Ahh, FALL.....

School's back in session.  Sophia is now in kindergarten five days a week.  Brandon's a third grader.  Suddenly I've gone from having them with me three days a week to an hour and a half three afternoons a week.  I have a life again!  But as unbelievable as it sounds, I find no time to be bored.
	Brandon played flag football this year.  The sport is open to first through third graders, so he's one of the bigger boys.  Matt played football in high school, so he and Brandon enjoy throwing the football to each other.  I overheard comments that Brandon has developed quite a throwing arm.

When Brandon's six-week-long football season ended, Sophia elected to take gymnastics.  I visited one evening and was met at the door by the smell I remember from my school days. The smell of feet.  Folks who stay while their children are in class sit in bleachers in the balcony.  The beginners' class, Sophia's group, was waaaaay down at the far end of the gymnasium.  Binoculars would have been helpful to observe the little girls bouncing on the trampoline and tumbling on the mat.  Sophia's already declared she wants to take cheerleading next.

Halloween.  The weather was beautiful that day.  Sophia was a witch and Brandon, an injured football player.  They and a few of their friends ran through the first half of the route.  By the second half, as their goodie bags became heavy, their pace slowed and they admitted they were ready to go home to sort through their loot.

This is the year Dawn turned 40.  In late September Matt began preparations for a surprise birthday party.  The plan included inviting friends to a pig roast, their third and final of the year.  Dawn, as has been their custom, sent invitations.  Matt and Dawn's friend, Rachelle, prepared a second invitation, reiterating that a pig roast was planned, but it would also be a surprise birthday party for Dawn.  To add to the excitement of the day, Matt called Dawn's childhood friend, Inga, who lives in North Carolina.  Inga said she'd come and bring her 3-month old son and her mother, Carolyn, who was Dawn's second mom when the girls were little.  Matt also called Brett who said he and his girlfriend, Michelle, would fly in from San Francisco.

The weather cooperated as much as it can in early November.  The day was overcast but the temperature held in the mid 50's.  At 2 PM, a friend pulled Dawn into the house on a hunt for headache remedy so surprise guests Inga, the baby, Carolyn, Brett and Michelle could scurry over from their hiding place next door.  A short time later, when Dawn returned to the patio, everyone yelled "Surprise!!", and Dawn was!  The celebration lasted until after midnight, with people coming and going throughout the evening.

Dawn was Surprised!	Hugs from Inga, Carolyn and Brett
Dawn with two of her gag gifts	Neighbor Vic manning the BBQ pit
Dawn and Inga	Brett, my brother Jeff and Michelle

Sophia's birthday is the day after Dawn's.  Cupcakes were shared with classmates and Sophia wore a crown in class all day.  There were presents from her family that evening, but the big party with school classmates was on Saturday.  After Sophia opened presents, the girls painted camisoles and decorated their cupcakes with frosting and sprinkles.  When I looked at the results, I can honestly say I was thankful I had to work that day!