First Day of School

Off And Running

Sydney is off to her first day of third grade. Can you believe third grade holy cow! She was really excited. She has been ready to go back to school since July. Last night she had her teeth brushed ten minutes before bedtime. Anyone who knows my daughter knows she would rather stay up and normally drags out her bedtime routine. Good luck to her teacher Mrs. Shaw.

Syd playing with Anderson before going to school. She told him that she would be gone for awhile.

Anderson covering himself up on the way to the car. It was quite chilly this morning. By the time we got to the car his head was all covered up. Sydney told him "Just wait til winter buddy!"

Good Luck Sydney!!!!

Buy & Clip

Have you ever seen this on any products you buy?

If so make sure you cut & save them. Box Tops For Education is a great an very easy way for schools to raise money. All you have to do is cut out the Box Top off of products you already buy. There are hundreds of products to clip from. With school starting back they may even have double or triple box tops. They are worth 10 cents each. I know you are probably thinking that is not alot but it does add up very quickly. Our school raised $2800.00 last year. Now that is alot of Box tops.

I know some of you do not have kids. If that is the case you should check with your nieces or nephews to see if their school participates. I am sure they would appreciate you clipping for them. If they are not participants our school Shannock Valley Elementary would be more than happy to have your help. Aunt Jackie & Uncle Aaron have been sending there's from all over the country to help out Syd's school. Sydney loves to get them in the mail. She always checks when we go to visit her grandparents also.

It is an easy way to help make a difference in a child's school! Our school has contests all year long as an incentive. So get out your scissors & start clipping!!! And if you need our address it is PO Box 171 Rural Valley, PA 16249.

If you are a coupon clipper like me check out the website they have a link for coupons on lots of General Mills cereals, yogurt, Pillsbury biscuits & Nature Valley to name a few. And of course they all have Box Tops.

Here is the website www.boxtops4education.com

Thanks for clipping!

Where do they learn these things?

We went to the Dayton fair on Saturday. Luckily, the chance of thunderstorms never happened. We got their early which was great because there was no lines for anything. First we tackled the animal barns to see the sheep, goats, pigs, cows & horses. Then off to the rides. Sydney talked Steve into riding the Spinning Dragons a mistake he would not make again. Of course we had some fair food. Good time was had by everyone even Anderson who managed to sleep through most of his first fair experience.

Later that evening when I was making sure Sydney had gotten all the shampoo out of her hair I asked her if she had scrubbed the "S" off her hand (we were stamped upon entering the fair). She turned her body & looked at her bum. When I realized what was going I gave her a look as if to say "Oh no you didn't!" I said to her again did you wash off your "S" stamp she replied "Oh I thought you said did I wash my ass" I tried not to laugh, but assured her I would never ask her that or use that word.

Where did she learn that? I know not from her father or I.

The Good & The Bad & ....

The Good

The Bad

(He is really good at giving you the pouty lip before he cries!)


And The Totally Cute!!

At least that's what I think!

16 Nights and Counting....

Anderson started sleeping thru the night while we were visiting in PA. I have not blogged about it for fear I would jinx it. So far we are at 16 days and counting. The only problem especially for the first few nights is that I was still waking up all the time to check on him. Although, he was allowing me to sleep I was keeping myself up.

When we got home we realized he was too big for the cradle my Uncle Bill had made for me when I had Syd. He kept hitting his hands on the sides & would scoot up & down then bump his head. He has moved into his big boy crib. He has adapted to it really well. I think he likes the extra room to kick up his legs.

Believe me there is nothing like going to get him out of his crib in the morning & have him give you a great big smile!!!

Another Visit to Northern PA

We traveled north a couple of weeks ago (yes I know I have been slacking). The first day we were there we traveled to Eldred,PA for what they call Old Home Days. They have vendors, rides, car show & food. Well with the way the weather has been all summer we ran between the raindrops. It was fun even with the weather. We went back over for fireworks Sat. night. They were awesome. For the size town Eldred is I had no idea what a treat we were in for. They went on for forever & they were what I expected to see in Pittsburgh. I would defiantly go see them again.

The next day we went to church which is always nice to see people we have known for a number of years. We went to Lionel & Alice's for lunch. Then later that evening we had friends over for a bonfire. Of course we were able to have a huge fire and eat some marshmallows & pizza pies. Our friend Sam showed us how to make cinnamon sugar treats with crescents. Everything was very tasty but I did not get my Smore as a storm blew in & we were running for cover. Anderson's First Bonfire

We also went to the state park while we were there so Sydney could go play in the water. They have 2 lakes we were on the Quaker side I must say I was impressed. Everything was very clean & the swimming area was quite large. Syd had alot of fun playing in the water & sand. Anderson enjoyed lounging under his umbrella & taking a nap. We had to tie the umbrella to stuff so he would not lose his shade. A little redneck I know but very functional! He loves to be outside & with the breeze we had he really enjoyed himself.Anderson Lounging at the State Park


Sydney was able to go on her first boat ride. We went out to Willow Bay. She was able to see Kinzua Dam from the water. We had stopped earlier in the week so she could feed the huge Carp that live below the dam . At least she attempted to feed them the birds are pretty quick to steal their goodies in mid air. She was able to get in the water a couple of times which I must say was eye opening. It was really cold! Getting her back in the boat was another story. Nothing like trying to lift your 8 year old back onto the boat while keeping yourself afloat! With her life jacket it was hard for her to maneuver but she figured it out. We had lots of fun swimming, eating, sunning the whole day.
Anderson had his very first babysitting experience. He spent the day with friends from church Ed & Shelley Wright. They were also keeping their grandchildren so he had a play date too. Bless them as they were very busy with Anderson, Evan (3 months) & Owen was is almost 2. I was very grateful that they were willing to do it.
Kinzua Dam

Syd riding at the back of the boat.

Sydney then headed over to my Dad's to attend her third vacation bible school of the summer. This is the second or third year she has gone up & stayed the week with her grandfather. This year she made a friend with a neighbor they had lots of fun riding bikes, swimming & playing. We went to Barb's family reunion. It was fun to catch up with her kids as we do not see them very often. Something always happens when you get a group together Justin's little girl stepped on nail about 10 minutes after we got there. She is recovering well from that.
All in all we had a great trip even with the weather not cooperating.

Anderson's 2 Month Doctor Visit

The face I got after saying your going to the doctor. Go figure his big sister had just told him over & over he had to get shots!

Today Anderson had a 2 month check up & shots. It went much better than expected I figured on screaming all the way home. He didn't even fall asleep right away. When we got home we woke him up to eat then he stayed awake in his play pen kicking up his legs in the air & smiling. Hopefully, this attitude continues throughout the day.
He weighed 15 lbs 3oz. & was 26 1/4" long. All was good in that department. Which we figured at the rate he is outgrowing his clothes YIKES!!

Kicking it up after getting some shots!

Hanging with his seahorse.