First Day of School 2011

Elisabeth's 1st day of high school was yesterday. She was a little happy but mostly scared to death. She wasn't a happy camper when she got home last night, either. First days are always awful. She saw kids she went to grade school with and they didn't recognize her....3 years ago, she was 5 feet with short hair. She doesn't look so much like that now:)






Isabella had one hour of school yesterday. Not sure how much sense that made but she had a good time.



Isabella's first day of school went off without a hitch...I hope! I am writing this and she has exactly one hour left. I imagine she is going to be quite TIRED tonight:) I am hoping we can keep her awake until 7. I peeked in on her a few times and she seemed to be having fun. Most importantly, her name wasn't on the board for a time-out yet!!

More Grange Fair

We have lived here for 17 years and have gone to the Grange Fair twice....for me, it was by force. In the last 4 days, I have gone 3 times. I am officially hooked to the smell, dirt, and taste of all of that yummy food. Can't wait for next year. If there weren't 500 people on the waiting list to get an all important spot to pitch a tent, I would so be there 24/7:)

The Grange Fair

Fresh cut fries, spiral cut HOT potato chips, fried Oreos, Monkey Bread, cheese steaks, blueberry muffins, strawberry shortcakes, and Diet Cokes. Enough said??

Our Trip

OTTAWA:
On Saturday, we dropped the kids off with my mom in Kingston and headed to Ottawa. Our hotel was located downtown right across from the canal and connected to the mall. We had a kind size bed and the biggest shower I have ever seen. More importantly, it was about a 2 minute walk from Beaver Tails (fried dough covered in your favorite toppings...maple, chocolate, bananas, Reece's Pieces, cookies). I think we had about 6 of them in 2 days! There was an outside market and an awesome shoe store! We ended up walking everywhere because everything was so close. That was the good part because we never stopped eating:)







MONTREAL:
After 2 nights in Ottawa, we headed to Montreal, Quebec. I had no clue where we were staying and was completely thrilled when I saw our room. Unreal. Absolutely beautiful. My favorite place I have ever stayed in my entire life. I think I took about 6 baths and went swimming 3 times (the pool was tiny but so unique). The HUGE tub even had a TV. Because neither one of us had ever been there before, we were a bit overwhelmed. We found the "Underground City"....5 complete malls all connected under the city. I was so frickin' confused I just stood there and spun the first day. We also found an awesome movie theater that had 5 floors. Our theater, of course, was on the 5th. It was gigantic. We visited Old Montreal (looked like downtown Paris), rented bikes a few times, and shopped until we dropped. I think we must have walked about 10 miles!!!













Thanks, honey, for a terrific time. You picked awesome hotels and were extremely patient with me when I whined about doing any kind of exercise!!!

Fun

Elisabeth and her best friend Annmarie had a pool party today - 11 girls in all. They ate, swam, danced, tie dyed, and giggled for 3 hours. They are all going into high school this year...big step. Elisabeth was especially excited because she got her braces off 2 days ago. She looks stunning:) It takes her awhile to get anywhere, though, because she stops and looks at herself every time she walks by a mirror!




Isabella went to her kindergarten screening today and was deemed ready:)

Todd and I are off to Ottawa and Montreal for a little get-away. Mom is taking care of the kids at the lake.

See you in a week!!

Our New Purchase:)

We just bought a 2008 Honda Civic Hybrid. Never thought in a million years we would purchase a Hybrid but we are having a ball watching the gas go down SLOWLY as the MILES go up. I drive so much during the school year that we think it was the best choice for us. It is supposed to get up to 50 MPG in town. Unreal. Todd is now driving the mini-van and I have the Civic.

Home again!

We are back in State College and busier than ever:) Today is actually the first day we slept in late and are still in our pjs at noon! We have no appointments and no plans. No new pictures...will try to take some soon!!!