Note re: Names

Wondering about the names in our blog? Read this explanation.

Family Trip to the Apple Orchard

Apple trees and the Adirondacks behind

Monkey Bar Princess (this is a really cool playground)














Mums mums and more mums.

Lots of pumpkins too. We stuck with cider, apples, and cider donuts. Yum!

Pictures

Note on pictures here in our blog. Generally we've posted them so that if you click on the photo, you'll be able to see a larger version.

School days

Pictures from the first day of school - a silly one here at home....



one on the way (Patience went the other direction)...



Andante waiting outside his new school (his teacher is down the end of the line by the building holding the sign)....



and of course, Vivace and I went swimming w/his buddy . . . . gotta do something while the others are at school (and it's hot!).

The Fair!

Mommy, can we take the bunnies home?
(Really?)
(No :-( )



Animal boy watched these chicks for about 15 minutes. The little ones joined him for a few moments and he shared every detail he'd noticed with them - at length. It was hard to tear him away. He'd like us to get some eggs to hatch some year. I know he'd do the necessary work and is more than capable. It would be fun; maybe someday.




OK so the cows have been interesting . . . . but this one was Vivace's favorite by far. We'll miss them next year on the Street.



Ahh yes - the flower arrangements etc. Note the giant pumpkin to the far left and the giant sand sculpture in the background. They loved these displays.

The tongues of angels

I was "new" a lot as a kid. We moved around. Maybe it was the timing of things but it felt like we were always moving and I was always adjusting and figuring things out. So I have a certain radar for "new kids" and for wanting people to feel welcome in a new place. Yesterday, Patience came home and told me there was a new girl at school. She was very descriptive of her and was very intrigued. You see, the new girl speaks little to no English. Frankly, Patience came home asking me a question as an introduction to her conversation; "Mom, do you know any German?" Well, I do know a little (but it's been 20 years), and so I wrote a note to the new girl in very broken German, hoping to encourage her and as a way to reach out and welcome her and her family to our community. Patience came home today to tell me I made the girl giggle and smile and elicited a "thank you" as well.

You see, the Lord tells us to treat others as we'd like to be treated. This is how I always wanted to be treated when I was new, especially when I was in a 'strange' land (try moving to NY City w/a Southern drawl in elementary school - oh yes, and with glasses and being way too smart for your own good - talk about culture shock and ridicule). May the gift he's given me with the tongues of men be used for his glory, and may I someday be able to share things of much greater priority and substance with this girl and her family, in whatever tongue he sees fit.

Grandpa's Conference

 

Our annual family visit to see Grandpa at the conference center - visiting all the booths, dressing up, eating breakfast with the business folks, advertising for grandpa, and special times (including swimming in the hotel pool of course). Don't the kids look nice all dressed up? They really look forward to this every single year. It's a ton of fun for us all. Precious memories with the grandparents right here in our backyard.