Enjoying fall

Today is a nice fall day. It started out cool, but the sun is out and the temps are climbing. When Grace wakes up from her nap we're heading outside!

I do need to explain a few of the fall pics. Carson had a vision for what he wanted to do with a pumpkin. He didn't want to carve it a 'typical' way. He wanted a spitting pumpkin. Not sure that was on Charlie Brown's 'The Great Pumpkin', but he had a plan. It included a hole carved in the back of the pumpkin for a water hose to feed through. Turn the water on and you have a spitting pumpkin. I'll try to get the video of it on here. (Be patient - I've not downloaded video before!). Anyway, the spitting pumpkin is quite impressive....too bad it won't last until Halloween.

It's been a busy couple of days. Travis and our neighbor worked on drywall throughout the weekend and finished by noon on Sunday. They did a great job! The mudding and taping started yesterday (we're very thankful we're not doing that part). Given all that needs to happen to get it up and running, I'm not as optimistic that it will be ready before we go to Florida. It will be close though! Since we're gone for so long, hopefully all will be done by Thanksgiving. Regardless, we'll enjoy it this winter.

The kiddos and I spent some time at Grammy's on Saturday and ran some errands. They stayed with Grammy so Trav and I could make a massive run to Menards - pick out doors, locksets, etc. We also had a bunch of insulation to return. We were all very tired by Saturday night.

On Sunday the kiddos and I got to Grammy's early to meet up with cousins of mine from out west - was great to see them! Grace stayed with Grammy while Carson and I went to Sunday School. Trav and Tim were working on the basement so Carson was stuck with me for signing (No, I'm not an interpreter!). We went back and got Grace and headed home. Trav spent a lot of time cleaning up in the basement and getting things ready for the next stage.

Grace had a follow-up appt. for her orthotics yesterday - a few tweaks were made. She also had speech. All is going well.

Last night we had Carson's parent/teacher conference at school. He is doing very well. He struggles with reading comprehension as well as some story prediction and verb usage. Tense is so challenging for him - we're trying to encourage him that it is not just him. Many people have a hard time. When signs are the same for so many verbs, regardless of tense, well...it's tough! He is patient and hopefully his skills will continue to grow. He is loving so many aspects of school and he has such wonderful teachers. We continue to be blessed with a wonderful team for Carson.

Soon it was home and time for bed! Papa Chip arrived last night as well - he'll be here for a few days this week.

All has gone well today - we're getting services in place for Grace to have a PCA through the same agency Carson has respite care. Grace's PT went well - she worked on going up and down the stairs using the railing. This was hard work and she was tired out. We also had a visit from Grace's guardian ad litem. It was a great visit and hopefully one of Lori's last prior to finalization!

Well, Carson and I are working our way through some chapter books. Time to get to them!