So that last week of October seemed to get swallowed up with camping, Halloween, a visiting Nena & Bill, and all kinds of crazy choatic-ness. I’ve got photos and posts to share about it all, but it just might take a few more days for me to get accustomed to it being NOVEMBER before I get it all up!

I am participating in the Thankful November on Instagram this month. You can follow along – I’m cvoris – if you’d like, or I thought I’d just post the weeks worth of “Thankfuls” each Sunday. That way I’ll have them all in one spot when I make a hard copy of my blog for the girls. Ahem. Yes. THAT is so going to happen. Get right on it.

Anyhow – what I gave thanks for this week:

Day 1:  Thankful we still have the arts in our school. Em and her class took a field trip to the Walt Disney Concert Hall to see the LA Philharmonic. They were encouraged to dress up and she chose to wear this. (Another reason to be thankful that morning, she looked like a little girl instead of a tomboy…like usual!)

Day 2: I’m thankful that Addie has caught the school and reading “bug.” I love walking into the playroom to scenes like this…she has been playing teacher to all of her stuffed animals and dolls. I guess I’m also thankful she got Mrs. Peters as a teacher this year, too. She has inspired both of my girls to a new level of thinking.

Day 3: I’m thankful that J has a job that allows us to spend our days off at the “happiest place on Earth!” I’m also thankful that it really is one of my “happy places.” Bill asked me how many times I’d been on Pirates of the Carribean and if it ever gets old…and although I can’t even guess how many times I’ve been on the ride (it’s one of my faves), I’m happy to say it never, ever gets old. (This pic is not on Pirates, though. It is on Hollywood Tower of Terror. Em decided to brave it again…the last time she had been on it she was maybe 4 or 5? I guess it was her first AND last time and she hated it. Friday she decided to give it another try and she decided she kinda likes it!)

Day 4: I’m thankful for Birdie #2 who brings beautiful flowers over just because, is the most creative, crafty Mama I know, and is my shoulder when I need one. Love you Mommy Jamie.