Painting

Last week the kids did some painting on the back deck. Lest you think they're going through a Goth period, I'll say that they're using the paint from Asher's one-way sign so it's all black and white. Actually Asher and Rachel worked together to make a very beautiful painting that looks almost like storm clouds. I will post it when I get a chance to take a picture.

And here's a picture of Chiara in the skirt Rachel knitted for her. It's quite beautiful and intricate and Chiara's obviously having fun.

Halloween Pictures

We had a very good Halloween Saturday. Rachel got three pumpkins at the store but neither of the kids really wanted to be involved in the cutting so she carved them herself but under Chiara's direction. She choose a two-tooth Jack, surprise-face Jack, and Moon & Stars Jack for Chiara who loves the moon and will chant "see moon" in the car or in her sleep.




I took the kids out trick-or-treating to a few houses but we went early and a lot of our neighbors were out at parties. Asher choose being a one-way sign weeks ago and was very amused that kids kept calling him "one-way" as in "Hey, One-Way, where you going?" as if it was his name. Chiara insisted on being a kitty cat with a purple ribbon so although we didn't want to reuse Asher's costume, it made sense since we already had the cat costume and it fit her to use it.

Boo Bash at Austin Children's Museum

Last night we went to the annual Boo Bash - a Halloween party for homeschoolers - at the Austin Children's Museum. Asher was a one-way sign and Chiara was a kitty cat with a purple ribbon. Hopefully we'll get some better pictures on the real camera this weekend. These are from my phone:

October Pictures

Asher and Chiara playing trains or puzzle together:

Or roaring...

Jenni and Asher reading his Periodic Table book:

Chiara dancing:

Asher, Chiara, and Rachel playing on the trampoline. Chiara is wearing one of the sweaters Grandma Susi made. I think that this one was Hannah's and Nina sent it but perhaps it was Ezra's. I can't remember anymore but really appreciate everyone sharing.

Chiara vogueing in the hat Rachel knitted for her:

Asher asleep on his Solar System: Earth and Lightning McQueen car (you can't see it) in a fortress of pillows and still wearing his glasses:

Skating at Alissa's Party

Like the pictures from Inks Lake, these pictures were taken on the cell phone so they aren't great quality. This weekend we drove down to Houston to go to Alissa's birthday party. Happy 10th Birthday, Alissa! She had an ice skating party and Asher has wanted to try ice skating.

First Alissa and her friend helped him and then Norm skated with him. Asher went around the rink once and only fell one or two times. He had a very fun time.




And Chiara enjoyed the pizza!


By the way, Alissa and Mitzi made the scarves for party favors.

Camping at Inks Lake

We went camping this weekend at Inks Lake State Park. We made our reservations on-line a few weeks ago. When we arrived we bought a State Park Pass. My understanding was that the pass basically is purchased for a car/carload but the ranger who checked us in was insistent that it's on an individual and that I can't use the one on R's car so I actually bought the pass +1 which was $75 rather than $60 for a year. Online we chose a site that said it was "walk-in" and the ranger seemed like he couldn't imagine that was what we wanted but I said it was.

On the way to camping:

The site was perhaps the most awesome camp site ever. Our space was large enough to put up 4-5 tents. It had a picnic table and a fire/bbq pit, and extended all the way down to the water as you can see. And we actually had entry points on the water to swim. Now of course, that meant that other people went through the bottom part of the site to get to the water but it wasn't the main entry point so it wasn't too trafficy. In the last picture immediately below this, you can sort of see where the car is but it was 100 feet! Awesome.


The view from the rocks on the site:

Here's Chiara playing in the water (on our site):




The water entry point:


A few photos from our Saturday hike:



And finally the injury report. Ash got cactus in his hand and lips (from chewing on his shirt sleeve). I bet her stays on the path better next time. Chiara fell off the bench trying to get away from a fly or get it to get away from her.

Catch-up

The Saturday before Labor day weekend we went camping with the Levines at Buescher State Park. It was a quick but very good outing. Chiara explored while we set up the tent:


A few group shots including Rachel, Chiara, Asher, Jonah, Alissa, and Mitzi:


And Jonah gets something to eat while Asher hides his head.


Saturday we walked into the office to find that Chiara had stolen my Ipod from where it was charging and was attempting to listen to some music:


And Rachel finished knitting Chiara's baby blanket. Can you tell Chiara loves it?