Beginnings of Fall

SO - the family hasn't been up to much lately but here are some pictures of our mundane lives.

The animals always entertain us.  Gumball got herself a Cheeto out of the bag JD had on the couch.  She is a very messy eater.

 Lulu knows this and was there to lick up the Cheetos crumbs that Gumball dropped.  If only Lulu had opposible digits then she could get her own Cheetos.

 How do you know it is fall in Texas?  They take away the watermelons in front of HEB and replace them with pumpkins.

 We did have a little rain this week. 

 JD and I are still going to school every day.  Some days I feel the need to wear my lesson plans.  WOW - when did I get my mother's neck?  Getting old stinks.

 If only my neck looked as young as my legs!  Here's something that makes me glad I have a summer birthday.

 My friend down the hall turned 50 this week.  I won't be telling a soul that I'm just one year younger than her.  SHHHHH - nobody needs to know.

JD's favorite thing about primary (Sunday school for elementary age kids) is that if you tell the bishop what you learned he will give you candy.  Since JD is so deprived (ha ha ha ha ha) a little candy is always a treat.

Scog Island

I went to JD's back to school night this week (in addition to hosting my own).  Our task was to look at our child's map of Skog island . . .

. . . and then use it to locate which island our child had made. 

 I found JD's island right away because it had a Gumball feather in it.  I don't think that's how the exercise was supposed to work --- BUT --- that's how it worked for me.

Speaking of Gumball.  Here she is helping herself to my salad.  She has appointed herself alpha pet and thinks anything that comes into the house should be open for her inspection.  She enjoyed my shredded carrots but turned up her beak at the avocado. 

Back to School

We headed back to school this week. 

 JD was fine having his picture taken by the school sign. (Notice the other parents waiting their turns.)

He wasn't so fine having his picture taken at his desk.  As we got out of the car Monday morning JD dropped his water bottle and it rolled into the storm drain.  Fortunately, I had packed a water bottle for myself and gave him mine.  I am always looking for a good omen on the first day of school.  Some sort of signal that we are going to have a good year ---- losing a water bottle before you even get to school isn't good.  We had a good week and are happy for a three day weekend and some time to recover.

Cub Scout Bowling

The cub scouts had one last activity to close out the summer.  JD met the boys from his pack at the bowling alley.  The boys had a great time while the adults tried to figure out how to work the scoreboard.

85 MPH

 While driving this weekend I noticed the sheriff's department working radar on this highway.  It is the fastest in the country and allows you to drive 85 miles per hour.  How can you speed when the speed limit is so high?  I tried to take a picture of the sign but didn't do a very good job.  It's hard to focus when you are driving 85 MPH.

 The highway leads to one of our favorite BBQ joints.  I don't know which JD likes better the meat or the Big Red.

 Here is my last sewing project of the summer.  I have to go back to school on Tuesday and have been working to get JD's parrot quilt finished.

Reading Camp

JD spent this week at reading camp.  It was designed especially to help students like him who are having some issues with dyslexia.  Although it wasn't his favorite summer camp, he didn't complain too much.

 On Friday some of the students performed a readers theater to show off their skills.  JD had to wear his only green shirt because he played the part of the grasshopper in the story of the ant and the grasshopper.

While he was busy reading I was busy getting ready for my own classes to start.  Although we don't officially have to be back at school until Tuesday I decided I could get much more done this week in peace and quiet than next week when everyone else comes back.  I'm ready to go --- at least my room is ready to go. 

Great Wolf Lodge

WARNING - I have lots of vacation pictures!  Vacation is JD's favorite time of year.  We went to Dallas to meet cousins and play - BUT FIRST -

If there is a Presidential library I have to go.  This new shrine to #43 just opened a couple months ago. 

 Among the displays were these beams from the World Trade Center.

 George and George -- DARN I should have gotten a picture of George with them.

 Medieval times is part of our annual visit to Dallas.  The falcon was nice enough to spread it's wings for a photo.

 JD got his Legoland driver's licence and went for a spin.

 Ahh --  it is Ruth and Baby Ruth.  She and I spent a lot of time together.  My arms were a little sore after a couple days - I haven't worked out my "baby holding muscles" in several years.

 The water park was fun but the two older kids (With the help of Marci) were able to conquer Magiquest and become Master Magi.

Nothing is as fun as cousin fun.