The North Florida Fair

Saturday night, George and I took the kids to the fair. We go every year, and even though we don't ride a lot of the rides, the real joys of the fair are the food and the animals. We always try to visit the ring where the youngsters show the animals they've raised for 4H or as part of their family's farm.

We love seeing the goats,

the cows,

the sheep,

the hogs,

the chickens (including newborn baby chicks)

and finally we always visit the petting zoo.

After washing our hands very well, we went around the booths for tacos, corn dogs, gator tail

funnel cakes, strawberry shakes, kettle corn, and the traditional cotton candy and caramel apple.

When it got dark, we did ride a few rides, but mostly we enjoyed the booths and the kids had a great time at the missionary booth playing with Bible games and puzzles.

Megan stated that she will be a terrible driver after her experience here. We also saw the Wide World of Animals show with unique animals that you don't see every day.

We had a blast, and the kids ended the night by getting the largest Reeses PB cup brownie I've ever seen.

They smiled the whole way home.

Greek Food Festival

Each year, the Greek Orthodox Church in Tallahassee holds a Greek Food Festival to benefit the church, and this year's was last Friday and Saturday. Because we make an attempt to go every year on the second day (Saturday) of the festival, and because every year we get as close to the church as cars parked down both sides of the street will let us, we haven't been to the festival together before. This year, George and I took off a bit early from work went immediately after getting home on Friday. It was busy, but not ridiculously so. While Greek musicians played and youngsters danced on the stage, we started on one side of the yard finding food for dinner. We sampled Greek fries, pastitsio, gyros with (and without for George and Megan) tzatziki, spanikopita, tiropita, baklava, and other Greek pastries.

Danny eagerly tried them all - that boy has some palate.

Megan showed limited interest in the food. True to her nature, she enjoyed shopping the booths.

George and I sampled Greek brandy, beer and wine,

and George bravely downed an over-poured glass of Ouzo,

even though he said he felt tightness in his chest as he took the "shot." By the time we were ready to leave, the place was filled to capacity with partiers. I am so glad we went when we did, as I have heard that they were out of much of the food on Saturday. No surprise when the crowd constantly looks like this for two days.

What a beautiful fall evening spent together!

Event: Principal's Breakfast, Media Center, 8:30 a.m.

When Megan  found out last week that she received straight A's on her report card, she was ecstatic. Today, Megan had breakfast with the principal of her school, which is a special treat for A-honor-roll students. I am so proud of her and Danny for their grades. Danny got all A's and a B (in art, so it doesn't count, right?). They're so awesome!

Happy Halloween!!!

On Halloween, Danny was allowed to dress as a book character for school, and Megan's spirit week started with Western Day. Somehow, they both ended up in Western wear, and they looked so cute, I had to get a pic before they left for school.

After school, it was time to get ready to trick or treat! Meet Danny a.k.a., The Ninja Warrior and Megan "Black Cat" Creamer

and Zachary (not sure, but he was scary).

They had an awesome time, and we hope everyone's Halloween was just as great!

A little behind...

Time's been flying around here, and we haven't had a chance to download pictures, much less sit down and write anything. So I'm going back a couple of weekends, as I'm a little behind on the news.

George and I took the kids for our annual outing to the Presbyterian Church pumpkin patch, and it was just as much fun as it always is. Here are a few picks, and I'll spare you the token shots of my rear that George manages to get every year. I said I'm a little behind, not that I have a little behind!

The weekend before Halloween, Danny got his third stripe in karate for mastering his kicks and then his team kicked some booty in basketball. Megan and I had a book club meeting/Halloween party Saturday while George worked FSU game traffic (fun!).

We spent the Sunday night before Halloween carving, cleaning,

and decorating Boo Radley, The Warty Witch with Mossy Hair, Pinocchio, and the Poisoned Apple.

Sometimes I am amazed by the kids' imaginations. It was an awesome weekend, and they were too excited about Halloween to sleep that night.