Look what I did!

I convinced the kids to dress-up together for Halloween. This is probably going to be the last year I can manage it - I had to promise Tal a really cool sword for his Captain Hook costume...but I am so excited (I know, I know - super-dork) They agreed to be Peter Pan characters. Tal is going to be Captain Hook (thank you ebay), Naomi is going to be Wendy, Calvin is going to be Peter Pan (won't he look cute in green tights) and Elisabeth is going to be Tinkerbell. I figured out all the costumes but Naomi's. They really don't sell a Wendy costume. So look what I did this weekend!!

It looks better on - but you get the idea...


I know it's nothing fancy (and trust me there are plenty of mistakes) - but I couldn't find a blue nightgown so I made one. In the interest in full disclosure - my mom was here to tutor me...but I did it. I think I'm going to try a regular dress next!

Big Bend

We decided that if we were going to be serious about visiting our National Parks we better start in Texas! Luckily we have some good friends who like National Parks as much as we do and they let us tag along with them to Big Bend over Columbus Day.

I had my reservations. 10 hours in a car with 4 kids can be a VERY scary prospect. But thanks to the modern day convenience of in-car DVD players and a very good idea from my sister (cookie sheets for each kid - allowing them to play with legos or color for hours) it turned out to be really fun! The kids love camping and we spent most of the weekend driving around the park and taking small hikes. The kids had a great time and even though it was hot they didn't complain.

Big Bend is a beatiful place. It's very different from the National Parks we have visited before - very isolated...but it has a desolate beauty. Looking at the pictures you can see what I mean.

On our way home we stopped at Balmorheal State Park - a natural spring feeds this quasi-swimming pool/water hole. It was great and the kids loved cooling off after the heat of Big Bend.

One of our hikes. This was supposed to be a short hike that led to a waterfall that we could swim in. Well, it was short - about 3 miles round trip - BUT it was also hot and led to a little waterfall that we could not swim in...not only because the signs told us we couldn't but also because it was full of leeches :)

Tal and Calvin exploring the beach that runs alongside the Rio Grande. At one point we were walking along the Rio and across the river there were two Mexicans fishing. It was so funny - only 50 feet seperating our two countries!

Santa Elena Canyon - the Rio Grande runs through this canyon.

A picture from The Window - this is in the Chisos Mountains.

At Balmorheal State Park - Tal had to really work up the courage to jump of the diving board - it was great! They also had a high dive that Andy had a blast with - showing us all his mad diving skills!

The kids had so much fun together - it's always better to have friends!

Tal turned 6!

Wow! I can't believe my baby turned 6! Tal is changing so much these days - he still says the funniest stuff and he has become so engaged in his world. We have begun dealing with the challenges and delights that accompany having a child in school - it changes everything! But he's having a great time and I'm trying to enjoy the ride too. Here are a few things I love about Tal:

• I love that Tal can get completely lost in playing. He has discovered legos this year and can sit and play with them - creating awesome little things for hours.
• I love that Tal is one of the happiest people I know. When he was little he was always smiling and laughing. He still laughs all the time...and I mean deep belly laughs - having him around is good for the soul :)
• I love that Tal loves people. He thinks everyone is his friend and is a true champion for his siblings! He loves to talk and if you get him started he can talk for hours!
• I love that Tal has an amazing memory! I cannot believe the things this kid remembers. His memory is so good that if Andy or I remember something different then what Tal remembers we will usually defer to him...he's almost always right!
• I love that underneath all of Tal's zany-ness I can always count on his good little heart!
• I love that he has the energy of 5 adults stuffed into that little body...sometimes I expect him to burst he is so full of it!

I feel so lucky to have Tal. It has been such a blessing to discover motherhood with him.

Tal had a party at a local gymnastics gym. It was great! Apparently, 5 and 6 year-olds love to run and jump...go figure! And he got a ninja cake - pretty much the best day ever for Tal!


So lucky! Grandma and Grandpa were in town for his birthday!

Naomi's new game.

Naomi has discovered that being good tends to maximize goodwill with her parents and wanting to take full advantage of that she has created a new game. It goes something like this...

Mom: Naomi, can you get me a diaper for Elisabeth
Naomi: Mom! Pretend you didn't ask me that.

Mom: Okay? Oh...Hi, Naomi. How are you? (Trying to act nonchalant as Naomi "spontaneously" runs to get me a diaper)

Naomi: (With a flourish hands me a diaper)

Mom: Wow! Oh thank you for noticing I needed a diaper!

It goes like this a few times a day. If I forget to act surprised by her "spontaneous" goodness then we have to start all over.

I love this game!

Galveston

Sunscreen...check

Towels...check

Swimsuits...check

Enough food to feed a small army...check

Weather Report.........hmmm.

One of my favorite things...

Occasionally, I give in and lay down with my kids to help them fall asleep. There is a moment, right after they have drifted away that is so perfectly still that it never ceases to fill me with peace. I love that moment.