The Strange and the Cute.

The kids had a great time tonight dressing up and being crazy with their friends! Leah & Olivia dressed up as Zombie Pizza-Deliverymen, complete with pizza boxes covered with rats and spiders. We dug out Jack's Peter Pan costume he wore when he was 2, and let Will wear it - however, the general consensus was that he looked like Robin Hood - so Will was Robin Hood! He "trick-or-treated" next door, then sat with mom and dad and gave out candy.

Sneak Preview!

This is the first Halloween that the kids decided to make their own costumes - no store bought, packaged characters. I thought they came up with some really clever ideas - although I miss the awesome costumes Gheghe has made for them in the past! Leah is putting the final touches on hers and will wear it on Tuesday. Jack decided to be a Surfer That Was Bitten by a Shark. I thought he did a great job!




















Leah found her way to Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Friday night, and she claims to have had a great time - not scary! she says. Yesterday Jack and Leah attended a pumpkin-carving party at that house on the hill - and of course had a blast!

The View from Here.

Fall has come to Florida - for a few hours, anyway. We woke to 45 degrees this morning, and the steam coming off the pond in our backyard was calling for my camera. Not to worry - our highs should get up into the 70s later today.

Protect Americans first.

I received this information today from my next-door neighbor and friend Rebecca Griffiths.

Dear friends and family,

You may have seen recent newscasts and news articles relating to a local citizen being held as a political prisoner in Vietnam, CUC FOSHEE. She was imprisoned as a "terrorist" when she returned to her home country and has been held for over a year at this writing. This great woman has fought heroically to raise awareness of the Vietnamese political situation both in Vietnam and the US. Her daughter, Liz McCausland, is an attorney here in Orlando and is working valiantly to get her Mom back to the US. Cuc and Liz are relations of mine via my father's marriage.

Please take a moment to learn more: http://freecucfoshee.blogspot.com or google CUC FOSHEE

Since President Bush is getting ready to visit Vietnam in November, the petition for her release will soon be presented. Please take a moment and sign the petition for her release at this website: http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/freecuc. It's easy to sign, just go to the right side and add your name, e-mail and check mark.

Ms. Foshee and her daughter are truly role models for all of us. Ms. Foshee has fought hard to impact the human rights abuses in Communist Vietnam and believes that all have a right to humane treatment, democracy and due process. Please help us show President Bush that we also believe in these things. I appreciate your time and consideration and thank you in advance for your support.

Sincerely,

Rebecca Griffiths

Vietnam is awaiting "U.S. approval to enter the World Trade Organization (WTO), seeks Permanent Normal Trade Relations with the U.S, and expects to host President Bush in Hanoi this November. An AFP news report on September 9, 2006, said, 'Two US senators (Max Baucus and Gordon Smith) have sought the personal intervention of US President George W. Bush to ensure that the bill granting Vietnam Permanent Normal Trade Relations (PNTR) is passed before his trip to the APEC summit in Vietnam's capital Hanoi in November'."

Our government should NOT grant Vietnam PNTR nor entry into the WTO while the Vietnemese government is holding American citizens prisoner without cause.

The Many Adventures of Clyde.

Last year Jack wrote and illustrated 4 books in a series about Clyde, Clyde's pals, and some crazy adventures. He recently decided to add some more books to the series, now called, "Clyde's Quest." An exerpt from his latest book in the series, Clyde's Quest #7: War of the Worlds:

"Alright, who did it?" said Clyde angrily.
"Not me!" said Antler.
"I didn't," said Sparky and Sam.
"I don't think anyone did," said Slinky.
"Someone had to!" said C.C.
"My point exactly," said Clyde. "Someone had to have told them about the asteroid pieces!"


You will just have to wait until it is published to find out what happens next.

Sandy Cheeks.

A few pictures of Will enjoying his sand table!

'Tis the season...

We spent Sunday with the fam at Stakey's Pumpkin Patch. We had a great time collecting a wheelbarrowful of pumpkins and gourds, taking a hayride, exploring a corn maze, and of course taking a lot of pictures!

At the beach.

beach, originally uploaded by planet mancuso.

We spent a few minutes at the Quogue Beach Club... it was pretty cool and windy so we only stayed long enough for a few pictures.

Meeting Reed!

Enjoying the fall weather!

Leah & Will & dandelion, originally uploaded by amyem68.

We are on Long Island and enjoying some cool, crisp fall weather! Click on the Flickr flashcard on the right for more photos!

Marine Science Center

Ashley & Leah oyster mat, originally uploaded by amyem68.

After a fun morning at the lighthouse, we walked over to the Marine Science Center for an afternoon full of educational activities. The kids were able to take part in the Oyster Restoration Project. The oyster population in the Indian River lagoon has drastically declined due to habitat destruction, pollution, erosion and disease. Since oysters are filter feeders that naturally purify the water, a healthy oyster population is essential for maintaining a healthy ecosystem. The Nature Conservancy has begun making oyster mats out of black plastic grids, oyster shells, and zip ties. These mats will be placed in the water, providing a healthy, safe place for oyster larvae to grow and restore the habitat. The kids helped make several mats that will be used in the project.

Ponce Inlet Homeschool Day!

Today Karen & I took our students to Homeschool Day at Ponce Inlet. We spent the morning at the Lighthouse, which happens to be the tallest lighthouse in Florida and the second-tallest in the nation. We learned how children who lived at the lighthouse in the 1800s spent their time (making nature jewelry, playing Tiddlywinks, and following animal tracks). The kids went on an archaeological dig, listened to stories told by an actual lighthouse keeper's wife from the 1800s (seriously!), and climbed the 203 steps to the top of the lighthouse.

**Trivia: Anyone know THE tallest lighthouse in the USA?

Special Guest Blogger!

Hi, this is special guest blogger Dad. I am on a business trip in Minnesota. I don't usually do business trips, so it's tough to be away from the Planet. Anyway, here's what I'm doing this weekend. I have never walked so much in my life, but there are so many great walks I couldn't resist (and have no other options).

Friday Night Lights.

Jack did great in his first game tonight- and later volunteered to play on another, older team that was short on players.

Geekdom Grows.

The cool, crisp days of autumn...

Yes, our fall shots look remarkably like our summer shots. Oh well, what are ya gonna do? We are hoping for some genuine fall weather when we head to NY in a couple weeks!

Play hard.

September afternoon.

We spent a pretty afternoon at the playground - one of the few playgrounds left that still features an old-fashioned merry-go-round! Will really enjoyed it - although he was certainly interfering with Jack, Leah, and Olivia's need for speed!