This and That

This is what happens when you try to update your blog all at once with the activities of a whole month and then some. You end up with a mish-mash of things you forgot to put in. So, here's some random thoughts and pictures from the season. First, I adore fall. Almost everyone who knows me knows that. I mean, c'mon. Look at what I can see on my way home from work - the pond scene above is just one example of the flat out gorgeousness of the season.
On top of that, even the rainy dreary fall days can be cheered up with a pumpkin spice cappucino from what Nicky calls the "yummy store" on my way to work. Granted, it bears little relationship to pumpkin, and has nothing much in common with cappucino either. But as sugary, spicy warm drinks go... mmmmm....

But seriously, folks. One of the things we did this month that was actually worthwhile was to participate in the Crop Walk. It's amazing that walking through a beautiful, scenic park actually helped others in need, thanks to the generosity of our sponsors from church. (And if you need sponsors from church, sending the children around with the envelope is apparently the way to go - they found us nearly $200 in sponsors in about half an hour!) I'm glad the kids are learning to volunteer and support good causes like ending hunger. I'm also glad the Allentown walk didn't take us through the kind of neighborhoods the Albany walk used to when I was a kid!

We also enjoyed our usual trip to the Halloween parade - with a bonus this year! Although Kai sat beside us and watched the bands, fire trucks, and floats go by...


...Nick was actually IN the parade with his TKD buddies!

Last, but certainly not least, the church held its annual retreat at the end of October. Scott went, but I stayed home to provide childcare for two other kids whose moms wanted to go to the retreat. Kairi, Nicky, Drew, and Amber (who happen to correspond with my kids' ages and genders exactly) went with me to Boo at the Zoo at the Philadelphia Zoo. Just one problem - it rained ALL DAY! And not just rain - torrential downpours, with flooded sidewalks and paths and drippy animals. The plus side was, the kids got PILES of candy from the trick-or-treat around the zoo because so few people showed up. The minus? We all got sick, and finished out the months with coughs and head colds. Ah well.

And then there's the story I know kids of the church will bring up for years. You see, we ordered pizza for the first night of the retreat (the kids were sleepover guests). And, not having room in my refrigerator for three pizza boxes, I popped them all in the oven to keep them away from evil dog.

Oh, I know what you're thinking. She doesn't LOOK evil. But she is. She really is. The next night, I went to cook some chicken strips rolled in potato chip coating and home made macaroni and cheese. I preheated the oven, and started making the cheese sauce. That's when I noticed the smoke, curling out of the oven vent.

You guessed it. The pizza boxes were ON FIRE. I pulled open the oven, and flaming bits of paper flew everywhere. The smoke alarms went off. All four kids shrieked and ran into the kitchen, then ran for the front door. Hilarity ensued.

The next morning, I was teaching Sunday school, and making muffins with the kids as an illustration of the story of Elijah and the widow. One of the moms of my sleepover guests said (in just that teasing tone - you know the one) "Baking?"

Yup. Gonna take awhile to live that one down.