We had a hurricane, an unexpected week off school, Halloween, and a snow storm. We celebrated the election and then wore a tie for Picture Day and according to classmates resembled Mitt Romney. We had a wonderful visit from our dear Austin friend Greg and spent most of that time laughing.  We learned about perimeters, became a little obsessed with knots, performed a song in church, and got new snow boots. We joined our neighborhood collecting supplies for OccupySandy, we went to Book Club, and we had family/teacher conference.  We perfected card tricks and the Rubik’s Cube.  We took walks and raked up leaves and fallen limbs that filled our parks.  We spent a fall day with lifelong friend Kadin and his family, and then the next night got out the massage table and celebrated precious friend Shana’s birthday.  We made some leaf piles and banana bread and decorated our front door for Thanksgiving and sat in front of our fireplace DVD.  We mourned the closing of our beloved neighborhood pharmacy and we finally had the rescheduled Mad Hatters Parade.  We fell in love with The Mysterious Benedict Society and visited the ear doctor, foot doctor and dentist. We fought allergies and hometown conservative radio personalities (http://www.alina.com/news/story/Schremmer-letter-11-14-12).  We complained about sore feet, we prayed, we served at our church’s Thanksgiving Meal for neighbors in need, and we experienced the always delightful Washington Heights Jazz Choir concert.  And last night we were all asleep by 8:30.

In summary, it’s a wonderful life and we’re thankful.