Halloween

Happy Fall, everyone!

Here's my 11 year-old daughter, Emma, at the computer. Her birthday was November 3rd, and to her dismay we celebrated quietly at home (though she did get to have a sleep-over with friends this weekend).

We've been "busy" with school and the kids' basketball practices and games. Jon's work has kept him close enough to home that he's able to come home most nights, which has been nice. Tiring for him, though, since it means his 12 hour work days are lengthened by a 2 hour round trip commute.

But he's been able to see the kids play basketball occasionally, so that's been fun. Michael's time in football seems to have helped his basketball skills; he's more confident this year and tries to make baskets when the ball is passed to him. It helps that he's one of the taller boys on the team this year.

My sister Laurie came for a 2-day visit in October. It was nice having her around... we drank lots of coffee and gossipped shamelessly... probably about some of you who are reading this (kidding!).

No I'm not.

As planned, we did a little crafting together with Emma. I (unintentionally) made Jack an extremely skinny Christmas stocking, which we agreed would be perfect for giving him spaghetti, cigarettes, pipecleaners or pencils.

Laurie dressed up as a cat (of course-!) for a neighbor's Halloween party we took her to. Our neighbors have kids that are Michael and Emma's age, and they also have a cool house in the woods and the energy to deck it all out for Halloween. They had a spooky trail (lined along the way with costumed parents popping out behind trees), a fog machine, a spooky soundtrack, lots of scary snacks, a lighted trampoline, and even a zip-line for kids to go plunging boldly into the darkness. (Michael was one of the first to try it and ended up with a bloody nose, but that's another story).

All in all, it was the perfect party for middle-schoolers... I could hardly drag Michael away when it came time to go home. Emma was at a slumber party that night, but she would have loved it too.

Jack and Jonathan came over to Colfax to trick-or-treat with us on Halloween. Jack was an adorable, ferocious little tiger. Jonathan alternated between pushing him in a stroller and carrying him house to house.

It was fun seeing him and Leila together; Leila calls him "Jacky" and he's becoming her little buddy.

Every now and then I'm struck by the novelty of having a child and grandchild so close in age...

I'm also pleased and amazed at the maturity and total embrace of fatherhood I see now in Jonathan. Though, as David put it once, "he's always been kind of fatherly." As a little boy he was Susan and David's protector... now he packs diaper bags, mixes bottles, and holds Jack till he's not scared anymore (it takes Jack awhile to get used to a new place).


Well, to close, here's a picture of Dad and Leila by one of Jon's tractors. Mom and Dad came over for a visit about a week ago to celebrate Emma's birthday.

Hopefully you won't have to wait so long for my next blog :). Have a great Thanksgiving!