i heart fall (a belated tribute to autumn)

Halloween was super. Freckles was Aphrodite and cookie was a cowgirl. We went to the Zoo for their electric safari. it was super fun, but a little chilly after dark.

When we visited the family in October we went to see "where the wild things are" with the cousins all dressed up in costumes... a werewolf, unicorn, Madeline, ballerina princess and Aphrodite.

I have no words for this.
Trick or Treat night. I wore a wig. The girls were freezing. Daddy took freckles to a haunte house, but one of them lost their nerve before they made it to the front of the line.

Thanksgiving centerpiece.

Duh... Its a candy corn out of felt. why not.

A character.

She loves pink. She loves hats and costumes. She answers exclusively to "cookie", She won't go to sleep at night. She insists on playing " hide and see" despite explanations of the word "seek". She can't help but yell out " im over here" when she is hiding. She loves books and babies.
She is learing to indentify her letters. She sings "santa claus is coming to town" at the top of her lungs daily. She asked for a "walker like grandma mary's" in her letter to Santa. She likes to help with dishes One of her favorites is to stick her nose into my coffee in the morning. She pretends to be a kitty that we have to pet. She likes to "nose"you when you aren't paying attention ( stealthily sticking her nose against you until you notice). She hates her carseat and refuses to wear a coat in the car despite the sub zero temperatures.

She gives Freckles fits when she sneaks into her room to take big sissy's treasures. She doesn't eat much. She is like a little heater at night. She likes to give you things she finds around the house to present to me ( candle, book, cup) and when I thank her she says, " I made that for you mommy".

She's a character. We love her.

homeschooling

Friday, we went to the Verhey's for a relaxed homeschool afternoon. We are taking a cultural tour of Africa. Earlier in the week we had studied Northern Africa. We had looked at Egypt and what life might be like there. Freckles found a recipe for an Egyptian desert with honey and breadcrumbs. We decided it tasted a little like pecan pie filling. We moved to Kenya next and took a virtual Safari. We worked with topographical maps and learned some swahili. We went west and just started Western Africa. Hoping Steph will tell us some about her stay in Cameroon over Christmas. We have loved drumming and carrying baskets on our head.

I have been really debating how much we want to look at Africa's sometimes tragic and volatile culture. I am unsure how I want to look at famine and genocide to my naive and tenderhearted 11-year old. Friday we are looking at Rwanda. Been praying that God will continue to develop a love and tenderness for people and that I will be able to give am honest but not overwhelming picture of our world.

the end of a good thing

Well, for 7 years I have watched Adrian, Sottlemeyer, Disher, Sharona and Natalie solve San Francisco's most unsolvable crimes. Friday was a sad day when my favorite show came to an end. I am happy that Monk was able to solve his wife's murder and that he seems emotionally better off than ever. I am also super excited that Disher and Sharona are together ( I always knew that was coming). I will miss seeing Monk obsess about his many phobias, watching my girls do the Monk Dance during the opening theme, and seeing cookie and scurvy say " here's what happened.". I have not missed an episode and have most seasons on DVD, but it will not be the same without "Monk" and pizza on Friday nights. Thank you Adrian for always being crazier than me and for never finding a case or problem that was unsolvable.- you are my hero.

If you love Monk, tell me your favorite episode...Long Live Adrian Monk.