Halloween 2010

Another Halloween has come and gone.  We did it all.  Parties at school, party at our friends, lots of stress over costumes (on my part), stuffing our faces,  carving pumpkins, and lots and lots and lots of candy.

 The boys got home and sorted through their candy by making bar graphs with their stashes:

First Day of School

So here is what happened.  We took a week off of school when my in-laws were here.   And then it was Monday and we went back to work.  And we started at 8 and ended at 6 (which was pretty typical.  I don't understand how people do homeschool so quickly.  I was teaching three grades and it took a lot of time).  And there was weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth.  And I had piles of laundry.  And I had an empty fridge.  And I felt rage.  And I prayed about sending them to school.  And I don't often get clear answers, but that decision felt like the weight of the world had been lifted from my shoulders. So the next morning we drove straight to our local public school and enrolled.  They started that Wednesday.  And they love it.  But I am so sad.  I am sad homeschooling didn't work for us.  I am sad that the math and reading isn't challenging.  I am sad that public schools in the US are mediocre (even in Virginia where they are supposed to be the best in the country).  Mostly I think I am sad we aren't at NPA.  Yup, I think that is it.  Moving stinks sometimes.  I m not a huge fan of change. But the kids are happy and I have my life back.  

Tucker the big third grader

 Anders in second

 Clara just happy to be a part of the commotion

 Lucy in fifth

 The back to school crew

Shenandoah in the Fall

 We spent a day in Shenandoah while JLynn was here.  It was beautiful, although I am in homesick mode, so I really would trade my right arm to spend a day in Big Cottonwood Canyon instead of Shenandoah (I am trying to bloom where I am planted, but some times it isn't as easy as other times).  Anyway, we went on a small "hike" to a little waterfall.  We even saw a bear (well I saw it's hind end vanish into the woods and others saw more and others saw less).  We ended the day with some BBQ.

DC Day

On Wednesday we had tickets for a tour of the capitol.  We thought it was the cool tour with the pages, but alas it was not.  And we had a really enraging encounter with brain dead security at the capitol.  You can read about it here.  All I want to say about it is this: "Those who would give up liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty or safety."--B. Franklin.  Anyway, moving on, after the capitol tour we headed to the National Portrait Gallery where there was a delightful Norman Rockwell exhibit.  My kids loved it, as did I.  Then we headed to Ford's theatre for the last tour of the day, then off to M street and Thai food.

Gettysburg

After our morning in Lancaster and our geriatric lunch we drove down to Gettysburg.  It was so incredibly beautiful.  They have built a fantastic museum recently and the movie was excellent.  We also decided to buy the audio tour, which I was very glad we did.  It was such a pivotal battle and the tour made it so much richer.  So when you go to Gettysburg make sure you borrow it from us!  Anyway by the time we dragged everyone out of the gift shop, some screaming hysterically [(see videos below) (Seriously, if the world was made up of gift shops and nothing else, I am pretty sure my kids would be in heaven)], it was nearing dusk and the lighting was amazing.  It was so beautiful.  I wish I could have captured it.  It got dark before we finished the tour, so put this place on the list of must do again's.

 Little Round Top.  So tragic.  

As for the insanity pictured below, this was at least ten minutes in.  It began when I tore Clara away from the gift shop.  She was howling and kicking and screaming and drawing all kinds of attention to us.  Seriously, it was pretty funny, if you think tantrums are funny, which I do.  She kept running off into the shubbery yelling, "Just leave me alone!  All I want is to be left alone!"  So hiliarious.  I'm just glad I caught some of it on tape.  I'd like to catch her at her worst more and make a video montage to give her on her wedding day.  Or maybe on the day her first child is born.  Yes, that would be a good idea.  

Further Adventures in PA; Lancaster

So in the morning we headed to beautiful Lancaster County.  I feel slightly embarrassed to say we paid to go on an Amish buggy ride tour.  But in the end it was pretty awesome.  I'm glad we did it.  Our guide was great and we got a tour of his farm and bought our pumpkins for pennies.  The shopping was fun and the highlight of Lancaster may have been the rest home style cafeteria we ate at for lunch.  Seriously.  This place was like Golden Corral, only with more of a retirement home ambiance.  It came highly recommended, but I think the recommenders average age had to have been 85.  Oh well.  It was a really fun morning.

Adventures with Tutu and Papa: Philadelphia

On Monday we drove up to Philadelphia.  I would love to spend more time here.  It seems like a really great city.  We hit up the Liberty Bell.  The last time I saw it, it was under a little pavillion.  There sure is a lot of fuss made over a broken bell.  Now there is a massive museum and security and...well never mind.  It was cool to see. We didn't have much time to explore, but did make one of the last tours of Independence Hall.  We hit up Reading Terminal Market at closing time.  We did manage to grab a bite to eat (my Philly cheesesteak lived up to the hype).  I am very interested in going back there.  Food glorious food!  All in all a fun day.

 (Courtney loves to pose it up for me.  This was a good one)