The President

Our neighbor had 2 extra VIP tickets to the rally featuring Bill Clinton this evening ... I couldn't pass up the opportunity to expose Estelle to an event like this during this monumental time in our country's history.

Clinton spoke about Obama's ideas, policies, decision-making, and execution. His speech was about 30 minutes, holding our wrapt attention throughout.

It was compelling, of course.

After the speech he came off the stage to greet the people close to the front of the crowd.

People gave his staff things to sign like books and t-shirts, which he would do backstage afterwards.


Although I didn't get a picture of the actual moment, Estelle had squeezed up to the front and SHOOK HIS HAND!
Maybe this was taken while he was looking down at her ... nice hair :)

No matter what your politics, it was an amazing opportunity to be that close to the POTUS, even a former one. WOW!

(The remainder of the evening was quite normal - making cookies for George's Halloween party tomorrow in class. Ah, life is good ...)

Mr. Fix It

In preparation for the Tours de Noel (December 7) we have house projects that need to happen. Amongst several, the front porch steps needed to be replaced.

George helped by drilling so that footings could be added for support underneath the stairs.

He had a good time, but didn't drink the Dos Equis - that was for John. Now we're waiting on the 8 sconces for the living room after finding the wiring on the architectural drawings. The decorating needs to begin shortly ...

The kids took me out to Inky's for my birthday. Then we went out and bought a feather bed and bamboo sheets ... which made the bed nice and cozy but I haven't slept in it much since then, being on the road.
And, Estelle had some pictures taken of her team after the soccer season was finished. She definitely enjoyed the season.

Next we have to figure out what costumes to wear for Halloween. Could be a challenge!!

Social Studies Project (aka George's Excellent Adventure)

George has a social studies project due next week. He is supposed to pick out a place in the community that he likes to visit with his family and make a brochure about it. We talked about the Zoo, the Mud Hens, Wildwood park, and even the Arboretum. Then he says "I want Inky's." I thought that was a good idea, a restaurant locally owned with some history to it. So, I called Frank, one of the owners, to ask if it would be OK for George to come talk with him. Frank tells me to have George come in the afternoon and he'll not only talk to him but will let him make a pizza and take pictures. WOW!
So I'm not sure which of these pictures will actually end up in the brochure, which we'll make this week using the computer, but George had the time of his life - combining his 2 favorite pasttimes, cooking and computer.

He was even nice enough to take Estelle along with him for the adventure.

So you put the crust in the pan, then you put on the sauce.

Choose your toppings (pepperoni for George, pineapple and mushrooms for Estelle (OK - she's a bit strange but she ate it all ...)



Looks good - make faces with toppings above the cheese ... classic strategy for pizza!

Then while you wait for it to bake you get to play in the freezer and hold a ginormous knife. Yikes!

So now the pizza is about to be served, you need a soda - which they learned is called "pulling soda".

TA DA! DEEEEELICIOUS!!

Track-A-Thon

The Gesu PTO does one fundraiser every year, the Track-A-Thon. People gave pledges and the kids had to run the track for 20 minutes. Every lap they did gained them a rubber band. Fun music played in the background and quite a few parents showed up to cheer. I'm sure George was freezing on his walk over to the track ... he wouldn't take the jacket with him though.
Estelle was dressed for the weather ...
George got silly with his friends during the warm-ups.
Estelle wasn't so sure about running the track,
but, here she goes.

At some point, she slowed down to a walking pace.
On the other end of the field, George put his good cross country skills to use, keeping up the pace.
No longer worried about a jacket, he got plenty warmed up.
George got 13 rubber bands. Estelle had 12. :)

Fall Fun

George at the starting "gate" for the XC meet 2 Saturdays ago - yes you can find him somewhere in the pack - and then he makes it to the finish line! (The rabbits are in the background looking all cool and casual ...)



Then we went to the Memory Walk at the Toledo Zoo and took Rebecca with us - before the soccer games that Sunday afternoon. (John was out of town, recovering from his day of whitewater rafting).



Last Friday night we picked up the new Prius ... nice ride. :)
On Saturday George had XC in the morning (look closely, you'll see him coming around the building - this is where he turns on the burst of speed),
we all went to kids day at the OWE Commons,

and E had soccer also!

That night we went to see UT soundly trounced by ... Florida International University. It was pretty sad. Their coach was giving high fives and booty bumps he was soooo excited. But hey, it was only $8 for Estelle and I to go with the boys (Cub Scout function).

Fun times!