Maya and her friend Julie are playing bingo at Willard Family Fun Night. It is more fun when you win. Nicolai went to the new Harry Potter film with friend Chloe and Kyle and spent a quiet evening at home nursing his sore noggin.

Kyle smashed his head into the goal post at soccer practice this evening and experienced mild memory loss. A trip to the emergency room confirmed a concussion and his medical directive is to avoid sports entirely for at least one week. Regrettably, he was set to travel to Bethesda, MD tomorrow for a soccer tournament and now will be forced to sit out. To add insult to injury, the doctor confirmed that his injury would not interfere with his ability to complete homework.

My Little Leopard.

My peaceful child.

Kyle, winning the ball in the air. Despite a loss this afternoon, Kyle played one of his best games ever. Even as his team’s chances grew slim, Kyle fought intensely to the end.

Endorphin girl took me out for a lunch date today. We rarely have a Saturday without some child related sport activity.

Scene from a party Kyle attended of the guys he likes to hang with.

On average, I drive past a dozen horses everyday on my commute to work. This morning, one was leaning over his fence nibbling on the grass. I hopped out of the car and walked over to him. He was very friendly and seemed to enjoy being stroked. He was less interested, however, in posing for me.

Few things are more beautiful than Nature at it’s simplest.

My cousin Vincent was in the area on business and was able to spend the night with us. My best childhood memories center around times spent with Vincent and our crazy adventures together. We share a passion for invention and engineering, and it was wonderful catching up with him.

I broke out my macro lens and did not have to look far for a fascinating subject.

I stopped on the way home from my soccer match this morning to capture this scene. I had to fight my way through brush and brambles and then jump out onto a log in the river to get this view. The match was a big disappointment. Had we won, we would have placed first in our division and been promoted to the next level. With 25 seconds remaining in the match we gave up an own goal and had to settle for a 1-1 tie. There is still a mathematical possibility we will win the division but we let a certain championship slip through our fingers.

Maya and her good friend Sarinnagh are sitting by the side of the road, watching the horses in the field across the street. Maya scored 4 goals in her game this morning.

Today, I sold my Mercedes SUV. She served me well, and I will remember her fondly. Alas, the Audi is now averaging 35mpg to work, and I feel more environmentally conscientious.

Another touch of color from a bouquet I gave to Jeanine.

A serene scene from this morning.

Yellows have not been too bad this year. Downtown Concord.

Kyle and Nicolai comparing their hauls.

Maya and her friend Julie are preparing to make their trick-or-treat excursion. Maya ran almost the entire route, leaving the father exhausted. She did not fall for the “do you want me to carry your candy ploy,” nor did she feel compelled to offer me candy in exchange for the protection from swamp monsters I provided all evening.

Nico was a cheerleader for Halloween. Maya says he is weird.

After an early snow yesterday, today turned out to be a glorious fall day. Jeanine spent some time in the garden, and Carl spent a little time leaf peeping.

The day started and is ending now with Maya reading to her mother. Both boys lost soccer matches today. Carl’s team had a 5-0 win and needs only one more victory to win their division. It was Jeanine’s family night and the theme was charity. Each child was asked to select a charity and decide how much they wished to contribute from their own money. Next all three were asked to select a single charity they could all agree on for a family charity. At the time of this writing consensus on this point remains unreached.

We had the first snow of the season today. This is the first time I’ve seen our burning bush at peak color covered in snow.

Maya playing in her Halloween piano recital.

Kyle started his indoor season this evening. He scored FIVE goals to lead his team to a 5-2 win. His team had no subs and Nicolai was called into action. He was so proud to be playing with Kyle and played one of his best games ever with a beautiful assist to his brother. Hard for a father to be prouder of his boys.

Halloween preparations are underway. Maya is carving her pumpkin this year.

Nicolai played his first indoor game this season. His team won 6-3 and he had two assists. Nico is well suited to indoor because of the shorter distances. Here he handles a header nicely.

Above he unleashes a rocket which missed just wide.

Maya and her friend, Lydia are getting ready for a Halloween party at school. Photo by Nicolai.

Couldn’t resist this shot on the drive home from the train station. Still no great fall color this year so I am having to turn my attention elsewhere.

I returned from NYC by train and grabbed this shot through the window. Fantastic cloud formations formed by the remnants of hurricane Wilma.

My brother Mark had a baby today! Well, technically, Marie did most of the work. Sophia (6 pounds, 2 ounces, 19″) was delivered by emergency C section a couple of weeks early. Mother and daughter are doing magnificently. Maya, who to the best of my knowledge has never written anything before, composed a 4 page letter to Sophia. I videotaped her reading the letter and I must remember to play it for her cousin in a couple of years. We are thrilled that they got a little girl. We love our boys so much, but I can’t imagine our lives having been complete without Maya.