Halloween & Baseball

Commander Fox & Martha Stewart's Bloody Cupcakes (sans sugar glass shards - damn that Martha)

Grady was Commander Fox from Star Wars :: The Clone Wars.  Who?  Yeah, I know.  Or, rather, I don't know.  It doesn't really matter because he loved his thrifted costume and I loved how much it made him happy.  

I helped out with his class party and the kids ate cupcakes, candy, popcorn, carrots and chocolate milk. They also decorated vampire eggs with colored sharpies.  So easy and fun.  It rained during their Halloween parade through town, but the kids could have cared less.  They were all about the candy and strutting their stuff.

Halloween evening turned into a downpour, but we braved it in Tomales (we...being Steve) and the boy was able to trick-or-treat with his best friend, Calvin.  

Our altar was more decoration this year and we did little to discuss our loved ones who have passed on.  I hope to change this next year and share more about Grady's ancestors' lives.  We'll see.

The mush ball Steve and Grady worked on was found at school!  G came home so proud and relieved that the search was over.  SL worked on this handmade mush ball for hours and we were all a little deflated when is had gone missing.  Slowly, but surely, baseball is inching its way into Grady's life.  It's all the rage at school recess and he's hounding his father every afternoon to play.

I hosted the Babylonian Book Club at my house last week and we discussed Laura Ingalls Wilder, her books, legacy and all things calico...and then some.

I love our town.  Seriously, a pie auction?  Yes, this is the greatest place to live.

It stormed mid-week and the grasses have started to come alive and spread a little color on our property and the surrounding hills.  It's like magic and I look forward to many good storms and power outages this winter.

Nose in a book on his walk up the lane
Petaluma Library Entryway
G selecting books

G is eating books for breakfast, lunch & dinner.  He's on book #346 for this calendar year and not slowing down.  We made our inaugural visit to the Petaluma Branch of the Sonoma County Library system and were not disappointed.

Ka-pow!  Here's Grady's 4th grade school photo.  He selected the outfit & background.  Pretty wild, eh?  I love saving these school photos.  Blackmail photos = Power.

Saturday found us driving to Isabella's first triathlon at McNear's Beach in China Camp.

This girl is so strong and ambitious.  She is undeterred and focused.  I love her drive and determination.  I'm so proud to be in her life and be her God-mama.  I look forward to being at all of her important events and cheering her on.  She is an inspiration!

G reading to Livia on the back deck
A November Jenner sunset

G had a friend from school come over on Sunday.  She was too cute, all in hot pink and wearing a bra (yes, a bra!), but willing to climb trees, play baseball, Legos, video games and hang in the art studio.

The week was full of tradition, celebration, rituals and firsts.  We cracked open November and I'm looking forward to all of the fun, frivolity and feasts that this month has to offer.