Tell Me a Story . . . Sarah

I gave her less credit than she deserved! I assumed her story would most certainly include princesses, horses, unicorns, or fairies, but look at this. Not a single one. She has been quite focused on her birthday recently, including a daily countdown. (One month and two days to go . . .)

Once upon a time, there was a little girl. It was her birthday and she was so excited. She couldn't wait to celebrate with her friends. When it was time for her party, she went to the park with her mommy and daddy. But she didn't see her friends. She wondered where they were. They jumped out from behind a tree and said, "Surprise!" The little girl said, "I didn't know you where you were. You surprised me!" She was so happy. When it was cake time, they sang, "Happy Birthday!"

The End

photography

We spent a good chunk of the last two days at Duke Gardens, and while we were there, I took some photos of fall leaves. I hope to use them for a display in the office, and while I think I got some good ones that will work for us, I'd love to know more about the art of photography. I'd love to be able to capture a moment, or a leaf, in just the right way.

you're getting on my nerds!!

Sarah came up with a play on words the other day, thanks to leftover Halloween candy. (I guess something positive came of the extra sugar!) She kept telling all of us, "You're getting on my nerds!" and then proceeded to laugh at herself over and over again. When I asked her to show me her "you're getting on my nerds" face, here's what she gave me. Pretty believable, I'd say! (Note the box of Nerds in front of her.)

Tell Me a Story . . . Eric

Ms. Nancy asked Eric to tell her a story today. Here it is:

Once upon a time there was a race car driver. He got in an accident and he got hurt. Then he got a bandage. Now he is a race pickup truck driver. Now he works at a place where they build trucks. Now he has a new working truck. It is a crane. His crane can knock down buildings.

I like his use of "once upon a time." It's not quite the fairy tale one might expect with that introduction, but he's actually included some elements of story. (Note the conflict ,"he got hurt," and resolution, "he got a bandage." Nice, right?)

Just wait. I'm asking Sarah to tell me one tomorrow. Just a guess, but I don't think there will be any race cars, pickup trucks, or cranes that knock down buildings in hers.

Halloween, the Extended Version

For us, Halloween started four days (for Sarah) and five days (for Eric) before October 31st. (This is not including Sarah's many, many days of drawing pumpkins, witches, ghosts, and skeletons and taping them all over the house. Our house was very "festive". Eric thought it must be the scariest house in the neighborhood. I intended to take pictures of all the pictures, but I forgot . . .)

They both had school parties, with Sarah's entire day being devoted to Halloween activities. (I felt much sympathy for her teacher - that might be close to my worst nightmare . . . really, not kidding.) On Thursday evening, we attended a PTA sponsored event, where more candy was handed out. On Friday, we went over to Sarah's friends' house (Finley and Riley) for a party. Games were played, pumpkins were decorated and found, and sugar was eaten and more was brought home, along with eyeballs, creepy fingers, and vampire teeth. We had a break on Saturday (thank goodness) and then went trick or treating on Sunday.

We did our best to talk them into giving their candy to the Halloween fairy, in return for a gift, but neither one went for it. Instead, they kept the candy, and I've been eating it ever since. Thankfully, the sugar overload has waned and we're back to normal, at least as close as we can be.

Side note 1 - The eyeballs were a huge hit. Eric kept throwing his against the wall, where it would slowly roll down. And Sarah kept asking Eric, "Where'd you eyeball go?" And Eric would reply, "in my hand" or "on the floor" or "I don't know."

Side note 2 - Dana, Finley and Riley's mom, is the one in the pumpkin costume. She's hilarious and self-deprecating (not to mention kind and thoughtful). Really, think about the confidence and sense of humor it takes to wear that pumpkin. There's no way I could do it, which is why I love that she can.

Side note 3 - Thank you, Grandma and Grandpa, for coming over to celebrate with us! :)

One final thought - Without intention, we went trick or treating with some of Sarah's school friends. Sarah loved it and ran ahead with them, while Brian, Eric, and I walked behind. It seemed symbolic of the "letting go" process that takes place between a parent and a child. It saddened me a bit, thinking that she'd rather be with her friends than with us, knowing that this was one of many moments to come that we, as parents, will be left behind. These big/little moments always seem to come too soon, don't they?

NC State Fair 2010

Ah, yes, the State Fair. It's something that (for the most part) we look forward to every year. We each have our own reasons for wanting to go. Sarah and Eric like the rides, the food (cotton candy), and the animals. I like the gardens and the people watching. And Brian? I'm sure he didn't mind that Philly Cheese Steak. Below are some highlights, including an 894 lb. pumpkin, some baby chicks, a praying mantis stalking Eric, MONSTER TRUCKS!!, pig races (there were goat and duck races, too!), a juggler, a giant chair, and some silly looking clowns. Oh, and a dragonfly, a butterfly, and a bee.

GG's 90th Birthday Celebration

For GG's 9oth birthday, her children, her grandchildren, and her great grandchildren gathered together and celebrated. (Not to mention all those wonderful in-laws that have joined the family!) It was a surprise party that remained a surprise, amazingly. She even flew down to North Carolina from New Jersey, under the guise that we were celebrating Judy's 65th. (I kept telling Brian that there was no way it was going to work. Obviously, I underestimated everyone's "sneaky" skills.) We ate lots (and lots) of good food, looked at old and new photographs, and told and heard stories about GG's life. And how did GG handle it all? She was overwhelmed and very happy. And she made sure we all knew how much she loved it (and how much she loved all of us too.) What a gift.