Boo!

This year, Halloween seemed almost an afterthought.  For the first time, neither Kelsey nor Erin dressed up and went trick-or-treating.  Drew had his costume figured out weeks ago, and Baird helped him turn his generic White Sox jersey into a Paul Konerko uniform.  I missed the annual Halloween parade at Irving because I worked the 6am-2pm shift today.  I did manage to buy candy tho.  And order a pizza so there was a Shattuck contribution at the block party potluck.  This year, it has to fall under the category of "good enough."

I did manage to snap a quick pic of Drew and his friends while they were making their way around our block:

Catching up with the Big Guys

I mentioned earlier this month about the trees on Fillmore that were finally sporting their fall colors.  The maple tree on the north side of our house is just now turning color, while the other trees a mere half a block west are now bare.  I don't mind, because it makes the fleeting colors of fall feel like they are lingering just a bit longer.

Oh, and the clear, bright blue sky is pretty great too!

Drew's 11!

I'm not exactly sure how this happened...my baby turned 11 today.  Well, actually, I know how it happened.  I just don't understand how it's been 11 years already.

It seems like just a few months ago my doctor was telling me I'd need a Halloween costume for my third child.  "Yeah, right,"  I replied. "You told me to plan on a February birth for my last baby, and she was born on March 12!  I don't believe you.  In fact, I'm pretty sure I'm going to see Election Day still pregnant."

Well, my doctor was right, and on October 23, 2000, Andrew Warren Shattuck was born.  It was clear from the beginning that Drew provides the link between his polar opposite sisters.  He has Kelsey's dark, dark eyes but he also has a cowlick like Erin.  While he's certainly a blend of the girls, he's louder and has more energy than the two of them combined.

When we brought Drew home from the hospital, his sisters couldn't wait to hold him.  They were both running green snot out of their noses and I remember thinking, Please, God, keep him healthy for the first six weeks.  He's just too little to be sick!

And then there's today:

While Drew often feels like his sisters are conspiring against him, they really do love him dearly.  Drew brings an exuberance for life and a passion for spiritual things that's truly inspiring.  Our family wouldn't be complete without the (not so) Little Dude around.

Happy birthday, Drew.  We love you!

Look Alike?

It was School Spirit Day today, and the students and teachers were challenged to dress like someone else for the day.  Drew's teacher paid him the ultimate compliment when she dressed like him:

She wore shorts (Drew's signature look until his legs turn blue about mid-January) and a sports t-shirt (she's also a big White Sox fan).  She carried a book and a basketball, because Drew's usually reading or playing a sport.  I think she nailed the look pretty well!

Apple Strudel

The opportunity to make apple strudel with my mom, my aunt, and my Friend J Renny made this trip home just that much sweeter.

J Renny and I went for a walk while the strudel was baking, and by the time we returned, most of it had been devoured.  Guess we'll have to make some more tomorrow!

Back to Nature

One of the many reasons I love taking the kids to my parents' place in Iowa?  The hands-on nature experience

Transition to Fall 2011

There are two trees located just west of our house on Fillmore, and every year they are the first two trees to sport their fall colors.  Often they begin their transformation a week or so before the kids head back to school, and I'm always a bit startled the first time I look out my living room window and notice the change.  What?!  Fall already?!  Where did the summer go?! is usually what I'm thinking when I realize what's happening.

Fall's hitting late this year, as summer is on its, like, third last hurrah - it's almost 80 and sunny today.  Anyway, I remember over the Labor Day weekend, I was looking out the living room window at the trees, seeking their visual cue that fall was on its way.  I remember thinking that the trees were running late this year.  In fact, it's only been in the last few weeks that these trees have finally started to turn.

As I finished my run this morning, I noticed that the two trees are finally in full fall glory, blazing the trail toward fall colors, setting the example for the other trees on the block:

It really is that beautiful!  The sun shining on the leaves, contrasting with a bright blue sky, makes me kind of wish that I could throw a blanket under the tree, lie down and stare up at the leaves all day long.  Since that's just not a realistic option, I've made this picture the wallpaper on my computer.

Apple Picking 2011

We enjoyed our trip to Royal Oaks Orchard so much last year, we decided to go back.  We couldn't have asked for a better day weather-wise - it was 65 and sunny with a light breeze.

We brought home two bushels of apples and a gallon of apple cider.  I have ideas for these apples that go way beyond plunking one in each of the kids' lunches for the next few weeks.  I'll share the highlights here over the next couple of weeks.