October

There's plenty of October left. Even though I feel like it's mostly scheduled out and done, really there's lots left. I'm looking forward to taking this month slowly and savoring the time till Halloween.

Thankfully, Anna seems to love Halloween as much as we do (what kid wouldn't?). She's got her costume almost all ready: she's been wanting to be a cat since August and hasn't changed her mind, other than the color of cat she wants to be (pink, purple...we're holding off on that leotard till almost last minute so she can settle). She remembers trick or treating from last year I think, which is important to me since it means we're making good memories for her, even though she was only 2.5 yrs old at that time. In fact she seems to remember a lot from her few previous years.







I'm sitting in the Houston airport waiting for the fog to clear before I catch a delayed flight to ultimately land me in Dana Point, California. This time it's 3 days full of workshops on creative experiment design and collabroation for ISS fundamental physics. I took a look at the agenda and most of this will be wayyyyy above my head since they're centered around laser-type things (not really fundamental physics to me) and atomic clocks. I'm looking forward to learning about it but I wonder how much I'll really retain. I got to give Anna quick kisses and hugs in her bed as I left this morning. She was upset I wasn't bringing her to school but got over it as soon as I promised to bring her back a surprise. Her request was the usual: chocolate and candy and lots and lots of toys, and this time a bag. I assume she means the reusable type like I brought her back from Orlando that seem to keep multiplying in our house! She doesn't even use them but now she wants one.

She had her first sleep over at a friend's house on Saturday night! Family friend, L, who is just a month older than Anna. When they get together they go nuts! They're awesome to watch, since L is way more crazy outgoing than Anna, but Anna catches on quickly and soon follows. At L's house, there are lots of neighborhood kids and the parents all shut down the street while they watch the kids all play games, ride bikes, dance, do whatever. So I am told Anna had a most AWESOME party time (including a little tailgating with Sprite), which worries me about her future spring break choices (she is a Picese, and so is L, afterall), but I guess we have time to deal with that. After partying, they ate tacos for dinner, took a bath "with all my friends, mommy!" in the big bathtub, and watched movies until 11:30pm! They were up again at 7am for breakfast and play. Paul and I went out to a nice dinner that night while I texted frequently to check on Anna. Anna never once asked to come home!! We're freaking lucky to have family friends where Anna just can go and have new experience and make new, fun memories since I think our house is pretty boring all the time with no other kids to play with. Anna's been going to L's house a lot lately, mostly when I'm on travel and Paul has to work a football game or something. L's house is one big block party. I'm super grateful to L's mom, LW who is also one of Paul's employees. LW seems to take on the challenge of 3.5 year old girlie sleepovers for fun! Actually, who can resist giggly 3 year old girls???

They're really super cute.