Sunday, November 1, 2015

Volleyball

Bop's first high school sport:  volleyball.  During which she stopped giving the impression that she lived in a bell tower and embraced her height.  Her triumphant moment came at the European championship game in Ramstein, Germany.  During the last game, this young lady electrified the crowd; it was an indelible moment that caused her cup to runneth over with confidence.  

She loves the playing the net!



She was one of only three team members to serve overhand in all matches.


I'm so grateful for our village, our network of adults who act as mentors and role models to our children.  This lady, Bop's coach, was nothing short of spectacular.  She monitored the girls' diets, instituted a fitness regime, and kept the office door open.  She didn't mince words but was always a positive force.  Outside of us, she was Bop's biggest fan yelling things like, "YOU DID IT," when she blocked a shot at the net or bumped well.  Luckily, she works with Bop on the basketball team, too.

She's the only one wearing flats.  Can you find the two players that liked the net best?


Saturday, October 31, 2015

Halloween Weekend

The community sponsors a trunk or treat event, and it was held at the school this year.  J ran a hot drinks booth as a fundraiser for the Boy Scouts, and I dipped caramel apples for the fine arts program.  Since the school is located in a gated compound, our kiddos were able to go 'round with the friends without causing too much worry.  Littlest and Bop stated that the haunted house was terrifying this year! 

A zebra 

Told you!

Mama was pop art!

I can't even begin to name this Pokemon character, but her friends can!

J and I went for a hike in Tervuren, and the leaves were beautiful.  I'm not sure that I agree with Ferguson's notion that nature's first green is gold.  I much prefer the season of leaf turning to leaf.


Today...

...and as painted by Hubert in the late 1800's.




These swans were not happy with our dog and hissed for a solid two minutes!

Tuesday, October 20, 2015

For My Sister

G - I thought you might want to see what a visit to a proper house/museum looks like.  Below are a few snippets from Dickens' home, located near Great Ormond Hospital in London.  No glass armonicas here!  You've ruined Franklin for me for perpetuity!












Monday, October 5, 2015

We Need Madame Pomfrey

Littlest had decided months before her birthday that she wanted a Harry Potter themed party; after all, she turned 11 this year!  The day of the party, she complained of a headache.  The headache turned into a sick tummy, and she was down for the count.  Her entire class came, and we managed to play all of the games and have a good time in spite of Littlest's illness.  Thankfully, it didn't seem to be catching as no one else fell ill!

Littlest thought up fun games with tie ins to the book:  Hagrid's Pumpkin Race, Toss the Gnome, and so on.  





Littlest did manage to go room to room with her friends.


















Littlest also came up with the clever food names.






The guests were sorted into houses and won house points during the games.  Slytherin took the day!

 Littlest won cool points with the boys in her class ;)

Each guest had a character's name affixed to his/her head and won a house point if they guessed it correctly after asking leading questions.


Two days later, when she felt better, we had a make up party.  She asked for a pancake and bacon dinner.