Suprise Party

Last weekend, the Cornett family gathered at Old Friends Farm for a surprise birthday party for Roy's granddad, Bob. I wondered how in the world I could take so many pictures and not get one of the man of honor? Pretty simple, really. At 80, Bob continues to be the most passionate, the most energetic, and the most full of life person I have ever met. And he rarely stays in the same place long enough to capture the moment.

Still, there were plenty of moments.

Sophie and Aubrey playing in the leaves
and then having a very important conversation with their Pa. There was something about watching this exchange that made me think that this man is going to have to keep his wits about him over the next 10-20 years. These girls could take him for all he's worth.

I don't know how it happens, but anytime we go anywhere, there is a golf cart. And there are rides. And the kids learn how to turn them on at a very early age. Fortunately, the adults have learned to remove the keys when not in use.
There was the feeding of horses.
And throwing of rocks. (yes, I should've stopped them immediately... and I did shortly after I took this picture, but they were so darn cute.)
And we got some great group shots. Here are all of the Great-grandkids. It was current until two days later when Barrett Cornett Bertram was born.
And we got a nearly-complete family photo. It's so rare and such a treat. Despite missing three members of the family, this one is a keeper.

Dance Party

Most nights, we have dance class. Sophie puts on her red-inflatable-birthday-Chuck E. Cheese- crown and instructs us accordingly. This is generally late in the evenings when Roy and I are sufficiently exhausted from the day's activities, so fortunately it mostly involves sitting down and only the occasional pirouette.

From am's picasa

I love seeing her in this role - teacher, make believe. creativity. It's a wonderful thing!

So last night she announced that she wanted to dance. She grabbed Madeline, gave me a teddy bear, and I chose "If I had $1,000,000" on iTunes - always a family favorite - and that led to a good, old fashioned Barenaked Ladies dance party.

From am's picasa

From am's picasa

From am's picasa

From am's picasa

From am's picasa

Happy Halloween!

Roy stayed home and handed out candy while Sophie and I ventured out into the neighborhood.We walked around for about an hour or so (little legs travel slow) and when I said, "one more house," Sophie replied, "Yeah, I want to go home and sit on the couch and eat my candy."
This was the first year we ventured off our street for Trick or Treating and boy, I gotta say - I love this Holiday. Neighbors on their front porches, kids commenting on costumes and being polite to a 3-year old Cinderella, and the bustle of activity.

Just now, Sophie popped an M&M in her mouth and said, "This was a great Halloween, Mommy." Yep, it sure was.

Punkins

I'm not great about rituals. We don't dye Easter Eggs or make Christmas Cookies. But this year, we couldn't let Halloween go by without carving Pumpkins. We all had so much fun that I have vowed to create more moments like these.

Dearest Josh joined us for the event and that made us all happy.

From am's picasa

There was great concentration.

From am's picasa

From am's picasa

From am's picasa

From am's picasa

(anyone else nervous about how Josh chose to carve....?)

Sophie lasted a little while and then my vest became some sort of costume.

From am's picasa

Still, she told me how she wanted her pumpkin carved: eye shaped eyes... a nose shaped nose... and she let me give it a typical jack-o-lantern mouth.

From am's picasa

Josh finished second and in typical mind blowingly amazing fashion.

From am's picasa

Roy really nailed it!

From am's picasa

And Riley did a great job with Cyclops - and he learned some valuable lessons about carving... thank goodness for toothpicks!

From am's picasa

From am's picasa

Now to start shopping for cookie cutters!

Best in Show!

I don't blog about work. It's a conscious decision. I love my job. I love my coworkers. And I really don't want to get fired. I'm breaking my silence, however, for a very important announcement.

My team has won the Lexington Public Library's Pimp my Bookcart Competition!

There were 7 entries, including two buses, a Where the Wild Things Are jungle (which got second place - Go Beaumont!!), a zombie survival cart, a yellow submarine, and a full "Game of life" Board. But our Shep took the blue ribbon.I, along with 3 other ladies representing the Business Office and Human Resources took the "green" theme to heart, making this Hungarian Sheep Dog ("Shep Herding Books")from cardboard, a milk jug and 2 liter, paper towel roll, bubble wrap, and lots and lots and lots of shredded newspaper. The rules of the competition require the cart be functional as a book cart (Shep's left side is open - I didn't get a picture) and be restored to its original condition following the competition.

Shep will be entered into the national competition next week, so wish us luck!

Pears

At this year's Bluegrass Festival, someone suggested that the Cornett family get together when we're not putting on a party for 20,000 of our closest friends, or celebrating in the chaos of a major holiday. Roy's aunt Linda took this to heart and since June, we have had 2 - count them TWO - unrelated-to-anything Cornett gatherings.

I wish I had pictures of the first. In August, there was a "fight to the death wiffleball game". An incredible amount of Family was able to make it, to the point where each team had 12 players and there was a large handful who sat out.

This party was much smaller, and indoors. The activities included setting up battles on cousin Paul's Lord of the Rings Risk Board.
Laughing and playing and laughing and playing.

And watching the UK Football Game.

We adults were also there, but nearly as cute to photograph. We played Cranium. Ran downstairs to Mallory's apartment every time Sophie and Aiden got a little too quiet. And we talked and laughed and talked and laughed.

And aunt Barb told me that the pear tree in their yard that borders Grandma and Granddad's house is overflowing with pears. Today we went to fill our basket.(we had to take off her wet skirt.)

So I'm going to make pear sauce. Have sandwiches and salads with pear. And make this cake which I think looks fantastic. Oh what a lovely surprise - a family pear tree!

mostly dancing

I love Saturday's like this. It's close to 9:00 and everyone is still asleep. Precious time. After a cup or two of coffee, I'll run to the market and get some apples. I think I'm going to try my hand at applesauce today. I'm planning to use this recipe, but I'll take others! Jen, you gave us applesauce last year that was to die for! Recipe blog? It's cold and dreary outside, but not snowing like it is up north. That's crazy! I can just hear Roy, "why do people live there?" No offense to you lovely people who do live there. He's a southerner. What can you do?

***
The weather this week allowed us for a walk up to the park. I was so ashamed when I realized how long since we'd been there; it was obvious in watching Sophie's play. She would say, "Ok, swing the swings! Run underneath! Now to the teetertotter! Now back to the swings! Now to the slide!" and of course I was a willing participant. She kept wanting to climb the HUGE, old trees but that was nearly impossible. So we found this one - just her size.
***
I had trouble getting photos of Sophie's dance class this week. The camera kept wanted to focus on the window rather than the girl, but oh well. Watching all the mom's rush to the window and jockey for place is always entertaining. I am so that mom!

Sophie is the only Caucasian in the class, which means I'm in the minority in the waiting room. We chit chat now and then, but the other moms are obvious friends and I'm content to read my book, participating now and then. We do come together which exclamations of 'you have GOT to see this!' from whoever has the best vantage point.
This week they learned some tap and I can say with a high degree of confidence that Sophie is rather intimidated by the tap... or maybe it's the coordination required. She watched intently as Ms. Megan showed them the step, but she just couldn't figure it out. Then she got frustrated.

I think tap will be good for her - even if she never wants to do it again after the cycle of classes is over. It will (hopefully) show her that perseverance pays off and she might even learn some confidence and balance.

***
Today it's Canada's Thanksgiving. (Beccy Jo!) and this is the prayer for today that appears in my prayer book. It's one of my favorites. May it be a blessing and reminder to us all.

Eternal Spirit of Justice and Love,
At this time of Thanksgiving we would be aware of our dependence on the earth and on the sustaining presence of other human beings both living and gone before us.
As we partake of bread and wine, may we remember that there are many for whom sufficient bread is a luxury, or for whom wine, when attainable, is only an escape. Let our thanksgiving for life's bounty include a commitment to change the world, that those who are now hungry may be filled and those without hope may be given courage.
Amen
(Congregation of Abraxas)