Happy Halloween!!

Fantastic weekend capped off by a perfect (almost) night of trick-or-treating!

Friday was the boys parent-teacher conferences at school, and both had exceptional reports. Porter's teachers pointed out his ability to recognize patterns and understand numbers -- key aspects of math that lead to a bent towards logic and mathematics that we'll have to continue to foster. I'm not surprised -- he's always pointing out patterns, and his love of music is directly related to his ability to see the patterns in music / lyrics and internalize it, expanding his enjoyment. While I had an early concern that cliques or his smaller size might be a drawback, the teachers said he is doing fine with his friends and Porter is very much an active part of the class.

Jackson is also doing well in school -- His teacher told us much of what we already know about his keen ability to learn and understand. He is well ahead of the current studies in terms of both numbers, math, science and reading / letters. His understanding of the concepts also is an area that his teacher pointed out as a strength. He does need to continue in maturity / self control -- but that's not anything she said we should worry about; he's about normal for his age, although I know he's a little more intense than others in his group.

Friday after school meetings I took the bulk of the day off and rewarded the boys for their 'Dad chips' with a trip to Chuck E. Cheese's for some solid play. They deserved it!

Friday night was the U2 concert that I had been waiting for -- we had floor tickets, and it was great, although it was standing room GA. At first, I could tell Katie was dreading the standing, but once they came on, everyone in the whole place was on their feet, so it wasn't an issue. Bono did a monologe on COEXIST that was incredible... Truly a great show from a band that Katie and I love.

Saturday, Katie picked the boys up from Nana's first thing in the morning so we could have our last game of soccer. Porter's game was 9:45 and then their team headed over to one of the family's homes for a party. Porter even scored a goal! Jackson / my game was at 11, and Jackson played well the whole time -- and even got into a bit of trash talking on the field. Another boy started it, but Jackson didn't let it get to him, and we finally had to actually call a foul and toss him out of the game for a while. After our game, we headed over to the other party with Marku (my co-coach, and father of Jackson's friend) and his son Joseph.

That night we just hung around the house and we got up early on Sunday for Mass. Sunday afternoon Katie took the boys to Nana's to play with their cousins while I had one last trip to Astroworld on the final day before they closed forever. I rode the Texas Cyclone -- pure roller-bliss -- and walked around the whole park remembering my own childhood. Visiting with my dad; saving my allowance each spring for a season pass; "My mom will take if yours will pick up." End of an era. I'll miss sharing it with my own kids. Glad to have had this year, though.

Which brings us to Halloween. Today, I got a flu shot. Which was probably the scariest part of the whole day for me.

And tonight, the boys dressed up [Jakcson as T-Rex; Porter as Skeleton] and headed out in the cold rain for a solid night of candy hunting. They ended up with a half a grocery bag each -- pounds of candy!! I cooked my traditional Halloween chili and as the boys watched a little Halloween cartoon, Katie and I enjoyed our dinner.

In all, quite a good weekend -- and now that Halloween is past, it's time to start getting in the holiday spirit!!

Astros World Series Bound!!

I can't believe it!! The Astros are headed to Chicago for Game 1 of the World Series after a fantastic performance to beat the St. Louis Cardinals in Game 6 of the NLCS.

We took the boys to Game 5 in Houston on Monday night only to have the city's heart broken in the 9th by the 3-run homer by Pujols, but tonight makes it all worthwile. I can tell you that the boys, Katie, I, and half the city were beat on Tuesday morning, wondering why we all stayed out so late rooting for the home team, and wondering what would happen next. But the signs and chants told us to Bee-lieve (Killer B's), and we did. Tonight, Craig and the team are champions -- with one series left to go!

Mom and Row are headed to Chicago on a pre-planned trip for business, and they'll be there for the first two games of the World Series -- boy how I wish I could hop a plane and crash on their floor just to be in the city while the 'Stros are there!!

Family Fun Fest Weekend

Great busy weekend this time around, with the Family Fun Fest at church/school. They boys had Friday off of school so that everyone could get their things ready for the big weekend. Katie and the boys spent the day over at Laura's playing with their cousins, who had the day off also. Friday was a travel day for me, and I ended up getting home late due to delays getting out of OKC.

Katie got up Saturday morning and found a fall festival in the Heights advertised in the paper, so we all loaded into the Mini and headed over there. A nursery / gardening shop was having live music, a jumper, hay rides around the neighborhood and free hotdogs / sodas. We spent about 2 hours hanging out, the boys jumping and listening to two guys and an acoustic guitar -- called The Manglers. Despite the name, they did a great job of lots of old stand-bys.

After that, we headed over to Hickory Hollow for some BBQ. We've found a new favorite place for Jackson -- the sausage was just like he likes it. Porter had a HUGE baked potato, with a side of fries, of course... When we were all fed, we stepped next door to the Heights Station antiques shop for a look -- they boys wanted to know why they had so much old stuff in there. When we heard the train passing, the three of us bolted back outside (leaving Katie to herself) to watch the train. I think that was the first time they have seen graffiti, since both wanted to know what was painted on the sides of the cars, and why it was there. We talked about how some of it was good looking art, some basic tagging, and that since the people that owned the train probably didn't do it, then it was most-likely not a good thing that someone painted on them.

I watched the Astros lose Saturday afternoon, leaving it to the last game of the season to decide the playoff fate. Saturday night was Bingo night at the Fun Fest and we ate fajitas from Skeeters with about a thousand of church and classmates. None of us won anything... but the boys had a great time running around outside playing with their friends.

Sunday Katie got over to the school grounds early to help set up, while the boys and I went to BW3 for lunch. We got to the fest around 1:30 and had a great afternoon doing the rides, cake walk, and cracking confetti eggs on ourselves. Porter even won a chocolate cake! The cake walk is rigged.

By mid afternoon the Astros had beaten the Cubs to lock up the Wild Card race, so that means we get to the playoffs again this year -- I love baseball!

Tonight, the boys are beat, and so are the Mom and Dad. Everyone's sound asleep, except me -- and I'm not far behind.