Adam and Desiree's Jack--O-Lantern:

Love it!

Carmeled apples, roasted pumpkin seeds, jack-o-lanterns, apple bobbing, Spookable Pooh, and fully loaded nerf guns are all important for a successful 'Almost Halloween' party.

"Leah, watch out for apple snatchers!"

Halloween on Horseback:



Ashley was Christine Daae and Retto the Phantom from "Phantom of the Opera", Alex was a magician and her pony was her magical rabbit,( her pony was opposed to the bunny ears and tail) Tara was a nurse and Fanny was her patient. Interesting how Retto enjoyed the games. I think he loves being back in the action...any action.

D-Rally:
A long day in Brooksville.

Tara and Jessica competed in their first rally! They both did a great job. Ashley and Alex go as C-advisors (translation: they coach and care for a team of D level PCers.) They did a good job as well considering that they were functioning on 2 hours of sleep. They had gone to the Lake Highland Homecoming the night before.

Our annual attempt to scare ourselves:
I will have to say it was just too crowded to be scary. The poor spooky things were finding it quite impossible to sneak up on people.

After I shot this picture a scary thing slunk up behind Ashley and exploded with, "Can you hear me now?" It was actually pretty funny.

Hitting the books:
Ashley and Alex are going to test for the HB! These are photos from a study session in Tarpon Springs last weekend. It was squeezed in with all the Homecoming festivities.

The HB is the second highest knowledge test in Pony Club. The girls are required to learn anatomy down to the smallest bones, tendons and ligaments. They need to have a good understanding of health, diet, feed composition etc. They need to know conformation, how it effects movement and soundness. They need to be proficient at teaching others and be able to present themselves as being confident and knowledgable. The test is Dec 2. Good Luck to Ashley and Alex!

Lake Mary Homecoming Parade:




Thanks to Sherrill for bailing me out with these photos.

The Dance:

Coronation:

Lake Mary Homecoming Court Activities.
Reception before Coronation: ( I failed to put battery in my camera for the parade. OOPS)

Superhero Day!!!

Ashley is Invisibility Girl and Austin is a 'Biggie Size' Wonder Woman.

News from Adam!

His job is "access security" and he was hired at his interview. He likes the work though he is still getting used to the hours: 3 am to noon. He used to go to bed at three so it is kind of the opposite of what he is used to. He says he checks ID's of contractors and then allows them access to a shipping center. He also answers phones and patrols. I told him to call me when the first snow falls and we will come and visit. Desiree is enjoying her work as well and they both sound very happy.

Nerd Day:


Sorry, I can't think of much to write about this display except maybe that Austin was having a little bit too much fun with it. He was walking around with his hips thrust forward, breathing flemmy and saying "Did I do thaaaat?" Ashley, I don't know, I think she is just too cute to look nerdy no matter what she wears.

Go Noles!!!

Will is watching the FSU game with his Uncle Jim.

Hippie Day is groovy man! Peace out.

Learning Classical German Dressage from Betsy LaBelle.
Early Sunday mornings you will find Ashley and Alex studying some very complicated dressage theory with Betsy LaBelle.



Classical riders develop wonderfully light, responsive horses because they ride from their "centre". The horse is ridden from the seat first, then the legs and into the hands. "The hands receive what the leg puts into them - no more, no less" - Dr Thomas Ritter

Let get this revolution started!
Andrew treated us to some speeches from such influential and radical revolutionaries as Thomas Paine, Nathan Hale and Patrick Henry. His "Give Me Liberty" speech was especially inciting.

To Arms! To Arms!

National Honor Society

Last night Austin was inducted to the National Honor Society. We learned that membership is based on scholarship, service to community, school participation and leadership. As a member he is required to offer tutoring to fellow students and also work on community service projects (as well as maintain his GPA.) The message to these students was that they are 'service leaders' and have much to offer to those around them. It was an inspiring evening. What an impressive group of kids!
He invited his physics teacher, Mr. Skeates to accompany him as a mentor. Of course Mr. Skeates is from NY so that got the conversation going with Jim.
Austin's friend, Katie was also an inductee. Aren't they cute?

Under construction:

Andrew is working on a tree house. Yesterday he installed a ladder. I made it up the ladder but not into the tree. I have requested an elevator if I am to be part of this club. He will be working on platforms today. We are calling this construction class to validate the time he spends during school. Maybe we will end up with a nice perch on which he can sit to read. Or maybe just a spot where he can sit and spy on the neighbors.