Out with the old, in with the "new" van, and we sold the truck

The transmission in our old Honda van went out a couple weeks ago, so we moved the family into the truck.  The search for a newer van continued for a couple weeks, and we found one we liked in Waterloo.  Its a 2008 Honda Odyssey, blue, with more features than our old van.  We love it!

We also sold the truck this morning to a guy from Des Moines.  Glad to have that off-loaded!

Calvin's first field trip to Hartman Reserve

Calvin's preschool class went on their first field trip on Tues the 18th of Oct.  He was so excited to go, knowing he got to ride on a bus to get there.  I had the morning available to go with him, since I had to report to jury duty later in the afternoon at 1:15.  Dave stayed home with Vanessa while I went with Calvin.  (Dave had taken the day off so I could do jury duty)

I arrived at the preschool a few minutes before they got the kids loaded on the bus.  First Miss Jesse explained the kids needed to stay sitting on their bottoms with their backs against the seats the whole time. 

We got on the bus, and he was smiling so big.  He enthusiastically noted everything he saw outside the window.  He wondered why the bus was so loud, and enjoyed every bump.  He was also impressed that the bus obeyed the stoplights just like our van.

When we got there, we lined up outside the bus and walked down a windy trail to the main building.  The kids lined up on a big step for a photo-op and then had 30 minutes to wander around.  It was like a little mini museum with turtles, toads, snakes, and other things to look at.  Calvin was fascinated with the large snapper turtle, and the smaller turtles who were "waving" at him.  The toads in the tub didn't even move.  A man got the snake out of the cage and let the kids touch him. 

 Calvin's turn cranking the wheel to smash his apples:

 The apple juice was really delicious!

 Mom, like the primary colors? :)

Vanessa loves brushing her teeth

Tonight as I was getting Vanessa ready for bed, she got SOO excited to brush her teeth.  I always get her brush ready, sit on the floor, and wait for her to come over, she knows exactly what to do by laying down and opening her mouth.  Well, tonight, I did that same thing, got her toothbrush ready, and showed her so she'd run over.  She RAN over to me squealing and screaming, paused by my feet, spun a quick 180, and threw her body straight back against me.  Like falling straight back, stiff body, from standing to laying down immediately.  She did it so fast I couldn't even stop her.  If the top of my leg hadn't broken her fall she could have easily knocked the wind out of her.  Dave watched the whole thing and we laughed and laughed....such a goofy girl.

River house for sale with one offer

Regarding the river house, Dave and I recently got the SBA out of the picture, so we decided to list the house for sale (as is) for the next 6-8 weeks before winter hits to see if it will sell for an acceptable price.  If it doesn't, we will proceed to start slowly fixing it up. 
Gary, our realtor, said an offer on it may be presented tonight!

eta:  An offer did come through last night.  The potential buyers are a couple in their 40s, wanting to fix it up and live in it.  Thank the Lord that the previous person who had interest that we haggled with for a year did not take any more interest in it.  Gary is bringing over the offer for me to sign tomorrow (Dave is in TX so will have to fax with him)!!!   It is a full-price offer, they offered exactly what we listed it for.  Please pray this offer goes through to closing so we can close that chapter of our lives.  Closing is set for Nov 18th.

Violet's dreams

She has been having nightmares lately and scared to go to bed at night because she says she is scared and doesn't know how to wake up when there is a bad one.  Stuff like people shooting her with guns and her being lost and scared.  Its something a parent really can't do much to help other than praying.  We have been praying at night that she wouldn't have such scary dreams but she keeps having them.  She was hysterical a few days ago and said she was mad that even though she asked God to help her not have bad dreams she kept having them.  Not really sure how to respond to that one.  Tonight when she and Calvin went to bed, she immediately got out of bed and told me she was having a hard time finding something nice to think about to try help her have nice dreams, that she could only think of bad things.  I told her to think about cinnamon rolls and donuts, and it made her giggle.  She said, "I think that will work!" And went off to bed.  I wonder what she will dream about tonight?

Calvin and the leaves

Calvin was in utter fascination with how many leaves had fallen in our back yard today.  Violet and Calvin are excited to see the seasons change, and they are anticipating the first snow fall already.   On the way home after I pick Violet up from school, we pass the same trees on the road and she notices the changes daily.  One tree went from dark green, to bright yellow, to losing all its leaves with in one week. 
Calvin came home from preschool today and got a chance to run around the back yard, and was screaming and excitedly throwing leaves into the air.  He laid down in the grass, spread his arms out, looked up at the yellow-leaved tree, and sighed in contentment.  It was fun to see him captivated by something we easily take for granted. 

Cravings

I have to list all the things I've wanted to eat in the last week....

- peanut m&m's
- processed american cheese slices (I never buy this stuff and a package ended up in my cart this morning!)
- dill pickles
- sausage and eggs together
- lasagna
- ICE cold water
- iceburg lettuce with italian dressing

Yep, definitely pregnant.  And coffee is still a no-go, and neither is chicken.  I'm planning burgers and beef/noodle soup for the next two dinners.