Merry Christmas!

We hope you got everything you wished for.

And spent the day with people you care about.

And talked with friends or family you couldn't be with.

And took some time to act a little goofy, too.

Game On!

 Grace had her final soccer match of the season, and everyone came to play!  Let me tell you how it went.

 The Purple Rainbow Cobras started with some pre-game stretching and drills.

Grace put on her super-scary game face, which, I have to admit, is not her best look.  

At halftime, the Cobras rehydrated with some sweet, sweet watermelon.

 I worked up a mighty thirst just watching the girls play.

By the second half, the Cobras were in synch and dominated the game.  It was a great way to finish the season.

One final team cheer: "Purple Rainbow Cobras!!!"

After the game, the Cobras celebrated together and took some team pictures.

Party on, Cobras!

Candy, Candy, Candy, I Can't Let You Go

 Halloween is a pretty big deal at Grace's school.  On Friday, the entire staff and student body paraded around the yard in full costume.  This fawn was spotted under a playground tree, having wandered away from her classmates.

Grace's teacher, who dressed up as El Nino, won for best costume among the teachers.

 On Saturday, the big day, Grace and I headed over to our friend Zoe's neighborhood for some good old trick-or-treating. Supergirl made an appearance, too.

 I scared the pants off of my good friend Egan, who had no idea I'd be out and about in his 'hood.

 Meanwhile, Grace declared that nothing was scary.  Nothing!

 But I thought my German-tourist chaperone was pretty terrifying.

 Back at Zoe's house, Grace coveted just about every piece of candy she received -- especially this one really adult-sized chocolate bar.

 While I was just happy to be allowed to suck a lollipop before bedtime.

Pre-Halloween Preparation

 Mom practiced putting on Grace's fawn makeup this evening.  I think she did a pretty good job.

 Then Grace put on my fireman's hat to become a firefighting fawn.

 She experimented with various personas.  This is grumpy firefighting fawn.

Later, Grace tasted some early Halloween candy to prepare for the deluge coming on Saturday. 

These days, Grace has fewer teeth for the sugar to attack, so does that mean she should get less candy?

Happy Birthday to Me. (I'm "free.")

Today, my truck crew and I met at a neighborhood park to celebrate me.

 We all piled onto the tire swing for some crazy spinning.

Even Grace jumped on.

It was a "no shoes" kind of party.

 Later, Egan and I were in sync ... 

 ... and on the move.

 After some pizza, we waited patiently for everyone to gather 'round for the singing of "Happy Birthday."

 Then it was time to eat cake!  

Toothless

 Grace wiggled her first tooth out today.  She'd been turning it and tugging at it for days.

 She's got quite a gap now.

And what do we do when we lose a tooth?  Eat Skittles, of course.

24 Hour Popsicle Party People

 One of these fine young ladies turned six years old today.  No hints.

Of course, there was a party, and the theme was jumping and popsicles.  Grace and this old guy took a turn in the bounce house. 

 I took several turns.

I just can't get enough of the bounce house. 

And neither can Horton.

 We hired a pair of clowns as entertainment.  Don't worry; they were pretty cheap.

 On a day when the temperature hit ninety degrees, even the birthday girl had to take a few breaks from celebrating.

Fancy Footwork

 Grace started her second season of AYSO soccer this morning.  She takes her soccer very seriously.

 Very, very seriously.

 Her team is called the Purple Rainbow Cobras.  For now.  

I pretended to be the assistant coach.

But I kept getting carried off the field.

Back-to-School Day

 Summer is over: Grace started a new school year today -- with a little assistance from me.

It seemed like a regular day to me, though.  After Horton and I dropped Grace off at her school, I headed over to mine for the usual rigorous academic schedule. 

 Hopefully, Grace brought along her full backpack of dance moves.  It would be a shame if she wasted them all on her small home audience.

See you around campus!