...in this carnival world

It's fall festival season around here, and we had the chance to visit one of our favorites recently. The boys participated in a summer reading program that led to treats....

....and certificates

silly faces with their friend Darius

They make the big trek on their own these days....

and even give me an occasional pose

I caught them on the Dragon Wagon

And setting up for darts

water gun races.....

....led to some loot!

If you feel like a trip down Memory Lane, check out last year's trip, ending with comparisons from years past

Jimmy Buffett's Carnival World

You better not let 'EM in.....aaahoooo!

The boys officially became wolves last week. They had a fun year as Tigers, but looked so proud to get their new yellow neckerchiefs!

They got to make smores afterward. Their friend Zach (background) will be a Tiger this fall - welcome to the wild-er-ness!

Warren Zevon's Werewolves of London

Come on, take down your fishin' pole, and meet me at The Fishin' Hole

The boys' scout den got together for a little fishing on our neighborhood lake this afternoon - couldn't have asked for better weather or make biting....just missed Daddy something fierce!

Jack, Joe, Harry, and Grayson checking out their chances

Jack has mastered the chill of fishing
Joe and Jack

Jack reeling one in while his number one fan cheers him on

Harry and Jack investigating one of Jack's catches

Harry baiting the hook with Jack chilling in the background

Harry mastered the worm

Joe watching Harry reeling in his catch

Harry got a little help from a friend's mom

He caught a little beauty

Fishing and a cookout - pretty great afternoon in the country :-)

The Fishin' Hole (Andy Griffith Show theme)

Writin' fan letters

The last half of Harry's Star Student week got snowed out, so he got to extend into this week. His friends made notes and pictures to tell him what he means to them last Tuesday, and he had a lot of smiles telling us about all the friends and their writing and drawings. He's looking even more forward to getting to know next week's start student, Alexis, better after experiencing all the fun he had during his turn!

Thanx to his teacher and all his friends for making this week so much fun for Harry!

JB's Pencil Thin Moustache

Just like a star across my sky

Jack had his second day of Star Student, so I tried to start it off with a little special lunch surprise - he loves, and I mean loves, PB and anything....today it was PBJ, tomorrow he wants PBB(anana), tho we haven't been able to convince him to fry one ala his favorite Elvis ;-)
Timing is everything, Harry brought this home today:
I am thankful for my brother Jack. We do things together! I love art. He loves PuzzleMania! Happy Thanksgiving

Jack's class wrote special cards to him today, and he got to bring them home to share with us. Many of them had pix and/or writing on both sides, but these are the best views - thanx to everyone who said such nice things. Jack is one lucky boy!

Corrine Bailey Rae

When you wish on a load of hay

Our neighborhood has a hayride every year, some number of trailers filled with kiddies - they cover the entire neighborhood, stopping at either the entry to a cul-de-sac (there is a bit of a competition for best party) and specific houses that really get into the spirit of things. It's a blast, but I learned this year that when they first started it, there was only one trailer of kids and the second trailer carried the parents....it's good exercise now, but I'm thinking the party ride might have been fun too ;-) Dean had to leave for a business trip, so Aunt Jackie came along and lent a hand with the corraling of kiddies

They do approach things differently

Leaving the wonderful Mrs. R's house, always the first stop

Harry ended up with as much straw in his bucket as in his costume

Jack and Joe mid-transform

Mass exodus at one of the houses

Jack and Aunt Jackie en route

Harry is forever showing us the way, still our Human Garmin

The Harvey Girls' Hayride

Someone's In The Kitchen With MOMMY - Halloween edition

Jack has been my go-to kitchen helper lately, and he did a great job helping make these Halloween tortilla chips (we followed the recipe but added oil before popping in the oven and found that salting them before cooking made them even yummier!
Apparently, watched chips DO brown ;-)

Harry was invited to a shindig down the road, and he wished everyone a Happy Halloween with the chips

and thought a pile of leaves at the end of a big slide was a great idea! Thanx for including us in the spookfest, Kirsten and crew :-)

It was a busy day, because our cul-de-sac decided to party the nite before the hayride - great call, Dana and Colette - we had a wonderful time despite the fact that none of the pix came out well.

The boys have had an on-going love fest with Mrs. Shaeon, who spoils them rotten. This was their 2010 haul, but the hugs were their favorite part!

Thanx to everyone who helped us have a great Halloween! Next year, the party's on at our house :-)

Nat King Cole's Someone's In The Kitchen With Dinah

Destination Anywhere

The boys are participating in Destination Imagination this year, and I get to help coach with a fun friend! My bags were packed early this morning,

and we had a great time getting to know the kids and their parents tonite at a local restaurant. The theme of the Rising Stars (1st and 2nd graders) is Big Bug's Bad Day, so it was all bugs all the time. Thanx for a great evening Rashmi, Harry, Erin, Jack, Kaitlyn, and Isaiah :-)

We can't wait to meet our final teammate and get started after Thanksgiving!

The Commitments