Day of the Dead

We celebrated the Day of the Dead by making sugar skulls (some for the community ofrenda and some to keep), corn husk dolls, masks and other crafts, and by eating pan de muerto. The girls loved it and I think we'll attend the festival every year!

Happy Halloween!

After changing her costume from Wolf to Beagle to Police Dog to Eagle Handler, Willa finally settled on Fox. As for Witch Jia, when people asked whether she was good or bad, she learned she gets extra candy if she emphatically says, "Bad!"

Strindberg and Banh Mi

Joe and I had a fun date night: Banh mi at Lu's and Strindberg's Miss Julie at the American Swedish Institute! The show was "intimate theater" in the way Strindberg envisioned it. It was just a few dozen people and we were right on stage with the actors! It was fantastic. They even had a Strindberg dress-up area!

Fire-Breathing Gerbils

Jia's soccer team (the Fire-Breathing Gerbils) had an award ceremony tonight. Jia's coaches talked about how she's always smiling and how she lobbies hard to play defense!

Jia received this award, and she was commended on her fearlessness and resolve when facing players twice her size. I love her coaches (and their clip art)!

Lots o' leaves

Leaf piles are one of the many reasons why fall is my favorite season.

Half-Haunted Halloween

We attended the Half-Haunted Halloween event at Wood Lake Nature Center. Willa dressed as an Eagle Handler! Jia was a witch.

 Jia is checking out the car she made.

Making a bug catcher!

National Eagle Center

We had an absolutely fabulous time at the National Eagle Center today with cousin Han and our friends Susie and Katie. We learned so much about eagles and saw a terrific show (the kids' favorite part was when the eagle pooped right in front of us)! We also enjoyed the gorgeous fall colors and the Sept Ober Fest displays!