Bugs Bite


On Saturday we went up to campus to an exhibit called "Bugs Bite' put on by the Entomology Department. Yes, I had to look up the spelling. Anyway, it was pretty neat. There were Hissing Madagascar Cockroaches, which were creepy, and all sorts of bugs there. A lot were mounted, some were alive, some you could hold, and some you could EAT. The insect deli was pretty crowded. We all said we weren't hungry....lol.
The kids each made a Bumblebee hat, which is cute, and received stickers, tattoos, etc. as we walked around. Oh, we did watch a cockroach race. Four were competing, and it was pretty cool, too.

Then, we went to Fun Unleashed. A little bit like a Chuck E. Cheese, but it costs $9 just to get in the door to play. The kids loved it, and we stayed about an hour and a half. Let me tell you why I probably won't go back for awhile. I took Molly to the bathroom. The first one was busy, the second was full of poop and toilet paper, and the third had no toilet paper. I swiped some from the bathroom that was clogged, and let Molly have her turn. We then went to wash hands, as you do, and there was no soap! I told the lady at the front desk the bathroom needed toilet paper, soap, and a plunger. She thanked me, and went about running the register. Ten minutes later, I told another worker. She thanked me, and continued strolling the place. When we finally left, not one employee had even gone to check on the bathroom! So, I'm in no hurry to go back. Yuck.

Oh, I ordered our new carpet today!!! Hooray! They will call me when it comes in to arrange an installation time. I can't wait.

DelGrosso's

We went to DelGrosso's Amusement Park here in PA. This is a picture of Mikey and Emily, the sitter who lives next door on The Scrambler. She filled in on the rides we didn't want to go on! The kids had a ball, and Mikey loves to ride anything that goes FAST! Let me tell you a little bit about the park...

I wish I had a lapel pin camera to show you what I saw! Everytime I saw a new "sight" I'd think "OH!! If only I could show that to..."

I saw mullets, a rat-tail, a lady with one round eye and one Asian eye, and a lady with a hair line that had receded more than Chris's! The amazing part was she had it pulled up in a ponytail on TOP of her head, so you could see the receding hair line went all around her head...lol

As Chris said "Welcome to central Pennsylvania" all I could think was "These people could be in Southwestern Virginia!!"

The kids had a wonderful time. The funnel cake was absolutely delicious, and we came home tired. Fun, but not as good as The North Pole. THAT place rocks!!

And we have begun...

Mikey has started soccer. He has had practices twice a week for two weeks now, and loves it. Poor thing inherited my grace, so he spends a lot of time tripping over the ball, but he is happy. I was hoping to make some new friends with the other moms, but most already knew each other and hold their own conversations, while the questions I try to ask about their interests receive very short answers. Oh well. Hey, I have a son to cheer for! He is getting to be more aggressive about getting the ball, and is starting to remember to not use his hands. Molly is content to sit on the sidelines with me, or kick a soccer ball around with Chris, and wait for the team snack to be handed out. We all agreed to bring for siblings, too, so no one has hurt feelings.
Sorry the blog was so long coming out - we have had internet problems for the past week and a half or so. I have so much to tell and share about our latest adventures here at PSU! If I can get online tomorrow night, I'll fill you in.

Pickwick Picnic

This past weekend was our annual Pickwick Picnic. The entire street of Pickwick Avenue gets together, brings a dish, hangs out, and cranks the ice cream. So, here we all are and you can see how crowded we are!! It is a short street that has a lovely cul-de-sac, and everyone is so friendly. In all of our moves, no one has ever come over and knocked on the door to say"Welcome to the neighborhood..." until we moved here. I had people coming to visit for weeks with hot muffins, fresh vegetables from their gardens (knowing we don't have one since we just moved!), and even a phone number of a dentist they recommend!! Chris found us such a great place. Yeah, it's not our retirement home by any means, but the neighborhood is the best one yet. I wonder if we could buy the last lot left and build our retirement house there??

Out with the old, in with the new.

I was busy during the game this week, so I didn't watch very much of it. Good thing, since we got blown away...
Anyway, I was outside cleaning the deck. Our neighbor's lent us their pressure washer, so I started the deck. What a difference, huh? We spent the better part of the day out getting paint, looking at carpet, scheduling a measuring and an estimate, peeling wallpaper and broder, etc etc etc. It takes an awful lot to make a house a home! But we're getting there.

How Sweet It Is...

To be loved by you! Every day Chris packs our lunches for us. As I get myself ready in the mornings, he is getting lunches together in the kitchen. He has started sending notes in the kids lunches, too. Today, I was hoping that maybe I'D get a note. No such luck. I was a little bummed, and went up to the office to drop off some papers. Sitting there on the counter were these flowers that had been delivered from the local florist. Our director's dad died this week, so I was sure they were for her. Apparently, so was she! But no, my husband sent them to me at work today. For nothing. Just to tell me he was glad I had a great first week of work. And that I am the world's greatest mommy. (I don't want to tell him that all of you daddies think otherwise!) I have had the discussion with book club about who we love more - our husbands or our kids. I still think that Chris and I come first, and the kids are little satellites of our great relationship. Not that there is a right answer. After all, it is a different kind of love, isn't it...
But I sure am glad I have his.

M.I.A.


That is my camera, Missing in Action. Therefore, no posts or pictures in days. Sorry! I have taken pictures as late as this morning, but now I can't find it. If you could see the state of this house, you'd understand....I'm hoping for a new one for my birthday. Camera, not house!!

I just wanted to update you on some news -

Amy in Colorado Springs is having a BOY!! She found out today, and now I can start on some birth announcements for her.

Brandy in Colorado Springs is already a week overdue with Delaney. I am checking my email religiously for any news!

Katherine in Colorado Springs is doing well with her sunshine, and is due in less than a month.

Laura in Colorado Springs is 15 weeks and is starting to show!

Liz in Colorado Springs is growing hers just fine, and will separate from the Air Force when she has the baby.

Geez, after re-reading all of that, was it something in the water?? Glad I got out of town....

We took the kids to DelGrosso's Amusement Park yesterday for Labor Day. Check it out on the internet, and I'll post our pictures tomorrow.

Today was our first day of school. Both of the kids had great days, and mine was incredible. It makes the year look very promising. Today I had my Tuesday, Thursday group, tomorrow I meet the other one. I'll let you know how it goes.

We seem to have a lot of new's here...

New town
New friends
New school year

The thing is, I LIKE the new's....even though I still miss the old's....

We ARE.... Penn State!!!

We went to our first game since we had kids yesterday, and had a fantastic time. We bought tickets, they got traded, and we got the best seats we could have dreamed of. We were on the 27 in the FRONT ROW. We no longer cared that it took us 45 minutes to drive a mile and half, we no longer cared that we were paying a sitter, we no longer cared that it was raining, and we no longer cared that we were pretty much drenched even with the rain ponchos. WE WERE AT THE GAME!! And look at our view!! For the record, next time - we're walking to the stadium. We can take the bike path that comes out at JoePa's house, and be there in less time than it took us to drive. Let's go Lions!!

We did meet an interesting couple. While we were waiting in that traffic, we got cut off by a car that decided they didn't need to wait in the line. Chris gave them a short honk, but let them in. They stopped, got out of their car, and said they live a few blocks from the stadium and have an extra parking spot - they are so sorry they cut us off, would we like to park at their house?? So, we followed them and parked there, and drank a beer with them. They offered their bathroom, but we didn't need it. However, I went inside just to get out of the rain. They had gone in, I thought to go to the bathroom. When I walked in, their entire house smelled like one big doobie. I almost got a bad case of the munchies just standing in the kitchen! So, as we walked to the game I talked to the girl, who could barely keep her eyes open and focused. I wonder how long they made it at the game.... Chris laughed and said they probably ate their way out of the stadium and went home to nap. You meet all types here in Happy Valley. They sure were happy!

Rained out.

In a nutshell, that's it. Molly has the cutest cheerleading outfit, and she hasn't even worn it yet! All of the pep rallies, food vendors, JoePa, cheerleaders, and players speaking were called off. So, the kids are in bed, it's cold, raining, and I am STILL looking forward to the game tomorrow. I am in charge of a dessert for the Keller's tailgate, so I am thinking of oatmeal chocolate chip cookies so ppl can just put them in their pockets and head into the game. Either that, or a pineapple cream cheese cake. It is nice and light, and summery. But, I think summer is about over here. I guess I'm making the cookies.