Pack Meeting, Piano Recital, and Soapbox.

Here is X-man with his Cub Scout Pack at a pack meeting. We were at a hunting/camping store which the kids thought was a fun place. They got to shoot at a shooting range, making car lights go on and off, crocodiles growl, monkeys holler, and snakes slither.  They liked that. 

 The girls and X-man had a piano recital Monday.  Unfortunately X. was home sick. The girls played beautifully.  There was quite a crowd, so they got experience playing in front of an audience. They didn't even look nervous!  

 B. tickling the ivories.

B. and A. with their sweet piano teacher. 

And now for the SOAPBOX:

The other day A. brought home a note to be signed by a parent informing us that her class would be reading and studying Charles Dickens, "A  Christmas Carol."  I LOVE that story. I'm thrilled they are studying it in school.  The note informed parents that "God" and "Christian" are mentioned in the story, but those aspects wouldn't be discussed. The literature would be discussed. I was to sign it if I felt this was permissible. Of course, I signed it.  Then I got to thinking  (darn my brain!). Why must we have permission to even speak God's name in school when we have His name right in our pocket on our money?  His name is spouted forth profanely, crudely, in vain, and in passing, yet when it is spoken with respect in classical literature we have to get permission.  Permission is needed for reading something that is uplifting.  Why is permission not required when movies with graphic battle scenes and rampant profanity are shown in school for historical content?  Why must we tiptoe around speaking of the God in whom we trust and whom this country is founded upon?   

During his speech at the Constitutional Convention Benjamin Franklin said this:

"We need God to be our friend not our enemy. 

We need Him to be our ally not our adversary. 

We need to make sure that we keep God's concurring aid...

 If a sparrow can't fail to the ground without God noticing, 

how do we think that a nation could rise with His aid...?"

I know A's teacher was doing what was required of her. I just think it shows a sad state of affairs when we must get permission for the good and uplifting.   

Trick or Treat

Halloween has come and gone, but the oodles of candy with be around for sometime longer.   Our weather on Halloween night was perfect--no jacket needed, just a costume.

 We had Professor Snape (L), Tom Riddle (X), a funky witch (A), and Dr. B, our vet.

If you couldn't guess, the boys have gotten into Harry Potter. And yes, they insisted on having their hair sprayed black. (It came out--thankfully!)

 Snape is giving his evil look, and Tom Riddle is sneering. The girls are looking lovely. 

 The kiddos planned an S.S.  or Something Special night for us. They gave me quite the list of goodies that was required. A. made the cake and frosted it. Everyone else pitched in with decorating ideas to make it "spooky" yet yummy.  There were chocolate tombstones with worms and Lego skeletons.  Tasty!

 And of course, we had to carve pumpkins.  Here are the artists before they dug in. 

   Here are the completed jack-o-lanterns.  L carved Snape (he has ears), B. carved "Dogs Rock" in her pumpkin, and X spent a bit of time carving Voldermort in his pumpkin (seems to be a theme here with the boys!).  A. was gone that night with a friend. 

All in all we had a very nice  Halloween time.