Leaves

Started the process of raking the backyard, but I think its premature as some trees have yet to turn color. Very strange season. The tree in front of Jade's is still green, yet just across the street the leaves turned color in late August and the branches are bare. I'd tried to make it a fun chore by creating this scarecrow which I put outside the front porch for the children to see tonight while they trick-or-treat.

Also, here is a photo of the most beautiful leaf in the yard.

Alan is napping, and I am eager for tonight's festivities!

Hide and Seek?

Fall projects - failed

No progress made on any fall projects yesterday. With my mother-in-law here, I had hoped for a little progess, but except for a quick trip to the gym, we all just stayed inside and played. But it rained all day, and maybe that's a good excuse to just lay low for a day.....

List of things I should have done: (I don't know why I feel the need to share it with you, maybe writing it down is the first step in getting it done)

- Have my mommy friends noticed how dark the playroom is? Well there are about 7 or 9 missing lightbulbs in the track lighting on the ceiling - but I need a ladder (and lightbulbs). Hopefully by Wednesday night (Halloween) the children will actually be able to see what they are playing with!)

- Fire Hazzards! I haven't vacuumed underneath the dryer in very very long time....I can only imagine the collection of missing socks that are beneath the machines!

- Can you guess which kitchen cabinet may fall out at any moment? I have you all fooled! I need to glue it!

- Other things, sort winter/summer clothes, fix towel rack in upstairs bathroom, clean coffee stains on stairs, schedule boiler maintenence, declog bathroom sink, rake leaves (and jump in them!), and you better not look in my garage or basement....its pretty scary! I am procrastinating that it is also time to put the lawn furniture away....

- I also need to make an eye appointment (same glasses for 5 years), I need a new phone, lamps and HALLOWEEN CANDY!!!!!

THANKS FOR LETTING ME VENT BY WRITING THIS DOWN!!!!

one more cute photo

Halloween Parade

The rain didn’t stop Saugerties children from parading down Partition Street tonight including our group which featured:

Ricky – Curious George
Ben Ben – Tigger
Ivan – Pirate
Alan – Duck
Jace – Firefighter

I held an umbrella over Ivan and Alan who were pulled by the mighty Jace who tactfully navigated the wagon throughout the parade route. For me, the rain actually added an element of adventure to the evening. Once at the firehouse, pirates, clowns, skunks, witches, etc orbited around Donlon Auditorium to be evaluated for costume awards. My personal favorite was Sebastian the Skeleton.

Alan, who was a bit overwhelmed with the crowd, became a little crazed with the activity until he discovered that all of the “indoor park” toys were stacked up on the stage. He immediately went off route and made a bee-line for the stairs, and when he reached the top of the stage – what do you think he found?

A children’s vacuum cleaner! Now as many of you know, Alan wanted to be a vacuum cleaner for Halloween, and it took me about a week of convincing him otherwise. (I’m not that crafty!) So, I absconded (borrowed) the vacuum cleaner, and as you can see, Alan re-entered the circle (sort of), and began vacuuming the gymnasium. It’s great how that worked out!

After the children were sugared up with donuts and juice (so generously supplied by the firehouse), we returned back to the house for pizza. I guess this was sort of a dress rehearsal for the main event this Wednesday when we will be reconvening for Halloween.

PS – Hope Jace’s tummy feels better

PSS - Was anyone else's kid up until 10 p.m.?

The Duke Turns 60!!!!!!!!!!

Dear Dad, Happy 60th Birthday!! Alan left you the cutest voice mail message. He has been flapping around the house in his new duck costume practicing for tomorrow's Halloween Parade. Remember last year when we went there with Jimbist and Alan was a penguin. That was a lot of fun!

Tonight you would have enjoyed dinner. I made a turkey in your honor with a butternut squash baked in brown sugar. Yummy! "It would have been to your liking!" :) In other news, Suzanne will be coming up tomorrow. After the parade and dinner, we are heading up to magic meadow if the weather cooperates. I know mommy would want to come with us if you guys were here. Anyway, happy birthday - hope your softball team is kicking A$$!!! Miss you and Mom!

PS - Alan is still singing into the radiator in the pink room like its a microphone. He was doing this tonight while in his duck costume, a true performer.

Amazing tree next to my house

Though the morning haze muted the sunlight, when I looked out my office window just now, this tree seemed to compensate by firing up it's orange, red and yellow leaves. (photograph doesn't do this justice --it was taken 2 days ago, but you get the idea....plus my mind isn't warmed up for writing poetry, but if I could, this would be one to write about. Such a gift to wake up to!

Good morning! (time for coffee)