Reheating Brownies

Brownie Year 2 has started up again, but it doesn't officially begin until we participate in the official Girl Scout-Starting up again-ceremony.

As with most of these type of events, much waiting is involved.
And picture taking.
Isn't this fun?

Each troop is asked to participate in one part of the event. Troop 476 was selected to do the readings and candle lighting - the coolest part of the ceremony by far.

And it always ends with fun...

Is this work? Really?

ButterflyFest is a huge event the Museum puts on each year where I volunteer to help kids in the arts and crafts area. Including my own.
Salamander IdentificationKiss a Toad StationHello Mr. GatorCan we keep him?Go GATORS!Feed a beeFunny how they are willing to practically pet these bees but at home they scream bloody murder if one buzzes by.All in all, not a bad place to work.

HaPpY HaLLoWeeN!

First is the cemetery set up. We don't see too many trick or treaters on our street so Don decided to lure the victims in with orange lights on the tree.This kids cracks me up.Ummm.... he'll have to explain this one.Second, the school parties:And the day he starts mixing it up in a mosh pit, I will look back and know exactly where to place the blame.

Third, the main event. You can see why we opted for the pirate at school instead of the official costume.

G is for Gators

It's Gators all the time here in Gainesville but it isn't so often you get to meet a few of the athletes, especially from the football team and especially at a pre-school. Lucky for Grant (and Don), the team physician's son attends Grant's school - which led to the secretary bugging him to bring a few players in for the staff (oh, I mean students...) to meet. And thanks to Don's carelessness, he got the privilege of being there to meet them as well.

This is how Grant reacted to meeting Santa, Spiderman and broccoli for the first time too:Don picked up Grant from school the day before and did not collect Grant's "daily note" stating that the players were coming the next day and the kids should wear Gator gear. So, that morning when I collected the note, I wasn't sure whether to call Don to bring in his jersey or drive home myself to get it. After a bit of self debate, I decided to let Don have the fun.

Now, had it been Tim Tebow they were meeting...



Story Time:

Hmmm... I'm a bit skeptical about their abilities to read...

Markihe Anderson, Ryan Stamper, James Wilson. And Ms. Angie, loving it!GO GATORS!

Always an Adventure

The McMullens fall break gives us an excuse each year to ditch school and work and visit Disney. This year we opted for a park we hadn't visited yet: Islands of Adventure.

First, we adventured in Super Hero land. We thought for sure this would be Grant's favorite but between being too shy to meet Spiderman and too scared on the 3-D Spiderman ride, he proved that theory wrong. He was most content to just stare at the larger than life graphic art.The rest of us loved the Spiderman ride. It was my fave of the park.Jurassic Park was hot and humid and full of life life dinosaurs. Really, they were truly life like.We would highly recommend the Jurassic Park River Adventure - more realistic life size dinosaurs that ends with a near miss by a screaming T rex. Grant kept his head buried the whole time while I covered his ears. Good times.

He was cool with this neat slide though.The biggest, fastest, coolest rides were still no match for the excitement of an inch worm stuck to a pair of shorts.The wet rides were the kids faves. Donna and I were lamenting our decision to ride one after we had to walk around w/ wet underwear the rest of the day.Even if it had been a substantial injury, I don't think it would have stopped her.And in case you were confused...Dr. Seussland...Two of our favorite things...Is that the Lorax I see in the Truffela trees?And no Dr Seuss trip would be complete w/o meeting Mr. Grinch.

As they say in Georgia, Happy Fall Y'all

Scott and Dary held their first (official) Parktoberfest this year. A slew of their friends (including us) traveled to their cabin and enjoyed perfect weather, fall festivities and lots of fun in the Georgia mountains.

And it began like this...How many PhDs does it take to...Pumpkin "picking"... I'll take one of each please.Orangey goodness...Grandpa would be jealous...How do I pick just 10?Pale pumpkins are just cool. So are the warty ones.Down time...The pursuit of boiled peanut happiness.Ah, country.Happy Fall Y'all...