Smiles of Late Fall

 
Only 3 in the afternoon but the grey light of late fall makes it look like the end of the day.  The temperatures are not rare, but at least uncommon for November, with mid fifties and even a warm rain, that feels more like spring than fall.  We have stayed busy regardless of the weather and just now have got back into the house with the kids' clothes soaked from rain and gutter rain off.  We started with a backyard fire, but as the drizzle became a downpour I headed into the house and the kids ran to the front of the house to build gutter dams with leaves.  They will dry and their laughter will become future memories.  Saturday was filled with some domestic chores including finding some dress clothes for Merrick and acceptable shoes for Sophia, for the symphony that evening.  Merrick had indoor soccer, but spent most of his time, chasing, being chased and generally showing off for a girl that is in his class as well as in soccer team and after school program.  I met her dad, and even he laughed at their conjoined amoeba style of soccer.  Sophia had a friend over to play for a few hours while Merrick slept.  The evening was spent at the symphony, clearly a change for us but I suspect a new variation of entertainment for our evenings.  The symphony was playing movie themes, including multiple Star Wars songs.  The opening song was the Star wars theme song and I am not sure if the wide eyes and grins on both the kids at the music or my perma-grin at the kids was more memorable.  While both kids loved the music, the sandman ultimately beat Merrick and Sophia agreed to leave only if we could go back without Merrick to see one of the Christmas shows.  Our seats were phenomenal front and center in the fourth row.  Sophia herself was sleeping five minutes after arriving back home.  Sunday brought the a birthday party for Sophia (Packers bye week) so Merrick and I were on our own to build a deer cart, eat ice cream at the local deli, make some chocolate cookies as well as play at the park for awhile in the nice temperatures.  We are going to make some corn muffins and generally warm up from an afternoon outside.  Merrick from the shower just said, "my hands have to feel like normal hands before I can wash myself."