Shay what?

The other day, Lili came up to me and said something about a shay yell. I don't remember what exactly it was that she said because I kept thinking, What is a shay yell?

Then it dawned on me. She's a Texan. A native Texan. It's the only thing that could explain that accent, because she sure didn't learn to talk that way from me or Bob.

Ho-hum Halloween

Well, another Halloween has come and gone and I feel like I missed something. I feel like I barely noticed it this year. Yes, all my kids had costumes, I had a costume, and we went out begging for candy. But it all went by in a blur. I feel like I barely talked to Jenna and Marc and Austen, who joined us in the festivities. Maybe it's just that I miss doing the trick-or-treating myself. Or maybe it's that I didn't go to any adult Halloween parties. Or maybe it's that Bob worked late and then ended up supervising the neighbor's candy bowls while they went out with their kids, instead of playing with us. Or maybe it's just that the whole night seemed rushed. All in all, I'm a little disappointed in Halloween this year. But at least we have my weight in candy to show for it.