Adventures All Around

Since Will and the other three are at different charter schools, there are rare times when they don't have school on the same days. Will has the entire week of Thanksgiving off, so he got to go see Gramma and Granddad a few days earlier than the rest of us. Since he didn't get as much time with them in the summer as he usually does, this was a thumbs-up event for all three of them. He spent time with Granddad in the canoe, he helped trim some trees (to make a tunnel for the canoe), he helped move rocks to the dam, he learned a bit about current events and trading stocks. He was frustrated for just a minute when he heard what was going on with the rest of us at the same time, but overall, he was really happy every time he talked to me on the phone.

... Meanwhile...

Allen, the little kids, and I went to see Allen's family for some special events (with limited number of tickets.) On Saturday, we went to Fort Worth with Nana, Papa, Uncle Jason, and cousin Beckham. We went to the Stockyard Museum and had lunch before heading to a living history village. Ben, Maddie, and Jon enjoyed tossing dried leaves in the air, they learned to dip candles, and we all walked around the different types of buildings and learned a bit of history.

Sunday was the "big" day. Allen had four tickets to a Dallas Cowboy's game. Will went last year, so we wanted to give the little boys a change to attend this time. Allen, Randy, Ben, and Jon headed out for a pretty day at the stadium. The game started out not-so-great, but ended with Cowboys winning in overtime, so the guys came back happy. The little boys were elated to have gotten to eat hot dogs, drink Sprite, and finish up with cookies and cotton candy.

Shelly and I took Maddie on her own fun adventure... to the American Girl Store. Okay, I'll admit it was actually MY dream come true :) I've been looking forward to this chance for many years. We started with lunch at the Bistro -- a tasty appetizer and entree for each of us. Maddie enjoyed yogurt, minimuffins, and fruit, with a spaghetti and meatball dinner. Shelley and I had soup and spinach-artichoke dip, respectively, then we each had salads that were way too big, but still quite tasty. The service was great, and the little touches -- a high chair for Marie-Grace and a cup of water for her lunch -- went a long way toward charming Maddie. Allen and I decided to let Maddie choose a Christmas present for herself, but as she wandered around, she seemed to be getting sadder and sadder. I finally pulled her to the side and asked why she was getting upset and she whined that she really wanted to find something for just two dollars, but everything cost so much more. Part of me was a bit sad for her, but I quickly explained I would be paying for her gift. The other part of me was excited that our lessons about money, spending, and allowance are sinking into her six-year old mind. She chose doll glasses (which I let her have in the car since she's been asking for them for so long,) and for Christmas she will be getting a doll watch and skating outfit from Mama and Daddy. We three ladies went across the street to the Galleria to wander around seeing the beautiful Christmas decorations and the biggest Christmas tree Maddie has ever seen. We all had our own sweet treats before heading back toward the house.

All the way around, -- Will with Granddad and Gramma, Ben and Jon out with the guys, Maddie out with the gals -- we all had a great day and made many happy memories!

Local Tourism: West Tyler

Since Will's latest school project is based on local tourist spots, we have taken a few days here and there to tour our own town. Last Saturday, our family headed to the McClendon House. We had a tour guide show us through the historic home, and we asked her for the kid-friendly version. I think that meant she left out some of the details to keep it at their attention level. It was a neat home full of antiques that most recently belonged to White House reporter Sarah McClendon.

That same day, we went to the Rose Gardens. Though we have visited the gardens many times, we have not ever been while all the roses were blooming. It was beautiful!! (... and that word just doesn't say enough.) All the kids took turns snapping photos of the vibrant flora, and I was pleasantly surprised that some of the shots they got were great (Jon's photo is of the red roses, Will's is the yellow one with a bee)! We toured the Rose Museum for the first time; Maddie enjoyed all the gorgeous bejeweled gowns, the boys had fun with all the halls and rooms the museum had.

At the end of the week, Will and I took a Tour of Tyler field trip with others from his school. The walking tour was similar to so many I've taken in other cities, but I hadn't taken a tour of Tyler yet. We stopped and read many of the historic markers around the downtown square, went inside the Smith County History Museum, stopped in an interesting antique store, heard about a shoot out, peeked into the windows of the underground tunnels between the jail and courthouse, and listened to many other tales of history. We ended the tour at the Cotton Belt Depot Museum that we visited a couple weeks before.

It has been interesting to be acting like a tourist in the town we visit almost daily. I've learned a bit more about local history -- both real and legendary. I've enjoyed seeing the sites through the eyes of children.

Will wrapped up the project today, and Allen and I were able to attend the Community Fair that his school presented. The students looked sharp and they were so proud of their projects! Will's station was at the front of his class's room about West Tyler. He stood near the door passing out brochures and answering questions about about community attractions such as those we visited. Several of his group projects were throughout the room. The brochures were part of the English and Language Arts class. The science aspect included collages of different types of erosion in West Tyler and salt-dough land form models of the area. In math, the kids created maps of the area with coordinates, calculate the area and perimeters of the region and areas within it, and give directions for how to get from one place to another. For art, each student had a sketch book with some art history, but also sketches of the area -- Will's class had drawn scenes from the zoo and rose gardens. Also, around the room were different posters that had been hanging for the several weeks the kids worked on this set of projects.

Running Away

Will promised us last night that he would run away today. Jon was in tears and tantrums that his big brother was leaving. We overheard their conversation (something like this):


W: Jon, don't cry about it.

J: BUT I DON'T WANT YOU TO LEAVE! I Love you so much and you have to stay to be family.

W: If I say you can come, will you quit crying?

J: I don't WANT to leave! I like it here. My toy soldiers a...re here. If you leave, how can we play together?!

W: Just come with me. We can run away together.

J: Only if I can bring my soldiers.

W: We can't keep up with a bunch of toys. It will slow us down.

J: (back to crying) Fine. I will only bring some.

W: whatever

J: I'll bring a few soldiers and my mom and dad and brothers and sister. That's how we can run away.

W: (stormed away in frustration)

J: Mama, you HAVE to come with me since you are so sweet. I'm glad we will all be running away together. It will be like a vacation. Can we camp in the grass across the street so we can come use the potty?

Perspective

Will saw the purple flowers in the park and all of a sudden he reminded me of me.

Down on his tummy for the best shot.

Halloween Favorites

Long story made short: Here are my favorite pictures of my ninja (Will), IronMan (Ben), Spiderman (Jon), and ballerina (Maddie... in the tutu I wore when I was six). Busy week, fun night, too much candy, tummy aches and late bedtime. Just like every year at Halloween.

 And, ever the joker, Will ended the night with a punch-line, "Mama, I have SUCH a sweet tooth!"

PS: See what pretty front teeth he has? You can't even tell the right one is about 1/3rd fake. He broke it the week before when he was swimming with his eyes closed and ran into a ladder.