No holdies, no shotguns, and no cherry bombs

Just a few of the rules for the game of wall ball that keeps occurring against our garage door. Holly and Tim got a game in while Joey was off on a bike ride. The next day all four of us were out there enjoying the good weather while it lasts.

Back Into the Swing of Things

We've been back to school for three weeks now and it seems like we've already figured out the routine for the year. Some time to play, run around, practice piano (and soon clarinet for Joe), and of course the home work.

Joey is working on a big project about the space shuttle. He got out his lego version of it and is thinking of using it as part of his presentation.

Tim is digging into 2nd grade homework, which involves more reading. He started Pippi Longstocking this evening. No word yet on what he thinks of it. Or why he was reading with a scarf on his head.

Happy Birthday To . . .

Holly!! She had a meeting in the morning and her staff used the time to redecorate her office - balloons, streamers, signs, flowers.

At home we stuck to presents and cupcakes. She did take a couple of her presents in to work - somewhere on her desk is the glow in the dark wind up jumping monkey.

Shrewsbury 08

We traveled down south a couple hours to the Shrewsbury Faire-an uber geek medieval festival with lots of knights, princesses, barmaids, wizards and an occasional pirate that slips in. This is the third year we've gone and the boys love it. The big production is the jousting and sword fighting-the boys preferred the black knight even though he was the bad guy. Holly and I like all the little booths selling handmade crafts. Lots of art, jewelry, pottery, and of course everything anyone would ever need to create a costume for a place like that. We actually bought a little set of "critter horns" that looked very nice on Holly. Sorry, no picture of that-check back in late October. The boys took their swords and wore costumes. Joe kept it simple with a black cape, but he wore it the whole time. Tim had a big black robe that he got to warm in and it went into the back pack pretty quick. In the past I've particularly enjoyed seeing Arthur, King of the Brittains who travels around Shrewsbury with his squire Patsy (coconuts and all). They were there again but much more amusing this year was the chia pet knight. His costume was covered in chia pet stuff-two pictures of him are included for your viewing pleasure. -Steve

Fifth and Second Grade Begins!

Today marked the first day of school for the boys. Joe is in Fifth Grade, the top of the school this year (on to middle school for grade six) and Tim is in Second Grade. Yesterday Joe got a call and was asked to do Safety Patrol, which he signed up for at the end of last year. Holly and Tim walked over to the crosswalk he was at so Tim could cross the street there. Tim is pictured with classmate and great friend, Elias.

Just sit right back and you'll hear a tale, a tale of a fatefull trip

The ship isn't sailing for dreamland, as you might expect. The ship set sail for Gilligan's Island. The boys watched the first and second season this summer and are bugging me to check the third out from the library now. Meanwhile, Tim occasionally sleeps in his Gilligan hat, wants one that is white, and also is asking for a red rugby like Gilligan wears.
-Steve