Seekonk Speedway!

As a kid, my dad always took my brothers and I to the Seekonk Speedway. It's now kind of a family tradition. I have been waiting for my boys to be old enough to go. I was afraid they would get bored during the time they switch the events and that it might be too loud. I was wrong. They LOVED it. They love anything with wheels and this was the perfect night for them as they also had monster trucks. Kasey LOVES monster trucks and has quite a collection of them. Grave Digger is his favorite of course. As you can see on Jordan's face...they were super excited by all the events and their favorite of course were the accidents and crashing. I must admit this is my favorite part too, as well as the loudness of it all. Maybe it's because I grew up with 4 brothers. I'm not sure why this Biker Chic mentality comes out when I watch it all but Heck...why surpress it??? There is usually a lot of "shady characters" there but surprisingly I didn't have to cover my kids ears even one time. I also saw one of the worst crashes I've ever seen there, but the guy made it out okay. Heck, they even had a car with GOOCH written on it (Unfortunately his car caught on a fire a little). We had a blast and I can't wait to take them again.



Enjoying their first Speedway Dogs.




Taking a break from a bite of hot dog to look at something really cool. I love Scott and Kasey's expression in this picture.



It was pretty cold. Jordan and I cuddling up.






Like I mentioned, my kids love monster trucks. We watch them on the internet all the time. The kids were excited to finally see one close up.






More excitement during the monster truck show. I love Seekonk Speedway.

Another one bites the dust!

This kid loses teeth as fast as I lose my way around Providence! This is the third tooth in 5 months. He's only 5 for goodness sake! Kindergarten pictures are going to be soooo cute!

Forts and Flashlights

Monster mommy babysat the Ghouls and Goiles last Saturday of herself and her brother. We made forts and ran around the house chasing each other with flashlights. We ate popcorn and stayed up wayyyyy too late. We had fun!!!

This is our fort.


Kasey is kind of scaring me in this one!



Look at that tongue. Who says KISS doesn't rock on anymore!!!



Caroline showcasing her sippy cup


I made a nice fluffy, poofy bed on the floor for Julia but she insisted on sleeping with Jordan. Awwweeee how cute. They talked in there forever before finally getting to sleep around 10.

Kasey's Big Day

Kasey started Preschool today for the first time. After a little spat with big brother, I could not get him to smile. He was so sad and crying. So, the day started off like this...



And this...


but, by the time we got to school, it was a bunch of happy faces and excitement...



Kasey showing mommy his new cubby.



Big brother Jordan showed Kasey where to go and what to expect, since this is his old classroom and he's a preschool veteran now. I'm so proud of Kasey. Friday we went to the open house and he just didn't want to go. He was so sad and told me "Mommy, I shouldn't be going to preschool, I should be home with you." Well, that about broke my heart. I'm so glad I stuck to my gutt and only put in 2 day instead of 3 like Jordan. I think he'll do great though. By the time we said goodbye today he was waving with a smile on his face. I know everyone says this but I can't believe my baby boy is in school. It really does seem like just yesterday that I held him in my arms for the first time and slept with him on my chest. He is such a sweet little soul and I'm sad that the baby days are over...but he's a big boy now. I love you little Kasey bean.

Fun With Hair

Kasey's hair is so fun to play with. He doesn't mind when I run my fingers through it...he just thinks mommy is silly. So, when I said "hey let's put a pony tail in the front of your head", he made his mommy happy and did it. We actually had a good laugh.


Poor Jordan wanted to do it too. His hair is not pony tail ready though so it was a little bit harder. Funny thing, I used to do this to by brothers when they were younger. They'll probably deny that of course :).

The Adirondacks 2009

We went to the Adirondacks for Labor day weekend. It's a beautiful place. All those who have already been to New Hampshire and Vermont and are looking for a new place to go, this is it! We went to Lake George and there are tons of things to do. This picture above is a view of the lake from Prospect mountain which we hiked up.



Jordan and I with a view of the Lake.



We also visited Fort William Henry which was a fort used by the British to keep the French at bay during the French/Indian war. It is also the site of the film Last of the Mohicans. This is the view from the top of the fort.



The kids had a good time at the Fort. There was musket loading, cannon fire and even a chance to march like the British army. Aren't my boys looking smashing in their uniforms?



This is what happens in the Gooch family if you don't eat your vegetables.


I'll fold that huge pile of laundry when I get a chance....I Promise!!!


They also had a place to test your skill at archery. Here's daddy teaching the first lesson.



And then he's on his own. He did really well. He even hit the bulls eye.


They had beading to represent the Indians craft at the time. Here is Scotty getting in touch with his femine side making one for Jordan.



Mohicans


We then went to the Natural Rock Bridge and Caves park. We hiked all around and went in a few caves. They even had a dinosaur dig for the kids.



Krazy Kasey!



They had this huge "family swing" right after the trail was done. This is a self portrait while in swing motion.


The boys searching for frogs in the cave pools that form in the canyon. On the last day, we also visited a Garnet mine. It's one of the largest in the world and is also New Yorks state stone. We were able to mine for Garnet and take home any we found. There are little pieces all over but we did find some bigger pieces stuck in stone that we took home. Garnet is my birthstone and I've never really thought it was very pretty; but, these were a different kind of a red/purple color. The kids had fun and Jordan found the biggest pot of us all.
We had a great time enjoying nature and getting away from the hustle/bustle. Now back to the grind.




This is a video of Scott and Jordan marching at the Fort. They could be in the Gaspee Day Parade don't ya think?? I have very shaky hands. I was also trying to walk at the same time, so I apologize for the shaky video. I hope you don't get dizzy.

Jordan's Big Day

My big boy had his first day of Kindergarten today. I wasn't sad because Jordan has always been independent and loves going to new places and doing new things. I was happy for him...well, okay a little sad; but only because I want him to do well, make friends and be happy. He was so excited this morning. Even though he's in afternoon class, he came in first thing this morning to my bed and said "mommy, the bus isn't even here yet." He then asked me multiple times when the bus was coming. I was so nervous for him the whole morning and whether I had everything packed etc...I forgot his nametag. So, when he got home he told me how they had to ask them who he was...Can you imagine if he WAS scared today and then they asked him that? He said he told him "I'm Jordan Gooch from Apple tree Lane." :0



Jordan appeasing mommy by taking one more picture of him in his big boy backpack.



So, the bus finally came and Jordan didn 't even notice. We were outside waiting and he didn't see or hear the BIG YELLOW TRUCK coming down the road. The kids were a little close to the road I guess so the guy gets on the loud speaker and says,"bus approaching, please stand back"...great, this helps my paranoid nature..ha! He got on and didn't look back.



And off he goes...and then I started to get a little teary. He said he had a great day and I'm so proud of him. He wasn't scared, nervous or sad at all....he must get that from Daddy's side. When he got home after he said he had fun, the first thing he asked was "where's Kasey, what's he doing...did he miss me? Awe...how cute.!