First a 5.9 earthquake, then a tropical storm.

This has been one heck of a week, for Mother Nature and so, so many other reasons.

But only good stuff goes on blogs, right?

On the 18th Jonathon turned 10. You read that right. Ten. TEN! He's as infuriating and irritating as he was at 9, just as he's as brilliant and charming, and did I mention brilliant? He gives a great foot massage for only a quarter, has an imagination that won't quit, and still prefers to run around in his underwear. Sometimes he graces us with a robe. An amazing kid, out of amazing kids. Hugs are wild and rampant, one of my favorite things about him though his constant fidgeting is, dare I say it, a nuisance. One day he'll grow out of it, but I hope not. His constant physical activity is also a sign of his constant brain activity and that I never want to see disappear.

Nicholas had his Middle School Welcome Week at Saunders. He is now raring to go with his Navigator team behind him, math review complete, P.E. uniforms purchased, and straight As in his sight. I think he grew a couple months in those four days and the halls aren't so scary anymore. Football might "toughen" him but he's still my boy, and not too big to hold my hand.

Katherine finished up marching band camp and had her first performance at the first varsity football game on Friday night. It went well, they're doing a 70s theme show and after 8 days at camp have a full song with music and steps.

Rebecca spent a full day with a friend at Kings Dominion. A day of non-stop roller coasters. Good for her. I was plenty glad not to be part of that.

Enjoy your rainy weekend. We are loading up on BSG and Dr. Who, Lego Indiana Jones, and snacks. Lots of snacks. We're on the edge of the storm, a little gust here, a little gust there, plenty of rain for our parched ground but nothing more than that. Lucky again. Not a crack from the earthquake, not a drip from the hurricane.

I'll take it.