Wednesday, October 31, 2007

Halloween 2007

Dave's carving masterpieces. Each pumpkin was chosen by a kiddo and then they picked their design and worked on it with Dave. Grace's pumpkin was short and stubby and so the bat fit just right. William liked Darth Vader and Jordan wanted Auburn's logo.


We started at the neighborhood pizza party. It's a bit crazy getting there early enough, but is a great place to start the night...and there is no other chance to really get the kids to eat real food unless you take advantage of this party. By the way, William changed his mind and wanted to be Darth Vader instead of a Jedi. He's six and we already had the costume thanks to my sister, so I guess we have the whole Star Wars costumes for future playdates.


Grace near the playground:


And Grace with a circle of princess friends:


Jordan with her "nerdy" girlfriends. I must say that I'm thrilled to see the creativity beginning to blossom in the costume selections now.


We then gathered in a central yard on our street and actually enjoyed some neighbortime. Halloween is one of the greatest times to meet new and old friends in the neighborhood. It seems like people are just hungry to socialize that night. It's an awesome reason to be in a neighborhood with kids. Jordan enjoyed a little time with her buddies and we took the little kids door to door for the classic experience. How was your Halloween?

all I want for halloween...


is my first visit from the tooth fairy! William lost his first tooth last night just before bedtime. He was on cloud 9 this morning as he went off to school with news to share. Some of the most important milestones are not the ones listed on the pediatrician's chart. It's the day-to-day events which have made me enjoy my children.

Tuesday, October 30, 2007

pictures galore

Wow. October 30th already. I honestly believe that October is one of the busiest months familywise. We've been busy since our pumpkin patch experience. Jordan and I went to a Mother/Daughter campout at the same campground where she attends in the summer. It is on Lake Allatoona, just north of where we live. It was a profitable weekend together. There are not many opportunities to have just one child alone for one-on-one time and I really enjoyed taking advantage of this opportunity. When I think of Jordan attending middle school next year I am simply amazed. It seems like just yesterday I was pondering her preschool options. She's changed a great deal in the last year and last weekend was a great opportunity to further our relationship.

Here is a picture we took of ourselves down on the Lake.


You may have heard of the 100 year drought conditions we have had lately...well, this photo is the lakebed exposed. This is normally where Jordan swims during the summer. My photos from the kayak and canoe areas are even sadder. The water which is left simply looks like puddles in the middle of the lakebed. The amazingly fun thing to do was explore the lakebed. There were lots of interesting rocks, geodes, and skeletons among the mussel shells. It was a sight to see.



Jordan got to see the horse she helped train this summer. The horse remembered her and came running up to the front of his stall when she called his name. She was elated. Unfortunately the horse misbehaved on the trail -- much to Jordan's chagrin. I am grateful that she has enjoyed her experience with horses during the summer though because it is a valuable change from our surburban life here in town.



And after the horseback ride she and her troopmates got to enjoy the heated swimming pool. 85 degrees...now that's the life, huh?



We did so many things on that trip -- scrapbooking, smores, hiking, a scavenger hunt, and laughing --and I learned more about how self sufficient and capable my daughter had become. We are so often interrupted in our conversations and in a rush to get somewhere that we miss out on those things. This last trip photo is of Jordan as we headed out Sunday morning to church. We stopped off where the lake is normally filled to the brim with water, but now has grass growing in it. Jordan is pointing to a sign she thought was hilarious given the current water situation.



Then last Monday Jordan attended the State Honors Chorus event at Shorter College. It was a long day (7 am until 10 pm), but the 5th graders did a great job. Here the kids are on a well-deserved break with their Chorus Director, Mr. Tighe:





And finally, here is a preview of my gang's halloween getup. We were in Alabama this weekend visiting family and my nephew had a halloween birthday party. Here are the kids at my parent's house:

Sunday, October 14, 2007

this weekend


This weekend we:
- attended a photoshop conference with Bert Monroy (Dave and Ann)
- helped Jordan's Girl Scout troop host a SupNSing event for about 200 girls (Ann and Jordan)
- went to the Square in our town to a Community Fun Fest
- watched Jordan play volleyball at the Y
- attended a wedding at our church
- watched an Auburn football game
- ran the AV board at church (Dave)
- attended a great Sunday service
- went to North Georgia to a huge pumpkin patch with our small group from church
- afterwards ate at the Smith House
- brought three tired kids home and I watched Dave pack for his trip to Virginia this week
- prepared backpacks for Monday morning
- and fell into bed exhausted!

Monday, October 08, 2007

william's concept of a bridal shower

Yesterday Jordan and I attended a bridal shower for a friend's daughter at our church. It was a beautiful shower and happy occassion. The shower was held at the home of a couple in our small group. A year ago their home burned while they were on a vacation and they have spent the last year gracefully surviving this tragedy and rebuilding a home on the same property. They are truly an inspirational couple.

Only 30 minutes after the shower Julia, the hostess, had planned for our small group (growing families church group) to gather at her house to eat the remaining shower goodies and enjoy potluck. She's a brave one to host two events in one day, right? So Jordan and I stayed at Julia's house and Dave brought our potluck item, Grace, and William. Dave loads them into the car and starts backing up when he hears this question from the back,

William: "Is the shower over?"

Dave: "Yes, it's over."

William: "Dad, do you think the ladies will be done drying off?"

Dave: "Drying off???"

William: "Yes, drying off from the shower they took together. Do they share towels?"

Dave: "Um, no son. That's not exactly what a bridal shower means."