A few more from fall

Now that we have two cameras firing there are always pictures straggling in after I've posted. These are a few of the things we did this fall: Audrey in soccer; a weekend in Hemet with hiking in Idyllwild and climbing at Park Hill Chapel; more Halloween; jumping on the trampoline; and cozy nights at home. Happy Thanksgiving!

More birthday wishes

The big day is tomorrow - we wish we could be eating cake with you. Happy birthday, have a great trip, and give kisses to Laila.

Happy Birthday Nanie!

We're a couple of days early, but we know how much you enjoy our blog.
Happy Birthday Nanie! We love you!

Happy Haunting

Halloween was a blast. We were all set earlier in the month for Audrey to be a witch and Claire to be a bunny, but I found the Madeline costume and couldn't resist. The sale rack at Joann's yielded a dirt cheap nun's costume so I was Miss Clavel. Mark bought his goggle eyes in Korea. We went to the trunk or treat at church Saturday night. Sunday we carved our pumpkins. I used a knife and spoon; Mark used his power tools. Halloween morning we were off to school for the costume parade and Audrey's class party. The school looks so different crowded with adults and children in colorful costumes. Audrey's party was packed with activities and crafts, relay races and bingo.

Dinner was brown rice and vegetarian chili so I could feel good about letting the kids gorge on sweets for the rest of the night - which they did with enthusiasm. I found the wrapper of a full size Snickers bar in Audrey's bag. When I asked her if she'd eaten the whole thing she looked thrilled - her eyes lit up and she proudly said "YES!" I took the girls out first. We trick or treated with a group of kids and parents from our neighborhood. One of my friends commented that Claire was making pretty good time this year compared to last year. It's true, she had much more interest and much more stamina for trick or treating. She kept up with her sister and the other bigger kids, and I laughed so hard when she came tearing down somebody's driveway determinedly yelling "Next house, here I come!"

The girls ended up bringing home more candy than I bought to give away - not such a bargain for our teeth, but our stomachs are enjoying it. They emptied their bags out twice and went back for more. Mark took Audrey out for a last lap around the next block while Claire and I handed out our rapidly dwindling candy. I pilfered the cheap stuff from her bag to give away when we ran out. I can't stand the thought of her eating Nerds or Bazooka anyway.

Halloween is such a wonderful, selfish holiday. It's fun to carve pumpkins and give out candy, but that's not the best part. The best part was hearing Claire's gleeful charge and watching Audrey's silhouette against the orange light of the streetlamps - her skirts flying and her hand on her hat - dashing from house to house. It gives me a proud feeling deep inside because I know they understand what the holiday is really all about: free candy.

Knott's with Nanie

Mark had to go to Korea for work so my mom came to keep us company. We had lots of girl time - shopping, lunch, hours of talking. And we went to Knott's one afternoon and made my mom get on all the rides. There was hardly anybody else there so we did a few things we've never even tried before - the bounce house and the wild west show. We also went around on the trucks 5 times without getting off. We ate some serious nacho-style cross-cut fries and then I had to go on the swings with Audrey (Mark's job, usually) but I managed not to get deadly dizzy and barf. Audrey refused to go on the log ride so my mom decided to go on her own. I was poised to take her picture coming down the chute but when I heard her shriek I started laughing so hard I missed it. Later she and Audrey went on the roaring rapids ride twice and came out soaked. I got some good film of them going by the second time around. It was a memorable day.

Funny faces

My kids crack me up. They need a lot of help - meals, rides, new shoes and kisses for their many injuries. Thank goodness they make me laugh so much.

Girl Scout Encampment

Audrey's Brownie troop went to the Fall Encampment in Long Beach - a full day of crafts and games, songs and skits, with costumes and trick or treating at the end. I took her after her soccer game and we had a great time.

90 degrees in October

Fall keeps toying with us - cold then hot then cold then hot. We had a few sweltering days early in October and went to the beach to cool off. Claire stepped on a bee but luckily it didn't hurt until we got home.