October Events

Time to get caught-up on recent events in and around Wyoming.....

• Sasha is fully recuperated from removal of his wisdom teeth.  Meanwhile, Brock had 5 baby teeth pulled as well.  Like Sasha, he missed 2 days of school - and generally bounced back very quickly.  Here's a picture of Brock's teeth (which are now going to Dad's china cabinet for safe-keeping).  The tooth fairy kindly left $20, but did not take the teeth due to their excess weight.

• Our neighbor Sherry has been taking very good care of Mr. and Mrs. Leopard, and now she is also taking care of Baby Lep!  He/she (it's too early to know gender) was incubated at Pet Zone, and came home to Sharpe Street a few weeks ago.  Baby is colorful and growing nicely - eats small crickets voraciously, per Sherry.  Here's a picture of the newest addition to our extended family:

• In Scout news.....  as of the October pack meeting of Cub Scout Troop 366, Brock you have now officially graduated to become a Webelo.  We are very excited that you have finished all your Bear Cub accomplishments!  They included tying knots with Dad, and researching local history e.g., Frances Slocum & the Wyoming Massacre.  Also involved attempting to make a bird feeder with me, the remains of which effort are in a local landfill.

• The"Warrior Nation" is us:

1. Two weeks ago, you Sasha spent a cold evening at a Wyoming Area vs. Meyers football game.  Had a nice time with friends Gage, Conrad and Alexis1 (Gage had a romantic interest in Alexis1 when school started; quite recently, he switched his attention to Alexis2).  Temperatures were in the '40's, so in an effort to keep warm you frequented the nearby Dunkin Donuts.  Had 1 energy drink and 2 large coffees, then stayed up until 4 am Saturday while the caffeine wore off.  Read more about the actual game here -->  WA Wins 50-20
2. Brock, Steve and I spent a lovely evening in the '60's at yesterday's Wyoming Area vs. Northwest Area (i.e., Shickshinny) game.  Unfortunately, Sasha did not come along.  Brock, you were disappointed about not getting your hair spray painted green, but perked up when offered an LED flashing mouthpiece instead.  You had a great time playing/running with your friends especially Bryce and Michael.  Steve kept me company, including active prevention of cold hands, attempted translation of cheers, instant-recounting of plays that I didn't see, and a walk around the field.  And 5 years after the last Cookie Corner graduation, there's another use for your toddler sleeping bag - it's the perfect size to drape over bleacher seats!!  A good time was had by all.  Plus Steve wrote about the game on NCFE -->  Yeah Team!

• Last Tuesday, we were over-scheduled with 1) therapist appointment at 3:30, 2) soccer practice at 5:30, and 3) appointment for flu shot at 7:45 (note:  first and third items are at the same location, Pediatric Associates in Kingston).  At 7 pm, I sent the following semi-desperate text;  "R fell in the mud at soccer, came home & put him in the shower, changed shower head to fire-hose setting he wanted, came downstairs to finish dinner, bathroom floor flooded, burned rice, A tells me over dinner that he needs dress-up clothes for tomorrow and I left my jacket at the therapist office."  As it turned out, things improved slightly - I found my jacket upstairs on the ironing table.  We did still make it to the flu shot appointment and  got khaki pants & attractive shirt at BonTon.  After school Wednesday, Sasha reported this English presentation for which dress-up was required went Very Well!  Wish I had gotten a picture before he left in the morning, as it will probably be a couple months before there is a chance to see him in duds other than t-shirt and hoodie.

• The Pioneers fall soccer program wrapped up this week, with Brock's last game held on Thursday evening.  The end-of-season party was this afternoon at Fort Cafe.  The wings and pizza were popular, and I was a bit surprised to hear "You hurt my wienie!".  You later informed me, Brock, that your teammate Steven (a 3rd grader) was the injured party.

• With Halloween approaching, tonight Dad took you Brock to the "Trails of Terror" sponsored by the West Wyoming Fire Department.  (During your outing, Sasha and I went clothes-shopping at Sears and looked around at Best Buy.)  You are now sitting and the front porch with Ashley, serenading Sasha and me by playing your recorder.  With Hurricane Sandy aka "Frankenstorm" approaching, there is talk of trick-or-treating tomorrow night (Sunday), rather than on Halloween night (Wednesday).

And to wrap up, here are two of your current favorite songs from YouTube.  Here are 21 Guns  by "Green Day" and Welcome to the Black Parade by "My Chemical Romance".

Fall Happenings

The pictures below help tell the story of early autumn happenings.  Recent sightings:

• City "Wildlife" - After having dinner last week with friends at a restaurant in Dunmore, I drove back through downtown Scranton.  On my way down one of Scranton's hills, was stopped at an intersection and watched 2 adult raccoons run across the street in front of me.  A bit unexpected!!!

• Forty Fort Pioneers - As a continuation of the town's legacy, the Forty Fort Pioneers U-10 team has been making history of sorts over the fall season.  Since late August, I believe your team has won one (1) regular season game and one (1) of three games during the Luzerne County Soccer Festival.  Brock, you have been playing very well, and are becoming a good defender including stints as goalie (which are a bit stressful for me and Dad).  Saturday mornings at local soccer fields have been very pleasant.

• Osiris Skate Shoes - Available at Zumiez, these are Sasha's favorite sneakers.  You're wearing at least your third pair.  Steve has recently called them "Moon Shoes", as they look like the anti-gravity boots featured on Star Trek.  

• Dr. Bergey - Unfortunately, Sasha's 4 (fully and partially impacted) wisdom teeth had to be extracted last weekend.  Dental surgery is certainly not a pleasant prospect.  After a few anxious days of anticipation, it was all over quickly.  Unlike me, you got to sleep through the entire procedure!  Recovery was aided by vicodin, plus missing 2 days of school.  Brock is next, as he must have 5 baby teeth pulled in a week or so.  Meanwhile, look at Sasha's rather large third molars...... !!!

• Hyland (last name not necessary, as we know only one) - I went along with Steve to test drive cars yesterday, and we ended up at Nationwide Car Sales.  Guess what, we met up with our old pal Hyland !  He was happy to see us, as car salesmen typically are when customers arrive.  After a couple orientating questions as he figured who I was, Hyland inquired about our asphalt-camouflage Camry, how you boys are doing, and whether you liked the car.  My replies were that the car has been low-maintenance for the past 2+ years, you are both fine, and "not really" as you preferred the red Ford Fusion that we test drove.

• Steve's New Car - Following quickly upon the Hyland reunion, Steve drove 3 vehicles and then bought a Nissan Rogue.  As a wonderful bonus, there was a DeLorean on display in the showroom.  You can see this cool post on NCFE  -->  Life is Nearly Complete   Brock, you are quite disappointed that he didn't buy the DeLorean, and even stated that you like his Kia Rio better than the Rogue (yes, the Rio has crank windows!).  Here's Steve with the shiny, 'Cayenne Red' Nissan.

More adventures to come!