Niagara Falls...

Absolutely breathtaking! The perfect weekend getaway for our Columbus Day weekend!  A much needed break from Army life at Fort Drum!  It is hard to describe all of the emotions that you go through leading up to a deployment, but the packing process makes me a little crazy (okay not just the packing), but you get the picture, we needed a break.  So we packed up and headed north to Canada.  The view from our hotel room was amazing!  This was the first picture I took as soon as we got checked into our room.  I LOVE it! 

View from our hotel room.

We set out to explore the town and make our way to the Maid Of The Mist.  On our way we saw a black squirrel, something that we had never seen before. 


All set for the Maid of the Mist with our rain jackets.  John was a little unsure about the boat ride, but once we got going he thought it was pretty cool!



Katie all set for the boat ride! Check out her new smile, she lost one of her front teeth earlier in the week.

The rainbows were beautiful in the Falls!

The American Falls

The Canadian Horseshoe Falls

Thank goodness for rain jackets or you would be super soaked!

The kids were ready for some action after the Maid of the Mist, so we hit the Midway.  We played games and got junky toys with tickets!  More fun than you can imagine (at least for the kids)!!!

John racing!!!

Daddy & Luke flying!

Dinner at the Rainforest Cafe.

Always the jokers!

By the time we got back to the hotel it was late, but there is no way these kids were going to bed without swimming in the pool!  On our way back to the room we thought we would check out the pool.  Luke immediately took his shirt off and was ready to jump in! 

Who needs a swimsuit!?!

Sunrise from our room.

This picture doesn't do the sunrise over the falls justice.  It was so beautiful!  We took a Journey Behind the Falls after enjoying the sunrise and a big breakfast

Checking out the Falls!  It was really neat seeing the water rush past you!

Getting soaked for a family picture!

Katie's new smile!  I think she needs her two front teeth for Christmas!

We took some time to just enjoy the gorgeous weather and have a little snack by the Falls.  Katie's other front tooth was very loose, and she thought it would be VERY COOL to loose a tooth at Niagara Falls.  So she pulled out her other front tooth!  And let me tell you the Tooth Fairy pays extra for teeth you loose at Niagara Falls!

Riding up the hill, much better than walking!

View from the bridge between US & Canada

The getaway was just what we/I needed to get though the packing before the bags were packed and loaded that next week!

Student of the Week...

Katie LaGrange

Katie was super excited! Here is what Mrs. Abbass wrote about Katie on her certificate... Katie is a wonderful addition to the class.  Everyday Katie comes to school with a big smile and happy, bright eyes.  She is kind to everyone and her generous spirit makes second grade a better place to live and learn.  Katie, I am so proud to be your Mom!  Mrs. Abbass said it perfectly! Love you!



Preschool Day!

Luke started preschool today at the Black River Cooperative Preschool. I can't believe that for 3 morning a week all of my kiddos will be in school! What will I do with my mornings????

Luke was excited to start his new school and help his teacher, Ms. Nicki.  We took a few pictures this morning before walking Katie and John to the bus stop and then it was time to go to Luke's school!

Luke all ready for preschool!

He wanted me to get a picture of his backpack!

Luke had a few questions before we went into his class....
1.  Would I be staying in his class today?  No, I explained it wasn't my day to volunteer.  But, my special day in the class would be soon.
2.  Would I be picking him up?  Yes, I explained in just few hours. 
He said, "okay" and off we went to school.  He went straight into his class and hung up his backpack and then found his cubbie with his name tag!  I am so proud of what a big boy he is becoming!

Hanging up his backpack on his hook!

Luke ready for class and time for Mom to go!

The morning flew by and before I knew it, it was time to pick up Luke! He said his favorite part of the day was playing, Duck, Duck, Goose! 

Big Yellow Bus

The kids were both very excited to ride the bus this morning. I, of course couldn't get the knots out of my stomach. I just want to know that my kids are safe and sound at school.  I think I have my mother to thank for these knots in my stomach..  I never rode a bus to or from school even once in all my years of school.  The bus was a little late this morning, so we had fun chatting with the other kiddos and parents and the bus stop. 

John & Katie excitedly waiting on the bus to arrive!

And before we knew it the big yellow bus was pulling up to take my babies away to school.  Ms. Sandy was very nice and I know that Katie and John are in good hands.  I did manage to get a quick picture of both of them getting on the bus, and thankfully a hug and a kiss goodbye!  (And yes, I did cry like a baby when the bus drove away.) 

First Day of School

We survived the first day of school with no tears from Katie or John just a teary eyed Mama after leaving behind her new Kindergartner! I think that makes for a great first day! I still can't believe that I have a 2nd grader and a Kindergartner!  Katie and John were up early and ready to go to school for their first day at Augustinian Academy!  Of course, no first day of school is complete without Mom snapping a few pictures!

Katie & John ready for their first day of school!

Being silly!  What they do best!

New backpacks for school this year!

Katie, 2nd Grade & John, Kindergarten at Augustinian Academy.

The kids and I picked up Daddy from work and he went with us for the first day of school drop off.  First stop, 2nd grade.  Katie was excited to get to her class!  Oh my goodness, I love this picture and how happy she looks. What a big difference from her first day of school last year!

Katie & Mrs. Abbass

Then we were off to Kindergarten Baby!  My Kindergarten baby made outta gravy!  Donnie started this little saying when Katie started Kindergarten and it just stuck.  2nd grade gettin' paid!  I think Katie might have made up the 2nd grade saying!

John heading into Ms. Abrams class.

John went straight into his classroom and got started unpacking his backpack and doing his other morning jobs.  He knew just what he was supposed to do! He seemed so grown up!

Unpacking his backpack.

Picking out a Star Wars coloring page.

A few more pictures and then it was time for Mom & Dad to go! John made sure to tell Luke a special goodbye.  So sweet!

John & Daddy

Mom & John with a our little funny man, Luke.

One last picture as we headed out the door for his first day of Kindergarten. 

Luke had a special lunch with Mommy at the McDonald's with the playground today!  When we finished with lunch, he said, "Is is time to go and get Katie and John yet?"  I felt the same way! We passed the rest of our afternoon with a little shopping and before we knew it 3:00PM was here!

Luke playing at McDonald's playland for lunch!

Cheese!!!

Twas' the night before school...

When all through the house
Not a creature was stirring,
Not even our dog Mazie.

The backpacks are hung
By the door with care,
In hope that the LaGrange kids
Would see them there.

The kiddies were nestled
All snug in their beds,
While visions of schoolbooks
Danced in their heads...

Okay, you get the picture. It is the night before the first day of school. I am excited for the kids to start a new school and make new friends. I know that Augustinian Academy is the right school family for our children. But as a Mom I can't help but be filled with a little anxiety that John is starting Kindergarten and Katie will be in the 2nd grade. I am thankful that I still have my Luke Bear home for another year! I am really going to miss having some time with just John in the afternoon during the school year. It was our special time when Katie was at school and Luke was napping to just hang out together. They grow up so fast! I am thankful for those wonderful memories that I will have forever! Of course, I will miss my Katie Bug too! But she passed the milestone of Kindergarten a few years ago. I guess there is something about not being able to go back to those days after you start Kindergarten.  I am looking forward to the special memories that Luke and I will share this year with the big kids at school. 

We made a cake today to celebrate the end of summer  & back to school!  It made me think of you, Brooke when I got out the cake plate!  Thanks for making memories with me in our new house!

The kids found a snapping turtle in the backyard earlier this week. We have been keeping Snappy in the water table, but it was time to let this little guy go back to his home.  See ya, Snappy!

Old Forge, NY

Donnie was finally able to take a little vacation time before the end of summer! We settled on a little over night getaway in Old Forge, NY. It is just a few hours away, but the perfect escape from the daily grind.  We hit the road early and made it to Enchanted Forest Water Safari in time for it to open.  It is a great little adventure park with rides, water fun and a fairytale forest!  It was a little chilly in the morning so we hit the rides first!

My boys ready for a train ride across the park!

Katie and I all set for the ride too!

There were also plenty of big rides that Katie and I rode together until I couldn't take it any longer. Guess I can't spin like I used too!   

It warmed up a little, and the water is heated (a little) so we decided to hit the water slides!  The best slide of the day was Cascade Falls because we could all do it together in one big tube!  So much fun! 

John ready to slide! 

Down he goes!

Luke on his way to the bottom of the slide!

Katie about to slide with the mat instead of the tube!  Watch out!

Time to warm up and explore the Enchanted Forest!

Cinderella's pumpkin carriage ride...

We stayed at the hotel just across the street.  This was the view from our room.  Very peaceful, quiet, and relaxing!

Luke was so exhausted after our day at the park that he slept through dinner and our ice cream treat for dessert!  He did wake up in time to see the ducks, take a walk to the water's edge, go swimming in the hotel pool and take a dip in the jacuzzi tub in our room!  We had a full day of fun in Old Forge!