Days with the Dorans

 So I got home from my run and was going to clean the bird cage when I noticed something didn't look quite right... Mimic was actually hanging out on the outside of the cage!! I have noticed before that sometimes the door of his cage was slightly ajar and now it makes sense. I wonder how often he does this. Later I actually watched as he flew toward that side of the cage and opened it and sure enough-soon after he was hanging on the outside of the cage. I kind of love that he can get out and stretch his wings a bit! HERE is a video of when I first noticed it!

 It was time for Outrun Hunger again but this year it was only dad and me. I have not been feeling the best and coughing up a lung but it was for a good cause and let's face it... I'd be running at home anyway. The actual race was not my best. Part of it was on trails which I'm not a fan of~ I felt a few times like I was going to turn an ankle or something. I worried about my dad but was glad when I passed him and gave him a high five on our way back! I also had fun running (how's that for a pun) into two of my former first graders! I actually ran with Carly for a little bit which was fun but then kept going. It was perfect weather for a run but sticking around after it was cold. We had to stick around though because Dad won his age group!  Mom was proud of him and I snapped this pic of a kiss they shared (I love it so had to put it in the blog). When I got home, I went out and ran a couple miles more since it's a weekend and I wanted to get to ...

So every Wednesday this year, I have been wearing "Red for Ed"! We've been fighting for a fair contract and it's been so discouraging. I know the funding at the state level is part of the problem here but this is so annoying! I know a lot of people may not be getting raises but to continually take cuts is frustrating too! I was proud to crowd this board meeting with my fellow red people who are also wishing for a fair contract. Thankful for my Union!!

And just like that it was time for Ali's first high school concert of the year. It was Halloween themed (even though it was a bit AFTER Halloween). The nice thing was there were no warnings about not taping so I got THIS video of the concert which was cool since Nana couldn't be there. It was pretty crowded because the Orchestra teacher is at both WLN and WLC. The cool thing is this meant that my friend Nan and her amazing camera were also at the concert. She didn't spot Al right away (and of course she was taking pictures of her kiddo). But she did eventually find her and she shared these pictures with me! So lucky! Joe was excited to see Ryan too. They've been good friends but haven't seen each other as much since they go to different schools and have such busy schedules! It was a great concert but also wonderful to see an old friend! Great job, Al! Can't wait for your next performance!

Scheduling Joey's driving test was kind of a pain. He and Jeff scheduled it. The first time, Joey forgot some of the paperwork he needed and so he couldn't take the test so it needed to be rescheduled. This was super annoying to me but... I was still glad that I wasn't the one taking him or driving in the car with him during the test. Jeff texted me updates throughout and I was ecstatic and relieved to learn that he had passed- but now the true worry begins thinking my baby is out there on his own. We headed to SOS where we waited for over an hour during which time Joe practiced his signature. HERE is a video of his first solo trip where he left to go to Nana and Papa's and she got it when he pulled up. Of course... the gas light went on during his drive and freaked him out a bit (sorry about that, Joe). I love you! Be safe!

I love this dog! I love THIS Video of him too!

 We made it to Halloween and in typical 'mitten' fashion the weather was just awful! Ali got dressed up for the occasion but then she got into some snuggly clothes and did homework (yes... sigh... homework). She did pass out some candy with Nana but I'm hoping she'll get out next year. This year's costumes were fun and the only things I bought were mine, Joey's Wonka outfit and Marty's "Grandpa Joe" sweater and cute tie. The rest of them got creative with stuff that we had. Not bad and super fun for this Dahl fan! I was so happy that Joe went out to Trick or Treat again. He had a few friends join him and I'm hoping next year's group will be bigger (and include Ali). Z had a friend join him, too, which was cool. We were glad to have Ryan with him though he didn't look like himself.  Sean was fine tagging along and Z didn't mind one bit. Sean changed though and made his own costume that made no sense really. He found...