Creepy Cinderella (7 years old)

 

 

An older couple passing out candy asked Sofia who she was and she said “creepy Cinderella …some day my zombie prince will come”.

Pre Halloween Celebrations at the Dallas Arboretum

 I get the feeling I'm being followed and I just came here for some candy! Can you help me?

 

 

Halloween A Variety of Carmen Mirandas

 

Halloween Pumpkin Carving

 Preparations for Halloween: 

 

Refreshing

 

"You are the cool breeze on a hot summer day!"

Festival of Flight Long Beach Airport

 After a morning working in the garden we took a short ride to the Long Beach Airport to see the annual airplane show "Festival of Flight". It's a free day for the family to enjoy up close and personal looks at all kinds of air transport old and new. I wish my grandsons could have been with us. They would have loved to see all the airplanes and helicopters.

 

Stay There

 

 

                            Sofia with 2 week old Rocco

"Close your eyes, 

fall in love,

stay there." -Rumi

Sofia's Girl Scout Hispanic Heritage Badge

 

The other day Sofias Girl Scout troop earned their Hispanic heritage month patch

with empanada making, candy skull decorating and a salsa dance lesson! I think Rocco who tags along is their troop mascot. He has a good time wherever he goes.

 

Moonlight in Vermont

 

" Pennies in a stream
Falling leaves a sycamore
Moonlight in Vermont..."-John M. Blackburn

 

 

Jude's Trip to Wollongong Part 2

One of the exhibits at the Wollongong gallery that Jude and his mom visited the other day. Athena said “Mom, this is a beautiful hanging sculpture made with wet clay. It has delicate elements like hummingbirds and flowers. As it isn’t dry clay, it naturally breaks and falls apart onto the black mirrored surface below. So very ephemeral and performative over the course of the show.”

 

Pumpkin Time

 Aria asked Rocco if she could take a picture of him with his pumpkin and he ran over and sat on it!

 

Jude's Train To Wollongong part 1

The other day Jude had a wonderful day out with his mom. They took the train to Wollongong a coastal city in Australia, south of Sydney. 

 

There they saw an interesting exhibit at a gallery and then had sushi for lunch (one of Jude’s favorites). 

 

Later they took a bus home. He chatted to everyone on the bus and asked an old woman, “what book are you reading?” Everyone laughed. He said my favorite book is "Things That Go!"

 

 

Then he charmed the bus driver and the driver gave him a toy stuffed unicorn as a parting gift. 

 

 

Well he’s not shy! He had a great adventurous day!

Hope

 

 

 "Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the Soul

and sings the tune without the words and never

stops at all."  -Emily Dickinson

 

 

Invincible Me

 

 He said, "In the midst of hate, I  found there was, within me, an invincible love.  In the midst of tears, I found there was, within me, an invincible smile. In the midst of chaos, I found there was within me, an invincible calm.  I realized, through it all, that that in the midst of winter, I found there was, within me, an invincible summer.  And that makes me happy.  For it says that no matter how hard the world pushes against me, within me, there's something stronger- something better, pushing right back." - Albert Camus

Halloween Costume Meadows museum

 Sofia, on her costume: “I’m just a normal, random vampire!”

 

Simplify

 “Our life is frittered away by detail. Simplify, simplify.”- H. D. Thoreau

Complaint Department Closed

 

Vast and Brilliant

 

Being Peaceful

 

 "Tea and Sympathy"

Jude Loves Books

 I mentioned that Jude took the train the other day with his mom and that there was a woman across the aisle reading a book. He looked at her and asked “What are you reading?” Surprised that this little boy would start a conversation she showed him the cover of her book. He responded: my favorite book is “Things That Go!” And then he looked at his mom and asked “Where is that book?” She said “It’s at home!” Today while we face timed he showed me this book and pointed out the things he likes on various pages. I’m so amused at how his 2 year old mind works. He’s very inquisitive, funny and busy. Oh and ps he absolutely loves books and going to the library.

 

 “Any book that helps a child to form a habit of reading, to make reading one of his deep and continuing needs, is good for him.” 
― Maya Angelou

 

 

Before This and After This

 

"There are moments that mark your

life, moments when you realize

nothing will ever be the same. And

time is divided into two parts,

before this and after this." -unknown

There Should Be This

 

 

 "There should be this little

Champagne truck that drives

around the neighborhood in

the evening playing French 

music. and we would hear it

and run out with our money and

stand on the pavement

waiting for it. Like an ice cream truck, 

you know, but with

Champagne!" 

 

 

 

 

Letting The Light In

 "Ring the bells that still can ring. Forget your perfect

offering.  There is a crack in everything. That's how the

light get in."  - Leonard Cohen

A Good Mantra

 "I'm STRONG,

 I'm BRAVE,

 I can DO IT!"

Jude's new Bathing Suit

 Just had to post this outrageously cute swim outfit Jude received from my cousin Judy.  He loves trucks and all vehicles so that makes this suit especially dear to him!  This reminded me of the way his mom Athena used to say bathing suit when she was Jude's age.  She'd say "I'll put on my babing suit!"