Kathryn took Bella to the Canadian side of Niagara Falls where they played in the water park, visited the falls, and toured the Butterfly museum. They stayed at a hotel with a package that got them into the Fallsview Waterpark. It was about a block away but it was a great deal. They got about 2 1/2 hrs in on Friday night and another 2 1/2 on Saturday. It was a great indoor waterpark; the slides were big enough for us. We counted 8 slides, plus a kids’ section plus tidal wave pool plus outdoor pool. After lunch they went to the butterfly conservatory. They got to walk along the promenade to see the Falls, which Bella hadn’t seen before. Oh and the black squirrels too 🙂
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Capture the Flag
Eric hosted a capture the flag party which started off with a little touch football while attendees arrived.
Teams were selected with Eric, Luke and Jack on one team and Jon, Jack, Noah and Michael on the other.
After an hour or so I fed them snacks and they went out for a 2nd session. Good weather and good times. One flag is still missing…..
Eric Fall Progress
We received copies of Eric’s school picture. He wore his t-shirt and took a collared shirt for the picture.
We received Eric’s progress report. After weeks of independence on handling his homework, we were relieved to see his good graves.
Modified soccer season came to a close. The modified team had 16 players, 12 from the 7th grade and 4 8th graders. Eric primarily played Striker. The team struggled as many of their games pitted 7th graders versus teams with 7 – 9th graders as their opponents schools had no JV teams, therefore the 9th graders that didn’t make the varsity played on the modified team. Despite the size difference HP won 3 games and were competitive in all but one game. Scoring was an issue.
Blueberry Weekend
Many, many years ago I asked Dad if he could make a replacement handle for one of my slip scoops. He might have even still been living at Route 30. I know the last time I used the slip scoop Ed was living with us and he drove our little Ford tractor and I manned the slip scoop. At the time Dad was fading and the handle he made was very ‘roughed in’. When Dad gave it to me you mentioned you had some tools that we could use to shape it more like the other handle. This past week I finally shaped the handle, got new bolts for fastening the handles, wire brushed the scoop and painted it with old motor oil. Of course, I have 3 slip scoops and I am not sure when I will use it, but it is the only scoop I have that drags and doesn’t attach to 3 point hitch.
Eric and I raked a truckload of pine needles from Elements of Style parking lot and mulched our blue berry bushes today.
I cleaned up the garden and hoed everything in preparation for Rick’s Leaves.
IF THERE IS RAKING, THEN I’M LEAVIN’
(With apologies to Denny, John, Michelle and Mama Cass.)
All the leaves are brown and the sky is gray, The leaves begun to fall and they won’t blow away They fall and stay in my neighbor’s yard, Getting rid of leaves, is a task that’s hard.
They say that winter’s coming, and it’s on its way Kincaids don’t like the cold, you know they go away. But leaves are left behind, you know they’re going to stay Garden and the pasture – that’s where they’ll decay
You can use my truck, or your own John Deere Dump six on the garden and the rest real near. In between the trees they will make good mulch. Just drive careful, don’t get stuck in the gulch.
All the leaves are brown and the sky is gray, The leaves begun to fall and they won’t blow away They fall and stay in my neighbor’s yard, Getting rid of leaves, is a task that’s hard
5+ cord of word for the 2016-17 heating season.
ADK Extreme Ropes Course
Pumpkin Patch Mud Run
Kathryn, Eric and Stone ran in the 5k Pumpkin Patch Mud Run. Notice Stone’s white shorts (not to be white ever again).
On the take off Eric and Stone ran to an early lead up the slight hill.

While the runners were out on the course Dakota and I hung out and tried to get out of the wind and stay warm. We checked out the pumpkin dolls, sat in the witch’s mouth, ate cider donuts, looked at the animals, and Dakota tried out the hay bale maze.

While we were moseying towards the cargo net we saw Eric and Stone approaching.
About 10 minutes behind Kathryn approached the cargo net.
After the cargo net Kathryn shed her sweatshirt and plunged into the cold water pool at the finish line.
After a 30 minute break, Stone, Eric, Kathryn and Dakota ran the shorter 2K.
Everyone was cold and quickly changed into dry clothes. We went to Jeanne’s for hot soup and grilled cheese sandwiches.
Last September Weekend
We couldn’t have asked for better weather this weekend. Eric’s soccer game Friday was versus Frankfort – a team that they lost to on Monday. This time they won 2-1 and controlled the game flow. Afterwards Eric went to the middle school dance while we played pitch with friends Steve/Linda and Bonnie/Cindy. Saturday I completed my defensive driving class. Every three years for the insurance discount. But it was a crime to sit inside on such a nice day. Kathryn canned pears and made applesauce for the winter. We cut another cord of firewood for next year as we opened up our trail in back of Kincaids so that my tractor and brush hog will fit through. I climbed up on our roof and cleaned our wood stove chimney. Our chimney was quite clean. Eric has soccer games on Monday and Tuesday. Kathryn and I watched the full lunar eclipse before crashing for the night.
HP Middle School vs Frankfort
Labor Day Weekend
We cut firewood to complete Angle Trail from the pasture to North Trail. We ended up cutting live trees; most were ash but a few cherry which were all stacked under the shed to dry for next winter.
Saturday we went to see Bill Nye. He was entertaining, if you were a grown up. But since he lectured, the kids were bored to the point of distraction. It was too bad; I think many people expected the Bill Nye the Science Guy from tv. He has a good sense of humor so his lecture was OK. His basic points: global climate change is happening at an alarming rate; we need to do something to lessen human beings’ impact on climate change; space exploration is good. I think he was preaching to the choir, though. Based on the level of applause, I think there were few people there that didn’t already believe those points.
Then we went to Applebee’s for a snack and had just a terrible experience. It took them so long to get our food, we were there 2 hours. They offered us free dessert to make up for it, but by that time we wanted just to get the heck out of there. Sunday evening we met Helmers at Recovery Sports Bar in Verona, and had a good time.
Kathryn canned 14 jars of tomatoes.
Labor Day Weekend, 7th Grade, Woodpile and Cider Press
Labor Day weekend. The end of summer. We are having absolutely gorgeous weather, hot (80s), dry and sunny. We didn’t do anything interesting this weekend. Eric went gone off for an overnight at JD’s house (who has a pool). We have cut firewood around the pasture and one elm tree for Billie Jo & Joel. It is really dry so I hooked up the brush hog and gave the trails one last mow. Since Eric was off for an overnight we had a meal that he usually won’t eat; beef stroganoff with mushrooms.
Eric was ready for 1st day of school and waiting for the bus equipped with head phones, soccer gear (for practice after school) and school supplies. Cullen and Kathryn waited with him (as did our trash and recyclables for ‘trash day’). Also shown is Kathryn’s cider press (a loaner) and a picture of our shed with wood piles, camper and truck.




















