Trick or Treat

Our kids have arrived at that age where they are too old for Trick or Treating.  However, it is probably one of Frankie's favorite days of the year.  And really, what is not to like from a child like perspective?  You dress up in fun, creative costumes.  Every neighbor is friendly, out on their porches and handing out candy!  

Abigail agreed to dress up to take Frankie around, mainly to keep her safe.  Abigail dressed as Katniss from Hunger Games and Frankie went as Flo from the Progressive Car Insurance commercials.  Jon followed at a distance visiting with neighbors as they walked around the block.  

Caleb and I passed out candy and watched Dracula and the Bride of Frankenstein. 

I love our little family. I love that Jon is o.k. with walking around to make sure the girls are safe.  I love that Abigail eagerly helped Frankie put a costume together.  I love that Frankie can remember what kind of candy each house gave out for the the last several years and who was home last year.  I love that when I asked Caleb to watch a scary movie, he automatically picks the classics.  I'm fairly confident we are not normal, and for that I am most grateful! 

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.  Romans 12:2

Mi Poquito Gringo en el Sombrero de Koala

Both of the kids are taking Spanish, Caleb is in his third year of high school Spanish; and last year Abigail  completed beginning Spanish and is continuing with the Rosetta Stone program this year.  None of their classes have taught them as much or been as entertaining as working at the pantry.  

Many of the clients are Hispanic and speak very little English so the kids have had to speak conversational Spanish.  Several weeks ago Abigail learned the word poquito, meaning small.  It was easy to remember it's pronunciation because it sounds like mosquito.  Last week with Ms. Lizzie, Abigail used the word mosquito instead of poquito.  The rest of the day the other volunteers poked fun and teased her about it.  Today, the client she was working with when she said 'mosquito' brought her a hand written paper of how to say many of the words Abigail uses at the pantry.  

Ms. Lizzie had Abigail tell her the sentence she has trouble with, for example, "May I help you out to your car?" That sentence doesn't translate well to Spanish and ends up sounding like Abigail is offering to help them with their car, possibly change the oil? Ms. Lizzie translated sentences for her and then Abigail wrote it out phonetically so she could remember how to pronounce the words.

Buen trabajo mi poquito mosquito.  (Good job my small mosquito!)

Come, let us go down and confuse their language so they will not understand each other.

Genesis 11:7

George W. Bush Library

There is never a dull moment for us.  This morning was to be a much anticipated visit to the George W. Bush Library.  Our home school group had a tour scheduled for 10:00am.  As we were in route to the facility my phone rings with the Gungan's calling to let me know a suspicious packages was found outside the library and it was under lock down.

We parked at the top of the parking garage across from the library and hung out to watch the action.  There were helicopters, police cars and the bomb squad.  A local news station camera man was on the roof top with us giving a play by play of what uniform belonged to which organization.  

We watched them check the package, x-ray it and carry it off.  The process took about an hour and half and by then our touring time slot was over.  We will return another day to actually see the inside of the building.  

Abigail said it was a lot more exciting than she expected! hmmmmm!

Be careful not to neglect this matter. 

Why let this threat grow, to the detriment of the royal interests?

Ezra 4:22

Sunday Softball

Anytime Granny comes to town it is always a certainty that we will get rain.  She usually makes it down early Spring or Fall, and her visit generally coincides with a baseball or softball game.

This weekend was no exception.  Her visit brought buckets of rain last night.  When we awoke this morning it seemed a safe assumption that there would be no softball games.  But the sun came out, dried up the fields and shortly after church and Bible Bowl we headed to the ball fields.

It was an awesome game where you could really see the spirit that the girls all came to play ball.  Final score 7-8, we have one game remaining in the season.  We love having Granny in Texas, and Abigail made sure everyone knew her Granny was here to see her play ball.  

I will send you rain in its season, and the ground will yield its crops and the trees their fruit.  Leviticus 26:4

Granny's Visit

Jon's mom, aka Granny made it in from Oklahoma yesterday!!!  The kids get so excited when she comes to town.  They have a little rivalry about just who she is coming to see.  

There is Frankie who takes the position that as the oldest grandchild she is Granny's favorite.  After all, Frankie is the one who named Granny.  Abigail takes the position that she is named after Granny, therefore, the favorite.  

I take claim to being the favorite because I named Abigail after Granny.  Of course Jon pulls the, 'I'm her son,' line out. Caleb is smart enough to stay out of the playful banter.

Abigail played her heart out for her Granny today.  She had 2 RBIs and as catcher she had a throw down to 2nd and another to 3rd for two outs.  Shock waves win 10-9!

The boys grew up, and Esau became a skillful hunter, a man of the open country, while Jacob was content to stay at home among the tents. Isaac, who had a taste for wild game, loved Esau, but Rebekah loved Jacob.

Genesis 25:27-28

Public Speaker's Club

Here is a 'grandparent' post!  Today was Abigail's third presentation for Speaker's Club.  She performed a recitation of poetry by American poet and author, Shel Silverstein.  She combined three of his pieces from Where the Sidewalk Ends:  Sick, the Battle, and True Story.   

Their sponsor for Speaker's Club was out of town today so Caleb served as Master of Ceremonies.  

“Pardon your servant, Lord. I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue.”

Exodus 4:10

Parkland Movie

With the upcoming 50th anniversary of the assassination of President Kennedy, there are a lot of JFK books and movies hitting the market.  One of the most exciting projects is the  Parkland movie. 

It recounts the chaotic events that occurred in Dallas, Texas on November 22, 1963.  The movie connects ordinary individuals who were suddenly thrust into extraordinary circumstances.  With the Living History project that Caleb has worked on through the Sixth Floor Museum it was touching to see these unwilling heroes.  We've met some of the actual doctors, secret service agents, the men who guarded the President's body, all who never wanted this to be a part of their legacy.  

Yes it is a sad part of American History, but it is also a story of people who stepped up to do the right thing.  I think of Abraham Zapruder who's name would forever be attached to the video of the assassination of the President.   This was a man who was an immigrant that loved America and was excited to see the President of the United States.  His daughter tells that he would even have night mares of that fateful day. 

The movie is currently playing in a limited venue, we saw it at the Angelica  theater in Plano.  It will be released to DVD soon. Be sure to check it out, it is a reminder of the bad and the good in America! 

whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.  Philippians 4:8

Dallas Opera's Carmen

I am sure that there are some opera officiants who could write a prolific review of the Dallas Opera's Carmen.  As a mom, with children at home who loves the performing arts my review is fairly simple.  I love the majesty of the theater, the grandiose stage design and magnificent costuming, and Carmen has those wonderful attributes!  The stage for the three acts is amazing, I would love a back stage tour to see how these elaborate pieces were built! 

Carmen is the fabulous Spanish tale of a gypsy vixen who ensnares a once honorable Don Jose leading to his demise and ultimately her death.  This story was set to music by Georges Bizet into a masterpiece.  Bizet did not live to see the success of his wonderful work.

'But it's an opera,' you say, 'how was the singing?' you ask.  It was no less than spectacular! Every time we go to the opera I am surprised at how much of the music we already know but didn't realize the origin was an opera.  Tonight we heard the Toreador song from Gilligan's Island when Polonius (Skipper) sings advise to Laertes (Mary Ann).   The kids recognized the Toreador song from Beethoven's Wig, so in the elevator on the way we were all singing various lyrics.

We were joined tonight with several of our home school and church friends which always makes an event more enjoyable.  

Let God be true, and every human being a liar.

Romans 3:4

Simply Music Piano Lessons

Tonight Abigail tested out to complete Foundation 5 of Simply Music.  Abigail has been playing piano for three years and has about fifty songs in her repertoire.  One of these days, I'll upload a video of her playing from her current play list.  She LOVES playing the piano, LOVES Simply Music and LOVES her instructor Ms. Kathy!  It is Abigail's goal to complete the program and become an instructor!  

And his fame spread to all the surrounding nations.

He spoke three thousand proverbs and his songs numbered a thousand and five. 

I Kings 4:31-32

Johnny Appleseed Day

When the kids were young we would get together with our home schooling friends to celebrate fall, more specifically Johnny Appleseed. Check this link to see how adorable they were at our first Johnny Appleseed Day in 2008!

Today we got together at the Gungan's for apple tasting, apple bobbing and Disney Legend's Johnny Appleseed movie.  The big kids helped the little guys with the apple bobbing while the mom's visited and sipped on cider!  

We brought along our Spiced Apple Butter to be served on Cinnamon Swirled Bread, and Carmel Apple Cider.

Mrs. Gungan asked all the families to brings canned goods for us to deliver to Metro Relief tomorrow.  We came home with 74 items to donate tomorrow!  Thanks guys!!!!

Ready for a flash back of from our Johnny Appleseed Day in 2009?  Here are the kids reports on the various apples they brought to share with the group.  

For this is what the Lord Almighty says: “After the Glorious One has sent me against the nationsthat have plundered you—for whoever touches you touches the apple of his eye— Zechariah 2:8