All three on the first day of school
Grady and his teacher, Mrs. Fisher
Alice and Mrs. Armao
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Monday, September 29, 2008
Pictures Pictures Pictures!
The Arnold's brought up our camera cord so we can finally post pictures! Whoo hooo!
These are some dinner time pictures from this past weekend.
Grady's Tiger Cub uniform. Can't figure out how to rotate the picture - sorry! I also posted some pictures from the Renaissance festival on that blog. More to come...
The Weekend that Was
We just had a fabulous weekend with Stephen's parents! On Friday they helped in Alice's class for Johnny Appleseed Day. Afterwards, they were able to have lunch with both children at school. They loved getting to see the school and all their friends.
On Saturday, Stephen, Big Grady and Little Grady spent the morning at Tiger Cub Fun Day. They made rockets out of plastic bottles and played with marshmallow blow guns. Grady came home just beaming! They sang songs and learned chants. He loved it.
Saturday evening, the adults went downtown and took the incline up the mountain to Grandview Avenue where we ate a 7 course prix fixe meal at Isabella's. The view and food were incredible.
On Sunday, the Arnold's took Grady and Alice downtown for a riverboat ride and tour. The children informed them that they just *had* to go to Hard Rock Cafe! HA! Stephen and I played with Pryor and watched him ride his big wheel down the driveway. He loved having all the attention! We went to a really good Indian place to which we couldn't have taken G & A. Everyone had a wonderful time.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
The Ultimate Playdate
Well, today was finally the date for our ultimate play date. Each child had a same sex playmate - each one born within a month or two my children. Incredible!
Grady and the big brother, Justin, played Star Wars. They ran around with light sabers and had an excellent time. After Alice put on Skye's Sleeping Beauty dress, the girls had a tea party. The little fellas ran around and tried to be like the big kids. Pryor and Nickolas fought over the same ball, same car, etc.
The biggest hit of the day was the train table. We got a track going and all the children played with it. By then the pizza arrived. Since it was such a beautiful evening, they all ate outside. Pryor and Nick sat at their own tiny table. It was just adorable.
I think this family is going to be a big hit with my children! The unusual thing is that they are foster children. The "Mom" got them in June and is trying to make it a permanent adoption. Evidently the biological parents have not given up final rights. So this couple won't know for at least six months whether or not they will be able to adopt. I can't imagine!
Grady and the big brother, Justin, played Star Wars. They ran around with light sabers and had an excellent time. After Alice put on Skye's Sleeping Beauty dress, the girls had a tea party. The little fellas ran around and tried to be like the big kids. Pryor and Nickolas fought over the same ball, same car, etc.
The biggest hit of the day was the train table. We got a track going and all the children played with it. By then the pizza arrived. Since it was such a beautiful evening, they all ate outside. Pryor and Nick sat at their own tiny table. It was just adorable.
I think this family is going to be a big hit with my children! The unusual thing is that they are foster children. The "Mom" got them in June and is trying to make it a permanent adoption. Evidently the biological parents have not given up final rights. So this couple won't know for at least six months whether or not they will be able to adopt. I can't imagine!
Monday, September 22, 2008
United Nations in Western PA
So far the ethnic diversity here has been a little more than what we experienced in Knoxville. One of Alice's friend's Mom is from Germany. We had some twins from her class come over last week and both of their parents are from France.
On Friday afternoon we had some neighbors come over who are from Japan, living in a rental house for the husband's job for a couple of years. The daughter, Haruka, is in the fifth grade and taught Alice and Grady to do an origami swan. The children had a GREAT time and kept talking and talking to this poor little girl who knows NO English. She has a sweet disposition and her Mom, Yoshiko, would try to translate. We showed them Candyland, Ants in your Pants and Cariboo. She seemed to have fun.
An interesting note: in Japan, unicycles are really popular for young girls. They call them monocycles. Haruka could ride it up the hill of the driveway and turn around. We were all really impressed.
On Friday afternoon we had some neighbors come over who are from Japan, living in a rental house for the husband's job for a couple of years. The daughter, Haruka, is in the fifth grade and taught Alice and Grady to do an origami swan. The children had a GREAT time and kept talking and talking to this poor little girl who knows NO English. She has a sweet disposition and her Mom, Yoshiko, would try to translate. We showed them Candyland, Ants in your Pants and Cariboo. She seemed to have fun.
An interesting note: in Japan, unicycles are really popular for young girls. They call them monocycles. Haruka could ride it up the hill of the driveway and turn around. We were all really impressed.
Friday, September 19, 2008
I didn't want you to let me sleep!
Alice is the child who is having the hardest time with our move. Yesterday and again today she said she wants to go "home" and be with her friends.
Both Grady and Alice went to a church function last night called Powered Up. It's for K-5th graders and they do singing, games, snack, etc. The first one was last night and they had a moonwalk inflated in the sanctuary! (They took out several rows of seats.)
Well, since they had gotten to bed late two nights in a row, I decided I would just drive them to school and let them sleep as late as they could. Grady slept till 7:45 AM which is pretty late for him. He's normally up at 7. Alice, on the other hand, didn't get up till 8:30! They would normally be getting on the bus at 8:30. I tried to help her get ready with as much sunshine and pleasantness as I could muster. She just continued her rant - I hate school. I don't want to go to school. I didn't want you to let me sleep!
Both Grady and Alice went to a church function last night called Powered Up. It's for K-5th graders and they do singing, games, snack, etc. The first one was last night and they had a moonwalk inflated in the sanctuary! (They took out several rows of seats.)
Well, since they had gotten to bed late two nights in a row, I decided I would just drive them to school and let them sleep as late as they could. Grady slept till 7:45 AM which is pretty late for him. He's normally up at 7. Alice, on the other hand, didn't get up till 8:30! They would normally be getting on the bus at 8:30. I tried to help her get ready with as much sunshine and pleasantness as I could muster. She just continued her rant - I hate school. I don't want to go to school. I didn't want you to let me sleep!
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Open House
Our school had an open house tonight for grades 1-5. We all went to Grady's classroom and met his teacher Mrs. Fisher. His desk is in a group of five desks. We met his next desk mate, Piper. She told her parents that Grady kept showing her the back of his folder to point out where the state of Tennessee is. She told her mom, "Mom, I know where it is."
He had done a picture that showed Daddy, Mama, Grady and Alice - I guess Pryor wasn't there that day! HA! He had a nice journal with some pictures in it. One of the books was: What I learn from my friends. His picture was: I learned how to spy from my friend Evan. His drawing had lots of boys in it - they had either a G or an E on their shirts. It was pretty cute.
He and Alice loved showing us all around the school. We met the Visual Arts teacher (not to be confused with the Creative Arts teacher who wasn't there,) and the Music teacher. We also met the guidance counselor who is in charge of the New Student Club which meets for the first 4 Fridays of the school year. It's amazing what state income taxes can do!
One interesting thing about their classes. In Alice's class - I think there are 18 children - only 5 girls. In Grady's class, I'm not sure how many total children but I counted only 7 boys. Definitely more girls than boys. I wish they were in the opposite classes!
As we were leaving, we saw another little boy in Grady's class. It's one of the boys that Grady talks about so I introduced myself to the Mom to trade numbers. Well, we discovered that her daughter is in Kindergarten (a different teacher) and her other son is two years old. The ULTIMATE play date - one for each child! The right boy/girl/boy ratio! Incredible! I'll definitely be calling her!
He had done a picture that showed Daddy, Mama, Grady and Alice - I guess Pryor wasn't there that day! HA! He had a nice journal with some pictures in it. One of the books was: What I learn from my friends. His picture was: I learned how to spy from my friend Evan. His drawing had lots of boys in it - they had either a G or an E on their shirts. It was pretty cute.
He and Alice loved showing us all around the school. We met the Visual Arts teacher (not to be confused with the Creative Arts teacher who wasn't there,) and the Music teacher. We also met the guidance counselor who is in charge of the New Student Club which meets for the first 4 Fridays of the school year. It's amazing what state income taxes can do!
One interesting thing about their classes. In Alice's class - I think there are 18 children - only 5 girls. In Grady's class, I'm not sure how many total children but I counted only 7 boys. Definitely more girls than boys. I wish they were in the opposite classes!
As we were leaving, we saw another little boy in Grady's class. It's one of the boys that Grady talks about so I introduced myself to the Mom to trade numbers. Well, we discovered that her daughter is in Kindergarten (a different teacher) and her other son is two years old. The ULTIMATE play date - one for each child! The right boy/girl/boy ratio! Incredible! I'll definitely be calling her!
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Pryorisms
Pryor is definitely getting more vocal and coming "into his own." I can carry on a conversation with him and he knows everything that I am saying (although I don't always know what he is saying.) He loves to play and when he does something he likes he says, "Awesome!" Which sounds more like "aaahhhsome"
He also wants you to watch everything he does. He'll say, "Mama, mome mon" (come on) and pull me by the hand to where he wants me to go. Everyday is a happy day for Pryor.
He also wants you to watch everything he does. He'll say, "Mama, mome mon" (come on) and pull me by the hand to where he wants me to go. Everyday is a happy day for Pryor.
Another weekend, another festival
On Sunday, while Stephen stayed home with a napping Pryor, Grady, Alice and I went to the Renaissance Festival. Only a half hour away, we were surprised to see how big it was. They had some permanent structures like a castle for the entrance. Alice kept wanting to go into the castle - which we went through to get in the festival. She thought there was something more to it and I kept trying to convince her that it was just a gate.
Inside they probably had over fifty vendors, 6 or 7 stages and (what we came for) a field for jousting. Many people were dressed in period garb. One of the booths was a costume rental place where you could dress up for the day. They had just a few rides - all of which were man powered.
I was disappointed in what they had for children, but was surprised at all of the shows. We watched a Frenchman perform a mime/magician/juggling routine. He has done his shows all over the world and I can see why. The children were transfixed for the whole 45 minutes.
I must admit to being a little disappointed in the jousting. I think I saw better jousting at the Knight's Table dinner theater. That said, the children loved it. They had the king and queen with the fair maidens. It was pretty fun.
Another mind blowing show was the "fire manipulator." In addition to blowing fire out his mouth he: put out the torch with his hand and mouth, set his hand and mouth on fire, lit his torch from his burning hand and mouth. Incredible! We all loved it!
Inside they probably had over fifty vendors, 6 or 7 stages and (what we came for) a field for jousting. Many people were dressed in period garb. One of the booths was a costume rental place where you could dress up for the day. They had just a few rides - all of which were man powered.
I was disappointed in what they had for children, but was surprised at all of the shows. We watched a Frenchman perform a mime/magician/juggling routine. He has done his shows all over the world and I can see why. The children were transfixed for the whole 45 minutes.
I must admit to being a little disappointed in the jousting. I think I saw better jousting at the Knight's Table dinner theater. That said, the children loved it. They had the king and queen with the fair maidens. It was pretty fun.
Another mind blowing show was the "fire manipulator." In addition to blowing fire out his mouth he: put out the torch with his hand and mouth, set his hand and mouth on fire, lit his torch from his burning hand and mouth. Incredible! We all loved it!
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Wildlife in Western PA
I have been amazed at what we have seen since we have been here. In addition to the usual suspects (squirrels and raccoons) I have spotted porcupines on the side of the road. In our own backyard we have seen: deer, wild turkeys and a groundhog. Saturday morning, we found a tree frog in the garage. I picked it up and the children loved petting it. I haven't held a tree frog since I was Grady's age!
Friday, September 12, 2008
Earth Team: Organized Chaos
I signed up Grady and Alice for the "Earth Team." It's an afterschool "club" that they both can attend which meets once a month. I'm game for anything they both can do. Since Alice is only in Kindergarten, I had to be there as well. Pryor enjoyed Earth Team.
The Murrysville Garden club sponsors the club and also provide a snack. Grady, Alice and Pryor wolfed down some popcorn and juice. (I think they all had seconds!) There had to have been around forty children in the cafeteria.
A member of the garden club came to each table to show us different kinds of weeds. Martha came to our table with a bucket full of "broad-leaf" weeds. She showed us dandelions and other kinds (I couldn't tell you the names of any of the others!) All the while, there are children running around the cafeteria. Grady was playing a hand-slapping game with another little boy from his class. It was crazy!
We went outside to a nice garden they have in the school courtyard. We were the first group to go outside and start pulling weeds. Soon, the other groups came out. Martha gave us some small shovels and soon everyone was digging! I am sure more than just weeds were pulled!
Overall, the children loved it. (Although I think they will do anything as long as a snack is involved!) I'm glad they are out and learning something new.
The Murrysville Garden club sponsors the club and also provide a snack. Grady, Alice and Pryor wolfed down some popcorn and juice. (I think they all had seconds!) There had to have been around forty children in the cafeteria.
A member of the garden club came to each table to show us different kinds of weeds. Martha came to our table with a bucket full of "broad-leaf" weeds. She showed us dandelions and other kinds (I couldn't tell you the names of any of the others!) All the while, there are children running around the cafeteria. Grady was playing a hand-slapping game with another little boy from his class. It was crazy!
We went outside to a nice garden they have in the school courtyard. We were the first group to go outside and start pulling weeds. Soon, the other groups came out. Martha gave us some small shovels and soon everyone was digging! I am sure more than just weeds were pulled!
Overall, the children loved it. (Although I think they will do anything as long as a snack is involved!) I'm glad they are out and learning something new.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
The end of the curls are in sight...
Pryor woke up this morning and most of his hair was flat. Sadness! I put some detangling spray on it and it curled back up no problem. So we'll see! I'm afraid with the lack of humidity this winter that I'll have to cut his hair.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Desserts everywhere...
I am going to weigh 500 pounds by the end of the first year we live here!
There are so many places to buy desserts - and I seem to have found all of them! Down the street is Schram's, a local farm which has good produce - but who cares about fruits and vegetables when they also have a bakery! This bakery is where I first discovered chocolate gobs: imagine a big cookie made out of cake, multiply by two and with icing in the middle. It's a cake cookie. I even saw they had chocolate gobs at Sam's. From Schram's we have also had: cheesecake, apple dumplings, cookies and birthday cake - all of which were excellent!
We've only eaten out at a few restaurants but I already know which places I want to go back to: Dick's Diner for awesome Boston Cream Pie and the Lamplighter for their pies.
Today I found out about a farmer's market in Export which is a little community 2 minutes away. It was more like a farmer's bakery: one booth had breads, one had all kinds of cookies/brownies, one with apple pies, apple dumplings and we walked away with huge home made doughnuts! Incredible! I told the children we couldn't go there every week - this was just a special treat.
It certainly was!
There are so many places to buy desserts - and I seem to have found all of them! Down the street is Schram's, a local farm which has good produce - but who cares about fruits and vegetables when they also have a bakery! This bakery is where I first discovered chocolate gobs: imagine a big cookie made out of cake, multiply by two and with icing in the middle. It's a cake cookie. I even saw they had chocolate gobs at Sam's. From Schram's we have also had: cheesecake, apple dumplings, cookies and birthday cake - all of which were excellent!
We've only eaten out at a few restaurants but I already know which places I want to go back to: Dick's Diner for awesome Boston Cream Pie and the Lamplighter for their pies.
Today I found out about a farmer's market in Export which is a little community 2 minutes away. It was more like a farmer's bakery: one booth had breads, one had all kinds of cookies/brownies, one with apple pies, apple dumplings and we walked away with huge home made doughnuts! Incredible! I told the children we couldn't go there every week - this was just a special treat.
It certainly was!
No Arnold children on the bus!
Well, some may know that Grady did not arrive home on the bus for the first day of school. Two issues: 1. We are zoned for one elementary school (Heritage) but attend the other elementary (Newlonsburg) right next door. So the bus picks up all the children at Heritage and then comes to Newlonsburg. 2. I drove Grady to school on the first day of school.
When I go to the bus stop that afternoon, all the children get off the bus - but Grady doesn't. I talked to the driver who thought since he didn't get on the bus in the morning that he wasn't there yet. Fortunately, Grady was with the principal the whole time. He had a snack and could have cared less about the whole thing. I drove to school to pick him up.
Fast forward two weeks: Pryor and I are waiting for Alice and Grady to get off the bus. Again, all the children get off but no Arnold children on the bus! I asked the neighborhood children - who said that the substitute driver did not go to Newlonsburg to pick up the children (who with the kindergartners total 4 or 5!) The bus company sent a van to pick them up and brought them back to the bus stop. Again, the children were unfazed but...
Good grief!!
When I go to the bus stop that afternoon, all the children get off the bus - but Grady doesn't. I talked to the driver who thought since he didn't get on the bus in the morning that he wasn't there yet. Fortunately, Grady was with the principal the whole time. He had a snack and could have cared less about the whole thing. I drove to school to pick him up.
Fast forward two weeks: Pryor and I are waiting for Alice and Grady to get off the bus. Again, all the children get off but no Arnold children on the bus! I asked the neighborhood children - who said that the substitute driver did not go to Newlonsburg to pick up the children (who with the kindergartners total 4 or 5!) The bus company sent a van to pick them up and brought them back to the bus stop. Again, the children were unfazed but...
Good grief!!
Monday, September 8, 2008
Pryor's First Day (sort of)
Pryor went to preschool today for a whole hour. woo-woo. Not sure what exactly I was supposed to do with all 60 minutes. Actually, by the time I dropped him off and got to my car, I really only had 40 minutes until it was time to pick him up.
This was his first day (sort of) not only because it was just an hour, but last week I went to the class with him for an hour. On this Wednesday he goes again for an hour. Next Monday he goes for an hour and a half. So, it is not until next Wednesday that he will go for the full 2 1/2 hours. Good grief! Let's just get on with it already.
I knew the teachers were pretty adamant about the drop off policy. They handed out a full sheet of instructions: no carrying the child, do not let them see you stay, etc. Pryor (having previously been in school) would have no problems I knew. Yet it was disconcerting to have his teacher meet me at the door, grab his backpack, then close the door. I didn't even get a chance to say goodbye. He turned around and I waved to him through the glass. He was unfazed -he was off playing with some "carssss and trucksssss."
I ended up having a fabulous 40 minutes going to a really cute gift shop near by, then grabbing a cup of hot chocolate. The Pittsburgh paper is pretty good - I sat there and only got through the first section by the time it was time to go.
Pryor was incredibly adorable when I went to pick him up. The teachers have the children sitting at the little teeny, tiny table in their teeny, tiny chairs. He was wearing his backpack, sitting in this little chair - it was the cutest thing ever!! I'll try to get a picture to post it.
He had a great time and the school seems really good. One of the moms is organizing a Moms Night Out at a restaurant on this Thursday night - so that should be pretty fun. I don't have time now, but I'll write later about Grady and Alice not being on the bus again this afternoon. Good grief!
This was his first day (sort of) not only because it was just an hour, but last week I went to the class with him for an hour. On this Wednesday he goes again for an hour. Next Monday he goes for an hour and a half. So, it is not until next Wednesday that he will go for the full 2 1/2 hours. Good grief! Let's just get on with it already.
I knew the teachers were pretty adamant about the drop off policy. They handed out a full sheet of instructions: no carrying the child, do not let them see you stay, etc. Pryor (having previously been in school) would have no problems I knew. Yet it was disconcerting to have his teacher meet me at the door, grab his backpack, then close the door. I didn't even get a chance to say goodbye. He turned around and I waved to him through the glass. He was unfazed -he was off playing with some "carssss and trucksssss."
I ended up having a fabulous 40 minutes going to a really cute gift shop near by, then grabbing a cup of hot chocolate. The Pittsburgh paper is pretty good - I sat there and only got through the first section by the time it was time to go.
Pryor was incredibly adorable when I went to pick him up. The teachers have the children sitting at the little teeny, tiny table in their teeny, tiny chairs. He was wearing his backpack, sitting in this little chair - it was the cutest thing ever!! I'll try to get a picture to post it.
He had a great time and the school seems really good. One of the moms is organizing a Moms Night Out at a restaurant on this Thursday night - so that should be pretty fun. I don't have time now, but I'll write later about Grady and Alice not being on the bus again this afternoon. Good grief!
Sunday, September 7, 2008
All is quiet...
Another gorgeous day here in PA! It really hasn't rained all that much - the yards are starting to brown. The good news is that the grass isn't growing much so Stephen hasn't had to mow the yard! The neighbors have some major dandelions, so we don't feel we have to keep our yard perfect either.
Stephen took Grady to the driving range during Pryor's nap. Grady absolutely LOVES it! After Pryor woke up we went for a walk in the neighborhood while Alice had a break down (I WANT TO GO HOME!) It would have been nice to have walked even further since it was mid-70s and not a cloud in the sky.
Pryor goes to school tomorrow for an hour. Not sure what I'm supposed to do for the whole 60 minutes - but we'll see. At this point I'll take what I can get!
Hoping Alice will get a good night of sleep tonight...
Stephen took Grady to the driving range during Pryor's nap. Grady absolutely LOVES it! After Pryor woke up we went for a walk in the neighborhood while Alice had a break down (I WANT TO GO HOME!) It would have been nice to have walked even further since it was mid-70s and not a cloud in the sky.
Pryor goes to school tomorrow for an hour. Not sure what I'm supposed to do for the whole 60 minutes - but we'll see. At this point I'll take what I can get!
Hoping Alice will get a good night of sleep tonight...
Saturday, September 6, 2008
If it's Saturday then there must be a festival
We have attended a festival of some sort during the past two weekends which would be both weekends we have been in PA.
Today we went to the Ligonier Highland Games at Idlewild Park about 45 minutes away. It is a huge Scottish festival with bagpipes, sheep herding, hammer throwing and Scottish dancing & singing. We checked out the Sutherland clan tent in the Clan area and found the representative very nice.
The children had a blast at the children's games. I actually ran into a woman who I knew from Knoxville - Patti Peet. She was a neighbor for a little over a year, then moved to Philadelphia where they have lived for the last 5 years. Her husband's uncle is the head organizer of the games and they have come and helped at the event for years. We traded email addresses and said we'd see each other next year! Crazy!
After we came home and put Pryor in bed, we all took a rest. Then, since I'm a glutton for punishment, I took Grady and Alice to ANOTHER festival down the street at a huge church. They had 15 inflatables, bands, fire trucks, carnival games, food booths and a bmx bike show. We could have stayed for hours!
Needless to say -I'm pooped!
Today we went to the Ligonier Highland Games at Idlewild Park about 45 minutes away. It is a huge Scottish festival with bagpipes, sheep herding, hammer throwing and Scottish dancing & singing. We checked out the Sutherland clan tent in the Clan area and found the representative very nice.
The children had a blast at the children's games. I actually ran into a woman who I knew from Knoxville - Patti Peet. She was a neighbor for a little over a year, then moved to Philadelphia where they have lived for the last 5 years. Her husband's uncle is the head organizer of the games and they have come and helped at the event for years. We traded email addresses and said we'd see each other next year! Crazy!
After we came home and put Pryor in bed, we all took a rest. Then, since I'm a glutton for punishment, I took Grady and Alice to ANOTHER festival down the street at a huge church. They had 15 inflatables, bands, fire trucks, carnival games, food booths and a bmx bike show. We could have stayed for hours!
Needless to say -I'm pooped!
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