Spooky Start

Everyone - even Piper - got Halloween socks and a spooky breakfast.

And I was delighted to find this not-so-spooky note on my desk this morning.

 

Jeff Kinney and We

 

OMG WE MET JEFF KINNEY

Hands down, our favorite author is Jeff Kinney.  Wimpy Kid books are treasured friends, who both kids turn to time and again.  Today was release day for the latest book (Big Shot) AND the day of the author's book signing at Hooray for Books.  But instead of just doing a Covid-safe pick-up-a-book-event, Kinney put together a drive-through celebration of Greg's world.  We had a giant soccer ball kicked off the front of our car, drove right over the stinky cheese, and tossed an enormous basketball into the hoop through the sun roof after grabbing our signed book (and a photo with Jeff!) from a lacross stick basket carried by the author himself.  We were all pretty excited to meet him (and nervous about being characters in his next book) and thought the event lived up to the hype.  Hooray for Books!  Hooray for Wimpy Kid!

 

Weekend Update

Max hides from the camera.  Evelyn still lets me get shots of her playing Mario Kart with Conrad (and Max), hanging to read and play with Mr. Quakers on the porch, and enjoying Girl Scouts.  And we all had fun at a family cookout Sunday night.

 

Outdoor Art

 

Book Club

Book club is 8 years old, and this month we all got in on the prep work, helping chop, peel and dice the ingredients for a delicious chicken curry with turmeric roasted cauliflower.  While the club enjoyed dinner, we enjoyed Guapo's take out and watching Jungle Cruise.  Thankful for the together time Book Club gives us!

 

There's a storm moving in.

Max and I walked Piper Saturday afternoon, and were floored by the color and strength in the sky.  We said "it must be 10 degrees cooler than when we left," and when we got home and checked, we were right.  10 degrees cooler in one, 20-minute walk.

 

Friendship Tree

Evelyn and her friends had a great time climbing the Friendship Tree after tennis Saturday.

 

Homework

There was lots of dramatic time during math homework, and then Evelyn was entranced watching the 1968 Romeo & Juliette for some optional drama homework.  Fourth grade has been acting it out in drama class, and it was cool to compare how her classmates played the roles v. the actors in the movie version.

 

Game Day Ready

It was a gorgeous, cool fall morning to watch the Reds take on the Loudon Outlaws.  We're getting pretty great at making comfy spots to root for #2.

 

Yearbook Ready

Looking good on school picture day!

 

Home Girl

The biggest adjustment this school year has been the volume of homework for fourth grade.  Evelyn is handling tracking the assignments - and buckling down to do the work - like a champ!

 

Parting is Such Sweet Sorrow

 As soon as the door closed and we pulled away from the curb at the airport, Max said "I miss them already and I don't want them to go, but man... I am TIRED"  Everyone was a little sad and a little ready to relax on the drive home.  And by dinner, we were plotting the fun to be had next time we're together!

From Aunt Syd