Books 25 and 26

I finished the second book in the series Monday:

Half of the book is a series of flashbacks that make the first book make so much more sense. The first book easily stands alone, but this really adds some depth and complexity. It also ends in a way I absolutely did not see coming.

Since I knew book three was supposed to arrive last night, I read this book yesterday:

It's George Washington's journal that essentially launched the French Indian War. Brad got it for me when I was in my revolutionary rabbit hole, and it got buried the the to be read stack. It's been a while since I read a primary document, and it was so interesting to see the combination of surveyor, diplomat, and soldier play out.
 

What a Weekend

We had another fabulous weekend. 

Saturday morning I got up and went to the farmer's market. It has become a little dose of happy for me every week. I have a few farmers I know by name, and I love spending some time in the fresh air with my little market basket.

Later that morning, I picked Mom up and we went to a friend of Evan's open studio. He does welding with found metals, and Mom took home these two herons:

I just love them, and it's really fun to support one of Evan's friends as a professional artist.

Once we found a home for the sculpture, we met Issa at the mall for lunch. It was so fun for the five of us to catch up, and I'm always grateful when we have some found time together. After lunch, we split up. The boys went candy shopping, and we girls went dress shopping for Issa's semi-formal. Issa is so fun to shop with, and I can't wait for the pictures in a couple of weeks when she and Kai go to the dance.

Yesterday, I spent some time in the pottery studio, and other than that we had a really easy day. Evan and I ended the day watching the Lions game, which about took me out. I love my Lions, but good grief this season is a ride!
 

Book 24

I finished book 24 last week:

 Issa read this one first, and it's another fantasy novel with an interesting world and complex characters. I was almost finished with it, when I realized there was a second book, and I managed to get it here the day I finished this one. The third book comes out next week, and it is preordered! 

I'm really enjoying visiting these other realms. It's a nice break from our reality.

A Very Fun Corn

Issa and I both participated in Corn on campus this weekend!

For the first time, academic departments were asked to be in the parade. Our department went all in with a choreographed dance to "ABC" by the Jackson 5 and matching shirts:

We had the best time, and it was so fun to hear the students lose it when they saw us. We were also the only department to participate, so I'm extra proud of us.

We were most excited to support Issa, though:

She has spent the last several weeks rehearsing multiple times a week with her friends. She was in every dance in their skit and choreographed one of them, and it was so good! She made some good friends and had fun, which is all that we could ask for. They also came in second, which is not too bad!

Corn is just one of those things that is hard to explain. It's a class competition and a celebration of all of the best that is Meredith. Watching my seniors process in I was a teary mess. It's a nice reminder that this really is Wonderland.
 

A Different Halloween

 I have so much to catch up on here, but I want to give each event it's due, starting with Halloween!

This was our first Halloween with no kids at home. Evan was at wrestling, and Issa celebrated on campus. She and her roommate were Boo and Sully:

We opted to do the Great Pumpkin at our house again, and I added some fun yard signs this year:

Kids could choose, a toy, candy, or rock:

Rock was still the most popular! We went three 250 toys, 250 pieces of candy, and 100 rocks.

Brad said it was too hot for his full doghouse costume, but she still wore Woodstock:

I did the full Snoopy:

We had so much fun passing out candy. Every kid was so kind and gracious, and I loved seeing all of the costumes. It was strange to know so few kids, but I don't think I will ever get tired of trick-or-treat in our neighborhood.

And So It Begins

The wrestling season is officially underway:

Evan is one of the kids with someone else on his shoulders. He woke up sore this morning, but he is so excited to be back on the mat every day.
 

A Transition

Last night was a big night for Evan:

He was invited to the adult black belt class to exchange his youth black belt for an adult one:

He has been training with the adults for a while now (mostly because of his size), but he was really excited to make it official--especially since you usually have to wait until you are 16. I got a little teary watching these adults he's trained with celebrate and spar with him:

I always love watching my boys do their thing, and it's been a long time since I have been able to:

And then it was official:

I haven't seen him practice since Brad got his black belt, and he has gotten so much better. He was holding his own with much higher ranked black belts, and I loved seeing him smile and joke around with his village.
 

My Favorite Fall Tradition

Saturday, we made out annual trek to Pumpkins with Goats:

Aunt Shannon was able to join us this time, which added to the fun:

I really do love all of the goat cuteness, and we were there early in the day so they were still very interested in being with us:

My friend helped me carve a cat pumpkin this year:

Brad did a pumpkin who fell over:

The kids did a zombie and stars:

And Nana stuck with her traditional route:

Aunt Shannon won with her monkey:

We had so much fun carving, and then we spent some time petting and feeding the donkeys, alpacas, and horses. The highland cows are always the favorite, though, and Nana brought one home with her this year:

She spent a lot of time choosing the cutest cow with the best moo!

The farm has grown quite a bit since we started coming, but it's still so fun. You really can't beat a day with goats.
 

Guardian Angel

Issa and Brad got to experience another Meredith College tradition this weekend: the Guardian Angel Dance:

They had so much fun! They sat with some of Issa's friends, and apparently ruled the dance floor:

This was the only picture I got during the event during a bit of a cringy slow dance moment:

Traditionally, this event was a father/daughter dance, but they expanded it to be any mentor, and I was excited to hear that there were a wide range of folks there. (That was one of the changes the class I advised made!)

After the dance, they went to see Beatlejuice. Unfortunately, that's when Brad realized he had gotten some bad spinach and Issa was grateful that she doesn't like spinach.

Even with the food poisoning debacle, they both said it was a fabulous night, and I'm so glad they got toe experience it together.

 

Book 23

I finished book 23 on the plane home this week:

It's the sequel to Fourth Wing, and I loved it. The story and characters continue to become more complicated, and I am so invested. The next book doesn't come out until January, and I am unwell waiting to see how this cliff-hanger ends.
 

A First Real Car Experience

Evan took driver's ed late last spring, and he got the call yesterday that his behind the wheel time is finally happening this week! Brad took him out to a parking lot last night so his first time behind the wheel wouldn't be in the driver's ed car:

He is a bit more relaxed than Issa was:

He has spent so much time playing driving games and in driving rigs, so he feels pretty comfortable. Brad said he did amazingly well--nary a curb was touched. 

He will get his hours in this week, and then we will find an appointment for a permit test!
 

Lil is Married and Both Kids Have Passport Stamps!

We got back last night from a ver quick trip to Punta Cana to celebrate Lileigh's wedding! 

We left Thursday morning and had a pretty full day of travel. I have appropriately braced the kids for the traffic differences we might see, but I did not properly prepare them for the airport. We had a shuttle reserved, but it was still chaotic when we arrived. But...we made it to the resort with zero problems! We got all checked in, found dinner, and promptly crashed out.

The real fun started Friday. We ventured to breakfast and then walked down to the ocean, which was beautifully blue. We also added five new birds to our life list and watched turtle in the canal. By 11, we were meeting up with everyone who was celebrating to take a private boat out:

We got to go snorkeling for the first time:

We say a sting ray, sea turtle, shrimp, and so many tiny fish. It was truly incredible! They grilled hot dogs on the boat and put them on a stick for Issa and Brad, and we ate so much tropical fruit. We made it back to the hotel in time for some pool time, which is when we learned Evan cannot apply his own sunscreen:

We got cleaned up for an amazing dinner and the Brazilian steakhouse before we checked out the arcade. Issa is the skeeball queen:

Evan is the undisputed driving champion:

I held my own in basketball connect four:

Brad rules the air hockey table: 

The boys also drove in a Forza arcade and we girls did a little shopping.

Friday, we enjoyed breakfast and some more arcade before meeting up with the family for wedding day lunch. They had the perfect day for a beach wedding:

And we had so much fun at the reception:

I didn't get a ton of pictures, but watching all of the cousins dancing together is a core memory. Lileight and Bryan were so happy, and their friends are hilarious.

We made it home without a single snag, and I'm still smiling from the fun of it all.
 

That worked!

When I am in the pottery studio, I keep my expectations low. I have a lot of pieces that just don't work. That makes the ones that do even more special:

I made a set of these leaf napkin holders, and I'm in love. It's the first time I've played with raw edges, and I love the look. I specifically made them for my Thanksgiving table, and now I can't wait to use them!
 

Book 22

Kaitlin recommended this one to me, and I'm so glad she did:

It's not what I typically pick up. Definitely fantasy with a touch of dystopia, but I really loved it. I have already started the second book in the series, and I'm anxious to see how these characters continue to grow.
 

So Glad He is Mine

Yesterday was October 1, so that means Spooky Season officially begins. We decorated the inside much earlier, but yesterday was the first that the HOA will allow outdoor decorations, so you know I had to do it.

Before I left for work, I swapped out the wreath and door mat. I needed a little help with the rest, though:

Brad and I had full days, so it was nearly dark when we started. He does not love decorating, but he knows I do:
 

We were cracking up by the time we were finished, and I'm so glad that after 22 years he still embraces my particular kind of crazy.