Bowling Birthday Bash

This year Caden decided to have a Bowling Bash to celebrate his 8th Birthday. This decision was mostly due to the fact that our house is currently Under Construction. I was of course saddened (and secretly relieved) by this turn of events (and now carry the heavy burden of Mama Guilt), but the kids had a really great time. Here’s a look at the happy blur that was Caden on his special day:







Here are some slightly calmer moments:







We learned that it’s almost as much fun to stuff a bowling ball in your shirt as it is to actually bowl and that there are, in fact, two kinds of splits, the kind in bowling and this kind:



This was demonstrated repeatedly by numerous talented individuals but my camera was unable to capture them all in the speed in which the splits were performed. None the less, it was a spectacle worth remembering :) .

Between games we took a break for hot dogs and chips:







And then the Bowling Birthday Cakes:



And some REALLY loud Birthday singing:





After the Big Birthday Bowling Bash, Caden was treated to a special Birthday Dinner out with his Grandparents and an additional Birthday Celebration night of his favorite dinner and presents with his parents. Here he is (in the midst of the construction) opening his gifts:









Here is a look at some Bowling Art by Caden, used on the Thank You cards:



I think overall he had a pretty excellent birthday.

Porcupine

I’m not sure why, but I love Porcupines. They are ornery and covered in quills but somehow I still find them charming. This particular porcupine is quite a character; he seems cool and nonchalant until you point a camera at him, then he hustles away indignantly. This weekend he was especially uncooperative with my photography effort, going so far as to earn the name “Sniper” because he climbed up an oak tree and shot me with acorns. Rude. Yesterday I finally wore him down and he actually sat still long enough for me to take some pictures. Although, I think you can tell from his expression that he isn’t particularly fond of me. Unrequited adoration:

Squash Harvest

The Terrace garden was much improved from years past; our Mammoth Graystripe Sunflowers were a great success this season, the corn however was less successful, producing only a handful of mini ears, while delicious, probably not worth the effort, and the rest, well… Here is a look at our very small Squash Harvest:



Not quite what we imagined, the melons didn’t make it at all but there are a few good pumpkins and acorn squash. I’m not sure what one does with mini butternut squash, but we’ll figure something out. We may have to rethink next year’s terrace crop.

Aster and Friends

The Asters are always a Fall favorite of mine. I love the color combination of light purple and dark green against the flaming tones of the fall leaves. And as an added benefit, they are always a hubbub of buzzing insect activity:

Calendula

The Calendula plants are magnificent this year, they continue to flourish and bring sunny joy with each new countenance. Enjoy:

Zinnias

The Zinnias are giving it their best despite one seriously frosty setback:

The Turkeys

The turkey babies are all grown up and taking over the yard:

Nasturtium

Surprisingly, the Potager continues to bloom, the Nasturtium plants are brilliantly aflame and filling in where the summer vegetables have passed on:

Under Construction

We started a new home improvement project this month. We spent years debating over what we wanted to do with this wall in the living room, long assuming we were going to do some sort of bookcase/entertainment built in. However, somehow we changed our minds and decided to go with some new windows, window seats and a fireplace instead. The TV (and paraphernalia) will still be included as well as some “hidden” bookshelves, however, I can’t say much about the end result, because each week we seem to be adjusting the concept a bit. Here’s a look at the beginning stages:

















Caden absolutely loved the holes in the wall and is endlessly fascinated with the power tools.

Later today I’ll be grouting the tiles on our inlaid hearth. Wish me luck!

I’ll keep you posted on the progress.