Miniature Bull Riding

Today Richard's class and the rest of the first graders got to go on a special field trip to the Lewis and Clark County Fairgrounds. The Northwest Miniature Bull Riding Finals are in town and the kids were invited to learn about bull riding.

Here are Richard and Hannah with Richard's friend Seamus.

After a brief presentation the kids were sent to various stations. We began on the roping station. The kids did well considering this is a tough skill to develop. I was all smiles watching these little ones. The teen cowboys were adorable with the kids and that was just as much fun to watch.

After this station we headed outside to see the miniature bulls and talk to the owners to learn about them. The owners took us to the chutes and taught us about how they open and that bulls have a preferred side to come from the chute. They take great care of their animals and the bulls only work 8 seconds a day.

Then we went to the bull riding station. This was right at the end and older kids from other schools were taking over so the kids had very quick rides before we had to leave.

This has to be one of my new very favorite pictures. What a crazy kid! I am so glad Hannah and I were able to experience this with Richard and his cute class.



Visiting Teaching

My visitng teacher came over on Sunday. We love her, she is the primary music director and she is amazing! Hannah decided to play "visiting teachers" yesterday before our festivities began. She asked me to help her set up the table and chairs and get out paper and markers/crayons. She then had her visiting teachers meet her at the front door. I love her imagination and that important things are important to her.

Class Halloween Party

Despite all of our previous Halloween parties, we still had more going on yesterday. Hannah and I want to a trick or treat in downtown Helena yesterday. Many of the businesses participated and we wondered the town for 1 1/2 hours. Hannah really cleaned up!

Then we headed to the elementary school for Richard's class party. Hannah got to make a spider bag with class, join in hte costume parade, and enjoy snacks. It was a lot of fun.

Finally, after dinner we went into our little town and enjoyed more trick or treating from the local businesses. Another hour + later and the kids were exhausted (especially Hannah) and loaded up with enough candy to open a store. We had a lot of fun for Halloween in recent days but I am so glad we get to focus on other things now. Bring on Thanksgiving!

Halloween Meals

I am not overly creative with food as my children are good eaters so I do not need to go over the top to get them to try new things. As Rachel Ray says, "Don't dumb down your kids' tastebuds". She is not my most favorite tv personality but was able to put words to Chris and my philosophy. In any case, I was feeling a little creative and generous yesterday so the kids got some fun food.

Orange milk and orange cookie cutter (cat and jack-o-lantern) homemade wheat pancakes for breakfast.

Luch was cat, jack-o-lantern, and mouse sandwiches with veggies.

For dinner we had green mummy dogs, sauteed carrots and cabbage, and Halloween (yam & carrot) soup. It was a fun day.



Ward Trunk-or-Treat

Our ward had it's chili/jell-o cookoff and trunk-or-treat last night. We had a lot of fun and the kids got to hang out with their friends. The highlights of the evening were fun Halloween Jell-O molds, a costume parade, costumes themselves, and candy!

Superman found Wonder Woman...

...and they lived happily ever after! Seriously, though, these two were inseperable! They had a lot of fun together and it was so adorable to watch them all night.

Richard, Brookly, and Hannah

This was the craziest gang of cuties last night. Hallie, Austin, Natalie, Hannah, Richard, and Brooklyn. I couldn't stop smiling watching them have so much fun.

Scouting Halloween Activity

Richard had a pack meeting last night for scouts and they had a BIG Halloween activity. It was a lot of fun and chaos.

I love my little Spider Man and Princess Belle!

Richard and a few other boys were recognized for earning their Bobcat already.

The first thing the kids did was frost cookies to eat. I almost died when Hannah went straight for the black frosting. I was so relieved that it did not end up on that gold dress!

Sweeping pumpkins. Richard was thrilled that he got to do this twice. And he was really good at it. It is all that practice he gets sweeping my kitchen floor. :)

 Pumpkin bowling was fun. Hannah did a great job. (I know, I cut off her head. Sorry Hannah!)

Richard and his buddy Isaac, they are in the same first grade class as well which is cool.

Hannah got to make bloody eyeballs with marshmallows, red frosting, and cranberries. They tasted terrible! :)



Red Ribbon Week Parade

In addition to being drug-free, Richard's school district promotes healthy lifestyles and activity. The elementary schools had a parade to promote this healthy lifestyle. I almost was brought to tears in anticipation of my little man marching past me in the parade. There were families and middle school students lining the streets to support these little tigers.

I am so proud of this handsome boy. Richard has grown leaps and bounds this year and I love every moment with him. He is a good kid!