Did you miss us?

I can't believe I neglected this blog for almost three months.  At the same time, it really isn't surprising.  As I wrote in a note to a friend of mine, we've been so busy living life that we haven't had a moment to reflect on life these past few months.  This, I've discovered is one of the realities that comes with living a place with four real seasons.  The slumberous pace of winter quickly gives way to the exuberant pace of spring which then becomes the frenetic pace of summer, and finally, oh finally, gives way to the slow down that accompanies autumn.   Even the plants finally give up, the luscious bright colors of spring and summer tone down and become the muted colors of autumn.  It is as if they, too, are exhausted by the effort to give us such a beautiful show.    Still, it is an amazing show while we have it, isn't it?

That is how our summer was...and it is only as I look back on it that I realize it is no wonder that the blog got neglected...we were crazy busy living life and it was a blast!  From working to playing to travel to cooking to diy projects to friends and to family, we did it all.  Over the next few days, I'll catch you up...then we'll head into the slower days of autumn together.  I'm ready to slow down, aren't you?

For now, I'll leave you with this lovely picture of my children.  "No, no, don't hold back.  Tell me what you really think of my cooking!"

(Trying new recipes wasn't always appreciated...

the kids were actually plugging their noses

 so they didn't have to taste the food!

Tron

Christmas break begins this week.  I don't know about other homeschoolers, but I always find our lives go a little easier if we take Christmas Break (and Spring Break) with our public school brethren.  To start the festivities, I took a break from my kitchen duties and headed into town to spend some fun time with my kids.  Charming had the day off, too,  and even our neighbors (including the dad!) made the trek and joined us at the local AMC theater to see Tron Legacy, Disney's remake of the 80s movie!

Yes, we're geeks!  We've been so excited about Tron and matinee prices sweetened the deal.  (You know that all movies before noon are $5 at the AMC theaters, right?  $5!)

I just have to say that despite the being raked over the coals by the oh-so-prestigious reviewers, Tron was a super fun movie to take your kids to.   Special effects combined with some 80s nostalgia made for a fun transition from the original Tron to this Tron.  Add in a PG rating (no kissing, no questionable language, exciting motorcycle races!) and it is a parent's dream.   (In an effort to demonstrate full transparency, I will say there were a few minutes toward the end where it bogged down a bit, but other than that, it moved right along.)  To put it quite simply:  Boys liked it and girls liked it.  Grown-ups liked it and kids liked it. 

No, it won't solve the ills of the world, but for a couple of hours, you can go have a good time with your kids.  I just don't think you can ask for more! 

(Now, I must head back to my kitchen...gingerbread men await my attention!)