Noah Gets Away From it All

Occasionally Noah takes a break from family life by sleeping over at Maria's house. I don't know all the details but the photos allude to TV, relaxation, and judging by the look on his face, not too many extra chores or fried mushrooms for dinner.

He does a little work though:


How's that for a scowl?

We welcomed Scott home this morning from India! More details on his adventures yet to come, but it is amazing how the kids' faces had a freer, more open and relaxed look. They both settled right into the week and the relaxation nearly overtook Octavia at about 4 pm! In fairness, she has had a dry cough these past 3 nights and the two of us have been up experimenting with drinks of water, trying to sleep sitting up, etc. She has been asleep 3 hours tonight with no hacking, so fingers crossed that will continue. If not, I am getting earplugs and sleeping through it!

Tomorrow, while Noah is at school reveling in the knowledge that he is setting out on his science field trip on Wednesday for which I refused to buy 4 new pairs of jogging bottoms [sweatpants] (Mr. Irvine SAYS 5 or 6 pairs of tracksuit bottoms are REQUIRED), Octavia and Alex will accompany me to the station to retrieve Alex's mother and big sister from their American Odyssey. I'm excited but I think Alex is more excited.