Preschool Class Trip to DelGrosso's

Today Will's Two by Two preschool class took a trip to DelGrosso's Amusement Park.  It was HOT out there and we stayed a LONG time but we both had lots of fun.

Will was excited to ride with Logan.  He was also excited because he's finally
tall enough to ride the Crazy Mouse roller coaster.  He loved it - we rode at
least seven times!!

He also enjoyed the swings.  He rode that almost as much as
he rode the Crazy Mouse!

We rode the Carousel once (to give my stomach a break).

On the way out we had some Dippin' Dots.  Here, via a text message, Will was offering a bite to
Daddy (who was wishing he could have been with us today).

My Squirrels

I've probably posted pictures before of my big, fat squirrel who hangs upside down to eat from my bird feeder.  As I've been sitting here updating my blog, I've been watching him enjoy a mid-day snack!  He's normally very deft at stealing a few seeds, but today after many failed attempts to regain his grasp, he hit the ground.  His sudden entrance through the top of the Hosta scared a chipmunk but Fat Squirrel seemed fine.  A few minutes later a smaller squirrel tried the same acrobatics - with the same result, except he slipped before his efforts were rewarded with even one bite.  Poor guy!

I do love my backyard birds and squirrels.  I wish I could take Fat Squirrel with me when we move!

  

Memorial Day at Home

Jerry came home for the long Memorial Day weekend to have some relaxation and family time.  We didn't do much, just enjoyed having Daddy back home.  Will is really starting to miss Jerry while he's gone all week.  The first thing he said when he woke up Friday morning (even before "Good morning Mommy Mom, which is always first) was "Pat comes home today, right?"  (Pat is Will's pet name for Jerry though I have no idea how he came up with it.)

On Saturday morning we received news that we didn't win the bid on the foreclosure property we made an offer on.  We were a bit disappointed by that but we moved on to Plan B and made an offer on another house that Jerry really liked (the one with the pool).  Frustratingly, the owner's best offer was still $25K more than what we were willing to pay (and honestly at least $18-20K more than market value).  Sadly, she owes quite a bit on the house and would have to bring $45K to closing even at her best offer to us.  So it's on to Plan C, which means a trip back to Covington this week to look at more houses.  Say a prayer that we'll be successful this time!

It was breezy Sunday afternoon so we took Will to Detweiler Park to fly his kite.

He and Jerry got it up really high!

 

Then they spent some time looking for tadpoles and crawdads in the river.

Lindsay invited us to her dad's camp for mountain pies and smores Monday evening.  Sadly Jerry had to drive
back to Covington so he couldn't join us, but Will and I had a fun time.

Will was particularly excited about riding the four wheeler with Jesse. 
I love the huge smile on his face!

The kids decided to build a house along the creek.

By the time we left it had turned into more of a beaver dam!

The views of the Big Valley along the road on the way up to his camp were gorgeous!

Hiking with Aunt Kristen

Kristen just sent me these photos from our last trip to Covington when she took Will hiking.  Will sure does love his Aunt and I'm so glad she helps foster a love of the outdoors for him!

Sis took the dogs along too - which they loved!  Before Will came along (and before
she developed dog allergies) hiking was their thing to do with Kristen.
It didn't show up well here but Josie looks like she's smiling!

Will's Last Day of Preschool at Jack & Jill

Today was Will's last day of preschool at Jack & Jill.  For months now he has been complaining about not wanting to go to the "baby" school but in the car this morning he said, "You know what's funny about today?  I kind of wish I could go to school for more days."

Will's first day at Jack & Jill, which seems like just yesterday!!

And his last day, which made me cry as much at his first day!

To celebrate afterwards, we went to the Meadows for ice cream then
to the park to play.

Playing with Logan

Will's friend Logan came to play today after preschool.  They had fun in the back yard finding toads.

Will still showing off his toad...

One of their favorite things to do:  wrestle.

Searching for another toad.

T-Ball Against Natalee

We left Will's last t-ball game early because he was upset.  After we talked about it, it turned out that he didn't like being on the spot with everyone watching him bat.  I thought he may not want to go back but this game it was his turn to bring snack to share and they were playing against his friend Natalee's team so he was excited to go.  He didn't bat this time though.

First inning:  very focused.

Second inning:  playtime!

If you're having deja vu here's why!  This is Will and Natalee during
a soccer game last year!

Mid State Trail in Rothrock State Forest

After seeing some really beautiful pictures on Lindsay's blog, we borrowed her map on Saturday and headed for part of the Mid State Trail in Rothrock State Forest.  We have done so many things during our nearly 4 years in Pennsylvania but it seems like the natural beauty to enjoy is never ending!  I'm going to miss this area so much!

 

In case you think this family picture was easy to get, look below...

 

I had to have a picture in front of the little waterfall and of course there were no
trees nearby to wrap my Gorillapod tripod around.  My patient, loving husband
drug some branches around and made a "tree" in just the right spot for my camera!

 

 

Will has had fun recently learning the valuable "life skill" of following
a marked trail.  He led the way and was excited to point
out the red/orange blazes on the trees.

 

 

Catching Up

I haven't posted anything in over a month and not because we've been bored!  Mostly my time has been spent preparing for our move to Virginia.  I've cleaned, met with realtors, listed our house for sale, went through our home inspection for the relocation company, met with the moving company, arranged for a few minor home repairs, and prepared for multiple house showings.

I took some advice from our neighbor, Will's preschool teacher, and baked a dessert to leave on the table before each showing (in addition to the de-cluttering and cleaning).  Talk about time consuming!  But I think my efforts all paid off because we're almost finished negotiating an offer after only three weeks on the market.

While my time has been focused here, Jerry has been busy transitioning into his new job in Low Moor and finding us a place to live in Virginia.  After an exhaustive search through the housing options in Covington, and many hours spent pondering various living and work arrangements we could live with, I think we have decided to settle in the Fincastle area outside of Roanoke.  It will mean a commute for Jerry of about 40 minutes but there are lots of reasons it seems like the best decision for us. 

After a crazy week of house-hunting there we made an offer on a house the same day we finished working through the negotiations on our house in PA!  And I really do mean a crazy week!  Will and I drove back to PA from Covington on Monday after visiting for a week.  On Wednesday Jerry drove to Roanoke after work to look at a foreclosure property that just came on the market two days before.  When he toured the house he learned that offers on the property needed to be in by that Friday.  He liked the house (especially for the price!) so Will and I left PA at 8pm Wednesday evening and drove to Covington to look at the house the next day.  After dealing with some car trouble, I drove back to PA on Thursday just in time to meet our contractor at 4pm.  It's still to be seen if my midnight drive to Covington was worthwhile, but we did decide to make an offer on the house.  : )

Just in case the aforementioned activities don't seem like enough to occupy all our time here is a quick recap of the other things we've squeezed into our schedule. 

April 14, 2013
We took advantage of perfect weather today and went on a spur-of-the-moment trip to Hershey Park.  Since we're going to be moving we feel the need to enjoy all the things we'll miss before we leave.

April 20, 2013
Will and I went to Covington for my dentist appointment and to bring Granddad home with us for the week.  On Thursday Aunt Andrea and Richard came up too and all the guys went on a fishing trip to the lake for Granddad's Christmas present.  The fishing trip was a bust since they only got ONE bite the whole time but Will had fun driving the boat!  Fortunately, good company made up for bad fishing and we all had a great visit together. 

Kristen and Will built a tent at mom's house while we were there - complete with a
television and bed mats!  The lengths Aunt Kristen will go to for her nephew!!

Will and I took Granddad to the sale at Belleville on Wednesday.  Granddad bought Will
a car and as we were leaving Will spent his last nickel to buy a piece of gum.  I was touched
when I realized he was buying it for Granddad and not for himself.  He said he wanted to
get something for Granddad in return but he didn't have enough money to buy
him something as nice as the car!

We took everyone to the overlook at the lake to enjoy the beautiful weather and scenery.

 

May 2, 2013
Today, Lindsay invited us walk to the Peace Chapel with them.  It was a beautiful and enjoyable time but a little bittersweet too.  I'm going to be lazy here and link you to Lindsay's blog page because she narrated it so much more eloquently than I am motivated to do right now!  Plus, she remembered her camera!  Walking to the Peace Chapel 

May 3, 2013
Jerry left with Grandad the same time Andrea and Richard left on Sunday, April 28 to head for Covington and start his new job on Monday.  That was a hard day on us all in so many ways.  Will and I just try to stay busy while Daddy is gone for the week. 

It was beautiful weather and Will has been ceaselessly asking "now what can we do," so
we took a picnic lunch to hike at Balanced Rock in Trough Creek State Park.

We continued on a section of the trail we hadn't hiked before and ended up at
Raven Rock which was very beautiful.

Will loves "wiggle bridges" so he had fun on this one.

 

 

May 4, 2013
The weather was still nice when Daddy got home this weekend so we went on a short hike on the trail at Whipple Dam.  It was only a short hike due to the mud.  We worked our way around several large mud holes but finally decided we should turn back.  Everyone ended up a little dirty but we had fun together anyway.

May 6, 2012
Will had his first T-ball game today.  It was so cute to watch, but not nearly as exciting as soccer.  Here was the progression of the game.

He started out strong in the outfield paying close attention.

All the outfielders made a mad dash for the ball (no matter how far it was from them) and
piled on top of one another when they got there.  Wait, are they playing t-ball or football?!

Then he started to get tired so attentive crouching devolved into sitting and waiting for the ball.

Batting.....

Then running to first (after lots of reminding!)  : )

Back in the outfield during the second inning the dirt became irresistible.

First he made little piles, then he filled up his glove - the inside I mean.  I thought that
was bad until he filled up his hat then put it on his head!
I thought about calling Lindsay to ask why she didn't warn me about all the dirt
in t-ball then realized Natalee would be very unlikely to fill her hat with dirt to wear!
I gotta love my boy!

 May 10, 2013
Congratulations to my mom!!  I am sooo very proud to say that Mom finished her LPN certification today and graduated from Dabney S. Lancaster Community College!  She has worked so hard for the past year and I can only imagine the relief and excitement she felt today. 

Isn't she beautiful!!   : )