Forget Jacob or Edward...

I rented New Moon tonight.


I'm team Atticus.


That's all I'm going to say about it.

Who's That Coming Down the Street?

Are they shovels or are they feet?

Lean and lanky, skin and bones,

With clothes a scarecrow would hate to own...

I first saw the movie The Adventure's of Ichabod and Mr. Toad when I started dating Sam back in high school. He used to hum and sing these songs all the time, which I thought was adorable.

(Now, guys might not think that's a manly enough compliment, but trust me, it is. I wanted to kiss on those comely lips every time he hummed a tune. My guy is not only dashingly handsome, he's fun and quite charming).

Back to the subject at hand- Here's a clip (just under 3 minutes long):

Sam bought the movie and we watched it with the kids tonight. They loved it. I highly recommend it. And while watching, I (re)learned three things:

1. Hearing my kids' laughs are about the most delightful sounds I have ever heard.

2. I don't know how I managed to hook Sam, but I'm so glad I've got him. He's fun!

3. Though we have different frames, Ichabod and I are kindred souls. (This is slightly disconcerting).

YOU KNOW...
If you want a REAL treat this Halloween season, you should read the original short story; The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. I promise you, you won't be sorry.
Washington Irving is magical with words.
Delightful.
'Tis the Season!
I'm tempted to give a copy of that story out to every Trick Or Treater for Halloween, in lieu of goodies, I like it so much.


::: (imagining a pumpkin bowl full of books) :::

COME to think of it -
I'll stick with the fun size candy. Heaven forbid that I be put in the same category as those lame dentists and health nuts -- who attempt to subdue the cheap, sugared profligacy that is trick•or•treating -- by giving out the likes of toothbrushes and raisins... EEK!
That's a scary thought

End Of Summer Celebration!

Sam coined this phrase a few days ago. It was shortly after I said something like, "Okay kids! Early bedtime! We need to get our bodies used to a school schedule!"

No.
Sam wouldn't have it.

Why, WHY would we succumb to a schedule now? We WILL be subverters (it's a word) of the "establishment" while we are young and able and still have a few days left to do so!!!

Father declared a week long party. "Hooray!" The children cried.

The will of the people made known, a new Carter Family Tradition was created.

Unfortunately, we (like how I said 'we'?) didn't think of this fun idea until just a few days before, so we didn't do anything really extravagant, but...

We stayed up very, very late. We ate lots of goodies and watched old movies every night (following):




* Summer Magic (A must see. Hayley Mills is darling in this.)







* The Poseidon Adventure: (Turns out the old version had some language, and so this one got turned off early.)




* Raiders of the Lost Ark: The melting faces at the end really freaked Jack out. We'll turn off movies for language. But Wrath-of-the-Almighty Gore? Sure. We'll freely allow the burning of those images into our children's minds (apparently). Poor Jackie.




* The Never Ending Story: Wow, soooo 1984. Watching Ada was like watching myself when I was her age. Like me;
1. She was scared of the totally-fake-wolf-thing
2. She could NOT figure out if Atreyou and Bastion were the same person.
3. She absolutely loved the pearl crown the
princess was wearing on her forehead.

(Bastion! Pleeease! What's my NAME?!? Bastion!)

SATURDAYWe had a BBQ in the back yard.

We started by releasing balloons with prayers and wishes on them. The wishes were mainly for the Nielson Family. I don't know them, but I've been reading NieNie's blog everyday for a while. She and her husband were severely burned and injured in a plane crash about a week ago...you can read more about it, the family and the balloons, here.

We also added some of our own wishes for the upcoming school year.

Then Sam made the most delicious hamburgers I have EVER eaten. The perfect end of summer feast.

So fun.

So that's it. SUMMER IS OVER....(it went by so fast!)

I've made the kids' lunches, they've laid out their clothes and they're sleeping soundly.

Honestly? I'm sick to my stomach. I DREAD this day and for the past two years it's made me bluer than blue. Maybe I'll write more about that later. I am excited for them though. I've always loved the idea of a fresh start mixed with school supplies.

My Dad, Morningtime and a Guy Named Joe...

(scene from "Joe Versus the Volcano")

Getting out of bed early was kind of tough for me this morning. I just couldn't convince myself why it was necessary - but I'm glad I did because when I came down to sign in on the computer I noticed my dad (John) left a comment of encouragement for me - and some really good advice;

"...Habits are strange and make us who we are. They also are controllable and willing to change as we give them enough time and discipline. We might as well create a few that are good for us in the short time we have to make that choice. The time you save and share with the cuties is more than worth the little pleasure you will get from those warm covers. Love ya, Dad."

My dad is the best motivator! And a great example of discipline. I am thankful for this advice because this morning I had decided that there was no way I was going to keep this up past Wednesday. He is also a great example when it comes to this particular goal.

My dad has been getting up hours before the sun since he was very young - his family worked hard and everyone did their part, so the day always started early... But Dad doesn't just "get" out of bed, or roll out of bed...He hops right out and attacks the day! His feet hit the floor running before he has a chance to talk himself out of it.

I think I'll work on my "morning approach" for the next few days and see how that works.

My dad's advice reminded me of a line in one of my favorite movies, 'Joe Versus the Volcano'. In the movie, Patricia Grayanamore (Meg Ryan) is sailing Joe Banks (Tom Hanks) to a small island called "Wapani Wu" where Joe (who has fallen into a rut and learned that he's terminally ill) has volunteered to be a sacrifice for the island by jumping into their volcano. While on the boat, Patricia (who doesn't know what Joe is planning on doing) says to Joe;

"My father says almost the whole world's asleep. Everybody you know, everybody you see, everybody you talk to. He says only a few people are awake. And they live in a state of constant, total amazement. "

I'm looking forward to a great week! (Thanks for the encouragement, Dad!)