Quotes

Steve: "Harper, time to get ready for bed!"
Harper: "I don't want to get ready for bed. Getting ready for bed is dreadful!"

Steve: "Look, Mama's behind us!"
Esme: "Quick! Swerve! Mama's in hot pursuit!"

The Official Halloween Portraits 2009

Halloween costumes have taken on a decidedly darker turn this year in the Fife-Adams household: the Pirate Festival in September had a great influence on the girls.

Harper is perhaps the world's smallest (and cutest) pirate, while Esme opted for being a Warrior Princess.

Brain Development

Harper and I just got back from the Midwest where we visited mostly family for a few days. My MIL always says that travel causes great changes in kids' brains, and it's usually borne out. This time was no different.

Exchange from yesterday:

H: Esme, why do you freak out when you get shots?

E: Because I have a phobia.

H: What's a phobia?

E: It's when you get worried or anxious about something too much.

H: Then don't I have a bobia about shots?

E: You only freak out when you're getting the shot; I freak out weeks beforehand.

H: Oh.

Exchange from today:

E: Harper, thank you for getting that pile of leaves together so nicely!

H: My pleasure!

(We were staying with a friend who often replies, "My pleasure" when you thank her for something.)

Sexton Mountain Jog-a-thon

Esme's school does one major fundraiser each year to raise funds for:

• their Art Literacy program


• the Science Fair


• an Art Festival


• the "meet your teacher" Ice Cream Social


• a Family Dance


• giving books to kids for their "Sexton Mountain Reads" gigantic book group/reading festival

The fundraiser is a somewhat-less-than 5K for the kids. Each child chooses a goal for how many laps they want to run around their school's track during a 20 minute period on Thursday, October 8th. Esme is planning to run 4 laps, which is one mile - and is a personal stretch for Ms. Thang, since running isn't exactly her thing. I know she can do it, but your encouragement and kind contribution to her school would be great inspiration!

All contributions are due to the school by Friday, October 16th. Checks can be made out to me (Jen Fife-Adams), and I will write one check to the school for easier processing. If you're interested (and there's no pressure here!), please send your pledge or encouraging card to:

Esme Fife-Adams, Sexton Mountain Jog-a-thon Runner, 15533 SW Peridot Way, Beaverton, OR 97007.

Thanks for reading!

Some photos from my new camera

Thoughts on the new camera

I looked at my picasa page today and realized that since I've gotten my new camera, I've taken over 900 pictures. I really love my D40 and am so glad that I got it. Health care reform might be frustrating, school stuff might not be awesome, my weight loss might be moving slowly, but, by gum, I can take pictures!

One of my nephews

Here's my nephew Rowan lost in thought. His parents are deep thinkers; I think he's inherited that gene, too.