sisters

My friend, Sara, aptly referred to them as "sugar" and "spice" when she saw these pictures on Flickr. Yep. They are quite a pair, these girls. At this moment I can hear their voices floating down the hall from the bathroom where they have been happily playing in the tub ever since their game of "Cinderella and Merida" was called in from the yard on account of darkness. Now they're fighting over who will be named "Elsa" and who gets to use the colander (because on their way to the bathroom they grabbed armfuls dishes and kitchen tools.) Clearly the make-believe games don't end just because the princess dresses have to come off.

The kids are pretty upset with me tonight because early tomorrow morning I will get on a plane alone and fly to Pennsylvania to see my sister. They are all crying unfair! over the fact that I will see cousins without them (including baby Elsa -and whatever will I do when they find out Grandad and Yiayia are going to be there too?)

I am counting on a line-up of pumpkin carving, pine car building, and fall festival going with dad to keep them happy through the weekend, and I have already dried sad tears with promises of treats when I return. They will be just fine.

Shawn on the other hand will be alone with them for more than a few hours for the first time ever, so maybe it's him I should be worried about? Or maybe I should be worried about the so-called "perfect storm" headed towards the Northeast?

Nah. I'm not going to worry about a thing. I'm going to pack my (one) bag, my camera, and a few good books, and set out to enjoy a few short days at Maplehurst -thank you, thank you, thank you.

a skool wurk storie

He couldn't believe that I had the nerve to make him do the sheet with the (gasp!) princess on it (not just the word but a picture even! eww!) He was disgusted, angry, and on the verge of a major school day meltdown over the icky topic of princesses invading his handwriting practice (something he clearly needs a lot more of.) 

With all the compassion and patience I could muster (none), I told him to get over it and do his schoolwork.

So he did.

And it's my favorite piece of paper ever.

The end.

katie and the zinnias

a road trip recap

So, we went to Texas last week! It was fun and relaxing with unexpectedly fall-like weather, truly a break we needed. Auntie Rah is home from China for a bit before moving to India (yes, she's pretty amazing like that), so we were all thrilled to be able to spend some time with her.

You can't be in Texas in October and not go to the Round Top antique fair. I found out the best way to keep myself from spending money on things I don't really need is to shop with three very distracting kids.

The girls did manage to score some $1 beanie babies that made their day and Tristan brought home a few old plastic army men (because the 246 he already has in a bucket needed 4 more friends?)

Tristan also decided he really likes playing badminton. I decided he needs to wash his hands...

And he found the greenest, fattest, coolest caterpillar I've ever seen. We figured out it's a giant polyphemus moth, and now it's snugly cocooned in a jar on our kitchen table.

Our final adventure for the week (before the ten hour drive home, that is) was a day trip to Brenham where we toured Washington on the Brazos and the Bluebell Creamery. I hadn't been to those places in so long but found myself flooded with memories of elementary school field trips and family picnics.

The kids were only slightly impressed as they watched ice cream being made and packaged into those famous half-gallons, but they thoroughly enjoyed the free scoop at the end. So did I, as I tried not to think about the gigantic sugar tank outside...

And this one last picture really needs no words. I love these three!