~Halloween Feel~

This little baby tooth....now extracted...well, it just plopped out.....of my teenage, Brock. WOW. To think that tooth was in his little mouth back when he was riding his green gator....and I was chasing him.

Here's the latest crazy man. He uses laser pens to decipher important 'stuff' and writes it down quickly.....

Got our chord....of wood....just in time for the rain! Kids stacked it!

A Fall Vermont day in Springfield, VT

Cooper was craving biscuits and peach preserves....Hilly got these in the mail from Ms. Kim at the Beacon Light...Coop got lucky thanks to Ms. Kim today!

Great Kids!!! Bellows Falls game....side game of kids - great game....the main one....well, maybe not so much:) (sadly)

Pick up games rule up here......got a quick shot of the boys while during the anthem.

Below my house .....yesterday.....

We took another path....

It's beginning to look a lot like Halloween!

This cat was so excited to see us, can't you tell. So, I took a picture of him........


Hillary and I enjoyed quite the day....I got up worked since 5 on school work....then church at our  (my) favorite place. It was nice to be back. What a great message and service.....very powerfully spoken with language to intrigue.....provoking meaning.
Our bike ride today was chilly - about 40's and looking a lot like Halloween today. We visited with our neighbor some and Brock had a friend over after the game last night. We grilled this afternoon and used some of that good ole' Jim & Nicks sauce Grammy sent!

Here's the quote I loved at church today (heard before, but love it nonetheless- good reminders):

"Hope" is the thing with feathers—
That perches in the soul—
And sings the tune without the words—
And never stops—at all—(Emily Dickinson)


Oh, and for running....lately my station has been on Grace Potter and the Nocturnals....a homegrown Vermont band.....
http://youtu.be/oHlhOgQ36m8

http://youtu.be/tgc5l9X3Dn4






~Night~ S-

~Mid-October~

My kids are restless; tomorrow Grammy leaves and it is a little solemn to think about.....a part of us wish we were going too. Tomorrow would be my Grandmother's birthday....I still pronounce my words like her, just to remember her and keep her alive....that utterly strong-willed woman!

 

The package arrived today from Nana (my mama) for Hillary. She got some nice warm pj's and other long sleeves for winter...and mama also packed me some warm socks and leggings.

 

Today was pretty and warm....a whopping 70 degrees! Kind of a cloudy day with all the color from the trees, I really liked it!!

 

Yesterday was Columbus Day....I had the day off with the kids. I enjoyed working some on homework, a nice run, a little shopping....did I mention....I got winter tires -8 of them!!!! (I'm broke) lol

Winter shovels (check), and now I just have winter boots for everyone! No, I don't mean the pretty ones.....Well, I think they are, but......

I think I have most everything....ummmm, let's see, oh yeah, a chord of wood and that should be it! This week that should be here.

Here's to a good rest of the week. Cooper & Hilly will finish with a banquet next Tuesday in Bellows Falls. Brock plays Bellows Falls this Thursday and Springfield High School plays on Saturday this week against Bellows Falls. Did you know Bellows Falls was known as the home of the richest woman in history....???? Just google Hetty Green! Very interesting read, for sure.

Bike Path..

Spy the hawk.....I think a Harris Hawk, but I could be wrong.

Street side pic in Bellows Falls with Grammy....we found the best little café there....We both loved it. Oh, and I found a 5K field, mountain, and stream race I will do in a week or two! Looking forward to this!!

Hilly & Coop went on a run/bike trail with me this afternoon.....

~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.