All Hallow's Eve

Here is the preview of this year's costumes and pumpkins.

The 3 youngest. E has dressed up twice so far and is a different costume every time. Hopefully, I will get a picture of her in some costume.

 

Dorothy and Toto 

 

Dorothy far from Kansas- H

 

S calls herself "Ginger", our friend's dog. 

Rocking it awesome- our 80's girl R

 

Carving our jack-o-lanterns: disco ball, funky pumpkin with glasses, and kitty 

Super S 

A Penny Saved...

R has been saving her money. Well, her gifted cards from her Great-grandparents and other money for almost 2 years and was finally able to buy an Itouch like she has been wanting. I am so proud of her for learning to sacrifice what she wants at the moment to get what she really wants in the end.

It's Autumntime

Autumn time in my family means birthdays. The most recent was my dad. He turned 70. This summer when all of us kids were together we had a family birthday and this amazing cake.

My mom thought that all of us kids that live close should get together to celebrate closer to my dad's actual birthday. We decided while we were all together we would go to the pumpkin patch--a family favorite.

 

Here are all the cousins that went to the pumpkin patch on the hay pyramid. What a group of Cuties and handsome gentlemen! 

 

JR and S enjoying the train ride at the pumpkin patch. There was also a boat that we rode over the pond with creatures popping out of the water. 

 

S loved the pumpkin patch. The other girls did too. They were just harder to get to stop so I couldn't take a picture of them. 

Political Ponderings

First off, I know some of you feel really strong one way or the other. This is simply my opinion. I am putting it on my blog because only my closet friends read my blog as compared to FB were I have "friends" I haven't spoken to in over 20 years.

Last night I watched the Vice Presidential debates because I truly wanted to see what each sides platforms were. As I watched I became very frustrated with Joe Biden manners. He was huffing and puffing. He was quite rude. Then, both candidates started interrupting each other. Next, the moderator even began interrupting. It was kind of a circus. We all need to remember, just because we all don't agree that doesn't give us license to be uncivil.

Luckily, I am use to a little chaos and tried ignoring that aspect. I quickly became frustrated with Mr. Biden again for depth of material he covered. The moderator asked a question I really wanted to know both sides plan for. Mr. Biden never even gave a plan. Instead, he spent the whole time tearing down the Romney/Ryan plan. Perhaps, he is right. The plan may be horrible, but I want to hear your ideas. I don't want to hear what you think of someone else's idea. That is my job as a voter. I need to hear both sides points and plans. Then, I have the privilege of making my own mind up and voting accordingly.

Did you watch the debate? What did you think? I read reviews online to see if I was off base. According to one review,if you are liberal you thought Biden was smiling, if you thought he looked smirky you are a conservative. I didn't think it was a happy smile. That is for sure.

Another Beginning

That is right, school days are here again!

This year, E starts middle school. Oh My! She does look beautiful and confident as she heads off in to the unknown.

R is headed to 4th grade. She has Mrs. Wright and Miss Hannah.

 

H is starting 2nd grade. It is her first time having teachers that no one else has had. We have heard great things about Ms Birkes and Ms Swidrek. It should be a wonderful year. 

 

E with her walking buddy, MMS. 

 

R's friend, BJJ, is in her class again this year. 

 

H with MKJ,they are in the oppose class of the team teachers. 

 

All the girls, plus MMS, on the first day. 

 

The one token picture I took as I dropped the girls off. (I didn't drop off E. They told us not to walk our middle schoolers; that they were old enough to do it themselves. Hello, that is baby you are talking about) 

Projects, Performances, and Field trips

I am not sure how your end of the school year is, but our last month is filled to the brim with end of the year wrap up stuff. A big thanks to my friends and neighbors. I still wasn't able to lift S at this point. So, in order for me to attend they would come pick the two of us up and attend with us, or watch S so I could attend. It was a group effort. E even didn't tell me about some of her events because she thought it was too much work. So mature and sad at the same time.

H as a butterfly in her music class performance(JR took us)

E's state float- It's Louisiana y'all!

R on a field trip to a play (Thanks to Nic for the pic)

H's field trip got rained out so the teachers invited the parents to a picnic as a make up.

H's field day

R's cultural festival. She represented Denmark.

I am missing pictures from E's marimba concert and R's class play.

Memorial Day Rafting 2012

Every year we go rafting with our neighbors. I didn't go this year, but I did go get them sent off.

These pictures are on the river. Thanks to our neighbor, Doug.

JR and his boat of girls.

He was a real sport. He was by himself and offered to take our friends 3 girls that are the same age as our girls. Here he is with the 2 Third graders and 2 First graders.

M.S., E.Y., our E, and B.J.

The 11 year old girls felt very mature. It was their first year manning a raft with no adults.

They had a great time on the river and then we ended the day with a barbecue at the Reids. It was the perfect kick off to summer time.