More Critters. 273/365

I thought that the cooler temperatures of autumn would bring the end of finding interesting little critters like this. I'm glad I'm wrong, though. This guy and a friend were found eating away at my five foot tall basil plant.

Souvenirs. 272/365

The girls looked at these charms everytime we went into a shop (to cool off). I kept telling them to keep looking at everything and at the end of the trip we'd choose our souvenirs. In the end they went back to the charms and they each picked four charms for their bracelets.

A long road home. 271/365

Jordan woke up feeling ill today. We didn't have to be to the airport until 2:00, but we were scheduled to shop for souvenirs at the Downtown Disney shops. We just hung out at the hotel until check out and went to only one Downtown Disney store and quickly found everything we wanted. The trip home was better than expected with a sick child, but with a connecting flight in Atlanta it was longer than I wanted. Maddie was quite the helper, she wheeled and carried most of the luggage out of the airport in Richmond while Pete and Jordan retrieved the car.

Which Disney Park today? 270/365

How about a repeat of yesterday. We started out at Hollywood Studios in hopes of getting on the Toy Story ride more than once. No luck, the fast passes sold out immediately and the wait was 60 minutes. After a couple of hours we headed back to the Magic Kingdom in preparation for the "extra magic hours" this evening. The park was extremely crowded, but we still managed to run into our neighbors on Main Street. This pirate was seated at the exit of the Pirates of the Carribean ride. He sat so still that most people thought he was a mannequin. I knew he wasn't so I told the girls to go stand next to him for a picture and as soon as they did he tried to decapitate Jordan. BTW, the park was busier during the 8-11 p.m. extra magic hours than it was during the day - what's with that?

Hollywood Studios and Magic Kingdom. 269/365

More hot and sticky weather today, but since Hollywood Studios had an "extra magic hour" this morning we were able to get on the Rock'n Roller Coaster and the Tower of Terror many times before the real crowds arrived. A new favorite ride is the Toy Story Ride. We hadn't been on that one before and it was a fun one. Unfortunately, everyone else agrees with us so the wait is 60-70 minutes.

Epcot and Animal Kingdom. 268/365

Today was an extremely hot and humid day. We're not doing so well picking vacation days with good weather. We did have a good time though. Particularly when most of the ride lines were in air conditioning. Maddie enjoyed the rapids water ride because she got soaked and didn't feel hot and sticky anymore. Jordan liked the Everest ride best today. Pete thought Soarin' was the most fun. I personally think Everest is the best ride in all of Disney. We didn't wait in line for many characters - it was far too hot! But we did meet Stitch, Daisy Duck, and Alice (in Wonderland) today.

We're outta here. 267/365

After a stressful day of packing, and making sure homework is done, and making sure the blood glucose sensor Jordan is wearing for this trip is working, and making sure our suitcase doesn't weigh more than 40 lbs.($15 charge for the 40 lb. bag), and making sure we have all of the medical supplies we may need, I need a nap. Nobody is here to take that picture though, so we'll have to see what we come up with today. We'll get to the hotel too late to load a photo, so today's photo will load on Tuesday next week along with the next four days' pictures.

Wounded. 266/365

I was happy to see my favorite squirrel today. I only recognize him by the way he rests on his belly. Today though I noticed he's been wounded. Luckily for him (and me) he's healing up nicely, but I wonder what's been after him. He has a friend with far greater wounds than this, so there's definitely something hunting squirrels in my back yard.

Nasturtium. 265/365

My favorite flower. I'm happy to see it bloom with profusion once again. It likes the cooler temperatures, which is the reason I could never get it to grow in Texas.

Something Old. 264/365

I really wanted to photograph a reminder of the last bits of summer. While I was in the back yard looking for something to inspire me, this spoke to me. I never really thought about this rabbit much. She ended up in the back yard because I didn't really know what else to do with her. She was no longer one of my favorite items when I placed her here. I bought her a short time after moving out of my parents' house (probably the late 80s or very early 90s). She has a few bumps and bruises from her six or seven different moves, but these little scrapes have only added character.

Walk to Cure Diabetes. 263/365

This team raised more than $4,000 for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. A big congratulations to each of them!!

Kiwi. 262/365

There are some fruits and vegetables that we eat in bulk. Kiwi is one of them.

Good use of time. 261/365

Studying for a geometry quiz on the way to school.

One Down, One To Go. 260/365

We're vaccinated. Maddie's didn't look like this though, she received the nasal mist. I guess we'll do this again in a couple of weeks.

Homework Break. 259/365

This little contraption spins the kids around. Jordan's feet drag on the ground while Maddie could fly right off of that thing. While at the playground tonight, Maddie informed me that during school the kids are no longer allowed to play tag - something to do with touching other kids. How soon before they're not allowed to look at each other anymore?

Heavy. 258/365

Should I be concerned that Jordan's backpack weighs so much that when she walks she's bent over so far I'm not sure she can see where she's going? We bought the largest backpack on the market (because we knew there were no lockers available) and, as you can see, it's stretched to the limits. BTW the backpack weighs 29.1 pounds and she has to carry her lunch box, too.

A little fun after school. 257/365

The girls used to play in the sprinklers in Texas, but this is the first time since we moved to Richmond.

Ice Cream Man. 256/365

He hasn't been around much this summer. Maddie was sure happy to see him tonight. She bought a Power Puff Girl ice cream treat because it has gumball eyes.

A Flock of Seagulls. 255/365

Meet the newest member. Time to download "I Ran" from iTunes so she knows what I'm talking about.

I remember . . . 254/365

when Rachel and Karen and I used to do this and many other gymnastics tricks in the front yard all of the time. I tried to teach these kids to do the two-person cartwheel with no success.

Fruits of the Season. 253/365

I can't get enough of all of the fresh fruits and vegetables in abundance at our local produce market right now. This is just what's on the table. There are strawberries and raspberries in the refrigerator along with asparagus, cucumbers, zucchini, bell pepper, and romaine lettuce. It's going to be a healthy eatin' weekend!

252/365

She gets the bigger serving (the one in a cup) and she still tries to steal other people's Ice Dream!

Bus Stop. 251/365

Maddie actually rode the bus home on the first day of school - YAY! She has gained a little more independence. After dropping these kids off (his first stop) 30 minutes late, the bus caught fire after rounding this corner. Obviously not a good day for this bus driver.

She's ready. 250/365

You already know this is Maddie's doing, right?! Who else would have picked and laid out the entire week's outfits? In looking at her tee shirts in this photo, I notice a theme. Tuesday is Peace, Wednesday is Peace, Thursday is Love, and Friday is Hugs.

Chillin'. 249/365

Oh, to be a kid again! Hanging out on the Aqua Rocker at a party in the neighbor's pool.

Hello. 248/365

A visit to my sister's house is not complete until we've had a shopping trip to Hudson. This is the side of one of the buildings we pass evertime we go.

Family. 247/365

The only picture on my camera today taken by my cousin, Barb, who I haven't seen in 30+ years. Pictured are my two sisters, their husbands, Pam's kids, my brother, my dad and me.

Motley Crew. 246/365

Even though I couldn't avoid the flash, I still think this is a great picture. Very true to their personalities.

School Supplies. 245/365

This is our only photo today. I quickly took the picture before we dropped the supplies off in Maddie's new classroom this afternoon.

Spools. 244/365