Miscellanous Momments with Mia and School

I still can't believe that I have a daughter in school. She loves it and comes home frequently telling me how she "learns everything in school". She makes all sorts of hats like the K9 hat she made above for Fire Prevention Week. It just so happens she also made a poster about fire safety. She designed a poster called "Four" No Fires that had four drawings that showed what you could do for no fire. Her poster was put together 10 minutes before school and was a finalist in the school. To think what would have happened if she actually spent time on it.

About a month ago, I was invited to be a chaperon for a field trip to A Seussical Musical . I accepted before I thought through the logistics. Talia, a non bottle fed infant and Tiago a non babysat boy were not invited to attend. Luckily, two friends were willing to accept such a babysitting feat. Each had their own trial. Talia would nap for two of the 3 1/2 hours, but wake up hungry. Tiago screamed at the front door for at good hour plus before he warmed up to the scene. My bad. Good thing to have good friends. Everyone survived and I was glad that I went.

The play required some extensive understanding of multiple Seuss books. Luckily we had listened to recordings of such books many times on our drive from Maryland to Texas. It was good, but a little long for such little kids. After a lunch in the park and playing on the playground, Mia boarded her bus again and I came home to some happy campers and drained friends.

Mia also just received an award for being "A Pillar of Trustworthiness". I had a hard time explaining what they meant by that award. I started with an analogy to wood that holds up the house and how that is like people supporting and lifting others and then just congratulated her for a job well done.

Our Age of Anxiety

How fitting it is to have elections so near to Halloween. A time of uneasiness and dare I say anxiety. I have been listening to a fantastic book called Age of Anxiety that deals with McCarthyism. So many events of the Red Scare parallel our national crisis of today. Regarding McCarthy's or any dictator like politician's increasing influence and power, the book states it "was not the rantings of Demigods, but fear in irresolution in honorable men." It also reaffirms the scriptures warnings of unrighteous leaders and therefore their unrighteous laws are nigh impossible to destroy. We are fortunate for sure to live in a society where we are free to vote. Even with the electoral college inadequacies and funky wording on the ballots, it is a blessing to give our say.

So after a pre-halloween party at our local library, I decided to be honorable and vote. Well, as honorable as one can look dressed in a cowgirl costume complete with chaps, a Thomas the train, kitty cat princess, and flower maiden.


Three kids in tow made for an interesting experience, but I did it. I starred for as long as possible at the Presidential Candidates in limbo over the decision. There was no clear choice for me. Each candidate had serious policy issues and I felt like it came down to decide between the lesser evil. Talia felt the agony keenly. This topic will proceed further in my personal journals. The important thing is I voted.

PUMPKIN PATCH

I forgot to mention the fun we had at a near by Church's "Pumpkin Patch". In TX, there are a noticeable absence of pumpkin fields so really it's just another place the semi's drop them off after they are done unloading them at the local supermarket. No bother. At least they were strewn all over the grass and surrounded by fun fall decor. Our first trip was with Tiago and Talia and a few friends.
Tiago picked out two medium size pumpkins for him and Mia and a tiny one for Talia. Tiago was loving all the pumpkins.
He would pick up several and was curious how some had disgusting warts. (you and me both buddy) Right before we left, Tiago got a special chance to drive a cardboard tractor as shown here:

Later we brought Mia to see the patch and bought our pumpkin at the commissary another day. Funny, we kept meaning to carve our family pumpkin, but the kids go to bed by 6:30 pm. It makes for little time to do anything aside from homework, dinner, and get ready for the next day. Mia's pumpkin was carved and gutted at school in a science lesson. She wanted to let Tiago get in on the action. She kept telling him about the slime and seeds and guessed there were over one hundred in our family pumpkin. I attempted to carve Tiago's with a Lightening McQueen on it, but it was too small and just looked like a modern art piece with random holes. I just carved the family pumpkin with Mia Nov. 1 and we just opted to do a Thanksgiving one. We'll see how long it lasts.


Mia's and Tiago's little pumpkins were moldy by day 2.