First Day of School

Riley started 6th Grade and Middle School. It's a huge jump (I think more for her parents then her). Last year, on the first day she wore cut off shorts and tennis shoes and her hair in a pony tail. I can't believe how much she's changed in a year. She spent the week before school started, packing, labeling, and planning for middle school. She's also taking the bus for the first time, which makes me a little nervous. I told her to sit as close to the front as possible. She came home the first day absolutely glowing and LOVES middle school.

 

 

Spencer woke up mad the first day and it went downhill from there. He seemed to be a little shocked that we were actually expecting him to go back to school. I think he was hoping that since he completed 2nd grade he'd be done. He spent 0 time preparing for the first day. That morning, he spilt ketchup on his shirt and refused to change, so he obviously wasn't too concerned about his new fall wardrobe. Some quotes from Spencer about school, "School is like jail." "They should pay the students and not the teachers-they do all the work." "My teacher is an idiot face" Poor kid is going to have a long year-and 9 more after that.

 

 

Eddie misses the deadline by 11 days. He is so confused why so many of his friends are starting Kindergarten (his entire Primary class). We've signed him up for Pre-K at our Elementary School, but I have pretty low expectations of him getting in. I just need to figure out something to do w/ him for both our sakes.

Darkside Fashion

Every good storm tropper needs his rest and he'll want something to keep him warm while stationed on the universe's coldest planets. What could be could be cozier than a flannel pair of PJ's covered with man's best friend?


Here's the perfect look, for when you just need a break from ruling the universe and you to head somewhere warm and tropical to de-stress.




Both looks will be available in our fall catalog.

Baltimore Aquarium

Good Sandwich Bad Location

Last week on "The Best Thing I Ever Ate", Guy's and Duff's favorite sandwich was at a place called "Chap's Pit Beef" in Baltimore. We trust those two to know what a good sandwich is and headed over for lunch. It's a little shack that shares a parking lot with a "Gentlemen's Club" and is across the street from an Adult Outlet (why pay more-click on the pic to read the sign). Check out the sign behind Scott's head (you might have to click on it to see it full size to read it). Our kid's were oblivious, but Scott and I got a good laugh. We ordered 3 of Chap's 52 special. It's pastrami, ham, and beef piled high. In retrospect, 2 would have been plenty. It was so fun trying to watch Eddie even try and take a bite. Overall I thought it was a good sandwich, but probably not the best I ever ate.

Food Network Stars

We spent the day in Baltimore (I just love Baltimore). After a fun morning at the Aquarium, we were starving and thought it would be fun to check out some our our favorite Food Network Sites. I called my friend to find out the address of our favorite cake shop. All the windows were covered in black plastic. I was surprised that it's not really in the best neighborhood.

Middle School

Middle School was not my favorite time period. Trying to figured out who I was and trying to fit in w/ everyone was hard for me. Now my oldest is entering that same phase and I hope she's ready. First of all, she's much better looking than I was and has a great sense of style. I swear that kid might cruise right past her awkward stage. She's a good girl and a smart girl so I don't really worry about her getting into trouble or struggling w/ grades. She is fairly shy and I worry a little about her making friends. We went today to get her schedule and find all her classes and I almost broke down right there. I told myself that it was silly and kept myself together, but amongst the lockers and the big high ceilings, and the crowded hallways filled w/ strangers-it was painfully apparent that she was so not my baby girl anymore.

Post Grad

Last night Scott and I headed into the District to watch a pre-screening of “Post Grad”. The tickets were in the gift bag the radio station gave me. I really wanted to love the movie, but I just didn’t. Maybe my expectations were just too high. Scott gave it a 5 out of 10 and I gave it a 6. I think the entire movie just seemed like it was trying too hard. It shared some themes w/ Reality Bites and every John Hughes film ever made, but not with as much charm, humor, or depth. The weirdest thing is that the cast is full of people that I love in everything else they ever do, but I didn’t really care much about their characters in this movie. Overall, it’s worth renting at the Red Box.

Busch Gardens

After waking up at 3:30 to do the Radio show-I thought the perfect way to spend the afternoon was to drive down to Williamsburg and go to Busch Gardens. They give us free tickets b/c we're military, which I think is awesome. Scott and I also think it is about the prettiest amusement park there is.

Jack Diamond Show

My friend won tickets to part of the live studio audience for "Free for all Friday" at 107.3. She asked me to go, but we were going to Busch Gardens and since we've had no family time this summer, and I thought I should skip it. Then 2/3 of my kids were sick on Thursday and I was worried that I'd miss out on the radio and then stay home w/ sick kids. Then my wonderful husband explained to me that it was my turn to do something fun, and we'd just go to Busch Gardens when I got home (that's why I love him). I had to get up at 3:30 and meet my friends at 4:10. The time flew by and the next thing we knew it was 9:00. They were all really nice and even showed us how stuff works and fed us pizza. We got awesome gift bags w/ tickets to lots of local events.

What Are We doing today?

We've had a busy summer, probably busiest ever. Just scroll down through my blog and it is fairly obvious there hasn't been a lot of sitting around. Today I didn't have anything planned until Cub Scouts at 7:00 pm. My kids freaked out and threatened to die of boredom. Seriously?

More Pics

Here some pics of the rest of our vacation. We hung out at Charlotte Beach (Lake Ontario), went to Fantasy Island amusement park, and went to out favorite Children's Museum, The Strong Museum of Play.

Buffalo/Rochester Days 1-2

Here's my post on #3 family vacation w/out Scott. Actually, we were together a few hours. He left w/ Eddie and Riley Friday after work. His brand new car had an electronic meltdown about 1/2 way. They waited an hour for a tow-truck and finally gave up an drove to the next town to get a hotel. The next morning, they decided to just keep driving. It made it all the way and back home and has been in the dealership since. He's less then thrilled to finally get his dream car (an Outback) and then have to drive a bottom of the line Chevy w/ stained seats that smells like an ashtray.

Spencer left after his meet and we got there around dinner time. Spencer is an awesome kid on car trips. He shares my philosophy about not stopping unless absolutely necessary. Sunday after my nieces blessing, we headed to Palmyra to tour the sites and become a real Mormon family. Taking 3 tired kids and wearing high heeled sandals to church history sites, may not have been our most spiritual family experience, but despite all the whinning, I was able to feel the spirit testify of the important events that happened there. Sunday afternnon, Scott headed home and the kids and I headed to my Grandma's house in Rochester.

The Agony of Defeat

It is so much better to be the underdog-no pressure and nowhere to go but up. When you're on top, the only place to go is down and it is a painful fall. Spencer had All-stars last Saturday and as I said before, he was seeded #1. I'm not sure what happened, but he added about a second to his time and finished #5 (which is what he got last year). I felt like I wanted to cry (Since I guess I am that kind of mother-thank goodness for sunglasses)and he was one very sad boy for the rest of the day. I knew how much pride he takes in his swimming. He suffers from "middle-childitis" and so I love it when he excels at things and it's just not how the season should have ended. Swimming is just so unforgiving-I think all five of them were w/ in a second of each other. He still holds the #2 time for the entire league, so we're focusing on that. Of course, he be just a great a kid if he finished dead last. I just love that kid.