Picnics, Pajamas, & Pumpkins

~~~Happy Fall~~~

This is a potpourri post of some stuff we've been up to the last few days...

On Saturday, we went to Don's company picnic. Actually, it was only a portion of his company but it was a big to-do at a fun local ranch. So Texas, I know. There was food galore (mainly BBQ), carnival rides, petting zoos, a rodeo, and arts and crafts. Lindy loved taking a pony ride, going on her first ferris wheel ride, feeding the longhorns, and making, "snores."

On Monday, the gym Lindy attends for gymnastics had a Pajama Progress Party because it was the halfway mark of their 20 week program. The parents got to be on the other side of the class and be with them during the session. Although I charged my battery, for some reason it died so I only got a few shots at the beginning of class and none of her on the gymnastics equipment. She was thrilled because she got to show off her princess pajamas and her daddy surprised her by showing up to watch.

This morning Lindy and I carved pumpkins. Okay, I carved and she played and fed the deer and birds the pumpkin seeds and goop and supervised as I free-handed his face...I truly believe this was the first time I had ever carved a pumpkin. I am a total novice and had no idea what I was doing, so I no doubt made several rookie mistakes like breaking Jack's bottom row of teeth, the stem, and making the lid too small so now it falls in unless I place it on top of him like a hat. Oh well, despite my broken thumbnail, the blisters on my thumbs, the fact that I'll be in traction from lifting this thing, it was good not-so-clean fun. Fortunately, there weren't any knife injuries! It was such a pretty day outside, it felt good to just do this on the back porch and enjoy the slight breeze, the beautiful blue sky, and the cool of the air.




Hope you're having a great week and enjoying the beauty of the season!

Highlights of Pennsylvania according to Lindy

We just got back from a magnificent trip to Philadelphia and the surrounding area. Each time we travel we are reminded how blessed we are to have such an easy-going, adaptable, flexible child. I truly don't like to brag about Lindy but she is a total trooper. She was an absolute dream and I'm so thankful things went as smoothly as they did.

I've asked Lindy what her favorite things about the trip were. In no particular order, I present some of the highlights of her trip to Pennsylvania:

Seeing the "crackin'" bell...
Seeing Grandma & Grandpa and having Grandma paint her fingernails.
Playing with that "little Chinese girl like me." AKA Hannah... Lindy is taller in this picture because she's wearing the coveted heels.

Playing with Emily.

Seeing the place where pennies are made. She found SEVERAL on this trip but sadly the mint doesn't give out complimentary souvenirs.

Meeting Mr. Cheese, Mrs. Megan, Connor & Clare (and Daisy, too). This family was the most influential in our decision to pursue adoption.

Meeting Olivia.

Playing with Kaci and seeing her chickens, peacock, and dog.

Going on a picnic in the Poconos and drinking lemonade.

According to her, she wasn't so fond of her parents' obsession with eating Philly cheesesteaks

or the scarecrows at Peddler's Village.

Our little traveler has now been to the east coast and can't wait to go back again!

The money laundress

So I've previously told you about Lindy's obsession with looking for money, right? This week she found 27 cents and for some reason two women in the store yesterday felt the need to give her change as we were waiting in line. Maybe we looked a bit scruffy? With those very benevolent contributions, that brought her total for the week to 34 cents. That's probably more than most people made this week, given the horrific week on Wall Street.

After her big find of a quarter on Wednesday, this is what I caught her doing when we got home.

That brings a whole new meaning to money laundering. I don't think this is an indicator to any future white-collar crimes. In fact, I'm just glad she actually has taken to heart that money is DIRTY.

Seussical the Musical and other stuffety stuff...

“Today was good. Today was fun. Tomorrow is another one.”-- Dr. Seuss

Yesterday afternoon we had a fun little outing as a family. First, we went downtown to the Riverwalk and had lunch--Mexican food of course-- right on the river at Casa Rio. It was a really pretty day for people watching and Lindy loved watching all the ducks and river barges. It would've been nice to stay longer but we were in a bit of a rush because we were on our way to see Seussical the Musical at the Magik Theatre.

It was our first time to attend the Magik Theatre but it definitely won't be our last. It was a darling theatre and they really put on a fun little production that was enjoyable for Seuss fans big and small. I had hoped to have some pictures of Lindy with the cast but Miss Congeniality decided to get shy and reserved confirming it'll be a while before we plan a trip to Disney. She didn't want anything to do with Horton or the Cat in the Hat or anyone else. Oh well...

As we made our way to the car, I couldn't resist taking a picture of the Tower of the Americas, one of San Antonio's most well-known landmarks.

I know I've talked about how time is such a precious commodity and the weekends just seem to go so quickly. I have to remember to intentionally plan things to do as a family and not always get caught up in our mile-long to-do list. I hate that not everything gets done that I want but I know that NOW is the time to be making memories because time goes so quickly as dear Dr. Seuss reminds us in this quote, "How did it get so late so soon? It's night before it's afternoon. December is here before it's June. My goodness how the time has flewn. How did it get so late so soon?”

Thanks for the memories and important life lessons, Dr. Seuss!