44th Anniversary

My parent's former neighbors Larry and Sally had their 44th anniversary today and their daughter Michelle planned a surprise vow renewal and reception, in the same church they were originally married in and the reception was at the same fire hall they used 44 years ago. Why celebrate 44 years?  Michelle figured it would really surprise them because it is an unusual year to celebrate and they are moving yo Florida later this year and would not be here for their 45th.  

 Mom and Dad work for John and Linda, an Amish family, and they all work together with Larry and Sally to support their business Belsnickle. Since John and Linda would not be able to drive to Perry County Mom and Dad picked them up and we meet at my house.  They dropped off Chief at my house and the boys went in my Dad's car and us girls went in my car.  It was fun talking to Linda because I have heard a lot about her over the years and it is not everyday I get to talk to Amish people.  She was fun and shared a secret with us, she is pregnant with her eighth child due around Christmas.  I think she is around my age and right now her youngest is six.  I did not ask but I got the impression this new one was a bit f a surprise.  But every child is a blessing so other than being super surprised at first and tired, she was happy about it.  Anyway, we ended up sitting in the way back row at the church, actually Dad, Baylor and I were against the wall.  

But we had a nice view when Larry and Sally arrived to find a completely filled church. There really were not many empty seats.  

I thought Sally was going to collapse a few times but she made it down the aisle with Larry at her side.  

Michelle spoke about her parents love for each other and their ability to live and work together 24 hours a day, everyday.  She told the story of how the meet, got engaged, married, and eventually went on to have a daughter, who was truly blessed to have them for her parents.  

They renewed their vows and sealed it with a kiss.  

But I could not see too much being so far in the back but I did get to see an interesting variety of hair styles.  There is my mom and John next to each other, a Mennonite in front of them with her head covering and an amazing mullet in front of her.  It was an interesting configuration of hair to say the least.  The sides of the back, behind the ears, was even cut short so the long part was just in the center back of her head.  Incredible!  

While I was checking out the hair, Baylor played Angry Birds.  And then he got hungry!  

The newly married couple started at the front of the church and greeted everyone as they let them out of their row.  Being in the very last row was now not such a good thing.  When ended up sneaking into Mom's row to get out sooner.  Not much sooner, but sooner.  The get away car was a yellow Corvette which was perfect for them.  

We headed to the fire hall and we had desserts to add to the dessert table.  

I made salted caramel butter bars, oreo truffles covered in white and milk chocolate. 

And caramel pecan, chocolate covered cheesecake bites and brigadeiros. And I had a black walnut cake as well.  

All the guests were asked to wait outside and when Larry and Sally arrived we all ran bells to ring them into their reception.  Their business is based on bells so it was very appropriate.  I had cow bells so we were a bit loud!  

The fire hall was packed and there were so many people they had table set up outside to accommodate everyone. 

The fire hall had an antique truck outside that the kids could explore but they also had the bay doors open on the new trucks.  They woman that was there said they were doing training earlier in the day so she had stayed there with the trucks in case the kids wanted to see them.  

Baylor was a bit shy but still could be persuaded to go inside some of the vehicles.  

It was a wonderful celebration of our friend's commitment to each other.  Love is all you need.  And sometimes some purple thistles.  I love them!  

Circle of Friends

Baylor started at his new daycare on August 5 and he is going Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday.  He will go for the Summer program for three weeks before Kindergarten starts.  The first day we both went to drop him off.  He immediately started to wander around and try to figure out a way to work himself into the other kids there.  I was happy and comforted to see him trying to interact instead of being shy.  When Gloria picked him up the teacher said it was like he had been there all Summer.  And he has been doing well ever since.  Mommy on the other hand is having a bit of a hard time adjusting to everything.  On Friday they have water play day. I remembered when we were across the street from the school that he was supposed to be wearing his water stuff.  So we turned around, dressed and headed back.  Once there Mrs Kathy asked where is water shoes were so I said I will be back with them and next time I will read the paper better.  

This Tuesday we went to a meet the new Principal at the other elementary school.  The auditorium was crowded but we did manage to meet him. Actually Baylor talked to him on the phone earlier in the day.  Gloria had called the office with some questions and the secretary handed the phone over to him.  Apparently Baylor just said, "Uh-huh, uh-huh,uh-huh. OK, bye." We ran into a boy from his day care class, Zayden, and ended up spending the evening with them at the school.  Their son is still four and turns five right on the the cut off day but the daycare says he is ready.  Baylor had received a party invitation from him that day and I did not know who he was.  The boys played outside in the playground for a while and we all headed home.  

Thursday when we went to school I said we needed to sign up for the picnic that I thought was on Tuesday the 19th.  Mrs Kathy said that was good because only one person had signed up in his class and the picnic was tonight.  So we made plans to pick him up and run to the grocery store for a side dish. We settled on pre-made pasta salad and headed back to the school and the park in the back.  Gloria meet us there and Baylor headed to the swings. 

When it was time to eat he wanted to hit the fruit table first.  He is my good eater!  

He did have some of a hamburger pattie, mac and cheese and a few cotton candy puffs.  Like a cheese puff but blue and sweeter.  

Momma and son selfie. 

Mommy and son selfie.  

Gloria had to go home to go to bed because she had to work early the next day so I took Baylor to the other play area to explore the equipment.  

It was a good second week at school.  And when I got the paperwork for next week's schedule, I put it on the fridge and highlighted the days he would be there.  Hopefully I will not forget anything!  

The Lisburn Community Fire Hall Fair

It is that time of year.  The fair started on Wednesday and Gloria and Baylor went over.  Thursday all three of us went over and Baylor got his bowl of chicken corn soup and ice cream.  This year he choose black raspberry.  

We managed to keep it to four games tonight which was still $20.00.  

Friday Meme and Pap took him over to play games.  They were gone four about 45 minutes and he brought back four new stuffies.  And somehow we managed to get out of going on Saturday!  I do love the fair but this year I am not able to eat anything there or go on the rides.  I am hoping next year I will be more up to it and we will enjoy all four nights together! 

Circle of Friends

Today we took Baylor to his first day at his new daycare Circle of Friends.  He will be going there while he is in kindergarten and we wanted to start him there before school starts the end of the month.  There were no tears when we left but there was a bit of a quiver in his voice when I called him over for a good bye hug.  He was already trying to get involved with the other kids while we were talking to the teacher, which for him is a huge step. 

When Gloria picked him up they said he was like he had always been there.  He made us both very proud and said he had a good day.  

Making it Legal

Monday we went to the Cumberland County Courthouse to fill out a marriage license form and get that started.  We have not been to the courthouse since we had Baylor's birth certificate changed to both of us as his parents.  

My beautiful family

My Fishboy

Baylor has made amazing progress in the water this summer.  While we have not gone swimming as much as we did last year because it has not been as hot, he took two swimming class sessions and managed to learn to swim under water.  Having the goggles really helped him go under and now he loves it.  He even wants to make it to the bottom but he has not quite figured out how to stop floating.  We take a long water squirter and he hand under hand 'walks' his way to the bottom. 

Gloria even invited the girls over to join them in the pool.  

He can make it a good length of the pool underwater.  Not bad for a kid who hated to bob at the beginning of this summer.  

Double Rainbow

Baylor was out playing with the girls and it started to rain.  They asked him over to play in their house and I was excited for some quiet time at the house.  It is actually his first time over there without me and he had a great time.  He played with them, watched a movie and even had dinner with them.  They called me to tell me about the double rainbow over Lisburn.  It was beautiful as was my mommy time. As was when my little man came running inside to tell me about his evening.