Indian Summer South of the Mason Dixon Line

So we're all of 26 miles south of the Mason Dixon Line.
But those miles are key.
Because of instead of having something like THIS on November 5th...

We have kids running about the yard in their underwear having squirt gun wars.
Oh...if this was what Autumn in the South was all the time...

Oh - and THANK YOU and Happy Birthday to Uncle Matt!
Sending love from Walkersville to Baytown!

Been an interesting day today. 
Sam was chosen with 10 other kids at school because of his perfect attendance and good participation to take a limo ride  to McDonalds for Happy Meals.
To say that Caroline is green with envy is a gross understatement. 
Her eyes were shooting daggers the whole car ride home when Sam announced he was picked.
This was followed by wailing and gnashing of teeth, "I've been at the school thirteen quarters and I haven't got picked.  Sam gets everything.  It's so not fair."
After weeping with those who weep and acknowledging that, yes, in fact, it was pretty stinky that she hadn't been picked yet, she has been better. 
Caroline was channeling her energy this morning and up at 6 practicing the flute.
Benjamin woke up and found me, just as I was leaving for my run at 5:15.
He ran downstairs crying because he couldn't find his baseball helmet or his book about St Pope John Paul II.  After we found both, he climbed happily into bed with Jim and slept another hour. 
It's always interesting around here.