Thursday, September 11, 2014

Cicada Shell Fun

We found some cicada shells in our front yard the other day. Shane had me help him pick the tree clean of everything in reach.


When we couldn't reach any more, Shane complained. "Why don't you grab a stick?" I asked.


What was I thinking? Some skills come naturally! It's more proof that Shane can listen to me when he wants to!

New Tenant


Roxy left and now a groundhog has dug a home under my shed. Ironically, it's preferable to the holes he kept digging under my front porch.

Wednesday, September 10, 2014

More Garage Sale Toy Fun

$10 for a bunch of wooden track and Thomas toys a couple weekends ago: Still fun.



Monday, September 8, 2014

Bermuda: State-side

While Carrie and I were in Bermuda, Shane stayed state-side with Grandpa and Grandma.

Grandpa introduced him to fishing. They went every day of the week.

Grandpa took us, too, when we got back!


We played catch and release in a stocked retaining pond.


Shane loved his time with his grandparents.


Maybe I should buy a fishing pool.


Or maybe I should at least learn how to gut and clean a fish like a real man. At least I still know how to pull out fish lip piercings.

We went by the playground after fishing to get Shane's swing on.



I still need to get a copy of our yearly Christmas picture from Grandpa. It's Fall again and we're missing the newest one from our mantle. I wish I'd thought to make more of a point while we were there.

Oh well. We'll visit again! Shane's asked multiple times. I think he'd be a-ok with Mom and Dad going on another vacation again!

Bermuda: Day 5 - The Summary

Day 5 dawned and we had to pack.

We did take some time to go into St. George's to look for mementos and a few last memories. We visited the church, the coffee shop, and a few shops. Carrie ended up talking with a woman who made jewelry for a long while. I enjoyed listening in. We got to hear about the roads, the lion-fish invasion, and all sorts of other things from a local perspective. We ended up with a discount before we left! Carrie's worn her new necklace almost every day since.

The packing and cab ride to the airport were uneventful. We had cab cash from the day before. Our landlord had given it to us as a small apology for the internet being out all week. It was appreciated.

The airport was eventful in that it was uneventful. We were checked in with a small horde and moved quickly towards our gate without hassle. That's rare.

We got on the plane without much else to say. I talked with a Bermuda local the whole flight back. When I asked, "What do Bermudans do for fun?" he joked "They get on a plane!" Sing said he lived in Hamilton and he could walk to work, his kid's school, and home within a mile or two radius.

Carrie and I really enjoyed our vacation. Thank you Grandma and Grandpa for taking care of Shane and making it all possible! For five days and four nights we got to be on summer together as a couple! I think a piece of my wife's heart is still there. If I found a job there she would have us on a plane posthaste.

F.A.Q.

What was your favorite memory of Bermuda?

Not dying in a fiery moped crash and explosion.

Seriously?

Yes.

I knew going in Carrie would want her own moped. I had the choice of insisting we rent two or to be willing to hold on. I went with the latter. I discovered Carrie wants to be a professional moped racer when she grows up.By the end up the trip she was keeping up with the locals and trying to touch my knee to the asphalt when going through roundabouts. She hit a top speed of 59 kph on the straight run near the airport (humming "Highway to the Danger Zone" and grinning like a madwoman the whole time).

For someone who's risk adverse she's really not on two wheels. She'd love a moped here in the land of SUVs going 70 mph, but I won't let her.

Would you go again?

If we went with more family and took Shane. I'd want to go out in the water and spear some lion-fish!

How would you describe the locals?

Extremely friendly and laid-back. You couldn't walk by people without them smiling and acknowledging you. Anyone would be willing to start up a conversation about anything.

Can you think of anymore questions for this FAQ?

Nope. I thought I had some good ones, but I guess not.

All done!

Sunday, September 7, 2014

Cat-Sat


We cat sat for Kim and Ryan over the weekend. They went up to Happy Valley for Penn State's first 'real' home game (They played their first game of the year in Ireland).

Saturday, September 6, 2014

The kind of fun only $2 at a garage sale can buy.




 The title says it all.

Community Yard Sale Extravaganza

Shane and I discovered the community yard sale next door was more epic than expected. There were balloons!


We also ran into, Ryan, from Carrie's new office. Shane met him at a pizza joint the week before!


Ryan gave us some toys and a toothbrush.

A rival dentist's office let Shane brush a giant tooth.


They, also, gave us a toothbrush.

When pediatric dentist offices battle every kid gets a toothbrush.

Friday, September 5, 2014

Day-care Boy

We've been blessed. We have not found a bad day-care yet!


Shane has been very happy every day I've picked him up. I did drop offs and pick-ups most of my teacher work week. When school started, Carrie took over drop offs and I'm assigned pick ups


I picked up Shane's stuff on Friday and found a homework packet. Homework! I don't want to do it! I'm a teacher! I assign that stuff! Ha ha!

Shane and I will do over the week....probably the night before it's due. I love irony.

Tuesday, September 2, 2014

1st Day of School

There was no blog post yesterday, because I was prepping like a crazy person. There were IEPs to read, presentations to build, and lessons to plan!

The day went fairly well. I used to have 8 periods per day. Now I have four, but they're twice as long. It felt much less hectic than constantly changing gears, but each class was more draining. It will take me a little bit to get used to the timing and feel of the longer periods. I think I will enjoy block scheduling, though.

Tomorrow is another day.

I'd write more, but Carrie is insisting it's Eureka time.