Kicking off our Halloween Festivities

Check out Starbuck's newest spokes-kid... Amelia. She LOVES their "deeeeeeeee-li-cious" hot chocolate.

The other day our local Starbuck's had a pumpkin painting party for the kiddos. Lee suggested we go. I think he was really looking for an excuse to get another pumpkin-spiced-latte.

Normally, when Amelia paints, she puts 5-6 brush strokes on the page and is ready to move on. This time she was all about the paint. Her pumpkin (and sweater!) was covered.

Fun was had by all... thanks Starbuck's!

Oh, what a beautiful day!

It's the middle of October and 80 degrees here in Chapel Hill... some may call that "global warming" -- I call it delightful. Since it's going to barely make 60 tomorrow, we made sure to get out today and enjoy the beautiful weather

Our wonderful friends Sarah, Taylor, and Catherine met us at the park and fun was to be had by all. I failed in my attempt to get a good pic of Noah -- my fair skinned, light blond hair boy is hard to photograph. Amelia and Sarah stood still for me to take exactly one photo of each. The image of the day goes to Taylor... such a cutie!

So long t-shirts (today), hello sweaters (tomorrow)...

Happy Birthday Uncle Tom

Today is a special day... it's my wonderful Uncle Tom's birthday. All day I've been thinking of him and our many dear memories. I miss him so.

I keep coming back to one of my sweetest memories... the day he met Amelia. She wore her best dress for this important introduction and was on her best behavior. She took to him immediately... quietly slumbering while snuggled up on his shoulder. I loved that their bond had been formed... that she'd get to know the man who meant so much to me... who was not only my Uncle, but who had taken over as Grandfather, who gave me valued guidance, who helped to teach me to "think big", who expected the very best from me... who loved me like his own.

I don't need to see the photo to picture this moment perfectly in my mind. But, oh, how I love that photo. In honor of Tom, I'm posting it today, along with a few others from that first visit three years ago.

What I'd give for him to meet Noah...

Saturday Self-Portrait

Guess who?!

Guess who's going to be Spiderman for Halloween this year...
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Snaggletooth

Noah's got a tooth! He was gnawing on my finger today - like he's loves to do - and I was suddenly surprised with pain. Ouch!

It's not one of his bottom two front teeth... as is usually the norm. It's not one of his top two front teeth... which would make some sense. It's his upper right tooth, next to the front teeth... his "snaggletooth" as we now fondly call it.

He's strange... but we love him!

Cheer she might, but play she WILL!

The other day, Amelia came running out of her room with her cheer leading pom-poms - or as she calls them "cheer-leads"...

"Dad! Dad! You be the basketball player and I'll cheer for you!"

It was at that exact moment I said, this girl needs to be introduced to the wonderful world of women's athletics! Cheer she might, but play she WILL.















So, the fire was hopefully lit at last weekend's UNC women's soccer game against Kentucky. Amelia met her good friends Sarah and Shelby at Fetzer Stadium to witness one of the country's most dominate college sports teams. Aside from the fact that it was beastly hot and everyone was a sweaty mess, fun was had by all.

When the game was over, Amelia couldn't understand why she couldn't get on the field to play soccer. "But, Mom... it's my turn now!"

Success!

Julianna throughout the years

As the primary photographer of this blog, I'm rarely in the photos. Thought it was time I posted a few of myself. Take a look at some of my favorites throughout the years...

1958


















1968


















1978


















1986


















1994

Getting clean...or having fun?!

After a particularly messy meal, Noah needed a quick bird-bath to clean up. To him it was a fabulously fun play activity. Who knew dripping water could be so entertaining?!
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Back to school

Guess who's excited for school?! Amelia went back to Binkley Preschool today for the first day of the school year. Much to her dismay, class was only one hour and her mom had to come with her. ("Mom, kids go by themselves!") She DID NOT want to leave when it was over. I take that as a very good sign!

Friday will be her second day and she'll get to stay for two hours. Clearly, school has us easing back into the academic routine.

Next week school will be back at full-steam. She'll go M/W/F from 900a until 1200p. In addition to going three days a week, another new aspect to this year is that Amelia will get to stay an extra hour for "Lunch Bunch." I don't know who's more excited... Amelia or me!

Check out some photos from Amelia's first day back at school... in front of school, her new "best friend" Charlotte, Noah, and learning to line-up...