At Considerable Cost

Our elementary school holds Grandparents' Day on the last day of school before Thanksgiving break.   It is a kindergarten tradition to put on a Thanksgiving show in each classroom.   Thomas was so excited about the performance and his guest, my Aunt Betty, his great aunt.   She is my mama's older sister and we love it when she can visit!      

  Avoiding all Halloween décor in favor for only harvest items?    Nevermore...   http://www.crisismagazine.com/2013/all-hallows-eve-or-Halloween   ...but that's a whole other post.   Our Poe little display (technically, those aren't ravens, I know) Poe, but proud.   I'll stop now. Pumpkin Patch Pictures First Kindergarten Field Trip:  Oil Ranch Thomas woke us up at 6:00 that morning, dressed and ready to go.   He was so excited and I am so very thankful I was able to chaperone.   It's the first field trip I've ever been able to attend as a parent, since I always had Thomas home with me for the girls' trips.   As his smile shows, he had a fantastic time! Kindergarten Dress-Up Day & Pumpkin Party!   I love his teacher's classroom parties.   The children attend fun stations with games, snack-making, arts & crafts, etc......

This was meant to be last week's Tuesday folder, but blogging has taken its place behind our family activities.   Time to catch up a little! Shoes, Shoes, Shoes We did some serious shoe shopping two weeks ago.   It's the first time we've had to buy multiple pairs of shoes for several children.   In the past, we've had shoes handed down or shoes bought on clearance the year before and put away until they fit.   They were all very happy with their shoes.   For each of the girls, I gave in on one pair of cute, non-sensible shoes.   E has not worn hers yet, so no pictures, but C wore her to RE (Religious Education) and mass.   I think she's still in shock that we bought them. Her new dress that she calls her "Annie" dress--such a sweet, classic little-girl dress! Since we don't have any living grandparents, I feel like I have to buy some of the frivolous things grandparents today often buy.  ...

The drought is getting to me.   Deadness, dryness, stressed plants and trees, oppressive heat (and I grew up in south La., so I know oppressiveness in climate), triple digit temperatures as the norm... It just seems so endless right now.   I worry about farmers who just want to make a living and hold on to what is usually family land and a way of life that has been passed down through generations.   My children are outdoor children and they are getting a little cabin-feverish.   Okay, a lot.   Plus, I hate to add up the amount of money we've spent on Happy Hour 1/2 price drinks at Sonic this summer. So my thoughts are going even more passionately toward that place where they usually tend to wander around August and September: that first crisp fall day.   One of the most glorious days in existence.   On that first crisp fall day, I shall: Walk with a spring in my step. Let my children pick anything they want ...