It's getting cold

It's really become fall in Michigan.  Cold weather, strong winds, and lots of falling pine needles again.  I spent several hours raking on Saturday and Peter spent it jumping in the piles.  He was so cute, though.  Before every jump he would ask, "Can I jump in the pile now?"  I told him he was always welcome to jump in the piles and that he didn't need to ask, but he still did each time.  He had a blast.

The funny thing about fall is that the temperatures aren't bad at all if they were in March.  Coming out of winter, 50s feels hot.  We wear t-shirts and spend all day outside when it's in the 50s in March.  However, when it dips into the 50s in October, I am miserable.  One day it was high 40s and windy and I couldn't bare the thought of playing outside, so I suggested we visit the Outdoor Adventure Center again and just pretend we're outside.

Peter had a great time pretending to camp, hunt, ride snowmobiles and atv's, and climb trees, all inside.  He also finally got up the nerve to enter a pretend bear cave that has a hibernating animatroinic bear which wakes up when he come inside.  It has always absolutely terrified him, but this time he went in. (Yes, clutching my legs and hiding behind me, but he went in!)  

In other news, our whole life is marching band at the moment.  Benjamin and Bella's bands both got the highest score possible in the latest regional marching band competition.  They are doing great and having fun and I'm very happy for them.  I'll be sad when the season ends in a couple weeks.  They have such great friends there and I know it'll be hard to lose that daily comradery.  Bella got a part in the school play, though, so she'll still be as busy as always - The King's 17 Women - it's about Elvis and it looks very funny. 

Benjamin and the band at their celebratory party following the competition.  His director is the man front and center - Mr. Vanham.  Benjamin is in the middle back.

Bella is much harder to spot in the band and I often struggle to pick her out until I learn the path she takes during the songs.  Here she is right in the middle front. (third from either direction)

Christian had the day off today due to parent teacher conferences.  I basically went there to listen to the teacher gush for 15 minutes about how amazing he is.  She showed me the scores of his last nation-wide standardized test.  He got a perfect score and maxed out the test in both reading and math. She says he gets along with everyone, is very motivated and focused, helps others stay on task, and is always kind and respectful. She recommended he test at the end of the school year to skip another grade in math for his 7th grade year.  If he passes, he'll be doing 9th grade math in 7th grade and he'll have to go to the high school for math in 8th grade.  He wants to try, so we'll see what comes of it.  She says he and one other are the brightest math students she has.  Says a lot when it's a school for the gifted. 

It was actually pretty nice weather today so we spent a lot of time playing outside.  Christian set up a soccer-style game and he and Peter had a blast.  I love seeing Peter get into soccer.  I'd love to see him excel at it too.  FYI, yes, Peter is wearing a bunny tail.  We've been tyring to decide on a halloween costume.  He changes his mind every single day!  Today he wanted to be a bunny.