Rain Day!

This was a first for Team Tapper...we got to school today and had to head back home. Everything is cancelled due to excessive rain!!

Just Us...Being Us

Stumpers!!!

No winners this year! Here are the actual matches for the pumpkin carving guessing contest:
1) Classic Jack = Andrew
2) Penguin = Abby
3) Lightning Bolts = Ethan
4) Spiderweb = Jadon

Thanks to all who participated! The kids LOVE seeing your guesses :)

Happy Halloween!!

From Pirate Tapper, Spiderweb Tapper, Pioneer Tapper, and Piggie Tapper

Sixth Annual Tapper Pumpkin Carving Guessing Contest is ON!

Team Tapper has done it again! Continuing the tradition of carving pumpkins at October's end, we offer you four finished products for your guessing pleasure :)

The process was a bit messy at times! But everyone was tickled with the final products.

If you have never participated before, here is how it works:
The four carvings are 1) Classic Jack, 2) Penguin, 3) Lighting Bolts, and 4) Spider's Web. Each of these was designed and/or carved by one of the four Tapper kids. Simply write a comment with your guesses of which design went with which Tapper child!

I will give the results by November 1, and, this year, we will be offering a prize to the winner of a draw from all the correct answers!!!

Happy Guessing!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Fullness of Life

Things that are keeping me busy:

 

1) Work -- A new part-time job as a family support worker during the early mornings, four days a week, for a family with two daughters: one intelligent and delightful autistic four-year-old and one smiley and affectionate nine-month-old

 

2) Sports -- Abby starts hockey this weekend. Jadon starts basketball this weekend. Andrew has been going for a few weeks with his city hockey team and school soccer team.

 

3) One vehicle -- My trips from the house to the church or the church to the house usually total at least 6 per day. Some days it climbs to 12 or more! (Glad we live close!)

 

4) Piano lessons -- Enjoying teaching some piano again :)

 

5) Homework -- Science projects, math practice, spelling words, home reading squeezed between church and sporting events

 

6) Sam -- Puppy training is going well. He is very cute!!!

 

Birthday time!!!

 Yesterday, we celebrated our girl's ninth birthday! This amazing gal brings much joy and life into our family! Here are a few things we appreciate about our Abby-girl!

A - Artistic

Abby loves to use her imagination to create all kinds of beautiful and unique things--from stories to crafts to songs to gymnastic routines!

 

 

B - Bold

I love the fact that Abby is not afraid to make her own choices, to make a statement, to be her genuine self. While she can be shy at times, she can also be incredibly brave in her willingness to try something new or take a stand for something she believes in or desires.

 







I - Indulgent

When made aware of another's needs, Abby can be very generous and caring. She also randomly dotes on those she loves, making special cards, using her own money to buy little gifts, and being very open with affection.

 

G - Gung-ho

When Abby gets something in her mind, she gives it her all. Love that.

 

A - Athletic

Of course, she lives with three pretty active boys. She has to keep up. She loves to show her skills in the net and to put on a show with her cartwheels, back walk-overs and, certainly, the splits!



 

 

I - Impish

Abby can be a real tease. She has a very playful side. You have to watch her eyes. If they are twinkling, watch out!

 

 

L - Loyal

Abby is a great friend. She has been known to serve as a peace-maker between parties and to be very considerate of others' needs and feelings. She loves her old friends from Bangor and Aylmer and does a good job of maintaining those relationships. And she is developing new friendships here in Moncton, too.

Happy 9th birthday, precious daughter! You are a beautiful treasure, and we know God made you for a special purpose. We are delighted with how you are growing and are excited to see how you continue to develop and blossom into the person you were created to be!



The Prequel

Several have asked why we decided to get a dog. There are several reasons, but the main thrust of the decision happened one sunny afternoon when the following four pages were delivered to Daddy as he arrived home from work:

 

 

 

  

And the name has been chosen: This is "Sam." (coming home September 29th . . . all helpful puppy-training advice readily accepted!)

Another Reason to Love Kijiji

With our move, we have sold a lot of stuff on Kijiji.

For our new house, we have picked up some really nice stuff on Kijiji.

I think the following may be my favourite.

 

I posted a "WANTED" ad for birch branches! I asked if anyone had trees they might be trimming or cutting would consider offering me a few limbs/branches for decorating in my house.  A fine gentleman from Salisbury replied to my ad within a few days, offering free branches. We set up a time to meet.

 

On the day of the birch branch collecting, the kids and I loaded into the van. Upon our arrival, we were greeted like old friends and invited to the back of their lot. Our hosts fired up the chainsaw and went to the task of sawing down trees, measuring, and cutting desired lengths. Andrew got to use a hatchet a bit. All the kids helped to pull the branches out of the wooded area and to load them into the van.

 

Because we had had a lot of rain, everything was wet. We left the branches out to dry for a few weeks. Then we stripped leaves and removed undesired twigs. And now we have beautiful natural décor both at our entryway and in our living room. I am very pleased with the outcome!

 

Thank you, kind Kijiji friends!

 

Guess What??!!?

Piano Lessons

Since arriving in Moncton, Abby has really upped her piano practicing.  Here is a little peek at her progress:

First Day of School 2014-2015

 

Andrew, Grade 6, Birchmount Elementary: Mme Olivier

 

Be strong and very brave. Make sure you obey the whole law... Do not turn away from it to the right or the left. Then you will have success everywhere you go. Here is what I am commanding you to do. Be strong and brave. Do not be terrified. Do not lose hope. I am the Lord your God. I will be with you everywhere you go. Joshua 1:7&9

 

 

Ethan, Grade 5, Moncton Christian Academy: Mrs. Lewis

 

May more and more grace and peace be given to you. May they come to you as you learn more about God and about Jesus our Lord. 2 Peter 1:2

 

Abby, Grade 3, Birchmount Elementary: Mme Laporte

You will be children of God without fault in a sinful and evil world. Among the people of the world you shine like stars in the heavens. You shine as you hold out to them the word of life. Phil 2:15b-16a

 

Jadon, Grade 2, Birchmount Elementary: Mrs. Chalk (What a great name for a teacher!)

 

Christ has set us free. He wants us to enjoy freedom. So I say, live by the Holy Spirit’s power. Then you will not do what your sinful nature wants you to do....the fruit the Holy Spirit produces is love, joy and peace. It is being patient, kind and good. It is being faithful and gentle and having control of oneself. Galatians 5:1, 16, 22-23

 

 

Memories: Labour Day Weekend Camping

First Geocaching Adventure

After a day of trimming and bundling tree branches and removing fence posts from our new property, Team Tapper decided we would have some fun and try out the geocaching app on Mike's phone for our first geocaching adventure.  We struck out on foot for a hidden treasure within a couple miles of our home and followed the compass toward our goal. Once we were close, it was just a matter of searching carefully. Ethan (the hide-and-seek master!) was the one to find the hidden prize. We came home with two new marbles for our living room's marble bowl. If you want to see what we traded in, you'll have to find "Decimals Have a Point" in Moncton, NB! I think we might be hooked on this form of family fun!

 

Ethan is Eleven!!

This day was full of Monopoly games, soccer kicks, and LEGO! And we ate pancakes, sausage, and hash browns for supper! Why? Because it is Ethan's birthday!

E -- Encourager
T -- Thoughtful Citizen
H -- Hard Worker
A -- Animal Lover
N -- No-holding-back Giggler

If you have ever heard Ethan's delightful laugh, been squeezed in one of his enveloping hugs, watched him work with diligence on a project, or been put on the spot by one of his provocative questions, you know what a treasure this boy is!

We love you, Ethan!

Enjoying the Power Tools...

Did a little project all by myself this morning...

 

Yummmm!

My afternoon project with Jadonious:

 

Thanks to the Elliots for taking Tappers blueberry-picking!

Some "Normalcy" Returns...

Team Tapper is settling into our new home quite nicely.  We are still processing lots of feelings about things we have left behind, but we are also finding lots of wonderful things to be excited about in our new environment.

 

And we are starting to feel at home...as evidenced by the following pictures--Saturday night sack races in the family room and preparations for upcoming hockey camps!

 

Making a House a Home

"A house is not a home unless it contains food and fire for the mind as well as the body." --Benjamin Franklin

"The home should be the treasure chest of living." --Le Corbusier

 

"Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful." --William Morris

 

"I would be most content if my children grew up to be the kind of people who think decorating consists mostly of building enough bookshelves." --Anna Quindlen

 

"A house that does not have one warm, comfy chair in it is soulless." --May Sarton

"Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend." --Melody Beattie

"The kitchen really is the castle itself. This is where we spend our happiest moments and where we find the joy of being a family." --Mario Batali

We have been enjoying our new home very much.  Most of our boxes are unpacked and the rooms are almost all organized.  I enjoy exercising creativity in decorating and arranging things old and new.  The kids have really been loving the newness and extensiveness of these spaces. 

Of course, what we love most is sharing our space with those we love!  So, if you are near, let's make time to get together...and, if you are far, we welcome you to come for a visit! 

Beach Day

We spent a day at Kelly Beach at the Kouchibouguac National Park of Canada.  Fun!