We have been celebrating the classic way here: climbing trees in the bamboo park,
playing Magikus
and resting in the dryer.
I made a delicious dinner of blini stuffed with roast beef and veggies,
we played rock band,
and told the traditional story of how Evil Keneval the Wise Man jumped his horse over a stable in Bethlehem, signalling to all mankind that the stegosaurus hatched inside would one day redeem the world.
ISO 100, F3.5, 10 minute exposures. 
It has been freezing cold at home, but just a few hours south and we had the windows open, enjoying the warm and salty air.
The ocean was so beautiful Case immediately started to peel his pants off to swim. Sorry buddy, too cold for that.
We stayed late, digging holes and finding shells. When it was too dark to see, we went to Old Bay Steamers and stuffed ourselves with seafood.
It is amazing to me that our funny little sheltered spectrum boy still has absorbed enough pop culture to know that you should give Santa-man a hug.
It might be that he likes beards though.
This morning we took another seasonal trip to Bass Pro, where have games and activities for kids, and print up free pictures of your kid with Santa. I thanked them for their kindness by spending lots of money.
In the toy section I saw a small plastic toy truck, with a couple kayaks, tiny fishing gear, and a hound dog, all parked in a cardboard diorama picturing mountains and a lake. Very Alabama. I can not help but wonder if there is similar but opposite-world toy in Seattle with a Prius accessorized with tiny Starbucks cups and a boutique dog parked in front of a Whole Foods.
He promises this honor will not go to his head, even if he does happen get his picture on the library bulletin board as well.
Case helped us take a new family picture, so act surprised if this shows up in your Christmas card.
He also hammed it up a great deal.
The lighting was great, making for some really ethereal photos while we climbed trees and ran around like Wild Things.
I have so much to be thankful for, but here are some highlights:
Jungle boogie! Come on and get down!
Case rides to the rescue . . . 
I wish this picture was better; Case was confused and agitated by my instructions. He wanted to play, not pose.
Then without prompting he tossed the balloon into the air and smiled as it floated upward. One by one we let the rest go.
Up early on Friday, getting ready for the Halloween party at school! This is Case's favorite place to pose, because he can see his reflection in the kitchen door.
We saw other skeleton costumes at school, but none of them were half this cool. I'm glad all those semesters I spent Anatomy and Physiology finally paid off.
So much has happened in the last couple days that has been so big for you. To put it in terms your geek parents are most comfortable with, you have earned enough experience points and just went up a level. This means moving to a different classroom, one where you have a lot more work to do. I have no doubts that there will be growing pains, but remember that when you exercise muscles for the first time you are going to be sore.
We know you can do it! Your team is proud of you, and is always here for you.
We hiked the 2.5 mile loop, during which Case asked if we could get in the car approximately every 9 feet. He was reasonably pleasant about it though.
Swayback is primarily a bike trail, and seems like it would be a lot of fun to do. Case is going to need some more rugged style training wheels though.
Don't hide, let me guess!
Ohhhhhh! 
Case finally lost a tooth!
The boy who can not abide a loose string on his socks without picking at it, who worries at the scabs on his knees until we have to duct tape pants on over the bandaids, who must have short fingernails lest he carve pieces out of his nose and ears, absolutely refused to touch his loose tooth. It has been wiggly for over a week. Finally tonight while we were all snuggled on the couch together watching "Ponyo" the next tooth pushed it clean from his gums, in the least traumatic tooth loss ever. He reached into his mouth, and handed the tiny denticle to me, hardly moving his eyes from the little red fish on screen.
