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A Boo-tiful Day
We’re skipping church this morning. Everyone is either going out of town (Keith and Hannah), or too tired (the rest of us.) What better way to acknowledge my sin than by blogging about our boo-tiful day yesterday?
I’ve always admired folks who decorate beautifully. People like my sister can take knotted string, an apple core, broken spaghetti and crusty spray paint and create a stunning centerpiece in 10 minutes. I am not one of those people. I keep Rubbermaid boxes jammed under the stairs and spread the contents around the fireplace. The orange-topped boxes contain memories of Halloweens past – kids’ crafts, Beanie Babies, stuffed animals and a few books. This is Julia’s third Halloween home, and she was thrilled to discovered I’d kept some of her kindergarten and first grade crafts to display.
We headed to Fiesta Texas for Fright Fest, and opened the gates at noon. Didn’t leave until 9 p.m., which is why everyone is overtired today. Of all the characters roaming, I liked these ghastly twins the most. They never smiled. I took their stony countenance as a challenge, – kind of like the visitors who taunt the guards at Buckingham Palace, hoping to crack a smile. Nope. Shortly before we left, a ghoulish “convict” screamed and chased Rachel at least 100 yards through the Old West area. Her Superman cape was flying – her mouth was hanging open screaming back – her feet were flying, all while clutching the pumpkin she’d painted hours earlier. I have not laughed so hard in months. I hurt, I laughed so hard. People applauded, and I heard, “Man, that belongs on You Tube!”
I don’t play the Frugal Maternal Unit at Fright Fest. The girls feign great shock when I allow each to have her own soft drink, and I spring for extras like pumpkin and cookie painting. Rachel chose a “rasta” theme for her pumpkin. Lois – Lestat the Vampire. Hannah – a Hannah Montana theme. Julia – a vampire with a sword in its head. (Child psychologist, anyone?) They’re now gracing the fireplace mantle. No, no, I won’t save them for next year.
Rachel’s cookie tasted a bit like paint. She’s not sure why. Yes, she’s a senior this year. And can vote next year. Comforted by that, are you?
Julia loves to be carried, and Rachel and Lois often oblige. Though it comes with its own dangers. Like being threatened with a dip in a bloody fountain. We got to ride my favorite ride – Bugs White Water Rapids – three times, though I was disappointed its water wasn’t tinted. Just as well, I suppose, since we got soaked.
Comfy, little ghoul?
The Creature Feature show – aces! Though I was the only one of our party who actually danced in the aisles when invited to join the cast doing so. (My children the killjoys. Sigh) We really wanted to stay for the 9 p.m. Monster Bash but were all too pooped.
Dem bones, dem bones.
By 9 p.m., our tails were “dragon”- time to get home. We’re already looking forward to Holiday in the Park!
Posted in 
Denial. Not just a river in Egypt.
School starts Monday.
I’m in total denial.
Yeah, Pooh. We know.
No more sleeping until 6 a.m. No more “just make two lunches and out the door.” No more wondering where all the traffic is. No more shutting our door at bedtime because I really don’t care who’s still up and who’s not. And no more quick dinners at the pool.
I took Julia to her school open house tonight. We did lots of hugging. Lots of labeling. And I brought home the first batch of dreaded school forms. My return address labels are ready.
Julia’s brick in the school entryway was laid over the summer. Moses’ fellow Hebrews were forced to make bricks. Joshua’s army marched and brought down Jericho’s wall of bricks. Paul described Jesus as a cornerstone. So we decided years ago our school bricks would offer a biblical reference. Like Jesus’ promise in John 14:18 – “I will not leave you as orphans. I will come to you.”
Rachel selected a very prophetic verse for her brick in 2001 – “A gentle anaswer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” She must have realized she was going to turn into a teenager one day and that I’d need to be reminded of this verse over and over. And over. Again.
Lois is always one for the basics so in 2001 she chose – “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whomsoever shall believe in him shall not perish but have everlasting life.” Hannah selected the 10 Commandments. I remember when the girls had to memorize them for Pastor’s Pals. The first four – relationship with God. #5 – relationship to parents. #6 – #10 are all those darned sins, which Hannah was having trouble memorizing in order. So she, Lois, Rachel and I formed a conga line and danced into church that Sunday night chanting, “Murder! Adultery! Steal! Lie! Covet!” They all got ‘em right.
Tomorrow it’s off to Fiesta Texas for one more day of water park fun.
“Get thee behind me, school supplies!” 1st Rebecca 8:21
Better
My Favorite Ride – I’m not as brave as Julia, who is now tackling Boomerang – solo, or with Lois. I am content to wave. While I cower.
Better than peeling on pantyhose.
Better than sweating on the bus.
Better than cube farming.
Better than plodding on summer homework assignments.
Better than housework.
Better than yardwork.
Yes. Better. Way, way better.
Holiday in the Park
Rainy summer weather created a slow season at Fiesta Texas, so, after many years of no winter activities, Six Flags resurrected Holiday in the Park. We had to go. Of course. Drink mugs in hand.
So it’s a little hard to appreciate the biggest Christmas tree in Texas from a mere photo – but still -
Eight of our feet in front of a 100′ Norway Spruce. Shorts and flip-flops – well, yeah, it’s Fiesta Texas, peeps.
Our visit coincided with Hannah’s 12th birthday. Her cake? This funnel delight. We all shared, and licked our fingers (our own, not each other’s) Julia initially refused to try it, but succumbed to sisterly urging and l-o-v-e-d it. Lois’ 14th birthday was three days previously. She delighted in telling everyone she “didn’t even get a cake.” She’s known for years I was a bad mother. Now everyone else can revel in that knowledge, too.
And this was so, so tough.
“Carol of the Bells” by the Trans Siberian Orchestra with a synced light show in the square. We looked agape – like we were fresh off the farm. I might have danced. A bit. To the horror of my children. 
Ro-Ro-Ro, Rerry Ristmas!
