First Dance, 18 Years, and Everything in Between

I feel silly saying "We've been busy, " because, well, who isn't busy these days? I guess it just amazes me because we used to have a lot more down time and now we don't and I don't see that changing any time soon.

So, "We've been busy."

Co-op continues to go well and the boys are both enjoying themselves and learning a lot. Gabe has been really challenged. He's never had homework or presentations to do and now he has both. It's become routine for him though and he's doing much better about getting things done ahead of time and researching and writing his reports.

[caption id="attachment_3261" align="aligncenter" width="169"] Harry Truman Presentation[/caption]

Speaking of co-op, we attended a trivia night to help raise money. It was a small group, but we had a lot of fun and our table of 4 came in first! I won a homemade rice pillow and some sea salt. Score!

[caption id="attachment_3262" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Winner, winner, chicken dinner![/caption]

 

We took a hike at Cliff Cave Park. It was a gorgeous Fall day.

Luke was in a bad mood and ended up taking a different path then the rest of us. Ben called him back and was ignored. We were on a loop so Ben decided to follow after Luke while Gabe and I went ahead. Gabe and I had a great time. We found so many cool things.

There were all kinds of neat berries and persimmons, and various nuts. Moss, hollow logs, etc, etc. We chatted and had a nice time. I assumed Ben and Luke would catch up at any moment because Gabe and I tend to be the slowpokes what with his short little legs and my constant picture taking.

We walked on and I started to think that they had decided to just go the other way and that we'd eventually run into them. It was no big deal to me either way and I wasn't worried about it.

At one point there was a turn off and small sign indicated that there was an inner loop. Before I knew it Luke popped out and joined us. I asked him where Ben was and he said he hadn't seen him. I didn't believe him. We kept walking and I knew Ben was waiting for and was going to jump out at any moment. Luke kept insisting that he hadn't seen Ben the whole time but I wasn't sure how that could be the case.

Finally, up ahead, Ben came into view. I jokingly called out and asked him if Luke was with him and he said, "No! He's not with you?" His voice was full of panic. It turns out Luke one of the two of them had been mixed up and had been on the inner loop at some point. While Gabe and I were happily bobbing along, Luke was freaked out that he wasn't catching up to us and we hadn't come after him and Ben was frantically looking for him. He said that he'd run part of the trail, yelled for him, and had asked everyone he'd met along the way.

Needless to say, Luke learned his lesson. Running off to try and make a point didn't work out well for anyone.

[caption id="attachment_3268" align="aligncenter" width="200"] Hollow tree[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_3269" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Moss[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_3270" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Mushroom[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_3271" align="aligncenter" width="200"] Path in the woods[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_3272" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Walnut shell[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_3273" align="aligncenter" width="200"] The springs[/caption]

 

Gabe and I finally toured the Penguin and Puffin Coast at the zoo. That was his big Christmas present from last year.

We got to go behind the scenes with a keeper. She showed us around the kitchen and told us what they eat and what their daily routine is to care for the penguins. Then we sat on the floor and she brought two cute little guys out. They ran around, back and forth, while the keeper continued her presentation. We concluded the tour in the penguin and puffin exhibit. Gabe knew the answers to almost every single question she asked and she was really impressed. That boy loves him some penguins.



 

Luke attended his first dance, also through the co-op, on the 21st. It wasn't formal and nobody took dates, but still!! How can he be so grown up?

We bought a used bike off of Craigslist for Gabe. It has training wheels so that he can build up his strength, stamina, and balance. We all went out for a ride. Ben and I took turns riding with Luke while the other stayed with Gabe. He's got a long way to go. Poor kid. He has low muscle tone and just really struggles with things like that. I hope we can get some more time in before it gets too cold!

As for me, I've been quite the social butterfly. Book club met early in the month. Then my friend hosted a painting party for her birthday. I haven't posted a picture of my plaque because it's a Christmas present. It was really fun, though, and I'm pleased with how it turned out.

I saw the movie, The Girl on the Train, with a couple of friends from book club. We'd read the book earlier in the year or maybe last year. The acting was great, but the sex and violence was more than I care for. One of these days I'm going to get good about looking that stuff up before I head to the theater.

Ben and I celebrated our 18th anniversary on the 25!!

1-8. Eighteen. Woah. I just cannot get over it. We went for a bike ride during the day and then headed to Bailey's Chocolate Bar for drinks, dinner, and dessert. Woah. We're getting old. Here's to many, many more.