The Constant Composer

Thankful Thanksgiving

Walking Dead Wednesday

Thankful Thuesday

Grateful Monday

Twinkies

My two favorite nine year olds

Sewing meatballs on a pillow. (stolen pic). Thanks, Mary!

Tiny Feverish Baby

The Fall in a Nutshell... or a Blogpost

Yesterday as we dined on very heart-healthy and figure-preserving tacos al carbon and beef enchiladas whilst three children ran amuck around the table, a friend said to me that she felt like it was just yesterday that we were having a celebratory coffee on the first day of school. That was ELEVEN weeks ago. Amazing. This fall has seemed like a mad dash from the get go. Here, in no particular order (because there's just too much to sort) is a peek at what we've done this lovely autumn...

We've found and photographed three Texas Historical Markers for extra credit (for a child whose Social Studies average started as a 97 - ummm... we aren't overachievers as much as pure competitors. Our goal is to have the most photographed by the end of the year.)

I've made at least 60 weekday breakfasts. Dave has made pancakes almost every Saturday and Sunday all fall long.

Nora has learned to effectively goalie AND work on her braiding skills at the same time.

My boots got a reprieve from the closet!

We've paddleboated.

We've company picnicked.

We've done a LOT of homework.

We've had a few good lunches with friends who have received some strange fortunes... or directives.

I've been to TWO concerts after a very, very long concert dry spell.

Dave Matthews Band with Katie, Susan, Lauren, Melanie, and Jen

(At which a very patient European gentleman put up with a LOT of head touching and general nonsense.)

And Sick Puppies with Jill ! Walt and I have eaten at the elementary school twice.

Walt and I rode a train.

Goats have been brushed, fed, and pet.

I've developed a small obsession for the new Camaro.

Ten baseball games were played.

I've been forced to rely on a rather complicated calendar color coding system.

We've been to Waco.

We've fallen asleep in a swimming pool.

We've been delighted at the way you can look at yourself while taking pics and videos on the iphone.

We've gone to 9 Little Gym classes.

We've perused pumpkins.

We've been to a football game.

We've been to 6 Girl Scout Meetings and one Girl Scout field trip.

We've ridden ponies. (Walt alone has had three pony rides this fall at different locations.)

We've perched on pumpkins.

Some of us have milked cows - after first asking "why are the kids touching that cow's weenie?"

See? More pony picture-taking.

We've cruised to Mexico and back WITHOUT being stranded powerless for three days.

We've drawn self-portraits.

We've had a birthday (see previous posts).

We've gotten stuck in "quick mud."

We've floated and, apparently, flown.

We've gone to preschool very enthusiastically every week.

And, we've been teaching three online classes, taking piano lessons, working on Weblos achievements, reading books, comparing puddings (so far rice is in the lead over tapioca and bread), watching Camp Rock 2, writing to Santa, Trick-or-treating, grilling, going to a 4th grade Bible Study, youth group, and practicing for a Fourth grade Christmas musical AND practicing to be Gabriel in the church Christmas pageant. We've been going to choir twice a week, riding bikes to school, learning the words to "Animal" by Neon Trees, making good grades, working hard, going to a wedding, and trying to sleep when we can find the time.

Winter, here we come!

Halloween 2010

We had some friends over.... carved some pumpkins... ate some food.... had some laughs...

The jack-o-lanterns looked great...

And while the kids dressed up and we enjoyed them... Somehow, almost all of my photos of Halloween night are of the grownups. A witchy banana, a witchy witch, a zombie, and a.... bloody clown monster?