A Little Bit of Craziness

Wednesday afternoon there was a drug bust at the house 3 doors down from us. The boys and I headed to the bus stop to pick up Savannah and I exchanged pleasantries with the neighbor (the target) who was sitting on his front porch smoking. By the time I got back, this neighbor was sitting on his front lawn wearing handcuffs while two policeman guarded him and other police were in and out of his house. And guess who ended up right in the middle when the bust took place? Our little Xander! Xander likes to ride his bike to and from the bus stop so he always beats us home. Apparently Xander was right in front of this neighbor's house when the masked undercover cops come running from the woods and unmarked cars to get this guy and others who were at his place. Xander had a front row seat to the cops pull their guns on this guy and order him down on the ground. I was about halfway down our street when I could see up ahead that my next door neighbor was holding onto Xander but I couldn't see what else was going on. Thank goodness she was out in front of her house when this all took place because she was able to let the police know that Xander did not belong to the house being raided and she called Xander to her. I asked Xander later if he had been scared when he saw the gun and the policemen...they were pretty scary all masked up. He said no and then with great animation told me how the policemen had yelled at the man, "Get down on the ground!" Knowing Xander, he probably thought this was the greatest thing. He wants to be a policeman when he grows up so now he has seen some major police work in action! And such timing for it - right when all the kids in the neighborhood are walkiing home from the bus stop.

First Day

Xander has waited so patiently these past two weeks while Savannah has gone off to school each day...but his turn has finally arrived. Yesterday was Xander's first day of preschool and, just like the previous two years, he loves it!

Philadelphia

I have been asking and asking David since we moved here 4 years ago to take us all up to Philadelphia for a fun day trip. Finally, the Saturday before Labor Day, it happened! Philadelphia is only an hour and a half away so by mid-morning we were there. We parked a few blocks from Independence Hall and started walking the streets to get there. However, on our walk we heard a fife and drum so we had to stop to see what the music was all about. A man came running up to us as we came over and asked the kids if they would like to join up with the Continental Army. Of course being the good patriots we are, Savannah and Noah headed right over. Xander remained a Loyalist, though, and would have nothing to do with the festivities.
David with our two Continental Army recruits.

Once the recruits were assembled, they met the General. He gave them instructions on military life and what was expected of them.

Each of the recruits received muskets and they were taught how to fire them.

Check out Savannah's mean face!

When the drilling was complete, each of the recruits received a certificate recognizing their completion of training and that they were now true members of the Continental Army. It was a lot of fun for Savannah and Noah.

Unfortunately by the time we made it to the Visitor's Center, all the tickets to tour Independence Hall were gone. But we still got to walk around it and take some pictures. I just could not get over the fact that I was walking where some of our country's greatest heroes had walked...Franklin, Jefferson, Hancock, Adams...it was truly an amazing feeling to look at this building and know the great events that had taken place inside it.

We visited the Liberty Bell...

and Benjamin Franklin's grave.

We also ran into this colonial and had a fun conversation with him.

We were only there for a few hours but had such a great time...well, at least some of us. Xander couldn't quite grasp the importance of the city and the buildings and kept saying he wanted to go home. David and I agreed that we would have to take just Savannah another day because she truly loves history and wanted to spend more time there. Me too!

Second Grade

Every year I have a hard time believing that my little Savannah is in school, in a new grade, and this year is no exception. I just CAN'T believe that Savannah is in 2nd grade!!! Savannah was not too thrilled to start school this year. We had such a fun summer which of course makes it hard to go back to schoolwork. But when she got home from school that first day, she was all smiles about her wonderful teacher and how much fun she had. Hopefully 2nd grade will be just as great as the two previous years.

David's Birthday

We had a great time celebrating David's birthday this year. Savannah made him a birthday crown last year so I think she considers it a tradition now. So, here's David with his #37 birthday crown plus a few gifts.

The 3D glasses were a gift from Xander. I always love how the kids go scrounge for things in their room to give as gifts...too cute!


Happy Birthday, Babe!

Finishing Up Summer

Okay, so summer is definitely over but, since this blog is my journal and I have been slacking as of late, it is time to just finish up with our summer activities. We truly had a wonderful visit with my parents in Cincinnati. The three weeks just flew by and it was hard to come back home.
While there, Savannah lost a tooth...her first upper tooth loss.

We spent several mornings at the park.


The kids did this fun trampoline thing at the mall.



Grandma made Savannah this fun, colorful blanket.

The kids helped Grandpa in the yard. What a difference from when we were kids...we hated it! My kids, however, LOVED it, especially Xander!



A lot of time was spent riding bikes and cars in the driveway.

Of course we always have to have our walk in the nature preserve.


Savannah, Xander, and I went to an animal show. Check out Xander petting the live snake.


Celebrating Grandma's birthday.

Cooling off at the water park.




One night we headed up to one of my dearest friends Amie's house for some dinner and catching up. It was so great to see her.

And, of course, lots and LOTS of reading with Grandpa.

The kids sure do miss their grandparents. Another fun-filled summer and now, back to the real world.