Happy Halloween from Hogwarts!!

Lauren had her first public performance as a flutist (flautist). The BMS 6th-grade band put on an exhibition tonight. It was really amazing to hear just how much they have learned. Essentially everyone playing (and there were a lot of kids in the band) just began learning a couple months ago. They already knew a bunch of songs, which sounded great, especially considering it was the first time all of them had played together as a single group. Of course Lauren sounded better than anyone else there, but what else would you expect?

It was a beautiful crisp clear evening tonight so we had a fire after church and made s’mores. A few stories were told:

The girls each had their last game of the season today. Unfortunately, they were at the exact same time on different courts. Jake and I got quite the workout running back and forth between the games to catch all the action. Here are some team photos I shot after the game:

Jake and Lauren were so excited to try to put this 3D puzzle together. It actually took several hours, and Beth decided to join us once she saw how fun it was.

I think this is a really cool art project we invented for my birthday. We got three of the colored little impression toys (these things but plastic). Then we took them apart and moved some of the pins around from toy to toy to make three really cool designs. Lauren wanted a yin-yang symbols, while Jake and Beth both wanted their first initial. As far as I know, this is a totally unique art form we invented:

Abby is all ready for Halloween. She’s no spider this year; instead she’s dressed up as princess. Beth was so excited to bring her over and get some pictures of her taken (she’s having her birthday party by the pool later today):

Jake had a really great game today, including a great RBI. At the end of the game, the coach awarded him one of the two game balls. Way to go Jake!!

Jake got his first run today. Here’s a shot of him getting ready before the game, one of him when he made it to third base, and then one of him just about to cross home plate. Way to go, Jake!

Lauren played an exciting volleyball game today, and fortunately I brought the “big” camera today to get some of her exciting action (most of the really fast action was too blurry in the pictures, though):

Beth had a game this morning and I brought the “big” camera to try to get some good pictures of her in action:

(the last picture is the vulture I saw gliding down our street right after I got home)

What another beautiful night for baseball. Here are some pictures of Jake playing, including him stealing second base (the first base he ever stole):

Lauren is very excited about starting her Cotillion classes. Today is the first one, and she looks great all dressed up for it:

We had a huge crowd at Monkey Grandma’s house in Cincinnati. It was so great to see so much of the family together. The kids all had a wonderful time with their cousins. Pictures are courtesy of Monkey Grandma:

Uncle Pat got two new dogs and we got to go over to his house to see them today. They are two of the sweetest, most well-behaved dogs we’ve ever met. Needless to say, the kids were so excited to meet them. I didn’t have a good camera, so these pictures are pretty bad, but Pat got some good ones.

It was hot but it was beautiful outside. We had a lot of fun playing. I didn’t take many pictures, but here are two I snapped while we were coming in:

Jake was pretty happy not to be in left field tonight. He got to try out second base and center field.

Jake ended up playing left field instead of short stop, and he had a really great play right at the beginning of the game. It was a beautiful night for a baseball game. Way to go, Jake, you’re a baseball player!!

Jake had his last practice before the first game of the season (tomorrow). He did amazingly well today. His favorite part (other than getting his uniform) was when he not only got a base hit, but then ended up making it all the way home as each subsequent batter got on base. The girls thought it was a little hot out today, but they had fun watching him. Jake will be playing shortstop tomorrow.

Lauren and Beth each had their first volleyball games of their lives today. Beth went first, then Lauren. We had just enough time between games to grab lunch at Arby’s. Both girls should be very proud of their first performances: