Oh- sorry to louse things up by upgrading. I'd better figure out how to use some new features and make it worth everyone's while. You know something funny? Once I upgraded, there was this notice that I had comments to be moderated. I've never (purposely) set up comment moderation. So there were some comments from some of you from last November that I never saw until now. Weird.

Henry had his 7-year checkup yesterday. He is 44 inches tall and weighs 42 lbs. I don't really expect anyone to care about that, but feel that I need to record that information somewhere, so when I am asked how much Henry weighed when he was 7 I'll be able to answer. Bill took him to the appointment and reported that Henry did a great job cooperating and answering all the doctor's questions. He seems to be in good health, and his weight puts him in the 25th percentile, so he's not the teeniest 7-year-old ever.

Isn't this the best time of year? Today the sky is cloudless and almost a periwinkle blue. The leaves are just starting to fall, but for the most part everything is still green. The air at night is so cool and crisp that I feel like I could sleep forever. My kids seem to feel that way too- it's hard to wake them up in the morning.

I bought the boys their Halloween costumes this weekend- but will not reveal what they are until I have pictures from trick-or-treating. They are so damn cute in their costumes that I can hardly stand it. Does anyone remember the scene in E.T when the kids are going trick-or-treating and the mom is squealing about how cute they look, and taking their picture? Every year I hear myself doing that to my own children. I have become that kind of mom that I used to laugh at.

(I tried to find a photo on the internet of that scene I'm talking about, but didn't have any luck. What a great movie ET was...)

Anyway, we bought the costumes at this discount/closeout kind of store. Just Thomas and I were shopping, and that kid is such a joy to be around. He gets all excited and says "oh, mommy look at dis!" about everything, from holiday decor to bath towels to shoes. He is excited about everything, but is able, willing even, to move on and TRANSITION to the next exciting thing, which is very different from his brother.

With Henry, I always have to have an alternate plan, an emergency plan, try to predict what he will like the best and do that first, or maybe do that last, depending on the situation. It's relaxing to not have to be one step ahead at all times. (I guess I already talked about that when I took Tommy to the library one day. But it bears repeating.)

This morning, out of the blue, Tommy said "I will use my cape and fly into Piglet's Big Movie and I will save the scrapbook." (If you're not familiar with Piglet's Big Movie, Piglet has made a scrapbook with pictures of all his friends. Two of the friends- I think Tigger and Rabbit- argue over the book, ultimately dropping it into the river, where it is washed away.)

I have a meeting with Henry's teacher planned for Friday morning, and am anxious to hear how she feels about the first month of school. She writes me notes every day, of course, but those are so brief and talk about Henry's mood that particular day, rather than her overall impressions.