Election Day

What a day! It's 9:30pm and our country still does not yet know who will be the next president of the United States. Elections are always a time of patriotic pride. But this years elections are different...electrifying. I am overwhelmed. Not because I favor one candidate over another (which I do), not because it was Youssou's first time voting in the USA (which it was!), and not because I was in Grant Park tonight (which I was). I am overwhelmed because I have never seen so many fellow Americans get so involved in politics. As this year's elections wrap up, I have one remaining question: what will it take to keep Americans involved in politics? What will it take to keep you involved? Regardless of who we elect, our responsibilities don't end with today's ballot. Our representatives are only as good as we ask them to be. How many times have you contacted your local representative or state senator? As this special election season ends, I hope that our involvement in democracy stays strong.

Joseph had fun celebrating Halloween with his classmates at school. The party included a parade around the neighborhood, special pumpkin treats and blood-red juice! Oh- and lots of time playing on the playground. At his age, it's hard to tell how much Joseph understands about Halloween, but he clearly loved dressing up as Thomas the Tank Engine. He also seemed to get a kick out of his friends costumes. In the evening, Grandma took Joseph to visit Aunt Cindy and Uncle Ron- where he got very scared by their spooky lights!