A's at Grandma Smith's

Ahhhh, the trip to Grandma's house (and Grandpa's too). Our annual pilgrimage back to where the A's Daddy grew up. It is always a week full of trips to the Avenue Deli (Roast beef and swiss joe, please- three layers on rye with cole slaw and russian. Heavy on the Russian...) playing cards, helping Grandpa with the lawn, inpromptu teaching moments with the retired teacher Grandma, more food, watching the Yankees, playing some golf, swinging on the monkey bars at the park down the road, and trips to Delaware.

On the way there, a great and easy trip on the airplane- Abby and Aubri love to fly! A passenger on our flight to NJ said they were the best behaved children she had ever seen on a plane. Now if she had seen them in the airport...




Coming out of the airport, check out how close the guy parked next to Grandpa.




Didn't know he was so limber...


Grandma went on a grand daughter date with Abby to "Little House on the Prarie, the Musical!". Yes, it stars Melissa Gilbert, the original Half Pint, and she called in sick for the Saturday night performance. Way to step it up, Half Pint.



Sunday was church- the girls were very cute- and we showed them off to my old friends at the ward. Why is Abby holding Aubri's face? The ratio to "Aubri looking" to "Aubri looking away" photos is about 1:7.

Went to see Grandma's Cousin Phoebe- more than 90 years old, and we had a great visit!



It is always story time at Grandma's house! "Dooley and the Snortsnoot" was a favorite- one of Daddy's favorites as a wee one.




Always an adventure- the two A's in the teepee.




Home made pancakes! Auntie Allison's recipe- delish! Almost as fun eating them as making them.


Abby helped Grandpa with the yardwork- and got a free ride and $1 for the efforts. Yeah, big spender that Grandpa...

Halloween means pumpkins. Grandma helped with the decorating, Mom is in the picture. Sorry Grandma! (Notice Aubri isn't looking...)

Grandma did the solo trip to Turtleback zoo with the girls- Mom was in NYC, Dad golfing with Grandpa. Lots of fun had by all- Aubri still doesn't know where the camera is, however.

Both girls got a chance to get a pony ride as well- heaven!

Abby took this one- not bad! Aubri- oblivious.

We also spent a day in Delaware- a family photo in front of Great Grandfather's studios- Frank E. Schoonover. Lots of history in this place- Daddy used to visit when he was Abby's age.

Uncle John being a tour guide- also gave Abby a small palette used by her great great grandfather at some point in his life. A treasure to be sure!

And the eating continues... Grandpa's famous Ceasar salad and NJ pizza- yum!

Last night in NJ- one more story!

The way home, not as good- 15 hours and four airports. We got the first class upgrade from Cincinnati to Chicago, a city we had hoped we wouldn't see, but went through in a re-route that got us into our final destination only 8 hours late. We got some looks from the passengers filing past our seats in the front, but we deserved them! A great and memorable trip to be sure!

Kindergarten Days

Despite our best efforts to find a half day kindergarten throughout the summer, from checking other school districts (they have open enrollment in Wisconsin) to private (rejected the place who's teacher's favorite phrase was "there's a rule in school..."), we broke down and sent our dear oldest A to all-day school, much to her parents chagrin. To much weeping and wailing from Mom, though not much gnashing of teeth, we had our first day of school, sending our baby off to the clutches of the public school system, opening her up to peer pressure and teasing, but also to a world of learning, which she absolutely loves.

After Dad dropped her off, without a backwards glance from his eldest, and returned back to the car with a lump in his throat, we realized this is where our Abby begins living her own life, the life she will remember. She has a sharp mind, and now will begin the cultivation.



Her teacher is absolutely fabulous, Mrs. Neuens, who has a reputation of one of the best in the district. Abby says "She is a great teacher and is my favorite so far, and no teacher is as nice as her on the planet." Abby's experience probably isn't as far reaching as she seems to think, but suffice it to say she likes her teacher.

Of course that doesn't mean she doesn't like home better than school. Here she is coming out from her first day- as usual in a blur of motion. School has started, and so begins the next 15 years of our lives!