Weeks 43-45 and then some

The end of October is a blur. After Charlotte's endocrinologist appointment on our anniversary, she met with the gastroenterologist the next week, then had the endoscopy on the 29th. Celiac was confirmed on Halloween. There was a lot going on during those couple of weeks: school trunk-or-treat, pumpkin carving with friends, costume parade at the elementary, then a cold and rainy Halloween that we spent with friends seeing Addams Family.

No costume this year; I was able to talk him into this shirt.

She was excited to go to the hospital and didn't complain about a single thing.

Last gluten chocolate croissant from Starbucks. Hot chocolate is gluten free.

November so far: I'm ready to hibernate, but we're still pretty busy.  Cub Scout hike, repotting plants to bring inside, making gluten-free muffins (and finding all the store bought gluten-free things). Charlotte's Girl Scout troop made gift baskets for veterans in a nursing home. Frank and the boys went camping during our first really cold weekend this year, and Charlotte and I visited friends. She also spent a whole day doing crafts/artwork. Monday was the parade, where Zach carried a Boy Scout flag, Gabe rode on the Cub Scouts float, and Charlotte and I walked the parade with the Girl Scouts.

The story of Gabe's vinca needs its own post!

Weeks 40, 41, & 42: Oh October

You used to be my favorite month. Now we are too crazy busy to stop and enjoy you, but we are trying.

Lotsa stuff. Artwork and dance class. A friend's trampoline party, that happened to be on Gabe's birthday, where he hurt his foot. Anniversary outings (the whole family) to Starbucks, Charlotte's doctor appointment, and Chili's. Scout trunk-or-treat. I volunteered at the school to pop popcorn at lunchtime. Picking up a new sump pump and supplies at Lowe's (and documenting Charlotte's outfit). Visit to a pumpkin patch with lots to do but the corn maze is always a favorite. Getting tired of the up and down temps but enjoying the warm afternoon and watching the leaves change.

Weeks 38 & 39: Scouts and switches

Aside from a couple of dance photos, the last two weeks were mostly about scout activities. Frank and Zach went to a hunting and fishing expo, Charlotte had a troop meeting where they saw a search and rescue dog in action, Gabe had a den meeting, and we all went to the yearly fall campout. Zach won a swivel folding chair at the expo, Gabe had a lot of fun with his friends at the campout, and Charlotte was most excited about hitting "the middle of the middle of the middle of the target" during her first bb shooting.

Also, the boys chose Switch lites for their birthday/Christmas gifts from us. Playing on those has filled the other 95% of time!

The bloodhound was searching for one of their leaders.

making first aid kits

Charlotte did camp activities with cubs scouts that were her age, which I think suited her just fine.