Boo to you!

Happy Halloween!!

Katie's school had a celebration today, complete with costumes and a parade.

Lots of ghosts,

Star Wars,

and food!

I was hungry all day...
And a few Dorothys following the yellow brick road.

Have a fun and safe Halloween!

Painted faces

Katie's school is doing a Fall Carnival and I will be painting faces. Since it's not something I do every day, I needed to get a little bit of practice in before the big event. All those little ones have big expectations you know! So, Katie got to be my practice model.

Since we quickly ran out of room on her face, I also practiced on her arms.

To make it all go a little smoother, the kids will get to pick from these designs. Which is your favorite?

A happy couple

Pam and I met these two at the beach for an engagement photo session. Aren't they cute?

Tune in next summer for the wedding pics!

Fungi

This toadstool popped up in my yard recently,

but stayed only a couple of days.

Sir Katie

Besides the jousting, there were lots of other interesting things going on. Katie tried on a few hats, but decided they weren't comfortable at all.

She couldn't see too well out of them either.

She didn't even bother with this one.

The shirts weren't any better. Way too heavy, even with all the holes!

So she decided to leave it to these men to show off the fashions of the time.

But of course they couldn't put on armor and not swing a sword at each other! boys.....

Tournament of the Phoenix

Men who carry weapons have in all ages played at the game of war in time of peace. Just go back a few days and look at the Blue Angels to see men still playing war games!

Military games were organized in Europe around the year 1000, with equestrian games practiced from before the Romans. By the 1160's the jousting tournament had evolved.

Some 3000 knights attended the tournament at Lagny-sur-Marne in November 1179, promoted by Louis VII of France.

Both prowess in arms and courtesy and social grace were important.

Armed with 11 foot long wooden lances tucked under their right arms, two men on horseback run toward each other.

They are separarted by a high fence (the tilt) to prevent collisions.

Their goal is to break their lance on the small shield on their opponent's chest.

Points are awarded for where they strike and how much of the lance is broken.

The tournament was a chance to celebrate all aspects of knightly virtues, such as courage, justice, mercy, generosity, nobility, humility and horsemanship. And it was all in town this past weekend!

Snips and Snails and Puppy Dog Tails

Pam and I went to Children's beach to photograph these little boys.

Aren't they cute?

Children's Pool

Children's Pool is a neat little cove in La Jolla that has been taken over by seals. People can go onto the beach, but that puts them at risk from getting yelled at by the activists who are protecting the seals there.

So I didn't go down onto the beach where the seals were.

But there is a place where you can walk down to get close to the seals without scaring them off.

Say CHEESE!

There are other places to hang out where the seals don't get to. So you can pull up a piece of sand and read to your friends and the sea gulls,

and enjoy the fresh air and warm sunshine!

A great day!

After learning so much about life in the 1800's, we had a bit of fun riding the train.

This was such a great field trip and the kids had a wonderful time while actually learning!

G Company

The kids learned a little bit about the Civil war at the Rendevous too.

I think what they remember the most though are the muskets with bayonettes attatched.