This is what the dogs look like when the kids are at school. Since my subjects are in kindergarten full time I have lost my blogging material. Oh my. I'll now be blogging about once a week. My plan is to return to work and to that end I spend the majority of my day. Have a good week.

Jody and her brothers and sisters with their mom and dad on their 60th wedding anniversary. Jody is the baby.

Same picture. She is one of six siblings standing. Her mom is in blue and her dad is the one facing the camera.

Libby, Kayla, Crystel, Tori and Antonio. Missing is Alex.

Edenborough Park

Crystel and Libby. I took Antonio, Crystel, Alex, Tori and Libby to Edenborough Park. People mentioned how much my daughter - Libby - looks like Dora. A nice compliment that Libby's my daughter but I did correct them. A mother to five children? Oh my goodness!

The Masked Man

Ninja turtle with cousin Jack. Jack is in costume himself. ooooooh. My favorite. He needs nothing else for Halloween.

Hawk!

A hawk on the fence next to our house. Maybe he'll catch a chipmunk. But - he's looking the wrong way.

Catching chipmunks

Our cats won't catch the critters. Our dogs thwart our efforts - yes - Bandit Rose is inside the fence that is supposed to keep her out - she squeezed her way through the slots to get to the peanut butter. It is chipmunk heaven over here.

Bandit Rose

Bandit Rose had her one year birthday. Jody is the person who keeps track of these things and the one to buy her a special stuffed bunny.

A Hannah Montanna Birthday

Crystel is no longer younger than Antonio - in her mind. She is the same age. She chose the rides at the Mall of America for her birthday treat. Lucky brother. Find them on the swings. There favorite was the swiper sweeper.

First Day of Kindergarten

Walking to the bus stop. Antonio and Crystel wear uniforms to school. I've come to love uniforms. Especially since Hannah Montanna has become a household word. Crystel can even spell Hannah Montanna though not much else. Saying goodbye to Bandit Rose at the bus stop. The kids walk four blocks to catch the bus. Though the bus folks call it two long blocks. Hmmm. Finally they are off.

A Riddle

Two kindergarten teachers are named Ponce but aren't related. They are also not married to each other. Which ones are they? Not senor. This is Antonio's English teacher which he has ten percent of the time. He is from Columbia and is fluent in Spanish. This is Senora Ponce. He is Antonio's Spanish classroom teacher. She will be with him 90 percent of the time. This is also Senora Ponce. She is Crystel's classroom Spanish teacher and will be with her 90 percent of the time.

Since I've been transformed or evolved into a cat, I spend my day trying to fit into a plastic container. I do this in peace and quiet since the kids are in school all day. Jody caught me once. She laughed. I was so embarassed I went downstairs. Not to be seen for the rest of the night.

Beth on the Treadmill

I have evolved. Yes, you think it is a cat on the treadmill. Really it's me. Yes, It is I. In Pokemon fashion, I have evolved into a cat.

The yellow hat

Half way through the fair it was easy to spot Crystel. For a shy girl she certainly knows how to illicit comments. Elderly women and men stopped to talk with her."I love your hat," they'd say. They were remembering back to when hats such as hers were the fashion. Someone said to me, "I see you brought your husband," when I was the one carrying Superman.

A calf being born

While Crystel was learning about birth. Antonio and I indulged in turkey legs. Aunt Amie fielded the questions from the soon to be six year old. From what I understand Crystel did not think it was a pretty sight until the mom cow licked off the newborn.

Butterfly Garden

Outside the garden where people like Antonio sat. The ones who understand that butterflys are insects and not to be allowed on the body.

Crystel is the one who is apt to bring bugs into the house. Look at that delight. Ewww. And wonder. And pride. Aunt Amie hung out with Crystel in the tent. Antonio hurried me to the exit. Oh, oh. A butterfly landed on his hat before we escaped. And he is appalled.

Happy Birthday, Crystel! Look who's SIX!

A picture worth 1000 words

This is the very first time I've ever seen Antonio purposely allow one food to touch another. He decided that Brats and rice go well together. I had to cement this for all ages. I was so excited that the camera shook a little.

As promised - before and after pictures

Remember the happy family going to Australia? I had a chance to babysit Andy and Jack the day after they came home. Their body clocks are not on Minnesota time. Andy could not stay awake for lunch. Neither could Jack.