Oh dear. One post a month and to think I used to post every other day. My relatives have been missing the regular updates. They wonder if I have moved everything to Facebook. I am on Facebook, and I enjoy the more instant Feedback of Facebook. Blogging proved a bit unsatisfying as I posted for the world with little feedback, but more than that my world has altered. I am no longer a stay-at-home mom confined in my adventures to whatever schedule my little ones allow. With more time alone, there is more on my to-do list and less need to vent all those pent up thoughts. Also, too many people know about this blog. Not that this is bad, but if I am pondering the little girl drama in Hadley's life, I can't write about it. One of the moms of the little girls involved might read it, and misunderstand. Mothers, including myself are dangerously sensitive when it comes to their children. An honest critique (or maybe not so honest since I am always biased toward my own children) can be too hard to swallow. Also the girls are bigger now. Their issues and struggles are no longer mine to share freely. Well, I could, but they wouldn't like it. A toddler throwing a tantrum over having to leave the playground is safer (and more humorous) for sharing than the sobbing of a little girl on a day she feels like no one likes her. So there you go, that's part of the silence of the blog.

But dear family, I know you want stories and pictures. Let me catch you up. 

The girls spent hours one weekend building this home for their little plastic toys called Zoobles. I love their creativity though I don't always know where or how long to store their creations.

Kassy finally lost her first tooth. Both bottom teeth are missing now. She's growing out her bangs again and I am trying not to scream every time she fails to wear a barrett.

Above: painting of a garden from Kassy to me. Below: The sweet note on the back of the painting.

My parents were here for a weekend in October. It was full of soccer.

My friends who helped stuff 400 treat bags for Halloween. We ran out after an hour and a half.

Hadley was Princess Leia for the school costume parade.

The girls are learning classical guitar. It is precious to watch them pluck out Ode to Joy. Some day I'll post a video.

Kassy's soccer team was in a tournament Halloween weekend. It was a long day Saturday. It was pool play with two games in the pool play. Winner of the pool play advanced to the finals. We didn't win pool play and had to play in the semi-final and then the final. We started at 8 am (almost in the dark), played at noon, and again at 2 and the final at 4. But those girls won. They did awesome. Kassy played goalie for the whole final game and did great.

We really got into Halloween this year. This is our castle. I can't take any credit. My friends created and implemented the whole thing while I was at the soccer tournament.

Asian Princess and Laura Ingalls Wilder. Kassy's dress was made by my mom. I wore it as a little girl. It's precious to see it worn again. I always felt so beautiful in that dress. The bonnet came from Crossroads village, an historical village in Flint.

My dear friends who created our Halloween event!

A fall project: to find a way to organize the school stuff, sports stuff, shoes and outdoor-wear. It took a lot of searching to find the cheapest and most effective way to do this  but I am pleased with the results. And six weeks later, it still like like this...mostly.