Lately: Getting Ready for Halloween

Halloween is less than a week away but Houston's weather is anything but fall-like this year. Nevertheless, we're doing our best to get in to the Halloween spirit. Here's a peek at some of what we've been up to lately:

Boo Bash at the school -- it was in the 90s that day but the kids had a blast, as always.

We've been trying to do a better job of supporting our local independent bookstores lately. Henry plopped down in the rocking chair at Blue Willow with the new Jon Klassen book, which came home with us, of course!

We also visited a newly renovated library near the Galleria.

Snack time! We picked up this beautiful cutting board in Rosenberg earlier this month.

Henry and I were on the west side of town recently and stopped for lunch at Cafe Caspian, a Persian restaurant. Henry chose the split pea stew and loved it!

And finally, ArBOOretum at the Houston Arboretum was last weekend. I think we're getting a bit old for it, but the boys still enjoyed trick-or-treating on the trails.

Squirrel Leap

Bullfrog Bounce

Night Flier

Limber Lizard

It's a Trap!

Mouse Maze

How have you been getting ready for Halloween?

Lately: Arts and the Outdoors

We have been embracing our full days lately and taking advantage of our free moments to get out and enjoy Houston in the fall. Too bad summer has returned this week; it is a good 10-15 degrees above normal here and we Houstonians are sure sick of the summer heat by mid-October!

Here's a peek at some of what we've been up to lately:

Every year, I am part of the teaching team for Hands On Art at the boys' school, which means I get to teach their classes! The October lesson focused on Andy Warhol and print making.

I had forgotten how many projects third graders have. Henry has been busy this month! We made pumpkin bites for his class last week

and then he had to create a character pumpkin this week. He chose to make a pig.

We hadn't been to Mid-Main's First Thursdays in over two years because of Cub Scout meetings, but now that the Scout schedule has changed, we were able to attend last week. It was as fun as we remembered.

On Saturday, we headed down to Lake Texana Park for a Cub Scout campout and stopped in Rosenberg for lunch on the way. We love small Texas towns! 

Another pit stop at Buc-ee's.

We got lucky with beautiful weather for our campout. The boys had to set up the tent on their own

and cook dinner (with help).

Gene and Henry went fishing

and we all enjoyed spending our weekend outside.

Yesterday was our fall holiday and despite the heat, we took advantage of our free day by heading to the zoo. 

Our days are full but we try to have some downtime in the evenings before bed. I just love this picture of Ruby and Henry. 

How have you been enjoying fall?

Lately: Almost Autumn

We got our first preview of fall last weekend and we're all hoping for more cool weather! Here's a peek at what we've been up to lately:

A couple weeks ago, we headed out to the members' preview of the new mummies exhibit at the HMNS.

As always, the exhibit was excellent.

Our school held its annual summer reading luncheon with our incredible librarian last Thursday.

This year, all the kids chose a book to take home. Henry picked Rutherford B. Who Was He: Poems About Our Presidents, which was a Bluebonnet nominee last year. 

Will picked a Spirit Animals short story.

Last weekend, we celebrated Gene's birthday with an early birthday dinner out with Nana and Pop 

and then presents on Saturday morning.

Birthday breakfast at the farmers market

And then it was time to pack up for Fathers and Flashlights, the annual campout on the school grounds.  

The kids played games, ran around the grounds with friends, and watched a magic show at the end of the evening.

And while the dads and kids were busy, I got to head out for dinner with two of my favorite girlfriends.

After the late night on Saturday, we had another full day on Sunday with a middle school tour and a baseball game for Henry.

October is always one of our busiest months, but we're so looking forward to cooler weather and getting outside more in the coming weeks.