Election Night Catching Up

Well, it's election night, and we're glued to the TV just like we were four years ago, and I finally finished the speech I was writing... 

So we wait. And blog. I'm behind, due to a work trip and the madness surrounding election predictions and trying to pull off a joyful, craft-y fall.

May as well drink wine and play catchup.

In other "futile attempts" news, we also took a shot at Christmas card photos last week. The blooper reel was something else. Look out for holiday cards that aren't going to win any contests. 

But at least Finley got to live out her modeling dreams.

We got in a few DC adventures, including this trip to Eastern Market

and a lovely (if COVID-crowded) trip to the National Arboretum. Where the big hit was the koi pond.

And then the kids got a surprise, work-trip-prompted visit from their BFFs, which was just pure, unbridled, sandy, bedtime-free, joy.

Because vacation wasn't a thing this year, we're maximizing any chance we have to get away. We had two days mid-last-week handy, so we gleefully left the beltway just after rush hour for rural PA

and got in some decent fishing (Seth) and allthefallactivities (F+F and I.)

Seriously, all of them.

Plus, Finley really, legitimately beat me at chess.

Once we got back, Jayne arrived (!!!!) and I had a work trip to Rhode Island to contend with. (During which time I told the rental counter in the middle of an unseasonable snowstorm that I wanted something small and easy to park, and wound up with this ridiculous vehicle.)

I got back jussstttttt in time for Halloween, which was kind of cancelled in our neighborhood but which was alive and well in the southern suburbs. So the kids managed a Halloween scavenger hunt with Scott & Grace, and the neighbors felt bad enough about no trick or treating that they gave out full-sized candy bars.

We kicked off the beginning of the season in which we should already- by Walters Family Decree- have put up our Christmas tree with a quiet Sunday and a sunset ride on the Capital Ferris Wheel.

and bonus spin on the carousel.

Not a bad way to savor the start of a week that promises to be wild. Some of my faves from the weekend are this one, of Finley having dressed herself for just another day at school

the discovery of how best to eat kebabs;

and Ford "getting promoted" at swim school. 

To Finley's class, because the universe hates us.