Late November in Pennsylvania

In Pennsylvania, the next best thing to Sorrento's Pizza is Moby's Pizza. No beer, but good pizza and lots of games for the kids. The favorites are Ms. Pacman and Air Hockey.

Asa's purchase from New York: a gardening book that came with it's own shovel. He couldn't wait to follow the instructions in the book for a gardening project. Here he is (with his new cowboy boots) planting for next spring.

The boys took advantage of the "Pixie Workshop" at Friendship Elementary school and did a bit of Christmas shopping for the family.

Thanksgiving in Brooklyn

We spent Thanksgiving this year in Brooklyn with the Blums. Jeanne, Jake, and Asa all went up to Brooklyn on Tuesday. Josh, Cherie and Lily were already in Schoharie, NY (where we were to have Thanksgiving dinner) getting ready for the crowd. We were going to drive up there after laying over in Brooklyn to make the trip easier for the boys. On Wednesday, the dinner was moved to Brooklyn, so we didn't have to drive any further. While it was the three of us in Brooklyn, we rode the subway into Manhattan by ourselves for the first time. We visited the Museum of Natural History and got to see the floats being filled for the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. After being joined by the Blums on Wednesday, we went to Pearl River in China Town and to Rockefeller Center to see the ice skaters. John and Sandra arrived late Wednesday night, and then we had a nice and quiet Thanksgiving dinner. Just the Blums, the Smiths and two friends of the Blums. It was much smaller than the usual great feast with Josh and Cherie. But it was so good to spend time with our good friends. Lily is really growing. Walking and talking and playing with Jake and Asa. The three of them really enjoyed playing together. Jeanne and Mr. Henry bonded over walks alone in the freezing temperatures. We are looking forward to hosting our first Christmas at our new home in the country.

Jake and Asa with Dora in the background

Jake and Ronald McDonald's head

Barry and Mickey playing "Taboo"

Lily Shalom Blum, a.k.a. "Hard Baby"

cuties

Our visit in Brooklyn is drawing to a close... At bedtime Asa's face shows evidence of the cold wind he endured outside today. Jake is enjoying his book from the Blums: The King of Slippery Falls.

The next morning, Asa and Lily enjoy a little t.v. together.

Power Ranger

Asa protects us from the bad guys.

Asa saves the day. Again.

Fall Leaves

This past weekend we had fun in the newly fallen leaves. We have a Ginko tree that had just lost all of it's leaves - seemingly all in one day. They are beautiful golden yellow with a unique fan shape. We couldn't resist raking them up into a pile and jumping in! The weather has been gorgeous. Sunny and warm in the 60s.

One Man's Trash

Asa plays in the discarded tractor tire that has come to rest in our pasture. It's like his very own sandbox! I looked inside of the tire, and I found a 2x2 with nails sticking out of it and various trash. Things are a bit different here in the holler.

The boys found lots of things going through the pasture after Stan finished clearing it. A lawnmower blade, a broken glass jar with it's lid still attached, an old sink spigot, a set of wheels on a metal rod perhaps from an old baby buggy. The boys made a scavenger hunt for their dad with these items; then did one of their favorite things - perusing the creek's edge, throwing rocks and sticks in; followed by a game of freeze tag with their dad. It was a beautiful day in Seven Valleys. Is it November?

Hard Luck Day

Asa choked on a hard peppermint candy today. Luckily, he vomited the candy so he could breathe again; Jake was alone with Asa when this happened, and we've learned that Jake has the same fear of throw-up as me. Jake really freaked out and could only scream for mom and dad while crouching on the floor while covering his ears and squeezing his eyes shut. As I ran in from outside, it was like I was seeing myself! We all recovered eventually.

Tonight was Jake's last soccer game of the season - his team, the Green Dragons won the game 4-0.

While getting ready for bed, I noticed this tick on Asa's neck. It's head was really buried under the skin. John did a quick reference check on the internet to see the correct way to remove a tick from under the skin so he learns to take it out with tweezers. Asa is a champ, and bravely sits still while John pulls the first time. Just the body comes out and the head remains under the skin. Asa is still cool with that. John has to go back to get the rest and it doesn't come out easily. The crying begins, but soon John gets the remainder out. Then Asa is fine and also proud of himself for being so brave.

Visit from the Blums

Josh, Cherie, Lily, and Mr. Henry stayed the night as they were passing through on their way to West Virginia. They are helping Josh's mom, Chris move into her new home there. We discussed having Thanksgiving with them at their home in Schoharie, NY. Can't wait!

Lily is growing quickly - with lots of blonde hair. She is very curious and Asa is very impressed at what a "hard baby" she is. She can get hurt and not even cry. She is walking well and even has good manners with "please" and "thank-you."

Lily, Mr. Henry, Josh and Asa play in the newly fallen leaves.

Lily imitates her dad on the piano.

Lily