Pop Pop's Train Club

What do you get when you combine Pop Pop, trains and Brantley? 

Pure and utter joy! 

 I found these photos on the camera, and realized they didn't get in the Delaware post.  On Sunday afternoon, Pop Pop's train club has operating session.  What's that you say?  They get together and run trains.  Now, let me tell you what I imagined the club to be like....several train layouts with men at the controls.  OH NO, I was mistaken!  They don't run trains, they RUN trains, work trains, deliver loads, basically, run an actual working railroad, but in miniature form!  And the layout?  It was larger than my classroom, and went into two rooms! 

Brant was in heaven.  His cousins Jacob and Hazen rode along to Delmar, along with Grandma.  Now let me explain something about Delmar.  Half of the town is in Maryland, the other in Delaware. Literally, it runs down the middle of the street! About an hour from Milford, the boys enjoyed the ride down.  And you know Brant enjoyed the trains!  Truth be told, we all did. Grandma was pleased to see there was an entire Ohio River Valley section, complete with the towns around where she grew up!  Take a look at Pop Pop's Train Club!

A logging operation

Notice Brant's hands, he was told not to touch ANYTHING!

This was the larger scale train side

This is the computer screen they use to control the trains AND all the controllers use radios!

Remember those pumpkins?

Snoozing in Daddy's arms

This week's blog was supposed to be about Brantley's first field trip.  Daddy took off the day, and was heading with the K4 class of BDS to the Corn Maize, Pumpkin Patch and Gem Dig in High Point.  




The weather was calling for light showers, so the boys dressed in their rain gear.  Expecting an 8:30 departure from school, Brantley hopped in the car to meet the bus there.  8:30 came and went, NO BUS!  A call to the bus company says that they thought the trip was cancelled!  They sent a bus, but it was 2 hours later than the kids were supposed to leave!  By the time the kids got to High Point it was POURING rain.  They had to turn around and come back. 

The kids were so cute, because even though they didn't get to have their trip, they had a bus ride!  For the kids at BDS, this is a few and far between experience, as we don't have school buses.  Although disappointed, Brantley bounced off the bus.  Daddy decided to check him out early, to salvage the day, and they headed to see Alpha and Omega in the "fee-a-ter."  

Remember those pumpkins we brought home from Delaware?  Brantley does, he had to load them AND unload them twice before we got them back to North Carolina!  Well, tonight was THE night.  It had to be, as Brantley doesn't have another night off before next Friday, and carving pumpkins in the O'Day house is a family affair. 

Two of the pumpkins Pop Pop bought Brant for his "pumpkin train"

Daddy working hard on the Thomas pumpkin

We didn't set out to carve pumpkins tonight. As a matter of fact, we went to a birthday party (Brantley's good friend Allie from school), Lowe's (to try and pick out paint for the laundry room) and a few other errands.  It only dawned on me as I was pulling into the driveway at 5:30, that Halloween is NEXT weekend!  

Another birthday at the Little Gym, good thing it's a favorite!

Nothing like a good belly flop!

Taking it slow on the beam...look at monkey Hannah on the bars!

Smacking the mats and singing Happy Birthday to Allie (center)

As much as we got done today,we only got two pumpkins carved tonight, Brantley's and mine. Daddy will do his one morning he's home (that baby's huge!) Didn't Thomas turn out well, and my owl on a branch is ok.  I don't know what these people do who carve these pumpkins in magazines! Either we got really thick pumpkins, or it's not as easy as it looks! 

Even though Halloween is not a big holiday for our family, the excitement is growing!  Lots of activities coming up this week!  Tomorrow, team party, Friday is the Halloween carnival AND he gets to wear his costume to school...Saturday...corn maize with Mommy and Daddy...then Trunk or Treat!  Whew...anyone else tired?  Check in often this week!  

A Blustery kind of day in Delaware

Brant: MOM!  When are we leaving?

Mom: Early in the morning. 

Brant:  But I want to go NOW!  I miss Mom Mom, Pop Pop, Jacob, Hazen, Hadley, Baylor and Bwalaney!   

We've been planning to come back up to Delaware for Fall Break, since our last trip up.  Brant had so much fun, and really misses his cousins in between trips.  Mom and Dad love to come up too, so it was no problem! 

Beautiful Delaware mums

The only plan we had for this trip was to go to the Pumpkin Patch.  We took Brant to the Pumpkin Patch when he was only a few month old, and haven't been in Delaware in October since then.  We set off with Pumpkin Patch as our ultimate location, but Pop Pop told us that the Delaware State Police Aviation Unit was having an open house.  We swung by the airport to check it out.  Brant enjoyed the helicopters, and seeing all the Troopers, like Pop Pop used to be. 

Brant made a bee-line for the helicopter

The rear-stablilizer of each plane or helicopter had the State Police emblem.

There were helicopters from New Jersey, as well as Maryland

Checking out the plane, like the one Pop Pop almost got sick in on duty. 

Finally, we got to the pumpkins!  In North Carolina, the pumpkins are expensive!  But here in Delaware, we got a pumpkin that Big Brant could hardly lift..for $10!! (keep posted for carving pictures later in the month!)  We had fun comparing pumpkins, putting them back, getting more and enjoying the fall beauty.  But HOLY COW! It was windy, even for Delaware!  

Of course, a fall trip to Delaware is not complete without a trip to Smith's orchard for some yummy apple donuts, turnovers and cider!  This time, the pumpkins were in abundance, as well, and I couldn't resist sneaking in another photo!

We are now prepping for  a Phillies cookout and game party!  How fun it is to be with family!  How blessed we are to have each other!

   

A trip to Delaware, soccer games and renovations

We were so excited to jump in the car and head to Delaware for a long-overdue visit.  Although the ride seems to get longer each time we make it, Brant is still a great traveler.  Since we've discovered that he HAS to sit in the middle, rides are a lot more pleasant for us all, as I don't have to hold the bag while he gets sick!

An annual trip to get apple donuts, yummy apples and cider!

The visit was great, helping Bev celebrate her birthday and heading down to Rehoboth for the day.  Of course, seeing the kiddos was great too!  Can't believe how big the babies are!

Enjoying the lemon merangue pie for Mom Mom's birthday!

Delaney saying "Cheese"

Watching the ocean from the boardwalk

Brant wanted to swim so badly, but it was freezing, and the no swimming flags were out

Monday night, following our return, the U6 Deacons took on the U6 Lightening.  How fun to see the kids play and how well they did!  Of course, sure do like number 4!  Brant's friend Mia is also playing for Gibsonville, and had the game after us.  Brant and Mia thought it was hilarious that they have the same number!

And he's off!

Going for the ball!

Silly friends on the field!

As things seem to have calmed down for a day, Brantley got motivated with the laundry room again.  Brant and I came home today to discover the hot water heater had been torn out (you should have seen the MUCK that drained out of it!) and we have to pack up and head to Grandma's for a few days.  It seems, no matter how far you go or for how long, you still have to pack the same amount of stuff!! There's only one bag difference between a night at Mom's and Delaware!

Brantley is getting ready to lay tile and finish the drywall.

Well, from our up-ended house to yours, hope all is well!  Can't really tell if anyone is reading the blog, so please comment if you do!