Girls Day

The boys headed to see Aunt Sheryl for their special football day while Leah and I stayed home with Rocky and did girlie stuff. We headed to the library for the fall festival, got her face painted, did many crafts and then picked out new books and a special movie. She loved every minute of it and I loved having some special Leah time to myself.

After the library we went out to lunch at Panera and then did a little shopping.

Love you Bean!

Apple Picking Day

We decided to try a new apple orchard this year. We had gone to Behling's for years and years and it just got so crazy busy that we were looking for a more laid back experience this year. We tried Appledale which was just down the road and we were so thrilled to find less people, free hay rides, free corn maze and the most amazing country store ever. It was such a perfect day together as a family.

The kids were thrilled when we found a ladder, which is essential in finding the perfect apple. Roland carried that ladder all around the orchard.

Seth would have taken it home with him if he could have.

It meant a ton to my grandparents that they were able to go with us. At 85 and 87 years of age they truly appreciate every moment they get to spend with us all.

Open House & Picture Day

 This past Wednesday we went to Seth's school to visit his new classroom and meet his teacher. He was thrilled to show us around and we are very impressed with his teacher and the classroom. We were also able to meet Seth's new friend Weston. Seth talks about Weston all the time and we were able to meet him and his parents whom also live on out street. I predict play dates in our future.

 Seth had to draw a picture of himself and it was on his desk for us to view. I'd say we definitely have an artist in the family. Plus it is so stinking cute every time I look at it I smile.

Leah also hit another milestone this week...her very first school picture day. She looked adorable as always and we can't wait to see how she smiled for the camera.

mEASTfest '11

 Our close friends had their 3rd annual mEATfest last weekend and due to the cold rainy weather we decided to get a sitter and have an adult night out. It was great to sit around and chat with friends and not have a care in the world. We ate, drank and talked the night away. It was great as always.

 If you see Kristen ask her about the medal she won. I'm so thrilled she has taken the honor for the next year. Congrats Kristen and Lee!

 Roland was in his glory to play beer pong with his partner in crime Matt.

How many mEATfester's can you fit in the port-a-potty? I actually think we could have fit more if we had tried. Thank you Rod and Jen for another great party. Can't wait until next year.

Slacking

 Life has been super duper busy lately and at the end of the day I haven't had the will to sit down and blog, but here are a few pictures from our adventures over the past week or so. We took Seth to his first SU football game last weekend and to say that he had fun was an understatement. He had the best time of his whole life and he can't wait to go back. He played football in the parking lot while we tailgated for two hours only stopping for a quick bite to eat and then back to his game. He sat in the booth for the entire game and watched every minute of it. He had the time of his life. It was amazing to watch him enjoying himself so much.

 We started swim classes this week and Leah is officially a Level 1A while Seth is a Level 3. She is on her own and I actually teared up watching her. She was super nervous, but ended up having a blast. Seth is a little fish and did great.

 Seth is all about football these days. He watches it on TV, plays in the backyard and dreams about it in his sleep. I hope it's a phase, but it makes him happy and I like a happy Seth.

This weekend is full of football, roasting a pig with great friends and having some cocktails, church school and Soup Sunday (term stolen from JV). Looking forward to every single minute of it!

Time for a Change

After 12 years it is time for a new couch and chair. If you know anyone who would like to buy this couch or the chair below let us know. It's on craigslist also so here's hoping! Our new set will be here on the 28th!

Tidbits

After the first day I school I promised Seth he could take one last swim in Grandma Puccia's pool before it was closed for the season so after he had his fill he and Leah ran sacked her closets and thought they were pretty funny in all of the outfits they came up with.

If you keep up with this blog you know what an amazing time Seth had at Beaver Camp this year. It was a wonderful surprise when Seth got a letter in the mail from one of his counselors this week. It actually brought tears to my eyes. It was incredibly thoughtful and meant the world to him.

Back to School

It was a big week in The Charlton house. Seth started 1st grade, no longer the youngest in the building and who is now Mr. Super Independent and Leah started Nursery School at St. John Bosco. There was tons of excitement last week.

Let the games begin...

Summer Reflections



This was the BEST summer of our lives and it is hard to believe that in a very few hours it will be over. I can honestly say that we ROCKED summer and everything it had to offer. We spent tons of time with many people who love to have crazy adventures with us, we celebrated a very special anniversary the best way we knew how, we made lasting memories that we will carry with us always and we didn't waste a single minute. Looking back I can't even believe we did so many amazing things. Here are some of them...
We went to see Godspell, Mount Carmel Feast, travelled to Albany, NH to see The Gilbert's, Canobie Lake Park, Lake George, my sister Dayna got married and we partied, we took a day trip to Oswego, Lewis County Fair Parade and a day at the fair, dinner in Clayton, The Can Am Parade in Sackets, Enchanted Forest, my cousin Adam got married and we partied, Seth went to Sports Camp, we had an amazing adult night on the boat with friends, we were able to get friends and family on our boat numerous times to go for rides, tubing and swimming, we took Leah to see The Doodlebops, went to PA to stay with The Smith's and go to Knoebel's, we celebrated our 10th at Turning Stone followed by a surprise party at our Shrimp Boil (A-mazing!), Seth went to Beaver Camp and loved every single minute, pirate invasion, outlet shopping with the girls, Seth's first sleepover with a friend, Halloween in August, girls wine night, Old Forge, Sylvan Beach, spent tons of time with Uncle J, played hide and seek in the dark, Seth had a fantastic sleep over with Aunt Sheryl and went to his first minor league baseball game, had Pam and the kids over for a water slide day, and most importantly, Ro got a clean bill of health and has moved to every 5 months to the oncologist.
If that isn't a successful summer I don't know what! I think we made the most of it. Now we head to nursery school for Bean two mornings a week and 1st grade for Patter's. I think we are all ready for a change, but will miss the lazy days of summer so very much. Don't worry though, there will be no grass growing under our feet because we love fall too and already have a ton planned. The month of September will include Roland's birthday, The Bravo Fest, SU Football, The Cream Cheese Fest, mEATfest, swim lessons for both kiddos and a new music class for Seth.
Life is good.



The Finale

We finished the summer with a bang this week. Roland took the entire week off minus one day and we made the very most of the beautiful weather, endless possibility days and each other. It all started with our favorite new summer tradition...Halloween in August at the marina. With the help of a friend and by digging out some props from Seth's closet we were able to put together two costumes for the occasion.

Leah was the brave Charlton this year and volunteered to be in the donut eating competition. She thought it was hysterical and was completely covered in sugary powder. Fun was had by the Bean.

Roland was in a golf tourney last Sunday so we invited some friends to Grandma Puccia's pool for a play date. The kids swam for hours and only stopped for lunch and a quick Popsicle break.

We set off for an adventure to Old Forge not once, but twice this week. On Wednesday we took the chairlift to the top of McCauley Mountain followed by a picnic lunch and some play time at the beach. It was something we had always wanted to do, it was amazing and we can't wait to go back and ski this winter there.

On Thursday we decided to head to Sylvan Beach for the day. We went to the amusement park followed by a picnic and some time at their beach. It is the perfect place for a day trip. After that we headed home via Syracuse where we stopped on SU hill for some browsing. Can my husband plan or what?

On Saturday we headed back to Old Forge to take the boat cruise through the first four lakes. It was the most amazing two hour cruise and we can't say enough amazing things about it. It had to be the highlight of the week. The Adirondacks are truly wonderful.

At the end of the day we stopped at The Pied Piper for ice cream and headed home, but not before stopping at Great Gram and Gramp's to visit and catch caterpillar's. We now have two new members of the family...Teddy and Toby. They currently live on the dining room table in separate jars. The first night when we got home Seth actually asked me to sit and watch his while he ran to the bathroom. Ha!

Seth's First Sleep Over

Seth had his first ever sleep over this week and I'm sure you can guess who the lucky boy was...Jake! The boys tired Uncle J out in the pool for over an hour before working their way into many of the other nightly activities.

We broke out croquet for the first time in years and the boys loved it.

We also had a camp fire and cooked Jiffy Pop over it.

After stuffing their faces they decided to play hide the glow stick in the dark. It was actually really fun.

Last, but not least after a good cold shower the boys snuggled in their bed under a blanket fort that they created. Thank goodness they slept right straight through until 7am. That was a successful sleep over.

Seth has requested to have Sophia and Maya at his next sleep over. I guess we better do this soon since a boy/girl sleep over would be frowned on in the future.