Last Thursday, in the midst of a horrendous and damaging thunderstorm, Hildebrandt's bands held their fall concert. As usual, Austen's band (the Honor Band) played beautifully.
Yesterday, the entire 5th grade at Parker's school graduated from the DARE program -- a 9-week curriculum which teaches youngsters about the situations in which they may find themselves regarding drugs, alcohol, etc. -- and how to say no or walk away. This may be the most valuable set of lessons these kids learn all year.
When I went to pick up Kira, Parker, and their neighbor pals Austin and Abbi at school the other day, I waited in the kindergarten playground area. I saw Kira come out of her building, pink backpack (SuperGirl!) on, running and reading at the same time. It's a wonder she could see where she was going!
Here are a couple of photos I wanted to post that I took last Saturday. The first one is the window-wall with the page that announced that Austen had made it into the All-Region Band. Whenever someone posted a new set of results, there was almost a stampede of students to find out if theirs was up!
Finally, I can post photos!
On Saturday, during housecleaning time, Ruse discovered how much FUN it is to dive into a rolled up rug! And Audace thought it was fun to jump on top of the lumpy, moving rug! Such funny boys!
Wow! Almost October. I don't think I've completely gotten used to writing 2006 on checks and other things yet! Last week was absolutely lovely, especially in the mornings. It was cooler outside than in my house. So I opened a few windows and let Grace and the boys sniff the great outdoors. That's about as outdoorsy as they'll get, though. Too many predatory critters out there at night.
And then today, the kitten-cats went to visit at the Linehans' house -- and learn to navigate the stairs, to stay off the narrow ledge over the front door, and to interact with Cabernet! When they returned home, they were completely pooped out! First Grace had to sniff all over and clean them. Now they are absolutely conked out on the couch. I may not hear from them for quite a while!
Kira has spent the last two days with me instead of going to school -- upper respiratory infection. Both days after lunch, we settled down on the couch to rest and read, and both days she fell asleep. Notice her guardians: Grace above, and Audace near her legs and feet!
Ken got tickets for Anne and the three kids and me at Minutemaid Park, home of the Houston Astros. It was an experience I'd never had before -- what a nice comfortable way to watch a baseball game. In the first picture, Anne, Austen, and Parker are starting to sample the incredible spread of food that was laid out. And for a long time, we were the only people in the suite; after a while, two other families came in. Needless to say, we got the lions' share of the food! Ken did an amazing job organizing our lunch, dessert, and snacks!
Well, that didn't take long!
I now have had thirteen cats as pets at various times, including the three currently residing in my house (or ... wait ... am I in theirs??), and all of them have been "altered" (as the veterinary form states!). All their various -ectomies have turned out just fine; not a problem with any of them. Why, then, do I tend to worry about every one? Hmmm. Have to cogitate on that for a while!
Our two little guys will go in for their hoo-ha-ectomies (thanks to Rose for this terminology!) this Friday morning. I have no clue how to restrain their activity after they come home! I guess we'll just have to wing it! Wish 'em good luck!!
Can't help it -- the comparisons are just too much fun!
Kira and Parker went to the skating rink to help celebrate Abbi's birthday. Now both she and Kira are six! Yayyy!!
Parker turned eleven last Friday, but the celebrations were on the weekend. He is the expert at putting candles on his own cake -- and then blowing them all out! He also got to take in an Astros game, and he even caught a fly ball! Happy boy!!
This one "bit the dust," so I guess I'll have to make my grocery purchases with an eye for intriguing box shapes in the near future!
