~Apple Festival 2014~

Cooper's been busy with his deputy job....it helps him mediate problems and differences among peers....such a great program! In addition, he goes on Fridays to the Humane Society to spend time with animals....love this! An educational curriculum that is rich in other areas besides just academics....developing the whole child. I like it!

Love this...taking notes....Cooper has a folder called Friday Folder....he writes to his parents about his week and then we respond. What a great idea!

Our Fam Pic for Apple Festival 2014

Grammy

Ava & Hilly- Giles & Brock (up front)

Free Apple cider!

Our pic with Governor Shumlin!!!

My favorite farm ....well, one of them! Jenne Farm - South Woodstock.

Coop and Harrison scored FIRST touchdowns of the season!! They won their first game!!!! However, it was the last game of the season....a great experience!....His coaches and teammates were wonderful! Fun times! (Oh, and they beat the best team).

Victory win....see Hilly in the pic? lol Her dance moves this season, made us smile :) lol

~The End of the Week~

It's Columbus Day weekend......I was here in Springfield 4 years to this date. Tomorrow I will go to the Apple Festival as a resident. How weird is that?!?!

End of a very productive week. Enjoyed a nice evening at Jenny Wren's Café. Took Hillary and Grammy for a wonderful homemade sandwich! It was a nice evening. Finished off with a little run down the bike path. Gotta get some school work fit in this weekend, too!

I heard this song at the café and absolutely love it!!!! (May be a favorite for a while....something about it :)
http://youtu.be/Le-3MIBxQTw

Gary is playing in East Montpelier tonight...about 2 hours away! (U32) Springfield has about 7 players out tonight......oh me! I'm hoping for good.
This morning it was 30 degrees....winter is creeping in for sure!
I think the trees are at their peek this weekend. I will post some beautiful pics of my weekend, so you all can see too! :)

Have a nice evening on this full autumn night with its blood moon.
AND before I go....let's laugh....:-))))))))
http://youtu.be/Nv7Ts4v5_Bs

xoxo- S

~What Springfield Has Taught Me ~

1. Community is important
2. Important to teach other rich curriculum to enhance academics (outdoor experiences and a enriching quality of life)
3. Putting others before yourself

Anyway, one of my favorite philosophers of education is celebrated here! George Dewey! Dewey Day will be this week.....maybe celebrated in Burlington area.

This weekend is the Apple Festival! I was in this very spot 4 years ago this coming weekend....small world, huh?

Grammy is here! I hope to do these things in the upcoming weekend:

H.S. game, Jenne Farm for fall pics, Ascutney Summit Trail, Apple Festival, Jenny Wren Café with Grammy (Hillary thinks she will just love it there....I'm pretty sure she will too!)

Brock has been amazed by Health class this week! He could barely stop talking about it! He floated the Connecticut River and did Yoga this week. His teacher sent me his pic and also an app for the yoga! He won his game tonight .....and it made school history for winning 4th consecutive game in a row. He made a two point conversion, interceptions, and whatever you call it when you pass the ball and touchdowns are made...you can figure that one out! :) In addition, a farmer of one of Brock's peers visited his health class and he was taken by their meat farm. He discussed the cuts of meat, the problems with production beef, chicken, etc. and farm raised with non GMO products vs. the 'other'. He wants to visit the farm. The farm is called Morse Farm in Springfield. So, we may visit soon and get the real tour! He did a good job selling it....because Brock wants to go to the West River Farmers' Market to buy some! lol Well played.

Cooper won another certificate...I am very proud of him! He absolutely loves playing pick up football on the side lines during the middle school games and high school games...as a matter of fact, as soon as we arrive he disappears to go play with his buddies! He walked to school today for NATIONAL WALK TO SCHOOL or WORK day! That is so neat!

Hillary is doing well.....We enjoyed the best hike this past Sunday with such great friends....Morgan, Ava, and (the party boy) Giles! (Needless to say....he was the one and only doing the back stroke in a mud puddle at Ava's aunt's birthday party this last weekend !!) It was such a beautiful day of hiking...and thanks to Morgan for finding the smaller trail so we didn't have to HIKE the whole thing!!! lol

Fall - Town of Springfield one sunny afternoon!

atop mt.ascutney

love this one...!!!

Hillary with her affection of frogs.....yep, she kissed it.

Morgan with kiddos

Hillary and Ava pose for picture - on the front of the First Grade News 

Brock's last home game.......#11 is Brock. Pretty afternoon.

~Fall Ya'll~

Well, Columbus Day Weekend.....it's peak here! Apple
Festival will be there soon, too. It is looking so pretty outside my windows right now....and I hope to climb a mountaintop soon!!!! Maybe Ascutney or Camel's Hump! I love this time of year....but there is much to do...like a squirrel gathering nuts....lol. Snow tires hopefully in the next coming two weeks and oil for the tank soon :) Got it....just got to fill it. Anyway, the days are around 60ish  and the kids are doing well.

A very smart, older man I met here when I first landed said, "Keep an open mind" - that's what I am doing. I try to approach life that way - open to experiences with an open mind to take in what is to be learned....

((I miss you, Mama........it's funny I've been in your dreams - yes, maybe that's why I've been so tired, too! lol.

Hope to hike her soon....#camelshump

They are-a-turn'in red.

Hilly's sweet letter to her Pappy....

Our win - our boys played a game with much heart! Proud for them.....great team camaraderie.

Sweet Victory!!

Took a girl home this afternoon......it was rainy.......color was showing....pretty.

Cooper is deputy at school- he also gets these often.....rewards for behavior.....nice job, Coop- proud of you, tweetie!

Exercising schedule has been good to this point, but alas, winter will have me scampering for new ideas! I need a treadmill - Kara and I are headed for a FULL marathon before we turn 40!

The sweetest card was left this morning by my kindest and most helpful co-workers, Vanessa and Kim. They left the most thoughtful card .....I feel lucky to work with such helpful, good people and kids. Also, my kids are lucky, there are some wonderful people who have supported them in their transition into this newness.

On another note, Vandy has turned a little cray cray. Our dog, who I thought was easy to care for, has proven to be more difficult than I imagined!