Laurel Elisabeth Stevens

Getting ready for Halloween the kids painted their pumpkins. I'm fine without a big Halloween celebration. So, little pumpkins were painted. For Halloween we searched the closets, Henry found pirate ware. Elisabeth planned to be some sort of snowflake princess but changed at the last minute to a pirate too. For either costume, the eyepatch was always the problem; neither was able to wear it for very long. The biggest problem with Halloween this year was that Henry was scared of it all. Anything in masks, the decorations in the stores. We couldn't take him anywhere without expecting some fear and crying. This included the mailbox thanks to neighbors that enjoy decorating their yard for Halloween. I am hopeful that Christmas will be more friendly. Henry and Elisabeth's cousins came over to trick-or-treat. So, we had Peter Pan, Tinkerbell, and two pirates. A pretty good crew in a Neverland sort of way.

Elisabeth is preparing to release the butterflies that she received for a birthday present. These kits are pretty neat. Five caterpillars came in the mail and they quickly formed crysalids. About five days later the painted butterflies emerged. They were released another three days later. The animals are more active during the now more common cool fall mornings at the zoo. Here Henry is making a bunch of ducks very nervous. Finally long sleeves and pants. We can play outside without frequent water breaks . The mosquito population is also moving a little slower. I've enjoyed coming home from to work to see several neighborhood kids playing in the driveway and the parents trying to keep them out of the street. Henry and Elisabeth love to be part of these events.

We are visiting Michigan over the Christmas Holiday this year which means that we have to get the kids outfitted for winter. Warm jackets, snow pants, boots, mittens, hats, etc. it is all adding up. I think these winter clothes are much cooler than when I was little. Elisbeth's sizing is a little more predictable so those articles were sent directly to the snow belt. However, we thought that we should try Henry's outfit on. Gladly, he was pleased to participate. I was pleased that everything seemed to fit. I sure hope that there is snow in Michigan for the Holidays.

After the kids took a rest we all headed to the park to play.

The next day family came over to continue the birthday celebration. Presents were opened and more 100yr. old games were played. Below you can observe the postman game where a blindfolded player in the middle calls for the mail to be sent to one city and to another. Those in the circle around represent cities. The two cities called must exchange places witout being caught by the blindfolded mail burgler. Dad also spent time explaining geology to us before he headed off to Poland to look at cores himself. (Note the use of the passive voice. An engineer has written this.)

Elisabeth had a Pink and White Birthday party where "high-tea" was served. I think that means there was alot of sugar and milk in the herbal tea. It was a girls only party which meant that my main job was to save these young ladies from Henry. We played at the park. I believe that the games for the party came from a 100yr. old children's game book. Ahead of the party Elisabeth had a wonderful time just reviewing and selecting which games would be played at her party.

http://elisabethkraftson.blogspot.com/ I'm not sure how to add a link right, but I hope this works. This website is in honor of my Grandmother, Elisabeth Jane Kraftson.