I'm a Cowboy man, and that ain't no lie

Matthew really likes his new cowboy hat- he stomps around in his hat and boots, saying "I'm a cowboy man, and that ain't no lie."

The Story of Thanksgiving

A little something I saw and thought I'd share with you this Thanksgiving:

The Real Story of the First Thanksgiving
By Benjamin Franklin (1785)

“There is a tradition that in the planting of New England, the first settlers met with many difficulties and hardships, as is generally the case when a civiliz’d people attempt to establish themselves in a wilderness country. Being so piously dispos’d, they sought relief from heaven by laying their wants and distresses before the Lord in frequent set days of fasting and prayer. Constant meditation and discourse on these subjects kept their minds gloomy and discontented, and like the children of Israel there were many dispos’d to return to the Egypt which persecution had induc’d them to abandon.

“At length, when it was proposed in the Assembly to proclaim another fast, a farmer of plain sense rose and remark’d that the inconveniences they suffer’d, and concerning which they had so often weary’d heaven with their complaints, were not so great as they might have expected, and were diminishing every day as the colony strengthen’d; that the earth began to reward their labour and furnish liberally for their subsistence; that their seas and rivers were full of fish, the air sweet, the climate healthy, and above all, they were in the full enjoyment of liberty, civil and religious.

“He therefore thought that reflecting and conversing on these subjects would be more comfortable and lead more to make them contented with their situation; and that it would be more becoming the gratitude they ow’d to the divine being, if instead of a fast they should proclaim a thanksgiving. His advice was taken, and from that day to this, they have in every year observ’d circumstances of public felicity sufficient to furnish employment for a Thanksgiving Day, which is therefore constantly ordered and religiously observed.”

Matthew's Birthday

We finally had Matthew's birthday party Wednesday night. He had been asking for a baseball cake for his birthday for the past six months; he seemed to like the one I made for him. We all had a great time, and he is really enjoying all his presents.

Jumping in the Leaves

Ok, so we were supposed to be cleaning the house for grandparents to visit. . .but grandparents will forgive a less than perfect house; the weather was beautiful and the leaves were falling.

Matthew's Birthday

Matthew turns 3 today. We aren't actually having a party until Wednesday night, because Duane has to work tonight and tomorrow night, and that way John and Julie will also be able to be here. However, we wanted to post some pictures of him, say that we're looking forward to the next year with him, and hope that today truly marks the end of the "terrible twos." If it doesn't, and his mood and behaviors don't improve, we're sending him to live with Grandma.

What Children Inherit from Their Parents

Children inherit many things from their parents genetically. Our children have all inherited Sara's blue eyes. Some say Matthew looks like Sara, some say Anna looks like me, some say Cora looks like Anna. But on another level, do children inherit interests and hobbies? As a child, I really enjoyed drawing. So did my brother John. We would draw all the time. Anna, it seems, has also found this passion. Below is an example of her art.




Notice the block head, inproportionate size of the cranium in comparision to normal humans. The huge, smiling mouth. Stern furrowed brow, yet dull look in the eyes. She has inherited the rest of the Clark family's passion for mocking my dome, it seems, as well.

But at least she's got my sense of humor.

Halloween

Anna and Matthew really enjoyed dressing up for Halloween this year. Cora wasn't as excited, but at least she didn't scream non-stop about wearing her costume, like Anna did the year she was the lion. Trick-or-treating was good for about 45 minutes, and then we had tired and cold little legs. Heading back to grandma's for hot chocolate was a must. Now, two days later, the end of the candy is already in sight (who says you can't have Reese's cups for breakfast? As long as they're paired with milk and a banana, it's considered nutritious!) . Anyway, it was a good time, although Duane needs to learn to walk slower and take shorter steps. . .the rest of us just can't keep up!