WE'RE OFF TO SAN ANTONIO!!! We leave Wednesday for a few days of fun and more fun. My dad and stepmom from Buffalo are meeting us there. The 8 of us will stay in a suite and will take in the sights, sounds and smells (and tastes!) of San Antonio. On Thursday, we're going to Sea World for an Instructional Field Experience, especially for homeschoolers. Basically its a regular day at the park, minus the bells and whistles (and upset stomachs) of the rides and concessions. But the cost is only $8 per person...which makes it much much more affordable than the $30-$40/person regular charge! We'll see The Alamo and The Riverwalk and visit the San Antonio Zoo and play in the pool at the hotel. The temps here are in the mid 80s, so it will be a beautiful weekend. I'll post some pics when we return.

Here's Erik after one of his races. I think his best time is 8 minutes and some change for a mile. Not bad for a 7 year old. I don't think I ever could run a mile in less time LOL.

Lil Lizards is a great name for this West Texas running club. We have all kinds of lizards around these parts. Erik is our biggest lizard! He has had 2 practices this week. The coach recognized Erik and even remembered his times from his 3 races this summer! He put Erik in the "2-mile group". This means that Erik runs a 1/2 mile warm up with the whole club, then takes off for a 2 mile run...that's right...a 2 mile run. My stepfather, Tom, told Erik that he was his hero. Tom said, "I couldn't even run across the street for a donut." I'm with Tom.

We are entering our first week of 'full-swing' Fall activities: ballet classes, Lil Lizards running club practice (for Erik), AWANA, coop and Nutcracker rehearsals. Add the regular stuff like school, allergy shots, visiting my 95 year old Great Grandmother, cooking, cleaning and playing, and you get a sense of what life is like with 4 kiddos. Emma had her first Nutcracker rehearsal on Saturday. After an hour, she realized that the Battle Scene is a v-e-r-y l-o-n-g scene and the music is fast paced. In a few weeks she'll start practice on the Cake Baker part. I wish I could sing the music for you so you know what she'll be dancing to. It's a recognizable tune. She'll be dancing with 7 other girls, holding elaborately decorated cakes. Oh, and after being asked by 2 more people (5 different people asked me), I've taken the helm as the Props Manager for The Nutcracker. YIKES! I have an assistant, who wants to manage everything once it gets to the theater...so I just have to get it all together and to the theater... Aren't you glad your life is the way it is.... By the way, how is YOUR life? You get to read all about mine...how about an email letting me know what's up with you and yours? We'd love to hear from you.