While Away....

During my mini vacays to Buffalo and Catskills lots of exciting things happened.

Jeanine and Kevin got engaged and I am still waiting for a picture of the ring to do a nice big post! I still haven't seen the ring yet --Jeanine you better come over soon.

Paul's cousin Michelle and her husband Nathanial welcomed a baby boy to their family. They have a 2 yr old girl and an ALMOST 4 year old boy. We can't wait to see you guys.

One of my carpoolees Dana got engaged too. We are going to have so much to talk about in the carpool- can't wait.

Marianne's picture of Natalie won a prize at the county fair down near where her dad lives. Well of course I wouldn't expect anything less Natalie is soooo cute. Emme loves her "springy" curls!

Catskills Anyone??

While in the Catskills for the agility trial Tom picked up 3 Master's Q's one in Jumpers and 2 in Snooker (one was ALMOST a SuperQ!!!) and Jerry had a blast flying- yes you read right FLYING around the course. Mr. Speed Demon came flying over a jump which he was supposed to make a right hand turn after into a tunnel but since I called switch too late he turned in the air, landed on his head and slid in that position for about 10 feet, then somersaulted over and took off for the tunnel. UNBELIEVABLE he was so juiced up after the tunnel he sailed over a jump and had to go to a table which he was moving so fast all you heard was nails scraping across the table. He managed to stay on the table with his invisible suction cup paws! The judge said she stopped breathing for most of his run. He will be great one day when we can put everything together.

Aside from that on Friday I got a call from Paul saying he was coming home that day. (He has been in Buffalo since August 12th) Then a few hours later I got another call from him saying he was not coming home but being forced to go to Cairo. I couldn't believe it. We were staying 15 minutes away from him. He wasn't able to come and see the boys run but we were able to have dinner with him on Saturday and Sunday and I was able to do the laundry right at the trial site while I was running on Sunday. Since I hadn't planned on being in the Catskills for dinner Sunday night I did not have any food for Emme. (We make all of her food except for yogurt) So we ordered her some plain turkey, mashed potatoes and cranberry for dinner. Her she is experimenting with her food.

Dutchess County Fair

My mom, Emme and I met up with Ellen at the Dutchess County Fair. We decided to go on our way up to the Catskills for the weekend. Tom and Jerry had their annual Fall Blackthorne Trial which was rescheduled a week earlier this year so we made a nice 4 day weekend out of it. I was very surprised and disappointed in the fair. I was just at the Erie County Fair last week and that fair was amazing. Since I haven't been to a County Fair in a number of years- think Westchester County Fair....... I have to say things have changed quite a bit. Games were $3-$5 a try and prizes were really crappy. Vendors weren't that fabulous and it was very disorganized and the parking lot well let's just say it could take anywhere from 30-45 minutes just to get out! We will not be going to that fair again. I just might have to drive to Buffalo for the Erie one next year!!!

Hanging With Daddy

Emme even got to go swimming and hang out in Paul's truck while we were in Buffalo. The dogs and Emme watched every white Verizon truck pull in the hotel parking lot each night and always got excited to see Paul when he arrived. Tom and Jerry were spoiled in that they had a HUGE field to play in and run after frisbees and balls everyday. Not that we do not play at home but Paul and I could throw the ball or frisbee and not have to worry about it going over the fence or land in the flower beds. I think the dogs lost a few pounds here not that they needed to! We sure had a fun time in Buffalo!

Strong National Museum of Play

I cannot even begin to express how awesome this museum was. I can't wait to take Emme back.

Tag Sales in Buffalo

I had so much fun at some tag sales I ended up with a migraine! Seriously. Probably not from the tag sales but the constant lack of ventilation in our hotel room. The windows didn't open at all and the air conditioning was causing Emme and I to have a dry cough. However before I had to come back to the hotel and sleep it off I picked up a little tykes xylophone, a flannel pair of pjs and baby Einstein flashcards for $3! I also got a vintage fisher price school desk for $8 with all of the pieces and some extra! Here is Emme after tag sale-ing with Mommy!

Toy Store and Lunch with Daddy

We were able to have lunch with Paul on two days while we were visiting Buffalo. On one occasion we were visiting a cute little town with a real 5 &10! It was pretty neat to walk around and look at all the "crap." I didn't buy anything but I sure was tempted. We met Paul first at the Fisher Price Toy Store and Emme got some little animals to go with the zoo Grammy J is giving her for Christmas. We had gotten a sign language book at the zoo to teach us how to sign animal names so we were able to use the animals with the book too. Emme loved playing with all the toys and especially like all the Elmo stuff. After lunch Emme and I browsed a few little stores and Emme fell asleep so I treated myself to a manicure! Very rare Emme will sleep while within the vicinity of a nail salon and stay sleeping! We aren't even talking tips and wraps ---plain old clear coat!!!!