November!

So here is what we've been up to - in reverse order. Newest news first. :-)

November has been really nice so far. We even went hiking in the Alps one weekend, and stayed at a "Huette", a serviced cottage, over night. We had a great time, even if we got rained on pretty badly at the end. It took us a couple hours to get back down the mountain to our car, and we were absolutely drenched when we got there, but not a single word of complaint from Finn and Lily. They loved the adventure.

Also, we were pretty crafty. Finn, Lily, and Neil worked with clay at a pottery place. They made dishes, Lily made a cute dog, and Neil and Finn made dragons. This is Finn's dragon. It has a secret chamber to store treasures in, or a candle. 

And myself? I didn't play with clay, but I got to make desserts for a birthday party the kids attented. It was a mermaid themed pool party, so I brought a birthday cake, cupcakes, and a sand pail dessert consisting of blue jello, vanilla pudding and cookie crumbs. 

Finn and Lily are doing well. Lily is getting used to going to first grade and doing homework every day. She is enjoying school so far. Finn also likes school on most days. He sits beside Lily and helps her when it's needed. According to their teacher they are stellar students and very well behaved. Glad they can hold off on the fighting until they get home. Finn likes to read. I think he'll grow up to be a bookworm like his Mama. Today he came home with a children's novel from the school library and read the whole book in an afternoon. Something about beasts and dragons. :-)

Neil is enjoying having every Friday until Christmas off to reduce his overtime. A 4-day week doesn't sound bad, but it's a little pointless when the amount of work you have to do stays the same. He sure is keeping busy at work. The kids really enjoyed spending time with him during their fall break earlier this month. Canoeing, swimming, wall climbing, working with clay, and we went to Munich two Sundays in a row (once to the zoo, and once to a minerals and crystals exhibition).

The cats and bunnies are doing fine, too. So far the cats are not showing any signs of distress from their heart defect. Hopefully that will be the case for many years to come. The funny bunnies are busy digging up the yard, leaving little piles of droppings in their wake and running away from us when it's time to put them in their hutch at night. I'd say, it's pretty much bunny heaven compared to being kept in a cage all day like others of their kind.
And Mo, of course. My dream of a horse come true. He is in amazing shape for his age and I enjoy being with him so very much. This horse will make a rider out of me. Every little move I make in the saddle elicits a prompt response from him because he thinks I'm cuing him to do something. I'm learning to have a much better seat with better balance and timing. Fun times!

See you around! :-)