Chocolate Stars

This was our sixth and final meeting for our co-op.  We enjoyed our time of being with friends and learning in groups. Sapphire especially fell in love with her teachers as only a kindergartener can.  We always return on the evening of our last day for a Show and Tell, and here Pearl is sharing the poster she made from her First Aid class.

Here in York County we have a delightful fall tradition: chocolate stars. I've had recourse to grab a box this week because of the exciting and nerve-wracking book-related opportunities that keep popping up. I'm growing a bit nervous about opening my email in the morning, because my British publisher has been busy making connections for me with media in the UK.  I've been drafting blog posts for a UK university and my publisher, as well as an article for the Irish Times, and I'm in the process of scheduling interviews with national public radio talk hosts, including a talk show in Ireland.

As someone who listens to a lot of radio interviews, I feel a little intimidated, but, I figured, I might as well experience it. I'm not going to post any links to the shows, because the only way I plan to get through the interviews is by thinking that no one I know is listening!  That and what will probably be my third box of chocolate stars. 

Introducing Brie

Keeping our promise to Pearl to find a family dog took some work.  I really wanted to try to find a shelter dog, and this meant applications, waiting, and some disappointments.  It also taught us about the pet industry and delayed gratification, and that is not a bad lesson.   

On Saturday we drove to the Chester County SPCA to meet a black and white terrier, but she was already reserved by another family.  Instead we met with a little ten pound, four year old Yorkie mix, and an hour later she was driving home with us.  A few days later we visited the vet, and her health and personality impressed him greatly.  He was smitten. 

We are all delighted with her.  She has latched on to Pearl, who is so excited to have her own dog at long last.  Brie is fairly timid, but it has been amazing to see her warming up to her surroundings.  When Pearl's Chinese class of six people met here, Brie made some very brave (and distractingly cute) forays into the kitchen to make sure Pearl was safe and sound. 

Sapphire has learned to regulate her voice and movements to gain the trust of our timid little Yorkie.  Ruby is doing better too. She calmly scratched Brie's ears, and said she loved her, but then added that we still need a cat. 

Outside the house my little preemie niece is growing gram by gram. I had the chance to visit her in the NICU, my first experience there, and even hold the little bundle.  Soon she'll be five pounds. 

Dropping off our Operation Christmas Child boxes

A last outdoors hurrah before the cold vortex hits

Spooky Pumpkin

Like most of our events, Halloween was pleasantly extended throughout the week.  On Halloween night itself, the two bigger girls went to karate with their daddy, and Ruby and I experienced trick or treat in our new town.  It was a little overwhelming. We headed back to our old neighborhood to visit our friends.  

    

We had a little setback this week with scissors.  While Pearl and I were out to see an abridged performance of Hamlet, the two little girls perpetrated a tragedy of their own. Everyone has already been told, clearly, that we don't cut our own hair.  Sadly, that did not stop them. Their loving daddy rushed them to a salon before I even saw the first effects.

Sapphire lost scissors for six months last time she thought this was a good idea.  Now she may be in junior high before I let her cut again.