Magic Ice

 What happened this week?

Yesterday we had a game night at Caitlin and Sal's. It was really fun! The kids were very good watching a movie and barely interrupted us at all, and we got to play Battle Sheep and Treasure Island and Tricksters. They were all really fun, especially Treasure Island, which we'd never heard of but was a really fun cooperative-competitive pirate game.

Earlier that day, Mike and Rea went shopping for toys to fill a box for Operation Christmas Child. They got some very cute stuff; the toddler boy who gets it should be very happy.

Before that, Rea had gone to visit Max with Grandma Sheila and Papa Mike. They had Jimmy John's and played Sushi Go and she had a great time and was really happy she went.

Today at church, Rea taught her first Young Women's lesson! She said it went great! She spent a lot of time this week preparing, and we're so glad it went well for her.

Friday Mike and Alison watched The Man Who Knew Too Little for their date. That's always a favorite because it's so very funny. They didn't start it until after the kids went to bed, so they were up a little late that night and very late Saturday, so Mike is feeling a bit off in terms of sleep. It should get back to normally tomorrow sometime.

Everyone is still working on their NaNos. Rea is the only one who's still on track. Mike got somewhat behind, and Alison never caught up after her computer died November 3rd. Yay for Rea! Mike is trying to catch up; Alison needs to figure out a reasonable goal to work toward so she'll be motivated to start again.

It's gotten colder this week - down to the thirties - but it's sunny and not too cloudy, so we're still enjoying being outside. At nature group on Friday, there was really cool ice on the pond. The edge was frozen in these gorgeous ripple patterns, and the ends of branches from a willow hanging over the water had been caught in the ice. In the center, there was a thin layer of ice with a bit of water on top of it too, and it was so clear that you couldn't see it at all. It looked like you could make rocks float! It was very cool.
We have all our snow gear ready, but we've only had a few flurries leaving a skimming of snow so far. The kids are very excited about each of those and are hoping for more snow.

We have one week before we leave for California! The kids are so excited for Thanksgiving. The girls have already started packing. Alison probably needs to make some lists and plans so the rest of us get packed too.