Claire’s a big fan of NEMO, and every now and then she likes to play a NEMO game with Sophie or Wilson. This morning this was the conversation I overheard.

Claire “Hi, Dory.”

Sophie “Hi, Nemo.”

Claire “You on a dite.”

Sophie “What?”

Claire “No, no, no, no … Dory. No eating tonight. You on a dite.”

Awesome God – Rich Mullins … This is true.

I Wish it Would Rain – Nanci Griffith … I don’t really wish it would rain, but I think it’s inevitable.

You Don’t Know Me – Harry Connick, Jr. … Well, maybe you do.

Black Friday – Steely Dan … Let’s hope not.

Hold My Hand – Hootie and the Blowfish … I like this sentiment, and it is lots of fun.

Christmas Day – Harry Connick, Jr. … Yes .

Wild Mountain Skies – John Denver … Awesome, love the western skies.

Have a Nice Day – Bon Jovi … I hope you do.

Holding Back the Year – Simply Red … I was doing this a few weeks ago, ha ha … still holding on to 39.

The Thanks I Get – Wilco .. These aren’t always abundant, but oh so appreciated.

Show Me Your Glory – Third Day … Please.

For her birthday, Grandma and Grandpa gave Claire a girl with “snap on” clothes. She’s had a ball playing with her girl these last several weeks.

Art last week included a two day project, paintings in the style of abstract painter, Hans Hoffman. The kids had a great time and their pictures turned out really well.

The boys working on their projects.

Sophie and Claire working on their projects.

Sam's finished product.

Wilson's painting

Sophie's finished painting.

Last night, Sam had a weeknight soccer game. Mark was in Florida, so we took some pictures so that he could see the game. They played a great game last night. The other team got very few opportunities to score. Since the rain has played havoc with the schedule thus far this year, we had to take advantage of the evening to get our pictures.

He’s actually airborne!!

The girl in orange is Sam’s friend, Hannah. They’ve been at the same summer soccer camp for four or five years. Last night they got to play each other’s team. We ended up with a well deserved tie score.

Little Miss enjoyed the game.

Wils was a spectator last night. He plays again next week.

A serious fan.

My work here is done.

Claire was thrilled to wake from her nap one day last week and find that someone had painted her portrait while she was resting. She knew immediately who was in the picture, and she loves to take it down and look at it. She has told us many times that it’s the “Claire-Bear” picture.

“It’s me.”

Portrait of a Claire Bear, by Wilson Walker

Portrait in Blue and Green, by Sophie Walker

And this is a lovely portrait of me, painted by Sophie. Our study was based on the work of Whistler, and the assignment was to paint a portrait in the spirit of the famous portrait he painted of his own mother. Their projects turned out pretty well! Sadly, Sam wasn’t able to paint with us that day … he was nursing a case of the Chicken Pox in a remote location in the house.

We had a fun, if hot, time at the Kennedy Space Center today. The IMAX film was very interesting, and revealing in terms of how complacent the general public has become regarding space travel. We learned a lot about the history of space exploration, the current programs, and the future after the Shuttle Program ends in 2010.

Overall a very productive day!

Mini Golf Fun

Pooh, Sophie, Tigger, and Wils

Mom & Soph at the “Dinorama”.

Sophie at the fountain at EPCOT.

EPCOT

All that’s left of Wilson after the NEMO exhibit.

Claire really enjoys the NEMO exhibits.

At the Pooh Play area

Daddy and Claire

Cinderella with the girls

Ahoy me mates … Wils and Sophie

Space Rangers

Did you know that Sept. 26 is National Public Lands Day and entrance to all 391 national parks is free? Visit your nearest national park this Saturday for a day of service, celebration, and a sneak peek of the new film by Ken Burns.

Monument at Jamestown, VA … site of the original settlement. There is a VERY interesting on-site museum operated by the NPS and an ongoing archeological dig.

Statue of John Smith faces the river.

Don’t forget … this Sunday (9/27) evening the first episode of the new documentary series by Ken Burns National Parks, America’s Best Idea airs on PBS. It should be an amazing tour of some of our continents most beautiful natural areas. This will be a great introduction to some of the “more difficult to reach” national parks. This is a wonderful way to learn geography. Mr. Burns documentary on Lewis and Clark is another geography & history resource.

If you’re in South Carolina … the nearest parks within a day’s drive would include: The Congaree National Forest and Park, the Blue Ridge Parkway, the Appalachian Trail, Cape Hatteras, Cape Lookout, Trail of Tears, Wright Brothers, Cowpens National Battlefield, Kings Mountain, and Fort Sumpter. If you don’t know already, Fort Sumpter played an interesting role in our nation’s history and is located in Charleston, SC. Who doesn’t like a trip to Charleston in the fall? Enjoy!!