations have gone out in Emma and Analise's bedrooms. Skelo-guy made an appearance with a shocking result. Analise is up to some scientific experiments of her own. She completed leaf chromotography (pulling the color out of leaves) with coffee filters, rubbing alcohol and some plastic cups.

Bubble Wrap Blast and More Animal Visits

We got rid of our curtains and put in blinds this week. The packaging came with lots of bubble wrap which means a lot of play. The girls mummified themselves, created a bubble wrap runway and played tug of war.

And the animals keep visiting. This past week we had a giant turtle on our driveway. I am not sure what sign we sent out for all of these friends to come and visit but they are definitely intent on showing up. Come visit the Maas family zoo.