RadioCity Christmas Spectacular!

Before Thanksgiving, we made a trip to Pittsburgh to see the Radio City Christmas Spectacular! Bethany, Brian, and I traveled up the night before hoping to see the Science Center in the morning before the show. The traffic was horrible that evening. We were unaware that there was a college football game that night and the Pittsburgh Steelers were playing the next day.

In the morning we drove to the Science Center. There were hundreds, no thousands of cars and people crammed into parking lots and streets. There was all sorts of tailgating going on. Bethany surveyed the situation, and said, "Mom, I don't think I like any kind of outdoor sports." Funny how things like that run in the family. She also hates gym class. I hated every minute of every gym class I ever had to endure. She likes swimming class, so it isn't physical activity. It is really the sports side of things we don't like.

The Science Center was across from the football stadium, so naturally it was closed on a game day. We decided to find any parking place that we could close to the theater, and walk around the city. It was Sunday morning, so most everything was closed. I suggested that we go to church, but Brian didn't think I was serious. We found an Arby's open, and had some lunch. We discovered that Pittsburgh has a subway, so we decided to ride around on the subway for some entertainment. The subway was so very tiny. Only a handful of people were waiting for it. We got on and rode over to Station Square. There is an interesting mall over there with eclectic shops. And the best part was the subway only takes exact change, and we over paid, so the attendant told us about the Incline, and gave us tickets. The Incline was built for immigrant workers, so that they could get to work in a timely fashion without having to travel a long distance down a mountain into the valley. The incline was built in the late 1870's, and it consists of a track and a two closed cars that hoist people up and down the mountain. We rode it up, and saw some neighborhood shops. Lots of people were gathered in bars shouting for the Steelers. The game had started by the time we had made it over to the Incline.

Trina and Molly were meeting us for the show. They parked at Station Square, and were eating lunch in the shopping mall. We met them, and rode the subway back into the main part of town. We arrived at the theater with plenty of time before the show, which was truly spectacular. We weren't allowed to take any pictures in the theater. I have just one of Molly and Bethany sitting in the seats. If you ever get a chance go see this show, it is a great way to start the holiday season, or end it for that matter. Santa and Baby Jesus were the stars of the show. Bethany says, she liked the singing and the dancing when asked what her favorite part was.

Tooth Fairy Visits Maple Lake

Daisy and Tippy went to the vet this week for shots. Daisy weighs eighteen pounds, and Tippy tipped the scale at 16.8 pounds! They are growing up so fast. When we got the pups they were 5 and 3 pounds.

The girls are also showing their age with the loss of their puppy teeth. Daisy has lost several, but we never could find any of the little things. The vet helped Tippy loose her first little tooth, and put it in a bottle for Bethany to keep. The vet also suggested that the Dog Tooth Fairy would come to our house if Bethany put the tooth under her pillow.

Luckily, he supplied the tooth fairy with a chocolate bone tied up in a red bow. Mom and Dad were worried about what the Dog Tooth Fairy would leave under a child's pillow. I kept thinking about sleeping on liver treats or pigs ears!

The pups are wild and frisky. Bethany and Tippy are getting along much better now that Tippy isn't trying bite her ankles anymore when they play out in the garden. I watched Bethany play with them by herself this week through the window. They have all learned a lot about how to play together. Dogs and primates have different playing styles. Both species are figuring it out, and having some fun.

Friend Friday

Last Friday, Glenville Friends gathered at Tammy's church gym in Parkersburg. We had an awesome time together. Jacque couldn't make it because she had the flu, as well as, her son Owen. The flu has been everywhere in the past month. Melissa managed to get both her girls vaccinated that evening for the Swine Flu, so all of our children have been vaccinated. Despite, worry over the flu we had a good time eating pizza and snacks. The kids played together entertaining themselves the entire evening. We had so much fun, no one wanted to leave. I hope we can get together again soon.

Halloween Night

We had company for trick or treat this year. I made a pot of vegetable soup and some cornbread. Jeanne, Matt, and Natalie came up from Scott Depot. Trina, Mike, Molly, and Jake came from across town.

The kids only went to a few houses to beg for candy. It was rainy and cold, and the kids preferred to sit on the porch and pass out candy to the "customers". Bethany said we had candy for sale to give to the customers.

After we passed out all of our candy we went to Maple Lake's Halloween party. They had a costume contest and a Haunted House. Bethany and Matt tried to go to the haunted house, but Bethany changed her mind when she got to the entrance. I saw the remains of the haunted house at the women's club meeting the following Monday, and I think she made the right decision.

I am so glad Jeanne, Matt, and Natalie came up to visit with us. We had the tradition of always going to their house for Trick or Treat when we were in Winfield. Trick or Treat there is on a week night. I really wanted to keep this tradition for the girls. It worked out this year since Halloween was on a Saturday.

Halloween Parade

Bethany's school has a Halloween parade before their Halloween party. The students go home at lunchtime to get dressed for the afternoon festivities. For the parade, the parents sit in the bleachers of the football field and watch their princesses, ghosts, and gobblins march by. I have not been able to attend yet. Brian takes off half a day of work. He says it is a good time. :)

Rich's Farm

We traveled to Smithfield, Pennsylvania to Rich Farm for a fun filled Sunday afternoon. The farm has an area configured for kids of the preschool to elementary age range. There is a petting zoo with animals including a tiny pony, pigs, a cow, and some chickens and geese.

There is a corn maze to the side of a fantastic barn that has horse tire swings for the kids to ride in, tables to paint pumpkins, and tractors to climb on. Old fashioned kid songs like Old McDonald and Farmer in the Dale are playing over a loud speaker system for everyone to enjoy.

There were see-saws, giant tire trampolines, hay bales to climb, and an inflatable bouncer for the kids to wear themselves out on in the yard. A giant Wigwam housed face painting, for which I wasn't thrilled about. The parents were supposed to paint their own children's faces. Who knew who used what brush when etc. I avoided the Wigwam.

We went on a hay ride around the farm and saw the outside of an elaborate haunted house developed for adult entertainment. Before we left Bethany and I walked through the pumpkin patch. Bethany took a long while to find her perfect pumpkin, which we carved just before Halloween.

It is definitely a place for repeat patronage. We will plan to go again next fall. Hopefully, we will bring along some friends and family.