Fall Fun

Yesterday, Christian had early dismissal at school.  We decided that it would be a great day to take the boys over to Eckert's Millstadt to pick apples and play.  As it turns out, it was the perfect time to go.  The weather was spectacular, and because it was a Friday afternoon, the crowds were non-existent.  The kids had a ball.

I'd given the boys a map of the farm before we arrived.  They spent much of the drive over plotting out what they wanted to do first.

First up, apple picking.

 And apple eating.

Checking out an old tractor.

Connor loved riding bikes on the bike path.

 Kettle corn

 Darren was generous to take the boys on the Pumpkin Patch spinny-thing ride.  It made me queasy just watching them.

 Here he is after the ride.

 The boys did the big Mine Shaft slide, the Tower, swung on tire swings, saw lots of pumpkins, saw some friends from school, and played on the swing ride.

But what was the most fun--and looked like loads of fun to me--was the jumping pillow.  It was very, very had to get them off of this.  Everybody, Jump, Jump!!

Social Studies

Christian was watching the news with me this morning--actually, he started off saying "I demand you turn on my shows!"

Right.  Like that's going to persuade me to put on cartoons.

So we watched the news.  After a few minutes, he started paying attention and asking some questions about the presidential election.  Yay for politics!  That led us to talking about the Constitution, which ultimately led me to introduce him to Schoolhouse Rock.  What a classic.

We watched the video about the Preamble...

Then a bit about Paul Revere

And then, Fireworks (this was Connor's favorite).

Followed by several others...YouTube is so great for pulling up these classics.

Now, it's off to a day of soccer.

Happy Fall!

Another Benefit of Chocolate

A new study shows that moderate amounts of chocolate may reduce the risk of stroke in men.  And, for once the benefits don't appear to be limited to dark chocolate.

Upon analyzing the questionnaires, the researchers found that the men who consumed the most chocolate – 63 grams or one-third of a cup of chocolate chips – had the lowest risk of stroke compared to the men who did not eat any chocolate. Overall, the highest chocolate consumers decreased their risk of stroke by 17 percent.

In previous research, dark chocolate has often been hyped for its heart health benefits. But an interesting aspect of the study revealed that 90 percent of the participants actually ate milk chocolate. Larsson said that both types of would most likely provide the same benefits, but dark chocolate may still be the better option.

I've long turned to chocolate for stress relief...maybe I'll see if I can get my sweet-tooth lacking husband to have a little more.

Diane's Divco

Tomorrow is my Mom's birthday.  It's a special one--but aren't birthdays all special?

A few weeks ago, I asked Dad if he had given any thought to Mom's birthday, after all, it is a special one.

Any guesses on his answer?

We brainstormed for a few minutes--Mom is tricky.  Humble, unassuming, selfless, and not particularly fond of being center stage.

Tricky I tell you.

The challenge was coming up with something that fell between a simple hug and "Happy birthday!" and staging a version of "This is your life" with a convention-worthy balloon drop.

Luckily, Dad knows her well. Very well.  As we talked, as I was completely puzzled, the light bulbs started popping in Dad's mind. 

Aha!

It's so sweet really, how he thought through the plan and how perfect it was.

So the plan was this--Dad enlisted the help of the Environmental Services crew.  At the appointed time, during Mom and Dad's late afternoon happy hour in the yard, every Gator, Kubota, and golf cart on the Seminary campus would descend on the yard, and the party would start.

A few days ago, Dad told me what his gift to her was--Wow, I had thought his plan was good before...this put it over the top. In family lore, the Christmas Mom got a weed-wacker that Mom still keeps in the basement to protect it got top billing as far as gift-giving stories go.

No more.

Dad got Mom her own red golf cart.

This afternoon, the boys and I headed to the campus a bit early so we stopped for a sneak peek.

This is great!

Over to the house.  I threatened all kinds of consequences for the boys if they tipped Mom off to the surprise.  It must have sunk in, because when we got to the house, other than asking for a popsicle, they wouldn't speak to her!

We headed out to the yard, but for whatever reason, Mom was a bit resistant to coming out to the yard.  Maybe it was the energy of the boys who had moved from popsicles onto climbing trees and playing soccer.

But she came.  As we sat there, Dad said, "hey, what's that?" As a decorated golf cart zipped down the street.

Maybe a wedding?

Then a whole parade of gators.

Mom started to wonder...then laugh...

Even though the front of the golf cart says this:

Mom still had to ask a few times "What is this for?"

It's for you!

The crew came prepared with snacks, drinks, and cake.  Ferdie was interested in the cake.

 So were the boys.

 Michelle made a call, and soon the carillon began to play "Happy Birthday."

 Gators, Gators everywhere.

Lots of laughs and amazement that this surprise was pulled off.

 Aren't they sweet?

A great idea from Dad, with a great assist from the Environmental Services crew...One and all, it was perfect!

A big, big thank you to all the Sem folks who helped make this happen--from hiding the red golf cart (no easy feat) to rounding up the cake, drinks, snacks, and taking time to come pull off what I heard Mom describe as her "most memorable birthday, thank you!

We love you Mom!

Come One, Come All

It's Carnival time at CCLS!

The Carnival is the main fundraiser of the year...but that's secondary to the fun.  Earlier in the week when we told the boys this was carnival weekend, that's all they were focused on.  Finally, when they asked "is it tonight that we're going to the carnival?" I could say yes.

We got there early as it was just getting started to grab a bite to eat before letting the boys loose on the rides and games.  Mom let me play with her fisheye lens for the iPhone.

Fun!

We were doing as directed by the boys...watching them on the "Tornado"--the swings.  They loved these (I did still do too).

Next up, the big slide.  Another favorite.  They were on this forever.

At least the boys were, Darren only went down once.

Off to keep Opa from getting scared on the Ferris Wheel.

Connor found a ride all to himself.

Gone fishing.

Uh oh.

A real fish--(aka our new life lesson).

So, we ran into Pets Mart five minutes before it closed to grab fish food and a little bowl.

All settled in.

Back to the carnival today!

St. Louis Gets a Potbelly!

How did I miss this yesterday?

Potbelly opened in Creve Coeur yesterday!

In DC, we ate at Potbelly often. There was a Potbelly a block and a half from my office.  We regularly ran there for lunch, or just as often, for a mid-afternoon milkshake.  (It was over one of those milkshakes that I told my sister I was expecting Connor).  They have great, inexpensive sandwiches and shakes.

Yum.

I wish we had a Potbelly closer to downtown St. Louis...but at least St. Louis now has one in the area.

Feeling Old....

Scanning the news this morning, I saw the annual Beloit College Mindset list for the class of 2016 is out.

A few items from the list:

3. The Biblical sources of terms such as ‘‘forbidden fruit,’’ ‘'the writing on the wall,’’ ‘'good Samaritan,’’ and ‘‘the promised land’’ are unknown to most of them.

   **Really?  This screams a disinterest or lack of commitment on the parents of this generation of kids for teaching about faith, the Bible, or taking them to church or Sunday school.  This is a big problem in my view.  I've just started reading "You Lost Me" by David Kinnaman about why young Christians are leaving the church.  There's so much to think about in this book that it's taking a long time to read.

5. If they miss The Daily Show, they can always get their news on YouTube.

20. Exposed bra straps have always been a fashion statement, not a wardrobe malfunction to be corrected quietly by well-meaning friends.

30. There have always been blue M&Ms, but no tan ones.

     **If I wasn't already feeling old, I remember being in grade school college when the big debate was brewing about what color the "new" M&M would be.

47. Before they buy an assigned textbook, they will check to see whether it’s available for rent or purchase as an e-book.

     **We were just happy to find a good condition used textbook.

48. They grew up, somehow, without the benefits of Romper Room.

     **How this is possible I don't know.  My boys just don't get it when I say "I see Christian and Connor" as I pretend to look through my pretend magic mirror.

71. Despite being preferred urban gathering places, two-thirds of the independent bookstores in the United States have closed for good during their lifetimes.

     **This is just sad.

Reading through the list, I'm alternately depressed about some of the "norms" for these kids and shocked at how old I feel.  The feeling of "old" only got worse when I tried to find the Mindset list for the year I entered college.

It didn't exist when I started college.

The first Beloit Mindset list was released for the Class of 2002 in 1998.

Back to School!

Today marks the start of another school year.  This is a good thing!

The summer went fast--up until about 3 weeks ago.  That was the point when it became clear that there had been too much brotherly togetherness.  Whew.  It wears me out just thinking about all the wrestling, laughing, bickering, fighting, trying to stop kickball games in the house, not listening, not wanting to go to bed, juggling camps and schedules, and in and out of the house with the neighbor kids that happened over the summer.

But we made it!  School is back!

Connor is back for four-year old preschool.  He's such an old four-not by his birthday, but because he and his brother are inseparable.  I often think Connor believes he's six.

But back to preschool it is. 

Last night I asked him what he wanted to be when he grows up.  Without much hesitation, he said "a teacher."

Christian is such the big kid now.  He's starting first grade.

He's excited.

Very excited.

The boys got a little silly before school.

But soon it was time to go.

Connor was patient for one picture outside his school.

But then he was off. He had to get to his teacher, FAST!

This is Christian's first year with his own desk. 

After opening chapel we said goodbye and the kids were on their way.  I feel sorry for the teachers today though--the energy level in the classroom was off the charts this morning. 

After school, to celebrate, we'll be headed to Oh Lollie Lollie for a treat--if the boys have any energy left after a day with their friends.