Allysa's 12th Birthday!!!

It is so hard to believe MY BABY GIRL, is 12!! Instead of trying to come up with something to
say, I went to internet to find a poem that conveys how I feel! Although there are days she drives me Crazy, she is very special!

Author Unknown

A daughter is a wonderful blessing

A treasure from above.

She is laughter, warmth and special charm

She is thoughtfullness and love.

A daughter brings a special joy

That comes from deep inside

And as she grows to adulthood

She feels your heart with special pride.

With every year that passes

She is more special than before

Through every stage, through every age

You love her even more.

No words can describe the warm memories

The pride and gratitude, too

That comes from having a daughter

To love and cherish, just like you!!

Happy 12th Birthday!!!!!

We Love You!!!

Wanted- Reliable Toothfairy!

It has been a good year since we have had a reliable tooth fairy!!! Last night, Ashlee lost another tooth night and well tooth fairy did not make her visit or so I thought. I will outline the event of this morning;
Ashlee enters my room- " Mom the tooth fairy took my tooth and left no money"
Me- " Ashlee the tooth fairy does not take a tooth and not leave anything".
Ashlee- " She had too, it is not there! I looked and the bag was opened!!!
Me- " I really think you need to look for it, I really do not think the tooth fairy would do such a thing"
Ashlee leaves and comes back -" It did fall out, here it is!! "
Me- "See I told you there was simple explanation and the tooth fairy would not do such a thing"
Ashlee- " You were right mom"
Me( thinking quietly) " duh since I am the freakin tooth fairy"
Later after Ashlee cleans her room....
Ashlee " Mom, I found money in my room "
Me- "Where"?
Ashlee-"Around my bed, I think the tooth fairy left it and then dropped my tooth"
Me- " Well that is possible so everything is Ok now"
Ashlee-" I will put it back on my pillow so she can come back an get it"
Me- " Ash I do not think she will be back since she knows she left money so I think you will be ok not putting it back under your pillow"
Ashlee- " I know mom but just in case"
I decided then and there to let it go! It makes you wonder, maybe there is tooth fairy :) or I just really lucked out that Ashlee dropped some money in her room and never realized it. Either way, I get by again and I am off the hook. It is getting harder and harder to wiggle out of these situations!!!

Just Another Week.....

First, the pictures below were courtesy of our neighbor/friend/piano teacher. She got some GREAT shots that you will most likely being seeing on Christmas Cards. Thanks Kristen Cook!

Of course we are still recovering lasts weekend and all the fun! Just glad we went to last week's game and not last nights t-he Bucks got their a** kicked!

This week construction started- JP is installing hardwood floors in the great room and kitchen. It looks wonderful and I will post some pics when it is all done. It really has changed how the room looks, with the floors and furniture re-arrangement the room looks soooo much bigger! We are also getting 6 panel doors done for the downstairs!!! My almost 12 year old had her well check this week and she if already 5 foot!!! At this pace she will be taller than me, she already can wear my shoes. I am also not sure if alien has taken the real Allysa but she has been wanting to hug and snuggle with her mom. I am trying to take the positive view but I suspect there is more to it :)
Today- it will be like all the other Sundays this month. Steelers and D2 Cowboys!!!

VERY FUN BUT BUSY WEEKEND!!!

I am actually getting a post out in a timely manner instead of weeks or months :)
Friday- Ashlee brought home her interim and has made GREAT strides so far this year!!! Then we took a huge step and left Allysa and Julia in charge of their siblings so we ( Langs and Mascos) could attend Heather D's BIG 40!! Initially, we said we would be home by 9:30 (more like 11) and took bets on who would call first !!! I am surprised to say- NO ONE called and the Lang's house was still standing and there was NO blood shed!!! Heather had a great party and I got to know Allysa's "boyfriend" ( I say that loosely since it is only 6th grade) parents better!!! We found out his stepdad went to Bethany so we spent alot of time talking about the Valley and PGH!! What a small world! One thing I will say- they have a GREAT dynamic and BC is one lucky boy to have is parents ( mom, dad , stepdad) get along so well!! GREAT family!

Saturday- I took Ashlee to her first OSU game!!! What a PERFECT day: SUNNY plus the BUCKS won!!! Ashlee enjoyed herself and of course you saw my last post so you are up to date there :)!
I think the BIGGEST thrill was too see Terrelle Pryor bend down and make sure he shook/hit each of the 4 girls hand!! He really went out of his way and it was not until he stood up the Brenda and I realized what had happened!!! In the slide show you will see him I got a pic as he stood up !!! What a neat experience!
After we got home we went car shopping with Kevin! He was told his car needed more work than it was worth so we went looking and then to dinner. After that I was DONE!!!!

Sunday- it was the usual minus a Steeler game and the fact we went pumpkin picking!!! We tend to cheat there and go to my Aunt's neighbor who plants them every year! It is great- NO crowds, no waiting and FREE!!! Next up the D2 Cowboys who are not having the best season but those boys play their heart out!!!!
Kevin showed up late after buying his car- a 2008 Honda Accord but he is happy it has a sunroof and is getting closer to what he wants!

Up this week- my new floors and doors get installed!!!!

Observations from Ashlee.....

Today I took Ashlee to the Buckeye game and she had quite a story to tell and I had no clue she picked up on it all............Below her conversation at dinner about the game!
Ashlee- "The 2 girls were drunk and snuck in alcohol and shared with the guy. I heard the girl say she was married with two kids but I think she had a thing for the guy"... Then there was this lady who was dressed all in buckeye- pants, shirt, necklaces, BIG earrings, and a crown made of buckeyes and she was old and called herself the buckeye queen..... They were all weird"
Kevin- "Did you watch the game"
Ashlee " Yes, but they were all SOOOOO LOUD!!!!!
I not sure I am surprised but sometimes I am amazed at what she picks up on... She does not mention any of this until hours or days later!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

School, Football and Fall Activities

It not that I did not have anything to blog about, there just has be NO time!!!!
Where to begin???
School is off and running and with that has come ALL the homework and fall activities!
The homework has been a challenged since Allysa is no longer in elementary school! WOW, the homework and intensity!!! She is doing Ok- her interim grades were all A's and B's but she still has some of the same struggles. She tanks on Bigger tests and she is a VERY concrete thinker so if the test is not like the study guide, she struggles with applying what she knows when it is different. The teachers all say just keep working with her, she is good kid and wants to do well and it will all click! She is soooo much like me, I hated abstract stuff and still do!!! I like facts and detail!
Ashlee seems to be doing well, at this time I know of no major issues. She has some of same traits as Allysa but yet different so who knows with her :). Health wise, she seems to be holding her own. Even with school starting we are still doing every other week and knock on wood- none of her usual fall symptoms have materialized.
Both girls are cheering for the D2 Cowboys! The squad has been together for 4 years and they have grown soooooo much! Coach Jill and Brenda should be proud!!!! Allysa also choose to take advantage of the after school volleyball program and both are still doing Piano. Since they are no major musician dreams, they go every other week.

Football!!!
Although I hated to see summer go and fall arrive, mainly because that means winter is coming. I LOVE that it is football season!!! The Bucks are doing well and surprisingly the Steelers are hanging in there even with all the off field drama with Ben!!! I guess it shows there is no I in team and one person does not define the whole team!
Kevin and I celebrated our 15th wedding anniversary in the BURGH!!! We had a wonderful dinner Sat. night and then Steeler game Sunday. Of course, he forgot my gift but it worth waiting for, a new necklace with nice diamond ! It is beautiful!

There has been many other things going on but in effort to keep the blog upbeat will stick with positive. However, my of my dear friends/family members are going through some rough patches so just keep them in your thoughts!
Until Next Time- Go Bucks, Go D2 Cowboys and Go Steelers!!!! Enjoy the slide show to wrap up all that has been going on! The steeler shots are from my new camera and I LOVE my new camera!!!
PS-hope everyone enjoys the blog look!