We are just settling down to an evening of homework after spending the day at the Maryland Renaissance Festival. Tom and Allison actually went Saturday, and Allison and I went today. Allison had a short day yesterday, so she got a two day pass so she could spend more time there today. She mainly wanted to go this weekend because of friend of hers at school sings in a Madrigal choir and they were performing there SAturday and Sunday. I skipped Saturday to stay home with SCott. He helped me run my garage sale in the morning, and then I had to take Allison to the girl scout council office to go over a few more details concerning her Gold Award application. Since she did not get approval for rebuilding her horse ramp, she had to iron out a few more details. Now she has to type it up and resubmit to council. I hope it passes the second time! Hard to do volunteer service work huh?

On Sunday I took Allison to the Renaissance festival since Scott was pretty worn out from a birthday party sleep over the night before. He did not get much sleep, and was up early with Allison to serve the 9am mass. This was also Allison's last mass as she is hanging up her robe. She hung in there for one more year to help get SCott started, but she decided to pursue other areas of the church. We actually spoke to one of the church youth group leaders who makes jewelry with beads purchased and made from women in Africa. Then they sell the jewelry to raise money for their summer work groups where they volunteer around the country to help people in need-like working in New Orleans after the hurricane. Allison used to help with this group and is thinking of joining again to help out at church and earn volunteer hours for the National Honor Society.

So Sunday Tom had to leave and is spending the week in San Francisco. Scott spent his day doing homework. Allison and I enjoyed eating food items on sticks and watching several shows, including a juggling/balancing/magic comedy by a man who is married to a physical therapist that I used to work with at St Agnes hospital. We have seen her husband perform before, but that was at a First Night New Years Eve show in Annapolis many years ago. I did not know he also performs yearly(25 years now) at the Festival. I asked him to say hi to his wife after the show. And we enjoyed the Madrigal singers and spoke to Allison's friend briefly between shows.

Tom had just arrived home from a quick visit to Chicago the week before. He couldn't locate any Gino's deep dish pizza to bring home, but he did get me a Starbucks Chicago mug. I have started a new collection. Starbucks has made mugs with city landmarks on them. So far I have London and Detroit. Now Chicago. I am on a mission to collect mugs from all the places I have visited(or Tom visits). I made need another cabinet in the kitchen! Good thing we drink coffee!

Tom did get home in time on Friday for us to have lunch together right after our doctor and dentist appointments. Tom had to meet with the oral surgeon and schedule time to have his wisdom teeth pulled(it's about time). I had my own appointment to go to and then we both watched Allison's Field Hockey game. This was exciting because Allison got to play two periods. And her team won by a lot. ON Tuesday Tom got off work early since he was traveling to Chicago, and he watched her team play their first official game. This team won Nationals last year and it was a tough game. I caught the last 10 mins of the game-it looked like a Lacrosse match! Lots of checking and sticks flying, girls tripping. And the ref. kept calling penalties and even kicked girls off the field for 5 minute penalties. A nail biting game and Allison's team won by one point! Very exciting. Allison also had a pasta party after practice on Monday night, before the game. So we were busy making pans of brownies Sunday night. Turns out we had lots of brownies left since half of the team didn't make the party-seems the flu season has started. And another girl is out with a broken foot. That appears to be a big issue this year. At least they are back on their own field practicing-most of the big rain has held out, except for the end of one practice session when the coach sent all the girls home early due to rain showers. I don't think standing out in the cold rain helps with their health either. Not to mention how cold it got here this weekend(thanks Canada). They even had a tornado in Ocean City when the cold front blew in. A water spout came on shore and damaged buildings and cars. I don't think the National WEather SErvice believed it was a tornado since they say one hasn't hit there in over 100 years.

But we had extra brownies available for Monday Night Football. Tom hosted the first Boys Night Out to watch Monday night football. Tom and I were all running around the house cleaning up and we made munchies to go along with the beer. When the boys arrived, the kids were home doing homework. We had a full house of football fans and sadly, some of them would not go home! The kids were waiting up for Tom to help them with their homework but we couldn't get the stragglers out of the house. Most of the group usually leave at half time. Glad we are not hosting for awhile. Of course, Tom is going to miss quite a few games too since he has more traveling to do.

Scott had a busy week with schoolwork, his first choir practice, gymnastics and altar server training. Allison was busy with piano lessons, Field Hockey and school work. I missed my rescheduled Girl SCout Leader Meeting (rescheduled due to the previous weeks flooding). Instead I went to Allison's Back to SChool Night. I met most of her teachers-the pre Calc teacher did not make it. And none of the parents like the Spanish teacher. Most of the kids failed their first spanish test. Allison did not do too bad, but of course the teacher did not count the first test. Tom was just happy to hear that the Dept of Transportation was going to reconfigure the morning drop off since the traffic backs up with our new parking lot.

Enjoy the photos of Allison at the RenCen Festival and her friend's Madrigal singing group performing. Also Allison's last time as an altar server(she has been an altar server since 5th grade!).

Kathleen