The Mayor of Allen Road...

.... that's what the bus driver called him. As Sam's entourage we were camped out in the front lawn waiting for the bus to take him to his first day of kindergarten. I can't believe it. When the kids were first born we would make plans for the future that would almost include..."someday when the kids get in school..." I can't believe that "someday" is today! 

Sam was SOOO excited and happy. The bus was about 25 minutes late picking him up. The anticipation was growing and growing. The sweetest thing was that a few of our neighbors came out to watch him too. There was a lot of excitement yesterday on Chesapeake. 

He was fully dressed and ready 2 hours before hand. Helped me pack his snack, drink and back pack. We made calls to all our fellow kindergartener friends wishing them luck and a happy day. Everything was adorable.

After the bus came and whisked him away, Brian, Beth and I drove over to the school to watch him get off and go into school. He was so cute, so focused, so happy.

The afternoon flew by and the day was over. The only problem that we had was that the bus bringing him home was very, VERY, VERY late.  But he was still happy and excited. I made him a special "first day of school" dinner. He requested BLT's, macaroni salad with tuna, and chocolate cupcakes. Grandpa Dave, Ellen, and Patrick celebrated with us.

Thanks to all the family and friends that couldn't be there, but still called to wish him luck or to see how his day went. It really makes all the difference. We feel the love! :)

Sam and Beth

Sam and Dad

Me and my boy.

Sam and Grandpa Dave

With Grammy.

Sam, Dad, Uncle Patrick, Angela, Grandpa, Beth, Grammy, and Amanda

With Uncle Patrick. Please note that Pat wore his CCE (CC Elementary) shirt today. I can't believe I'm even typing this but he got that shirt when he was in 6th grade and it still fits him today. Only Patrick!! But thanks Pat, for being so supportive of him. :)

Killing time until the bus arrived.

YAY!!! It's finally here!

Last minute hugs and high fives were flying all over the place.

Taking that big step on the bus.

This is the only time I got choked up. Look carefully. Beth is on the right of the mailboxes. She was running with the bus, waving and yelling goodbye to Sam. They typically do this every time someone leaves our house. She was doing it all on her own and Sam was waving back at her. That's when it really "hit" me.

We drove over to the school to watch him walk in.

Getting off at school.

No Sam, not to us.... over there is your class! :)

A last wave before going in.

Our boy is officially in school.

Beth's turn is next week.... preschool here we come!! :)

End of Summer, well not really....

The NYS fair is over for another year. It symbolically represents the end of summer. We had a great time this year. The kids were at the perfect age. No strollers, no whining, no teasing for anything.... they were great.... all 7 times they went!! :)

Yeah, we went a little overboard this year. Actually I took them 4 times, a few hours at a time. My mom took them one afternoon and then Brian took them on his own. And then I went one last time with my Dad. We saw every bit of the fair but mostly staying in our favorite place. "The quad" is what we called it. The big area in between some of the buildings with all the educational stuff, the NYS Troopers, boy scouts, ect.

Sam LOVED the trooper demos and Beth loved the cow building.

Chocolate milk was always on the menu.

Live music. Mini golf.

Learning about different cultures (Native American and African American).

4H

Lots of animals.

Funnel Cakes and ice cream.

Winning 3 goldfish. Lovingly named Goldilocks, Thunderhead, and Patrick.

The kids feeding the sheep.

Rocking out to Brooks and Dunn. We drove over to the grandstand and listened to some songs.

Watching the State Troopers Mobile Response Team's demonstration.

We saw it 5 times. I then bought him a NYSMRT T-shirt. I actually saw Sam trying to do this in the backyard today on/in the tree.

They were so kind to pose for a picture with the kids.

Jumping high!

One of the rare moments in the midway.

Dancing to Brook's and Dunn concert.

Meet J.J.

The newest addition to our ever growing circle of joy.

Our friends Kristin and Joe had this beautiful boy last night.

Everyone is happy and healthy.

Here he is at 12 hours old.

(Heather.... you're next!!!! :)

Politics

Back and forth, back and forth.... not in my opinions/politics but if I should write this post. I typically try not to talk politics with friends or family that I know are not like-minded. Mostly because I don't want to debate issues I believe fundamental to the greater good of society. I say "I" because everyone's political/spiritual beliefs are intimately personal. I can not fully speak for Brian in this entry, although I will say that he does support 'CHANGE' and 'Enough is Enough'. We are very similar in our political opinions. But back to the blog entry...

Well after some time thinking about it...

IT'S MY BLOG AND I CAN TALK ABOUT WHATEVER I WANT!!!! :))

So sorry if you don't happen to agree. Skip this entry. I'll have something posted about family life soon, I'm sure. Happiness will rule supreme again in "blog land". But today it's politics.

I have been watching the DNC all week. It's been inspiring to listen to each speech. They kept getting better and better. I was so proud of Hillary, she did a great job. It was the best speech she has given and she seemed so relaxed. Love her, hate her... no one can take away the history she made. The path that she made for other women has permanently entrenched the country, with no going back. I LOVE that my daughter will grow up not knowing anything different than she too could become president. ANd I ABSOLUTELY LOVE that my son will too. That he will grow up with more respect for women's rights, not knowing the "old style" of doing business. The finale of the week with Obama's speech was the BEST! Always eloquent, honest, and inspiring.  Below is a link to the speeches. Become enlightened, become inspired! (Go ahead, no one's looking, and I won't tell anyone! :)

(** I won't even profess my feelings on the VP selection for McCain. All I have to say is it doesn't get more transparent than that.)

Obama       

Al Gore

Joe Biden

Hillary

Bill

The Back 9

I meant to post this a few weeks ago.

Sam designed a "golf course" in the back yard. We call it The Back 9.

The inflatable pools became water hazards, the mulch around the trees were sand traps, the big yellow inflatable slide transformed into a "mini golf-esque" hole,  beach buckets turned into the holes, and the Barbie Jeep became the golf cart (only Sam could fit in ;)

They had so much fun. 

Imagination and resourcefulness... that's my boy!

Trouble...

... with a capital "T"!

'Saying Goodbye to the House that Ruth Built'

There it is.

Who knew that this moment, this click of the shutter would become my baby. 

I entered 4 photos into the NYS Fair this year. All I was hoping for was to get an acceptance. To have some of my work displayed.  I was told by many that it is very hard to get in. It may take years for an accepted photo to be displayed.

When the mail came last week I received the notification cards. Four cards for four photos. As I turned them over, one by one, "not accepted" was all that was checked. That is until I got to the last one, "WINNER" was marked off.

Nothing else was mentioned. 'Winner' could mean 1st-3rd places. 

So tonight was the Artist Reception, to see the gallery before the public. I took the kids with me, my friend Emily met me there and Kristin A. came. As I walked around the corner this is what I saw....

BLUE RIBBON!!!!

Can you believe it??? :)

Like I said before this was my baby. This image means a great deal to me. It's my three loves, all together, in a special moment in a special place. 

I love it. 

It's hanging in the Art and Home Center at the fairgrounds if anyone wants to see it in person. After that... it'll be hanging in my family room! :)

~Tara xoxo