The Little Bad Wolf

The costume this year...was back and forth.
This year he wanted to make the decision.
It was very hard for Maxx to decide...too many beasts and things he wanted to be.

I wanna be a squirrel with a biiiig nut.
I wanna be a fire truck, a police man, a bull dozer, a race car...
No, No, No the whale with the minnow Moma I wanna be the whale.
I was geared up to create an Orca Whale costume with a large minnow for him to carry.
...and then he changed his mind.

In circle at school they have been acting out The Three Little Pigs.
Maxx was inspired, and he finally decided to be...

The wolf.

"Little pig little pig let me come in!"
Not by the hair of my chinny chin chin!"
"Then I'll HUFFF and I'll PUFFF and I'll blow your house innn!"
" So he HUFFED and he PUFFED..."





...and went Trick or Treating with friends.




Like always Mom and Dad joined in and were 2 of the 3 pigs (Maxx carried #3)



It was so much fun and Maxx worked hard to gather as much as possible for the baby pumpkins.
Maxx picked out a few favorite pieces and left the rest for the Pumpkin Fairy.
In the middle of the night, while we were all sleeping, her fairy magic came for all the candy treats that he had gathered. She left a reward for the job well done.
...and a glittery fairy note saying:

Maxx,

The baby pumpkins will be so thrilled to receive all of these sweet candy treats. You worked really hard and now they have everything to grow bigger and rounder for next year.

They will be the most spectacular pumpkins EVER, thanks to you.

See you next year!
Sincerely,
The Pumpkin Fairy

Our magical autumn tradition.

Autumn Harvest Festival

Our harvest festival this year was at a beautiful persimmon orchard on some beautiful land. 10/16/2009

Fresh air, open space, play, itchy hay, buzzing bees, crazy red ants, dirt roads, hay ride, story and a little history, picnic, harvesting our own persimmons, swirly tire swings, dressing scare crows, yummy picnic with schoolmates and new friends, father sun's beaming rays, sun burn, beautiful trees, wonder, games, local pumpkins, natural fun!









A perfect autumn celebration!

If you obey all the rules you miss all the fun. -Katharine Hepburn

We are taking the leap...and moving to Portland, OR. I got the job...now to prepare for the move.

Meeting Family

Marcus, Faith, & Maxx, meet for the first time. It was so good to see a cousin I haven't seen in years! What joy to watch the fun. Crazy how the orange shirts were not planned.





Like we have know each other...we play.


We splash in the heat.




Needless to say it was a fun filled day with school and a play hard time at the park with new family.


Maxx was out like a light after bath.
Here's to Davie and the computer...to make it all happen.

Celebrating Autumn's Arrival

It is so hard to believe that Autumn is here...everywhere we go we are greeted by beautiful pumpkins and apples. Oh my goodness another magical costume is in the brainstorming stage...

Here are a few photos from this past weekend heading to deep east TX to visit my parents and Maxx to stay the night while Mommy does inventory at work. This has become apart of our monthly rhythm and is so special to the both of us. A chance to have clean air, relax even for just one day, and enjoy the outdoors. Inhale....Ahhhhh...

Thanksgiving with Little Boys

Maxx and lil Cliff Joyfully Ringing!

Maxx and I are in Texas spending some time of rest and spending the holidays with family.
The weather is beautiful! It is a glorious day!

Trying to herd the little boys to bed.

We had Thanksgiving at G.G.'s (Great Grandmother's) in Hillsboro.
We drove over the hills of central Texas and through the woods of east Texas to get there.

I am thankful for my family, and for the joy that little boys have about EVERYthing.
I am thankful for Texas weather, and dandelions in late autumn.
I am thankful for friends and loved ones far away.
I am thankful for the pie sampler plate and laughing with my sister.
I am thankful for the fast pace and really thankful for the slow pace.
I am thankful for hearing about a friend's first winter with snow.
I am thankful for funny little stuffed monsters and friends that will be there for you.
I am thankful for homemade.
I am thankful for spending this Thanksgiving with my Grandmother...it has been 5 years.
I am thankful...

Maxx and lil Cliff blowing dandelions

Autumn Morning and Updates

Maxx and I went on a walk this autumn morning and enjoyed the crisp cold air. We played in the leaves and found 4 new rocks and one of the biggest leaves we have gathered yet. Then came home to our home made turkey chili and cornbread we had started before we headed out.

Quick updates: These weeks have been full and fast. We had our first Parent/Teacher conference with Miss Donkel. Maxx had raving reviews...and it was very beautiful to hear her describe our lover and how his days go at school. So proud. Playdate with a friend. Crafting our fingers away helping with things that will be for sale at the holiday fair. This past Friday evening we joined several classes for the autumn martinmas lantern walk. We watched a beautiful puppet play and then walked and sang songs arround the school. That was fun. Maxx has been helping me prepare many soups (potato, rainbow soup, pinto bean soup, lentil and garbanzo bean soup, and chili is what we have so far) that we are storing in the freezer for the upcoming cold days. Thanksgiving is just around the bend and I am in the deepths of food retail preperations for the big eating holidays that are on there way. School, work, and Miss Shannon...we are enjoying this autumn and packing it full. Today the signs of a new season... old man winter sprinkled snow on us, with more to come this week.

Happy Birthday, Sister!!!

Hey, Happy Birthday, Sister...
As we observe your birthday today,
Your yummy cake and gifts don't matter much.
These common things aren't really you,
Ribbons, paper hats and such.
We celebrate a Beauty who
Brings love & happiness to everyone,
Someone who gives more than she gets,
And fills our lives with joy and fun. So Happy Birthday, Deana, and maanny moooore!

We hope you make it to three hundred and two,
Because we cannot even dream
What life would be like without you.

I hope you have one magnificent day, dear sister!!!

Enjoying Flowers!

Thank you, Kurt!