Eliza has been very patient while I've been working at getting the kids into their new school schedule, however, I know she is feeling not having enough attention from her mom. Today I told her pretty soon I will be able to spend more time on her pre-school. She asked why I didn't just make the kids' school work easier. I asked her what she would suggest and she replied that I should let them paint all day.

She loves playing with play-dough and has been known to be occupied with that task for three hours at a time.

The other day, I can't remember what we were listening to, (maybe a conference talk?) that had big words that she couldn't understand. In frustration she asked, "what are they saying? Why are they talking in Spanish?"

She is so cute and I am glad the kids are finally getting settled into our new school routine so I can take time out and enjoy her.

I got to go to the pumpkin patch with Derek's kindergarten class. Norah loves pumpkins. She has been practicing and can say "pumpkin" pretty well now. She says it when ever she sees one and would like nothing better than to have me carry her around all day with her in one arm and her pumpkin in the other. I wonder what she is going to think when it comes time to carve them...

She did not like the hay ride. She tolerated the ride to the patch but did not want to get back on. That's when we started practicing the work pumpkin. She also learned how to say "corn" although she probably thought I was crazy pointing to those withering stalks and calling them corn. They look nothing like the frozen little yellow kernels she likes to snack on.

She also likes to say shoes. She likes to put them on and go outside. She will also bring me my shoes so I will go with her.

Although her words are still limited, she can definitely communicate. From Target's $1 section I bought Halloween and Fall plastic plates that have different sections in them. Earlier this week when I made Norah's lunch, I put a sandwich in one section, some carrots in one, and nuts in the other. (It's so strange that she likes and can eat nuts and carrots.  My other kids only had a few teeth by this age.) That left one section empty. She pointed at it, looked at me expectantly and grunted. She got half a graham cracker there.

Emma played the piano while Emma Baugh played the violin for Activity Day Recognition Night. She is doing very well in school and with her enrichment subjects afterwards.

Merian is so dependable. She has been getting her homework done early and I don't even have to tell her. I am looking forward to having her home, when ever that may be.