Pumpkin Harvest Festival

I'm running way behind on posts. Intended to post this over the weekend, but it's been busy, busy.

On Saturday, we left suburbia and headed to the Southside for Greenwood's Annual Pumpkin Harvest Festival. After we attended the Fairie festival last spring and fell in love with Greenwood, I knew we couldn't miss out on the Fall fest. There was a Harvest Table filled with delicious potluck items that were consistent with the harvest season, entertainers, stories read aloud, and even a drum circle which ended the afternoon, and much more. I love this place with all its whimsy.

I regret not having Sophia wear her costume, but I was afraid to push my luck because so far, she has yet to want to wear her costume. *sigh*


Hopefully, by Halloween, she will appease her mama.

BSM ~ Glimmer of the Season

From the Pumpkin Fall Festival at Greenwood this weekend.



More more Best Shot Monday images, visit Mother May I.

AREA Champs

Last night, Domi's marching band took FIRST place for AREA in the UIL Marching Contest.

They are going to State!! He's excited, but getting some much needed rest this Sunday morning.

*One mama's kiddo has been asking to see Domi, so they'll be joining us for big last last home game of the season, to watch the band march. If anybody else is brave enough to head out on a Friday (we leave after the halftime show), let me know and I'll save you a seat!

Bird Binoculars and The Beatles

My two favorite shots from Casa T this week.





Yep, we even jammed to some Beatles, inspired by one of the children's shirt.

Maker Faire - The DIY folks

On Sunday, Domi, Sophia and I, headed out to the 2nd annual Maker Faire here in Austin, and let me tell you, this event is awesome. It's definitely a place where you can stay all day because there is SO much to do, and it's not all robots! There's crafts and other artsy things, and more. Although, when Domi wanted to go watch the robot matches, I thought to myself that it would be boring, but it was actually entertaining to watch. I think it's the element that they were all DIY robots. There is so much to see there and I don't have the photos to do it justice, just one of those things you have to experience.











I was pushing naptime, by over two hours with Sophia (why oh, why doesn't she just pass out in the stroller like every other toddler in the world?!?), so we had to leave before we got to make all the rounds, but we enjoyed what we saw. Domi was intrigued by all the science and engineering stuff, but he ended up spending the most time at the Austin EcoSchool Booth. I'm not kidding. As soon as he saw their Medieval sign, he was in there before I even realized what the booth was. *I've been admiring The Austin EcoSchool's website in recent months because of how they bridge homeschooling and traditional/public schooling. And of course, it's in S. Austin, where all the other cool and progressive places are. *sigh*

Anyhow, within seconds, Domi's is engaged in heavy conversation with the gal behind the table and is making a 'PEEP'. I browse around and love love LOVE what I see on their tables. Items made by their students from The Game of Village which is a large part of their curriculum. I'm definitely intrigued.

I then overhear her ask him, "Are you homeschooled?"

He continues working on his peep and says, "Nope. Public school"

She looks surprised. By then, I've joined them both, she looks at me and says

"Wow, his knowledge on Templars and history is exceptional. You don't see this often."

I said, "Really? Did he also tell you about the novel he's writing on the topic?"

:grin:











Yep, here's my guy, holding his peep (whom he named The Scarlet Templar), facial stubb and all, who still gets into the spirit of imaginative play.

Tuesday Funnies

If you had purchased $1,000 of shares in AIG one year ago, you will have $33.00 today.

If you had purchased $1,000 of shares in Lehman Brothers one year ago, you will have $0.00 today.

But, if you had purchased $1,000 worth of beer one year ago, drank all the beer, then turned in the aluminum cans for recycling refund, you will have received $214.00.

Based on the above, the best current investment plan is to drink heavily & recycle.
It is called the 401-Keg.

A recent study found that the average American walks about 900 miles a year. Another study found that Americans drink, on average, 22 gallons of alcohol a year.That means that, on average, Americans get about 41 miles to the gallon!

Makes you proud to be an American. =)

Ethan Turns 3!

My family always enjoys spending time with the Osborns, and on Saturday, we helped Ethan celebrate his 3rd birthday at Peter Pan Mini Golf in S. Austin. This isn't your typical Putt-Putt. It's small and old, has chipped, creepy cement characters, which many have been there over 50 years. This was Sophia's first time to play mini golf. And best of all, it's BYOB at Peter Pan. All the daddies looked happy too. This place is definitely 'Austin'.

What a GREAT party!
And Happy Birthday Ethan.



























There are a few more photos on my Flickr for those Osborns who are interested.
On top right hand side of the screen, there's a slideshow button, click that to see them full size.

BSM ~ Letterman

Here's my son (albeit, not thrilled to pose for the camera at 7:15 am) wearing his new letterman jacket to school this week. I know I often brag about him, but he has overcome so much in his academics and as well as his music, when (and quite sadly) a school advisor thought the band and music would be too "challenging" for him--and even discouraged him from joining the band when he went into middle school, and suggested going for an "easier" elective.

So, when he earned his letterman jacket after only his freshman year--whereas many students earn theirs in higher grades, I have to say, I wish these teachers could see where they were wrong.

Even during the rough patches, never, underestimate the potential of a student. Ever.

This moment melted my heart this week. And it's my Best Shot Monday.



For more heart meltings, visit Mother May I.

Halftime Madness

At Friday's football game, I decided to head down into the front part of the stands to capture the brass and drums playing their Metal Shop to the crowds after their halftime performance. The band starts by the right hand side of the stands, plays the rockin' tune, and then walk toward the middle, and then play it again, until they reach the other end of the stands. What I didn't realize was, within minutes, I would be caught in the middle of a stampede of testosterone-laden highschool guys. Initially, I thought it was a multi-guy group fight, but had to remind myself, I wasn't in El Paso, at my old high school. ;)

Either way, it got so rowdy, my brother had to literally stand guard behind me, so I wouldn't get pushed (I was more worried about my camera, than being jostled around a bit). Luckily, it lasted for only a few moments, and then the herd of buffalos moved on.

Gotta love Friday nights in high school, eh?
At least I know my kid is out on the field.







You can see a bit of the stampede at the end (before I realized what it was).

Alana

How could I have left this photo out?

BSM ~ Tender Moments

Friday afternoon, Sophia and I went to visit her cousins. They have such a nice time together, and I love how gentle and tender the girls are with her. They wore themselves out playing outside and jumping on the bed.





I can't get over how the little guy follows the girls all over the place, even outside (without shoes) and the rocks don't even phase him when he walks on them, or even when he falls on them. He just picks himself up and keeps on moving. He climbs into, and onto, EVERYTHING. Yeppers, we even found him in the sink!







These kids just melt their Auntie's heart. I'm so thankful they will have each other growing up because there was a moment in time, a reckless and foolish moment, on our part (the parents), in which they almost didn't even get to know each other. But that all thankfully changed this past summer.

This next photo speaks to me on so many levels.
I know I've said it before, but everytime I look at Serena, I see my mother.
Her brown eyes, fair skin, and red curls get me. Everytime.

This is my Best Shot Monday.