DiNovember and other campaigns

One week into November, and I am in need of a rest. 

We've been up to a lot, and are going to continue at the same rate of activity through the holidays.
My prayer for this next six weeks is that God would allow me to do what I have committed to do not out of obligation but out of joy and wonder. I have learned in neuropsychology: we can rewire our brains and change our habits of negative affect. I am praying to be constantly re-routed into joy.

A glimpse of what we have been up to:

On November 4, we took Miles with us to vote. The senate race in Virginia was a particularly close call!

My citizen selfie.

We've been taking rather a lot of pictures of plastic dinosaurs lately. This year, we are observing DiNovember. It might become a yearly tradition; we're enjoying it so much.

Basically, we tell the kids that in November, the dinos are able to come to life- but only at night. Every morning, the kids wake up to a different scene of dino mischief.

One night they painted...

Another night they claimed as their own the toys the kids had left out.

They read books:

All dino-themed, of course.

They eat snacks:

And, when Jon got back with pictures from Chicago's Field Museum...

...Our dinos went to work setting up an art gallery on the wall:

Last night, they got into the playdough.

I didn't include all images; you'll have to follow me on instagram for that. But we're having a ball. Every night Jon and I get to play with toys after the kids to go bed!

However, for a few nights I've been doing the dino-displays myself. Because...

On Thursday November 8th Jon left for his History of Science Society Convention in Chicago!

These are from our leave-taking that morning. 

He did wonderfully. He said he got lots of compliments on his presentation and was able to make a lot of useful contacts which will be professionally very useful to him. Continue your prayers and good thoughts about that endeavor, please!

In other news....

The sun sets earlier, of course. Nearly every night, in our "Help-Thanks-Wow" prayers, the kids' "Wow" prayers involve something about the sky. 

Oh, this pic. 

Miles is in Chinese School, as some of you know. He's taught me a fair amount of words and expressions already! The school is having a sort of pageant to commemorate their 35th anniversary in town, and Miles is in that show. He's in two numbers, and in this one pictured above, he is practicing to represent: The Turkey. 

I will assuredly take pictures and possibly video of this event. They're singing in Chinese, and dancing. With costumes. YES. 

We had a busy weekend, as we dashed around without Papa. And by busy, I mean crammed. We got the car fixed, we spent the morning at dance lessons, we attended Miles' rehearsal, prepared my Children's Chapel lesson and went to a social chili party with church friends that night. That was just Saturday. 

Sunday involved a long morning at church, my turn to grocery shop (with both kids; we don't usually do this). and a birthday party. 

If I were doing the November gratitudes, I'd probably have described my gratitude for this bounce house experience at the birthday party. They slept like logs that night!

I am so grateful, for the now. For this town, for my church family, for my wonderful job, and for my immune system which is admirably winning a fight against a stomach bug just now. 

This year I am planning to produce & direct the Christmas pageant. I have a big plan.

Wish me all directorial skills and luck! And pray with me that we can live out our holiday plans with joy.

Oh, and Adele's birthday party approaches...