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THE CASTON CHRONICLES
"Shall We Not Take the Adventure that Aslan Has Set Before Us?"
Monday, March 31, 2008
Braves Home Opener vs. Pirates
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Cinderella Ballet
On Sunday afternoon, Kristy and Ann Ferris attended Perimeter Church's Academy of the Arts ballet performance of Cinderella at the Wesleyan Auditorium. AF had several friends in the ballet, which made it especially fun to attend. Ann Ferris had aspirations of being a professional ballerina years ago when we lived in Tupelo. Below are a few pictures of AF participating in a December 2002 city-wide performance of the Nutcracker in front of over 1,000 people (Yes, there were a lot of proud moms and dads there that night!). Since living in Tupelo, she has not had access to classical ballet, so her training was short lived. But since she has such fond memories as a little girl, she still loves the art and the atmosphere of the ballet.
Demonstrating good ballet form.
Ann Ferris is in the center.
The following pics are of her recital from spring, 2003.
Receiving the traditional flowers of appreciation after a recital.
I remember this as if it were yesterday.
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Sarah Wynn Over the Vent
Schaeffer's Latest Game
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Sarah Wynn Reads First Book
Friday, March 28, 2008
Amicalola Falls State Park
Here are some highlights.
This shot was taken on the hike up to the top of the falls.
This is the top section, and man, the guy behind the camera is seriously winded.
A self-portrait near the top.
The view over the valley from the top of the falls. Unfortunately, the haze cuts out an entire range of mountains in the background.
A "scenic view" (so much better on a clear, hazeless day) from the eastern trail coming down from the falls. For a few minutes the sun broke through and each ridge came alive with light. Beautiful. Click on the picture if you'd like to see a bit more detail.
This signifies the entry to the "approach" to the 2,000-plus mile Appalachian Trail. The actual southern terminus of the AT is at Mt. Springer, 8.5 miles ahead. Notice that the sign indicates that the northern terminus is at Mt. Katahdin, Maine, 2,108.5 miles away. Maybe I'll block off an entire weekend and do the whole thing. :0)
This video is of the upper section of the falls. Awesome!
This video is of the creek below the falls.
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Princess Sarah Wynn
This past Wednesday, Kristy took Sarah Wynn with her to "The Homeschool Hangout" bookstore. Sarah Wynn loves playing with the puzzles and looking at the children's books. This week, she wanted to go as "Princess Sarah Wynn," with dress, gloves, red shoes and all. Here she is by and in her "carriage."
Fender Bender
So Long Chikezie
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Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Making Room for Life
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However, with anything that promotes "good ideas/applications/suggestions," we have to be careful not to turn them into legalisms. But neither do we want exceptions to become the rule. Anyway, the main thing I have gleaned is that I need to work hard, and then put it down so that I can engage my family without distraction. The concept behind the Hebrew Day Planner is proving to be a big, big help.
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Meet Dr. Jeffrey Gallups
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Monday, March 24, 2008
King of Four Square
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Although both Ann Ferris and Schaeffer are pros at Four Square, today after Classical Conversations about 12 boys played Four Square in the rec room, and I got to witness Schaeffer rule in the King square (server position) for most of the game. Way to go King Schaeffer!
EDITORIAL NOTE: Okay, Kristy has reminded me that we are teaching our children to serve others, not to rule them. But interestingly, the role of the King position in Four Square is to serve. Hmmm... I wonder what gospel oriented applications/connections we can squeeze out of that analogy.
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Easter Sunday: Worship, Picnics, Kites, Bubbles, Eggs, Etc.
Today, after an awesome, awesome morning of gathered worship at Perimeter, we joined several families for a picnic, kite fly (it was a world class kite day!) and easter egg hunt in the city part of Alpharetta, GA (a northern suburb of Atlanta). Here are some highlights.
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Some of the picnic/egg hunt/kite fly crew.
Or as I like to call this one, "Schaeffer and the Ladies." :0)
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Sarah Wynn counts her egg collection.
Just couldn't wait to get home to eat her chocolate eggs. Can you blame her?
Ann Ferris and friends. Notice the great playfort in the background. It is hugemongous. :0)
Some of the picnic/egg hunt/kite fly crew.
Or as I like to call this one, "Schaeffer and the Ladies." :0)
Sarah Wynn and Daddy flying a kite.
Here is a partial pic of the kids in their "Easter outfits" (Sorry, the vertical shot didn't turn out very well). Ann Ferris' dress is so classic. Sarah Wynn thought hers was for a princess. And Schaeffer had on some seersucker slacks- very sharp. Even though on most Sundays folks dress casual at Perimeter (only visitors wear ties :0), Atlanta still has enough southern influence that many folks still dress up a bit on Easter.
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Schaeffer Scores, but Leopards Lose
His upcoming game is next Saturday. I'll be sure to provide a post-game report.
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Crawfords Visit from Jackson, MS
Last night (Wednesday) friends from Jackson, MS, Jack and Libby Crawford, with their children, Adam, Vann, Thad and Sayley, came over to our house to eat and watch the Ole Miss UC-Santa Barbara NIT b'ball game. It may not be the BIG dance, but it's still a jig. Jack was my roommate at Ole Miss and a fraternity brother in Sigma Chi, while Libby was Kristy's "big sister" in Chi Omega. Our unions have created a new fraternal called Sigma Chi Omega. :0) The Crawfords were in Atlanta for spring break, and spent most of their time at Stone Mountain Park, which is the most visited attraction in Georgia (with the possible short-term exception of folks going d'town to look at the tornado damage). It was so good to see old friends! Here are some highlights...
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The dads
The adults watching the game, or American Idol...
The boys watching the game, or American Idol...
The littles, Sarah Wynn and Sayley
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Orthodontist
Monday, March 17, 2008
19 Deer
Recently we saw 19 deer (15 doe and 4 bucks) in the next door neighbor's backyard eating the feed he puts out. The video doesn't do the scene justice (for you can only see about half the deer), but you'll get the idea. This was filmed from our bedroom window.
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Tornado in D'town Atlanta
The Birthday Boy
Today was Schaeffer's 10th birthday, which now means that we only have one left in single digits. We began the day with a breakfast of donuts and muffins, and gave him some of his gifts then. But waited until this afternoon for the "biggie," which was my old Fort Apache play set that I loved as a little boy. My grandfather boxed it up over twenty years ago for me to give to my son. I wish he were alive to be here for the unveiling. See the pics below of him setting it up. We are so thankful that God gave us Schaeffer. He is a very special boy, with very special sisters, too. :0)
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B'day breakfast. Donuts, muffins...
...and oh yeah, and we also had a ham. :0)
Blowing out his b'day candle on his donut (the cake comes later in his b'day week).
Best friends.
Sarah Wynn's hero.
Unwrapping Fort Apache!
One of Schaeffer's first set ups.
A close up of a battle scene.
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