Welcome Autumn

Fall is here! How do I know it's the first day of fall? I was still enjoying myself at the end of this morning's run.  Love cooler temperatures. Honestly, we've been feeling a bit autumny (yes, a new word! I'm a speech-language pathologist. I earned a degree. I should be able to make up new words whenever I feel like it--and do!)--anyway, we've been feeling a bit autumny lately in anticipation of the season.

For my Neal, I put this up last year and this year with new reasons written on the leaves.  His favorite reason why I fall for him? When he tries to hold back a smile.  Love that face.

Our family has been starving squirrels.  This act of cruelty is not intentional. It's just that we've been collecting acorns for one of my fall craft projects.  We even baked them so worms and nastiness won't hatch out of them like last time.  Lesson learned.

Today, to usher in the actual first full day of autumn (because it really started at 9ish last night--this from my husband who is packed with little tidbits like that), the kids brought decorated jars filled with candy corn to their teachers.  The attached notes read, "Here's hoping your teeth don't rot out of your head. --The van der Upwichs"  Just saying it like it is.

Also, I hosted a Fall Recipe Swap at lunch.  I had fall napkins, candy corn scattered on the serving area, my fall decor out, and I even put on fall colors. There were salads, sweet potato casserole, apple dumplings, pumpkin cornbread, crackers with orange-cranberry spread, crunchy slaw, apples and caramel dip, and cupcakes. The dish enjoyed by most was a nice quinoa salad. I made a Pear and Roasted Onion Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette. I really liked the pumpkin cornbread.

There was a pretty good showing and I enjoyed getting to know some of the ladies better.  It was fun to talk about something we all enjoyed--food, holiday favorites and traditions.  Everyone left with a favor--a napkin folding pamphlet. Now, just need to email out all the recipes!

Plano Balloon Festival 2014

They launched!  We didn't know what to do with ourselves! We have not seen a launch in a few years due to weather issues. Hooray!  Granted it was just a few that launched within the very short approved conditions, but the launched nonetheless! New this year was a skydive from on of the hot air balloons. That was fun, especially because the chute opened.

After the launch we shopped the festival in claustrophbic conditions and then made our way to the field to get ready for the Balloon Glow, in which they did indeed glow.  The basset hound was a new balloon to us.

There was a oh-so-cute young couple in front of us.  My story: We set our blanket out first and we are obviously sitting.  They are standing in front of us blocking everything.  How incredibly rude!  I then quietly gripe to my husband about this.  Neal's story: It's a public event.  Outcome: Turns out they had made special arrangements to go out on the field and he proposed to her during the Balloon Glow!  He was just waiting for the right moment to get the signal from the festival staff.  Boy, I am so glad I did not get all pushy and loud during may impatient moment.  Good reminder to look outside myself and practice kindness.  Thank you Neal for your awesome example.

After that great lesson, we headed toward the parking lot by way of a hill which we perched ourselves on to wait for the fireworks display.  During this space of time, Neal was attacked by a preying mantis (it just landed on him but the reaction was pretty awesome) and Rhys fell asleep. After the fireworks we dumped Rhys in our wagon and made our way home.

Ward Campout

Our family joined a bunch of others for the Allen 3rd Ward Camp Out at Lake Lavon.  Last time we joined in on this fun it was so freaky cold we were all praying for the program to end so all could go home and warm up.  This year the weather was great so we planned to camp overnight.

After school we picked up the kids, bought bug spray, and headed out. There were about 10 families that set up camp, all who we really enjoy.  We found out our tent was thrashed from the youth group that used it during some wet weather.  It had dried mud and smelt musty. Time for a new tent!

When everyone else started arriving we headed down to the pavilion and met up with Rudy and Becky (a.k.a. Oma and Opa). We chatted with everyone, ate red meat, and participated in and watched the program. Yep, that's Neal and Rob W. with slinkies attached to their heads.

After things died down we chatted in a circle up at the camp until it was late.  When Neal and I joined our kids and got settled down, we heard a roaring, animal roaring! I asked Neal if her heard it and he did and then we also heard a few ladies still up chatting talking about In Sync not far off.  Oh yeah! Some of the cats were roaring from the big cat rescue close by--still enclosed, thankfully.

Sunrise

After a semi sleepless night we were up for breakfast, broke down camp, and home just in time for napping.

Star Student of the Week

Rhys was selected as Star Student of the Week in his kindergarten classroom last week!  He got to make and present a poster all about himself to his classmates. Something he shared with his freinds is that he loves going to Kid Mania to play and he likes cooking.  He likes pizza and peaches, his stuffed animals, and his cat. He was recognized by the awesome star headband he sported during the week. Daddy made special lunch date with his son to honor him.  Mom slipped up and forgot to mention to Rhys that he got to do "show and tell" on Friday.  Thankfully, his teacher was glad to have Rhys do a "show and tell" redo on the following Tuesday!  Hooray for Rhys!  We love you!

Behold!

This only happens once in a blue moon! Yes, that kitchen is gleaming from top to bottom! Can you hear the angels singing?

Employed Again

Knowing our major expenses this year and that both kids were taken care of, I applied for a sub speech therapist position with the local school district again this year. They shooed me in because I had worked for them before. 

Happily, I can't work too much because we don't want me to qualify for benefits.  We really want me to remain on Neal's insurance given my health history.

I hope I will get to know a few more speech therapists this year and stay caught up on my continuing education given my quieter hours at home.  I've already made an appointment to observe a preschool language program I am interesting in subbing for.  Looking forward to it!

Find His Feet!

Somewhere in there is my husband--the most patient, loving, "napping" father in the world.