We have an 11 year old!

Isabella turned 11 this month. 

She wanted to go rock-climbing, so we booked a party at a nearby facility and invited some of her classmates. 

Her party "rocked" ha!

Here is a photo download.

We were proud of Mercer - he gave it a try.

 

She took treats to her class on her actual birthday.  And - we took her out to dinner at her favorite Italian restaurant the evening of her birthday. 

She got angel hair pasta with alfredo sauce.  (this is a little more "grown-up" than the mac-and-cheese she used to ask for on her birthday)

She opened gifts when we got home. (We got her a bag of "sage" light green stuff - like a hoodie, water bottles, etc.  Sage is her new kick.  She says she wants a sage colored car when she gets older.  ??)

Of other "turning-11" news... she had her annual pedestrian appointment.  She's FINALLY tall enough to get rid of the booster seats in the back seat of the car!  (she's been asking for this for a year or so!)  she's finally over 4'-9"  yay!

She loved it at the rock-climbing place so much, she went back the next day (and now it's Thanksgiving break... and I've taken her back once already too.)  She got a free 30 day pass as a gift to the birthday child from the facility.  super cool!

She conquered the wall with the spinning panels.  

I thought this was a cool-looking wall - PVC pipe elbows with LED lights inside.  She conquered this after a couple of tries - as it is pretty slippery.

(She still has not conquered the one with the vines. But she still has 20+ days of her birthday pass to give it a try!)

I'd say she had a good birthday this year!

But - her birthday is not over... we still have something to do that we gifted her (an escape room experience).  Stay tuned.

In other news, Mercer had his baseball fundraiser - the "Batter-Up" breakfast.  

He's had conditioning after school 3 days a week and will start a throwing program after break. (Thankfully, there is a kid that goes to our church is trying out for baseball; they can throw together this year, as Todd says that he can't throw back as far to get the ball back to Mercer now.)  :/   Also - trying to find the time for Todd and Mercer to throw - this will be easier - the boys can just stay after school / I can bring M home after he throws.

Mercer has grown a bit closer to this friend at church. (there aren't many boys but a slew of girls.)  He and this friend, Andrew, apparently racked it up at the "Highland Games" that they brought back to the youth program in honor of the Kirkin' of the Tartan that happened earlier this month.  (instead of throwing logs - throw 2x4s...)  no photos because I didn't go, but glad he's staying involved / wanting to go to all the things there!

I was "off" from my Building Committee meeting & had a free Sunday morning, so I attended the Kirkin' of the Tartan lesson that preceded the church service.  It was really interesting.  Obviously neither Todd nor I were brought up Presbyterian - we landed here because we liked the church and the people were friendly, quite honestly.  (We tried out many churches on the square first.)  So - we have been introduced to many things that I was not familiar with or practicing previously (like Advent season and Lent).  

"The tartan is a symbol of this love and togetherness, no matter what our heritage. In our Kirkin' service, we remember ancient times, as well as past and present kith and kin, while asking God's help and blessings in the future."

"History of the Service

We celebrate clans and tartans because the clansmen demonstrated true brotherhood and the clan was the family. In early history, clans were simply a gathering of peoples for their protection and for economic, political and social support. They were not necessarily related by blood. Scotland in the mid-18th century saw the English parliament and monarchy (The Disarming Act, 1746 - 1782) banning weapons, as well as the wearing of tartan or kilts by Highland clansmen (effective August 1747). A latter-day legend has it that clansmen would carry small pieces of the banned tartan cloth to the Church (Kirk) and the clergymen would slip a blessing into the service. Specific tartans developed simply because each area liked to weave a certain design using local herb dyes."

"As a remembrance of early Scottish Presbyterianism, Kirkin' o' the Tartan worship services have spread across America. On Sunday evening, April 27, 1941, in Washington, D.C., at a special service was led by famed pastor Peter Marshall (1935 - 1949) of the New York Avenue Presbyterian Church. Designed to raise funds, this Kirkin' service sought to aid Scottish churches during the early days of World War II, as well as the British war effort, by providing a mobile kitchen, according to the church bulletin. This initial, simple Kirkin' service later evolved into what is today the Kirkin' o' the Tartan. Since 1954, an annual Kirkin' o' the Tartan has been held at the National Cathedral in the nation's capital."

- information taken from FPC Spartanburg SC's website 

Something that they told us during the history lesson that paster Peter Marshall was in seminary in Georgia and was a visiting pastor at our church (FPC Marietta) when he was called to Washington DC church to become the head pastor. That is the year that he started the Kirkin service.  We have a direct connection to this!  

This is our church's 3rd most popular service / 3rd most attended! (After Christmas and Easter, of course) I tried to get the family to go in person earlier this month, but... we (Mercer and I) came home and we all watched the bagpipe-playing / tartan-carrying from home online.  We've been before.  One of the things that our pastor talked about was the word "clan" (we are trying to appeal to more people of color and this word was targeted by one member who said it was offensive).  Also the pastor said too that even if you don't have a tartan - you do not have Scottish heritage, that you can still participate by getting any-ol tartan you can find and jump in!  All are welcome.

I messaged dad about the Moore (mohr / muir) clan to see if we had a connection. He sent me a GIANT package of stuff about the scottish heritage and it goes back to the Dickson clan?  That's about as far as I got through the type-written and hand-written info.  It will take A LOT to get through it all! 

Other things that happened earlier this month (before break): 

Isabella had a performance with her music teacher - another performance at the Green Room.  She played a song on the piano and another on violin.  (She surprised them by not needing her sheet music)  No blindfolds this time!

Todd went up to the school to have (probably) his last Thanksgiving dinner with Isabella at school.  I don't know that they do this in middle school - just elementary.  So glad he was able to make it up there (and of course they have the book-fair timed so that when parents / grandparents are up at the school, they can take their kids and buy books!).  

We don't have pictures of that - nor do I have pictures of the next thing I'm going to mention, but it was unique - so posting here.  I went to a neighbor's house before break and went to a Murder Mystery dinner party.  My neighbor is in a bunko group and since she was hosting, she invited me join.  I was on a team with some women who lived nearby and enjoyed their company / we had a good time. We "solved" the mystery more on a hunch than on solid clues.  But - the thing that was interesting... at the end of the evening, a woman who was on the other team came up to me and said "Do you know how I know you?"  I said no but she looked familiar.... she was the social worker who did our home-study paperwork for both kids!  

We saw her years earlier on the square for Isabella's adoption day celebration.... but her fiery red hair has faded, so I didn't recognize her at first.  She and I talked for an hour -- talking about her (now grown) adopted children (this is how she got into the business) and our adopted children... showing her pictures and sharing what they're doing / sharing about the birth parents / what we know on both.  (She was never involved in that side - only dealing with us - the adoptive parents).  We ended up shutting down our neighbor's party!  (yes it was on a school night, but so glad I went.)

Sadly, our annual neighborhood event - Cherokee Heights Art Festival - was cancelled due to rain. They cancelled - not even rescheduled - so it looks like we'll have to wait 'til next year.  We're in a drought, so the rain is much needed.

I'll end with another hike and photos of fall leaves.  We were enjoying the hike through the fallen leaves.  Isabella and I were impressed with the "path" worn into the fallen leaves by the previous hikers.

Cool how you can see the path as it meanders through.

The girl and the dog were doing their their favorite thing:  running through the big field at the edge of the woods

She got as so bold to let Hip Hop go off-leash.  eek!

Isabella was really impressed with the colors of the leaves. (lots of purples) I was too. 

(a little "perfect" Fibonacci spiral was found on the path as well) 

Fibonacci Day is coming up!  

1+1 = 2

1+2 = 3 

(11 23)

October Happenings

I'll start with something heavy that happened this month: a terrorist sect, Hamas, invaded Israel in a decades old conflict, but this attack was apparently the worst it has ever been. 6000 bombs were dropped in major populated areas in less than the span of a week.  Over 1400+ were killed in early October and bombing and the fighting continues.  I am so busy with work that I cannot be glued to the news and media, but apparently it has been just a horrific attack on women, children and the general population... and I am glad I have not seen any of these atrocities.  Todd, Mercer and a social studies teacher (across the atrium from me) have told me about how bloody and disgusting the attacks are - attacks on public events... beheadings of children... the rapes and parading around of slaughtered women.  Those in charge are just absolutely evil. Israel is responding and is launching attacks back on the Gaza strip.  Innocent people in the densely populated areas have no where to go. Meanwhile, the war that Russia bore on the Ukraine continues - it has been going on over 600 days. There is so much unrest in this world.

(I heard on the news that Hamas leaders were meeting in Moscow this week - as Russia wants to keep their influence over the Middle East strong.)

Gratefully, we are not hearing bombs go off in the distance or having to run to a shelter... or worse.  

 We are certainly lucky to live where we live. 

Our little one gets to raise butterflies, marvel at the luna moth that happened to land on our front porch and play with a praying mantis that called our house "home."

Loving on nature around our house...

... and exploring nature nearby at Kennesaw Mountain.

We get to go for hikes and run around with our dog. 
(Just some of the little things to be thankful for!)  

Note - that IS a "gi" (pronounced ghee) that Isabella is wearing in the photos above!  She's started taekwondo this month.  

She had to give something up - gymnastics is going to go.  I think it will be good for her -- regarding discipline and eventually self-defense and confidence.  So - we'll go with it for awhile!   (so far the 3 guys that teach it are cool.. they're funny and make it fun.) 

Mercer took TKD at another studio when he was younger + Isabella and I took it at the private school where I used to teach / where she went to preschool. We have some limited exposure to it - the other studios were fine, but so far I get a fun / family-friendly energy from these guys at the studio where Isabella just started.  

They wrote her name in Korean on her first day; I wanted to post so we know what it looks like!  

She also gave up choir this month.  (it was not really what she expected / I think she wanted more private voice lessons.  But - it is an excellent program.)   

Forgot to post these pics in the end of August blog, but since we won't have any more photo ops for her wearing a robe and being in choir... here she and others are at their 1st (and her only) performance.  It's way more "grown up" (formal) than the choir program that our church does for the kiddos.  

Her friend Lucy also gave it up. Boo. But the director sent a lovely email to both of our families inviting us to XYZ and saying they're welcome back / consider that they have a youth program for 6th grade / etc.  Maybe one day she will?  (One of my high school students is in the orchestra at that church... they really do have a stout program there!) 

Todd and I got away one night - we went to a (free) concert in a nearby town (Smyrna).(It was a band that we used to listen to / they were well known on the radio for awhile.)

We drove into that town and parked in a nearby neighborhood / walked up as close to the stage as we could get right before the show started... after the show, we walked back to our car and were probably only gone from home around a total of 2 hours! 

This was our view walking back.  After the concert was fireworks (it was Smyrna's birthday).  

In October, there was a partial eclipse of the sun.  Mercer was "working" at the parking-lot fundraiser for our church, but Isabella and I checked it out. Through glasses we had from the more major eclipse several years earlier.  Amazingly - we found the glasses / remembered where we put them!  :)

It was a cloudy day in our area (and we were not in the path of totality), but it was cool.  The sun looked like a moon in various phases throughout the afternoon.

These photos are taken through the phone / with the lens of the glasses on top of the camera.

During the eclipse, Isabella was also trying to burn leaves again with the really focused light source.  The light seemed brighter / different.  She got it to work, as she's becoming a pro at burning things with a magnifier!  eek.

We took the kids to Burt's Pumpkin Farm in North Georgia to help kick-start the fall decorations + went out to eat at our old Mexican restaurant that moved about 30 minutes north of us.  They were happy to see us... which is nice!  

The kids would NOT pose for photos, of course, so we only got candids.

There were a lot of complaints while we were driving up, while we were there and on the way home.  But - it's just one of those traditions that.... sorry... we are going as a family!  

(and there were some smiles - the boy may have been harrassing me, but there were smiles!)

The next day, we took our little one south - to Middle Georgia.  We went to the annual event at Serenbe - Ray Day.  Like last year, Isabella wanted to only hang out in the area with the farm animals.  (Mercer didn't want to go, so he had to go back to the church fundraiser - as he can get himself up to the square!)

She stood in line to get her face painted - then back to the animals!

I think we need some fluffy chickens!!

Todd went with me this year (no baseball), so I could network / visit the sustainability booths / catch up with people from my green building days.

Afterwards, we drove Todd around the new "hamlets" of Serenbe - where Isabella and I spent a week this past summer. 

I got to go BACK to the North Georgia mountains later that week - I went to the "A Mother's Rest" retreat for adoptive moms on a Friday through Monday.  There was definitely some juggling to get the 1 1/2 days off from school and the extra-long weekend away from home, but it all worked out.  

The 1st night a bunch of us from the house went out to eat (then to the grocery to stock up on supplies for the long weekend).  I started my retreat with a jalapeno margarita that was the size of my head!  One of the ladies next to me had to take a photo to prove how big it was!!  ha. 

I did take grading with me and worked on some of the brain-less stuff while us ladies just sat around and talked.... which we did a lot.  There were 5 out of the 7 that did a bit of hanging out moreso than the last time I went 1 1/2 years ago - where there were only a couple of ladies I hung out with.  (It's OK - I'm used to multi-tasking)  But I also took a day to go out and explore the mountains a bit on my own. Random photo dump.

Yep - that's a goat looking up at me!

I went a bit further north to go try out GOAT YOGA!  :)   One thing I did not think about - bathroom stuff.  They gave us some "ground rules" when we started the session...  when a goat poops - it pees.  When it pees - it poops.  At any sign of either "push-the-tush."  (basically - push it off of your mat!)  If it poops on your mat - just dump it.  They're little pebbles and roll off.  (yuk!)

This was "my" goat for the session. Her name was Betty White.

She just camped out on my mat.  Laid down.  I had to work around her. 

Also - they told us that the goats like to have their necks scratched.  They did!  So, many of the positions - with Betty White at the top of my mat - I just had to pet her while I did the routine! 

I did not have it bad... I just had to work around a stubborn goat that wouldn't move.

The lady next to me however, had quite a different experience.  She had a baby goat that peed on the back of her mat.  She just worked around it.  (I think I would have asked for a new mat!)

Several times, she also got jumped on too!  

There was one woman who was the yoga instructor who gave us permission to just roll with what ever comes - and to modify as needed as the goats were in and under us!

There was another woman who was the owner of the farm. She asked if anyone wanted to bottle-feed a baby goat.  I volunteered!  

Oops - it was so hungry that it got milk all over it's face! 

it was a fun experience overall - but - again I was shocked by the pee & poo thing.  That never crossed my mind!  I'd do it again.  Not as a regular yoga practice, but definitely again -- just for fun!

Oh yeah - you know how goat cheese has a certain smell / taste?  (I don't like it - I think it tastes like "feet" personally)... well, I thought Betty White - since I was so close to her - smelled like that!  weird.

On the way back to the house, I took the scenic drive (glad I did - I really got to see some beautiful mountains with some trees changing color). 

I hit it just at the right time!   (the part where the orange dips down into Georgia is where I took my day-trip to.  I didn't know this 'til I came back and saw the Leaf-Watch on TV the next day. 

I also stopped in at this sweet LITTLE church (across from an Indian mound).  

Crescent Hill Baptist Church - was constructed in 1872. The Nacoochee Presbyterian Church used it until the early 1900s and sat empty until the Baptist church took it over in 1920.   It said on the piece of paper that described the history -- bathrooms were added in the basement in 1980!   Currently, it has 150 members.

As I was driving up, a woman and her husband were leaving, but - they parked the car and came in with me.  This little church is not locked... it is open 24/7.

Ethyl and Benny had been married for 62 years!  He did not talk much, but she was proud to tell me about the history of this structure, the windows, the lights that were added, etc.  Note - he barely said a word.   ha ha!

I continued onto one of my favorite places "Mark of the Potter" before returning back to the house to hang out with the ladies.

The giant trout hang out next to the porch which overlooks because there are bags of fish food available... and there's no fishing.  Smart fish!

The reflection of the leaf colors on the water was mesmerizing.

The last night there, several of us sat around an outdoor fire and talked and talked and talked.  

It was a nice, relaxing trip.

While I was in the Mountains, Todd was holding down the fort at home.  Mercer went camping with the church youth group Saturday night to Sunday morning.   Here's a photo of what they found on this historic farm where they were camping!  He was so excited to find this he called me in the mountains!

Todd took Isabella hiking at Kennesaw Mountain again.  She and the dog ran again in the giant field.

Hip Hop REALLY loves this -- and so does the girl!  

(She likes to get on our phone and add filters too)

 

The next day - Mercer had a baseball tournament, so Isabella went along. 

 

Todd also got the rest of the Halloween decorations up that same weekend too!  (He was busy!) - we got an inflatable for the 1st time... a dragon.  It was a hit on halloween night.

There's an M pumpkin mixed into the ones we got from a local farm... this is a fundraiser that the highschool baseball team does.  Mercer had to go help paint (the backgrounds) as volunteer work... but we ended up buying one of the finished products too. 

There's a REAL GIANT spider web that we left up - Todd said he had to work around it / he looked it up - a "Joro" spider? 

It has changed color over the past several weeks - Isabella and I have been watching it.  Glad Todd was able to work around the web in front of our porch column! 

Lots of people took photos of their kids in front of the dragon. One kid was either hugging it or tackling it.... his mom was so apologetic as it swayed back and bounced back up. The BEST quote of the evening though... from a little girl dressed like a princess... "I just booped the dragon's belly!"  <3 

The # of trick-or-treaters seems a little lighter than pre-pandemic #s.  We still had probably 200 - 300 kids, but not as many as before.  

Mercer went up to a friend's house to hand out candy and watch a movie.  (our neighbor sent photos) 

Then he went trick-or-treating later.  

Todd took Isabella. It looks like Todd and Isabella crossed paths while out / got a photo of the two of them. 

M decided a few days before that he wanted to go as the stay-puff marshmallow again. 

Isabella wore dark clothes and a green hooded cloak on top.

We were a little late with the jack-o-lantern (carved the night before, but was "fresh" for Halloween proper!)   

Todd and Isabella did a great job again.  

I made witches finger cookies while I was at the women's retreat. (no photos - look the same as previous years!)  I took them the day after I returned to my AIAS after-school club meeting.  I am glad I had 2 different groups to share them with, as this was the 1st year that there was not the n'hood halloween party (the host family's kids have aged out).  Usually I take them to the party.  

All of our family members... even in our individual activities (M at a friend's house / me at home handing out candy / Todd & Isabella walking around getting candy)... we all had a good one!  It was a beautiful night.

Random funny pic from a restaurant that was decked out.

And - last random photo from a few days before halloween - but this moon would have made it a more perfect night!