Enumerated Update

Happy Friday, friends!

Currently, the girls and I are attending an overnight school camp. Sleeping bags are involved, along with less than luxurious shower conditions. I'm sure we will be having fun, though.

Other than wearing flip-flops to the shower and applying insect repellent, here's where we are:

1) Harry Potter: So the HP series is happening in a big way at our house right now. We are ALL ABOUT some Hogwarts Academy. Lauren just finished book three, and Gracie just wrapped book one. Having never read the series, I took a peak as well, and incorporating the language into our vernacular has been fun. Skip and George are not appreciating it as much... but they will get on board soon, I'm sure.

We already have them yelling out "VOLDEMORT!!!!" periodically.

2) Election: How are you holding up? I am avoiding social media. Although the girls remember the 2012 election cycle, they do not remember all of the hostility and anger that results from elections. We keep reminding them that adults only get one vote and that it's virtually impossible to influence someone else's vote. Therefore, all a voter has to do is educate him/herself on the issues/candidates and cast an informed vote. They do not need to shout out their feelings about their preferred candidate or hurl insults toward the opposition, as is happening in their classrooms... and in my social medial streams.  

For us adults, here are some tips from the clever girls at Man Repeller.  Although these were intended for those Facebooking the debate live, this is good advice going forward. My personal strategy? Don't engage... just vote.

Don't engage.

Don't engage. 

Don't engage.  

3) Time: This is especially for those of you who are juggling multiple demands, i.e., work and family.

4) Pairing Wine with Homework: No explanation needed.






5) Gilmore Girls: I have a huge confession. A couple of years ago I jumped on the Gilmore Girls bandwagon and watched the series in its entirety. I think Skip was traveling a lot and maybe it was during the winter when things were a little slow... regardless, I watched it, liked it and will likely watch it with the girls when they are a good bit older.

(No, I did not like the last season, and yes, I look forward to the reunion.)

I especially liked the pop culture references, particularly those of a musical or literary nature. Creator Amy Sherman-Palladino infused Rory with her passion of books, and BuzzFeed once helpfully compiled a list of all 339 books referenced throughout the series. Just when you think you've read everything, a list like this pops up with additional books to consider (I have only read about 1/3 of the list!).

But so the long awaited reunion is about a month away. Yes!



Y'all have a great weekend!

Pumpkin Patch, 2016

When William George's pumpkin patch field trip was discussed, we could tell the girls were feeling a little left out of the pumpkin fun. Being fourth graders is certainly awesome, and they have activities scheduled. However, they were definitely feeling nostalgic about their past pumpkin patch visits. After George's visit to a pumpkin patch Thursday, we decided to try out a different pumpkin patch Saturday. Their favorite activities were the inflatable pillow, the pig races and the slides. Grace had a lot of success at the football toss, and Lauren liked the zip line. George was up for everything (except the zip line... next year perhaps).  

Pumpkin Patch, 5K, 2016-2017

 Last Thursday, William George's 5K class went to the Pumpkin Patch. His sisters gave him a happy send-off that morning, along with lots of advice, i.e., have fun, pick a good pumpkin, don't touch the animals in the petting zoo, etc.

The class arrived and were so full of excitement that it took an effort to corral them for a quick photo.

Our first activity was a wagon ride to the pumpkin field to select a pumpkin.  They were tasked with finding a pumpkin flower and were advised not to pick any pumpkins still attached to the vine.

George found the perfect pumpkin.  

He also found a flower, and he found a small, green pumpkin still attached to the vine. Although we thought it was really cute, we left it to grow some more.

 Then everyone voted and selected a "classroom" pumpkin.

 Next, they rode some horses, and that may have been George's favorite activity.  

After the horses, they explored the petting zoo, and then they took a quick spin on the train.

After a good time in the bounce houses, they were ready for lunch. Here is George with a friend and Brownie, the class bear. Naturally, Brownie had to have a field trip shirt as well, complete with paw prints instead of hand prints.

After lunch, George and I explored some on our own.

This is our last classroom field trip to the pumpkin patch, and we will definitely miss it. 

Weekend Update

Welcome to Monday, friends.  How was your weekend? Was it filled with all things fall-related, i.e., pumpkins, pumpkin spice flavored everything, etc.? Or, were you like many of our family members, sidelined with persistent colds. All three of the trio's grandparents are sick and have been for a week, and they do not like this harsh, alternate universe without fun-filled grandparent days. They are suffering from ice cream/milkshake withdrawal.  HA!

Skip traveled last week so we spent Friday night kind of lazily catching up. The trio played outside, while we lounged on the deck. To celebrate excellent report cards, we ordered pizza and had a fun night. We made our trek to the pumpkin patch Saturday (more soon), and I'll just say that there is something so inherently wrong about sweating at the pumpkin patch. Overall, we had a great time, and the girls were really happy to get their share of pumpkin time, after hearing all about George's class pumpkin patch field trip on Thursday (again, more soon).

We did have some excitement Saturday night with a practical joke. Recently, our neighborhood has been plagued with armadillos. Friends, I have seen one in the yard at night on a few occasions, and there is nothing really redeeming about them. Long story short, they have been eradicated by a neighbor. However, last week when Skip was gone, I would tease the girls when we took Pixie out at night. "Be on the look out for armadillos," I would tell them.

"They really like the color pink," I added.

So on Saturday night when the trio were taking Pixie out after dinner and while Skip was taking the trash out, I encouraged him to make an armadillo sound in the yard. Y'all. That little joke went awry very quickly, and it took a good 24 hours for anyone to laugh about it. They can laugh now, but they want us to promise not to do any more practical jokes.

We went to church Sunday, and then had a very low key afternoon, filled with lots of play time... and no practical jokes.

Doughnuts With Dad

Last week William George took Skip to school for "Doughnuts With Dad".  During their week of studying the letter "Dd," they focused on their very favorite thing (er, person) that starts with the letter Dd: DADS!  

They sent home invitations and spent some time reflecting on how special dads are, how they spend their time while the class is at school, and they made even completed some very realistic portraits.  

George made sure to give Skip dark hair and blue eyes.  

As for how he spends his days, George says: 

"He is working. He makes calls and he types."

George was beyond excited about Doughnuts With Dad, and Skip had a great time as well.   

Doughnuts With Dad from Cathi Lindsey on Vimeo.

Such a fun day celebrating Dad!