7 Years, 10 Months...It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

I got to play in leaves with Molly and Athena in the last days of fall.  It was so much fun to watch them run around and jump in the leaves.

Mom took me a day early to Washington for Thanksgiving while Dad and Ellie went to a Mizzou volleyball game.  I enjoyed the extra individual attention.  We celebrated at Grandma Kathy and Grandpa Tom's with the whole family on Thanksgiving.  We went to Uncle Mark's the day after and I played a TON with Chase!  I had so much fun, but I left my enderdragon at his house. I really miss him.  We went to the Christmas parade like we had in the past and that was fun.  Daddy's family didn't have anything this year.  We did briefly celebrate Nana Arden's birthday at Papa Rodney's shop.

The next day, we put up our Christmas decorations and Elmo the Elf came to visit.  I am learning about Advent and the real meaning of Christmas at Church and I really enjoy it.  We did go visit Santa again at Bass Pro like we used to.  He spent a lot of time talking with us.  I also had my holiday concert.  We sang 3 songs with the 3rd grade.  We ended with Frosty the Snowman.  I was nervous but I really enjoyed it and got into the dancing and hand motions.  Our family also went through the Veteran's United Christmas light display.  It was really beautiful!  Santa wished us a Merry Christmas to which I replied loudly, "You don't even know my name!"  I got scolded for that one!  Our Church also had a dinner that we got to go to.  I really enjoy going there and all the new people I am meeting.

Our family has been spending more time downstairs.  We enjoyed a couple of Christmas movies down there, and decorated gingerbread houses, and wrapped presents.  Mom and Dad have also let Ellie and me stay home for a few hours at a time while they run errands.  I kind of like the independence.  I've said a few funny things this month.  I called porta-potties "porter potties."

I have been begging to stay at a hotel lately.  I did get to go to Ellie's first volleyball tournament but there was no need for a hotel, unfortunately.  I was really patient and pleasant the whole day.  I cheered hard for her team and entertained myself when she wasn't playing.  Ellie and I giggled a lot on the way to KC and back.  There was signs everywhere that said "Mike's got this" and it has become a new family joke.

School just got out today!  We had a lot of movies and a holiday party today.  I'm so excited for Christmas!!!

Christmas parade

Passed out after all the Thanksgiving fun

Decorating my stable at Church

Done!

Emily-Mommy selfie

All done with my Covid shots!!!

Heading to the Magic Tree

With Dad

With Mom

Telling Santa what I want

(Almost) annual picture with Santa

Heading to the North Pole

St. Nicholas Day

Breaking out the Paw Patrol characters again!

I'm a turtle

Being patient at Ellie's volleyball game

Christmas ornament made at school

Ready for the VU Christmas lights

Opening curtain for the concert (all the song videos were too long to post)

Minecraft blanket!

7 Years, 9 Months...Halloween and immunity!

I found out the Monster Mash was cancelled and my reaction was, "That's ok-I won't miss any of it when it is rescheduled" because I had a soccer game already scheduled.  People are always impressed at my positive attitude and ability to let things go.  So, I was able to have my last soccer game.  There weren't a lot of players so I got a lot of playing time.  I was sad when it was over.  Even though we didn't score many goals this year, I had so much fun with my new and old friends on the field.

We are still going to Church.  Mom took Ellie and me one Sunday and then she too me to the Church pumpkin party.  We painted pumpkins, decorated cookies, and played games.  I also got to go to Ellie's youth group haunted hayride.  She hung out with her friends and I made some friends of my own.  I got to go on the hayride too and it was pretty cool.  I wish we had taken pictures!

Our school was out for two days before Halloween and Ellie and I stayed at home while Mom and Dad were at work the first day. Nana Arden came and brought us McDonald's just like last year.  Dad was off work the second day and got McDonald's and we went over to Nana Arden's.  Ellie got her flu shot and we both got treats from Hy-Vee for being brave!

I got my flu shot at school and did great!  A few weeks later, Mom took me to get my Covid vaccine!  I was really nervous, but mostly because I saw the rest of my family get sick afterward.  I didn't though!  Go immunity!

Mom, Dad, and I played tennis one Saturday morning and I had a lot of fun.  I really enjoy that sport. Mom took Ellie and me to the MU volleyball game.  I didn't want to go until they were leaving.  I'm glad I went because it was a lot of fun.  The next day was Halloween!  I wore Ellie's old Uma (from Descendents) costume for the school party.  We created an Enderman costume for me to wear on Halloween.  Mom and Dad took me around because Ellie went with her friends.  I had fun trick-or-treating, but I was really excited about handing out candy.  (I really like to change my mind at the last second and it drives Mom crazy!)

Our class took a field trip to the Audubon Society and we learned a lot about birds.  Mom was able to meet us there!  It was a lot of fun learning about birds (especially turkey vultures), hearing their songs, seeing how scientists document birds, and so much more!  I told Mom at the end, "Thank you for taking time off from your busy work to come with me."  She smiled really big and I think I even saw a tear in her eye.

Grandma Kathy came and stayed with us for a few days while Mom and Dad went to their conference.  It was so much fun having her here, and I didn't want her to leave.  Aunt Lisa brought us to and from school those days, but I had my conference on Tuesday.  Mrs. Heath said I am doing great and she is so proud of how compassionate and caring I am of my classmates.  Mom and Dad were pretty proud too!  We got another day off school after that and it was nice to have a break after time without Mom and Dad.

I am absolutely obsessed with Minecraft.  That's all I like to talk about and sometimes it gets me in trouble.  I talk to my friends sometimes during class about it.  I also forget what I need to be doing when I am playing it.  I have to stay in Mom's office in the morning because I wasn't getting where I needed to go in time.  A lot of times, she has to walk all over the building to find me after school because I don't always stay in one place.  I don't see a problem with it until I get in trouble.  Another thing I love to do is created things out of yarn and string.  I have pieces of it all over my floor, in addition to tape.  If only everyone could be so creative!

Throwing the ball in

Ellie helped me with my Halloween costume

Ellie meets Enderman

Give me the candy!

Snuggling with Molly

Bath time!

Being goofy on the field trip

Checking out the owl pellets

Breaking it open

I found a bone!

Identifying it

I'm so glad Mommy could come on my field trip

Petting the bird

Turkey vulture

Beautiful owl

Painting a pumpkin at Church (the rain washed the paint away less than an hour later!)

Decorating a cookie at Church

Yum!

Zombie-Emily

Crafting at our class Halloween party (I opted for the Uma costume)

Seriously Mom?

Cheers Harry!

Our whole class

Joint effort on Nana Arden's puzzle

Ready for the Haunted Hayride!

Meet Enderman

I really wanted to help give out candy with Bryan and Cindy

Me and Grandma Kathy

Telling her a story (one of many!)

Athena is getting away with something here...

Two thumbs up on the chili Grandma!

Leaf pile fun!

TJ helped before I got my shot

Shot #1 down!

A couple of goofies!

Balloon volleyball

Athena and Molly playing in the leaf pile

Jumping in the leaf pile