Nice Walk at Rockabye Meadow

Maybe I'm one of the last to know this, but right here in Gladstone we have a great walking area called Rockabye Meadow. Looking for an alternative to the playground, I decided to finally explore this area with the kids and was pleasantly surprised to find it well maintained and a nice combo of meadow and stream. We entered from the Jackson Ave/Old Chester intersection, but I understand you can also enter from Church Street. Anyway, a nice walk - and right here in town. I look forward to going back as the leaves start turning color. I wish I knew more about the history of the railroad in that area. Maybe someone will add it to the blog?

Upcoming events offered by URWA (Local environmental group)

Recently got an e-mail from a group that I've worked with in the past, and thought I'd share some of the more interesting upcoming activities (Including a very fun country fair that seems to be limited to members only this year due to big crowds in years past). See their website for more info... www.urwa.org

- Steve

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Be an Ecologist Day

Saturday, October 4 • 10:30 am-12:00 pm

Fairview Farm Wildlife Preserve, 2121 Larger Cross Road in Bedminster

Children ages 7-10 are invited to become ecologists while exploring Fairview Farm! Join URWA’s staff and Naturalists as we learn all about life in the water, on the ground and in the trees, and create nature journals! Activities can count towards scout badges and parents are encouraged to join in the fun. REGISTRATION REQUIRED, deadline September 24. Forms can be found here or on our website. Registration fee $5 per child. Please contact Lauren Theis (ltheis@urwa.org) for more information.

Old Fashioned Country Fair

Saturday, October 12 • 11:30 am–4:00 pm

Fairview Farm Wildlife Preserve, 2121 Larger Cross Road in Bedminster

Link: http://www.urwa.org/news/countryFair.html

Join us for a day of Old Fashioned Country Fun! This year’s event will be restricted to members only, in hopes of recapturing the family atmosphere and to lessen the negative environmental impacts that large crowds can cause. We will have local artists, food, crafts and music, and would love to have you! Click here to become a member. Contact Kate Deans at x16 for more information.

*we are looking for volunteers to assist with the Country Fair. See “Call for Volunteers” below for details.

the razor's edge

EMSS off to her first day back donning new rain gear and backpack

C. Santoro and his adoring harem

Git-R-Done

After nearly 6 months of construction, the obstacle course known as Old Chester Rd is getting its final makeover.


Coming to a road near you:

Move over Hummer - THIS is an SUV!

The milling machine grinds up a swath of pavement 6 feet wide and

4 inches deep at a quick walking pace. Impressivc.

The paver machine is just as fast laying it back down.

More 1st Day of School Pics...

Sophia on her way to class with Dad...

Who knew there would be dress-up!

First Day of School!

Well, it's official...the school year has started and Matthew and Gracyn have joined the ranks of kindergarteners! They had a great first day (which involved a bee sting on the playground for Matt and the first of probably many phone calls from the school nurse "not an emergency, just wanted to let you know..."). Charlotte missed her older siblings in the morning but quickly got into our new groove in the afternoon and on day 2.

2 days down. 12 school years, 178 school days to go...until college!!!

Off the Wall

Those boat jumping pix reminded me of some folks we saw in Maine jumping off the Blue Hill Falls bridge. Most of the kids took off from the roadway level, but a few of the more adventurous thought it would be more exciting to climb to the top.

FYI - those power lines were less than 6 feet from the bridge. I swear they must have missed them by inches






We also created some ephemeral rock art on the beach - one stiff breeze and the delicately balanced rocks would be history.

Bedwell, Here We Come....

Not such a fun morning yesterday at the Infusino's. Andrew was a nervous wreck and cried from the moment he woke up. I had to carry the poor guy onto the bus and he begged me to come with him, sobbing.
Our third grader was excited to see his friends. A couple of times, when he saw how sad and scared his brother was, he got all teary eyed. Lo and behold, Andrew had a great day and came off the bus smiling. Got on his second day with a smile, too. Big sigh of relief by mom.

Can't leave the girls out. The three of us had a great, long day. We missed the boys a ton, though. Mom had to hold in her tears all day. Noelle spent the whole day without being teased by Andrew. Usually she cries the whole day b/c he teases her constantly. We had no tears!!!! Made up for it as soon as they got off the bus....

Summer Vacations

Upon Amy's request, I thought I'd share some Infusino summer memories.

The first three are at the Jersey Shore, boat jumping.

The rest are from the Outer Banks, NC. We spent a ton of time at the beach, boogie boarding and kite flying. Didn't do much else.

Elizabeth Simpson: Photojournalist

Elizabeth took these photos yesterday with a Canon Powershot SD600. She primarily shot on Auto for spontaneity and gaiety. On the first shot, however, she used a slow shutter speed and a tight aperture to capture both the indoor and outdoor light.

Her framing is a bit off but I believe she will be shooting for the Inquirer by age six.

Ain't Nothin' Cuter Than Piglets

Old Gertie is once again a proud mom, though she only had 6 piglets this year. She delivered at least a dozen in '07!

Following Mom around the barnyard

One loud squeal is all it takes to learn

to stay away from the electric fence

Piglet high jinks

Feeding time causes some excitement

There's one in every crowd

Mmmmm, that's good pig chow

Batty, batty, bat!!!!

For all you Sesame Street devotees out there...we had a batty, batty, bat in our house last night!!! Ugh!!!! I went up to bed at 11 pm and after checking on the kids headed into our bathroom. All of a sudden I noticed some shadows moving in the hallway. When I took a closer look I realized it was a bat and screamed - which caused the bat to head toward me in the bathroom. I ran out the door as he flew in. I had the presence of mind (not quite sure how!!!) to slam the door shut behind me. We deliberated quite a while in front of that door about how handle this. I wish I had taken a picture of Pat suited up in his jumpsuit for work at dangerous plants and holding one of our All Clad sauce pans (why couldn't he have grabbed the farberware)!! We weren't quite sure how to get Pat in the bathroom without the bat getting out and I wasn't sure I would be a good second line of defense...so we called the PG Police. When I told them "we have a bat in our bathroom - can you help us with that?" The officer's response was, "Boy, I hate that." Sums it up for us too! So, Officer Owen Duff came over and was a HUGE help. After, more deliberation and Officer Duff suiting up in his fighting gear too... Pat and he finally entered the bathroom. After about 10 mins they found the bat hanging upside down off of my conditioner bottle. Needless to say, the bat is no longer with us (well, he is double bagged in our fridge but no longer of this world). Animal rights for cute furry animals - not bats that come into my house! Today he'll head to Bernardsville Health Department for rabies testing. And, I'll probably never sleep well again!

Summer Travels

Our blog has been a bit... empty. Maybe everyone is taking a break for the summer? Why not post some photos from all the amazing trips I've heard about - Maine, Adirondacks, Vermont, the beach??

Here are some photos from our August trip to Nantucket. Great family vacation spot. On cloudy days we hit the museums and shops; sunny days we biked to the beach (Elliot is now turned on to the boogie board!). And sometimes we just hung out at the house. Nice way to get away from the normal routine.

Take Me Out to the Ballgame

Future major leaguers

and their popcorn, cracker-jack, nacho eating; beer and coke swilling parents

italian pork sausage fried chicken steak burrito anyone?

The Birds and the Bees

School is out.

Vacations are in full swing.

About the only inhabitants left in PG are the critters!

One of several robin nests found in the yard
A hungry mouth to feed
Carpenter bee off to find a tasty facia board
Who knew they were so fuzzy
A bluebird box...
...before Mr. Treefrog moved in
Breakfast at the bird feeder
Resident alien
Still waiting for this year's brood of piglets