Back to School

Both Mickey and Minnie were invited into Billy's class this week to help with the STEM Science project they are doing all week. (It is a wonder that Billy is allow back into the school since he ate lunch with JJ last week, and got his class so riled up with his antics that they were told...."You can't go acting all silly like that just because JJ's grandpa is here"! Yes, you read that right, not only did he get them in trouble...but he also used a false identity in the process so he could not be blamed later!)

Anyway, I digress....Mickey helped Billy's group learn about Hurricanes, and all week they will be building their knowledge. Then, on Friday they have to take what they have learned, and build a structure that would withstand that storm. (Minnie worked with a group about Thunderstorms.) I am not sure if he was relived, or a bit disappointed, but later that evening, Billy commented, "Dad was no where near as obnoxious as I thought he would be!"

Cool Hats

Thanks to Great Aunt D and Uncle D.....the boys are sporting new hats this morning for school. They were brought back from the Virginia Tech Football game this past weekend. The hats combine many of the Billy and JJ's favorite things....VT, Camo, Football....and the Wounded Warrior Fund (which the proceeds from the hats went to). We watched the game, and loved the uniforms from the team (also camo for the event) and thus it was such a treat for D&D to bring them one of their own. Billy and JJ were excited to show them off at school today.

The Plight of our Tooth Fairy.....

She has been worked hard lately....JJ has lost 4 teeth this month and Billy 1...that is a pretty heavy schedule for the T.F. Sometimes she neglects to show up on the expected night. The boys worry if she misses the mark that J-Wow has caught her in the middle of the night. But, thus far she has always made up for it the following night, usually leaving an extra dollar. Perhaps she should receive hazard pay for our house....all these lost teeth....the crazy watch dog!

Summer Bucket List...

As I am putting out fall decorations, I guess it is time to put away our Summer Bucket List. We were pretty ambitious with what we wanted to accomplish. I say we did pretty good, but left many fun things for 2013: DONE: -Go Camping -Plant a sunflower cave (did it but only two came up:( -Visit New Market Battlefield -Have a Phinneus & Ferb Marathon -Host Backyard Olympics -Make our own travel/mileage sign -Visit Rt. 11 Potato Chip Factory -Make J-Woww Homemade Dog Treats -Visit Luray Caverns -Do a Mud Run -Teach Jessie to Fetch (moderate success here) -Update Cub Scout Uniforms -Maintain Fairy Garden -Touch the bottom of the pool (JJ- w/ feet...Billy w/ hands) -Ride Bikes in the 4th of July Parade -Do the Color Fun as a Family -Work on Smalley's Ranch UNDONE: -Attend Drive-In Movie Theater -Visit Appomattox Court House -Run in G-Ville Firecracker 5 (the power outtage left us unmotivated!) -Visit 'Dad's Pool' in C-ville -Have the boys learn laundry (a DEFINITE must-do) -Start a YouTube Channel -Build a Dog House

Future AT Thru Hikers...

We have a wonderful family that we have been hiking a lot with lately. Billy and JJ just adore (and look up to) their son, WillieT! He is a budding outdoors man and has really influenced the boys to love hiking even more. We think it is entirely possible that three will hike the entire Appalachian Trail together one day. The parents have the plan to meet up with them every so often with food supply....hike a bit, then retire to a comfy hotel!

On the Campaign Trail

Paul Ryan came to the burg on Friday, and took Billy to check it out. It was a first political rally for either of them. Billy is really interested in current affairs and has been asking a lot of questions about the election. It is my hope that he grows up understanding the importance of voting....as both an amazing right, and a huge responsibility. Here are the two things Billy most remembers from his speech: ***"A government that is big enough to give you everything you want, is big enough to take everything you have" ***"It is our moral duty to not leave the country bankrupt for our children and grandchildren" Billy enjoyed looking out for the secret service the most (especially the 'sniper' on the roof at our exit!) and we both think it is neat that on the slight chance that Romney/Ryan win (although we hope so) - we have seen the next VP of the USA up close and personal!

Billy for Postmaster

Billy ran for Postmaster of his school this week. He did not win:( But, he did a great job - making his own posters and pasing out stickers and asking people for their vote. He also had to give a speech to the whole school! Here it is:

"My name is Billy H and I am running for postmaster. I am a 4th grader in Ms. K's class. I was in the S.C.A. last year and I made sure all of my duties were done and done good! Because it is a new position, I am excited to shape it well. I have some ideas to create a program with rewards to get everyone at SSES to write each other lots of letters this year. So, Vote Billy for Poster master.....and remember, 'I will deliver for you!"

Dear Mr. Principal

Backstory: JJ is a climber! He loves to climb everything. For the past year at recess, he and his friends either play Mario or climbing (Mario if Sir Lance a Lot wins out....climbing if it is JJ's say). So, imagine his displeasure at being told this year that only 4th graders are allowed to climb the highest climbing bar, as per the instruction of Mr. S, the Principal. A day or so later, they were practicing letter writing in class, and were tasked with writing a letter to the the principal of the school. Here is JJ's letter: Dear Mr. S- I want to climb the poles again. I climb the all the time. I will be safe. I am a good climber. From: JJ

The butterfly experiment

Here is the whole process that each kid in JJ's class went through today as part of the science experiment: They broke out of their egg (swimming pool)as a caterpillar and got in their cocoon (t-shirt). From there they had to eat lettuce (yes, JJ just pretend to munch!) so they could grow bigger. Once they did they, they were wrapped in their chrysalis (streamers) which they broke out of to become a caterpillar and get wings. From there, they had to drink nectar (apple juice) out of their "proboscis" (straw). I learned this new word today along with JJ and his class!

I would say JJ is pretty blessed this year with a creative and fun teacher!

Scenes from school

I visited school today to help with a science project in JJ's class about butterflies. Here he is as a Chrysalis with his creative teacher, Mrs. G

And, while I was there, I took some pictures of the campaign posters hanging in the hallway that Billy has made for his run for Postermaster. His campaign slogan is "I will deliver for you!" The election is on Tuesday....so send him some good thoughts. He has to do a speech in front of the school and everything!

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You might not be able to read it on the poster with his picture, but he made a talk box and said, "I am Billy H and I approve this message!"

2nd grade writing sample....by JJ

JJ's second grade classroom could be like his dream bed room....it is all decked out in camouflage and camping/hiking motif. So, naturally his first writing sample for the teacher was related to the great outdoors...they could write about anything they want....fiction or non. Here is what JJ wrote:

I was hiking the Appalachian Trail and then a copperhead snake bit me. I couldn't get back to the start of the hike, but I had a defibrillator. My dad was there and he had to treat me for shock. And then, along came a Wolverine. Lucky, I am okay.

So, Billy and JJ fans...how much of this is true? He really did almost step on a snake on the AT....after that, not so much! But, as for a writing sample, I am going out on a limb to say, it is pretty awesome!

Trail Mix, Belt Loops and Spy Rock

Did you know The Adventures of Billy and JJ was founded to share our trail mix recipes? Well, we have a good one for you....courtesy of JJ: Gummi Bears Recees Pieces Sunflower Seeds Almonds Peanuts He created it for our most recent hike to spy rock. Billy and JJ did all the planning for the hike, as well as the packing of all our essentials and led us on the trail, keeping an eye out for all the proper blaze signs. This earned them a belt loop for their boy scout belt....and both of their first pin for the scouting sports and academic program.

It was a great hike....but rainy and cloudy so we could not see what was supposed to be a great view. However, since we have our fabulous scouts to lead us....we will go back real soon for that view....and more trail mix if JJ has anything to say about it! And, just because it is so cute....a picture of J-Wow with the boys on the way to the hike. She does so well in the car and is the best hiking dog ever.

How Billy got his ipod touch...

Billy is very technical and loves gadgets and loves to acquire gadgets. He set his sights on an ipod touch this summer and began saving. He was up to $62 in his account. At dinner on Friday night, Mickey offered him $50 to eat a jalapeno pepper. He paused for a split second, and then promptly swallowed his pepper. After 2 cups of milk and some water, we looked up refurbished ipod touches on the internet and found one for $94. It was ordered on the spot and the ipod arrived today in the mail. Now Billy has $16 to his name....and an ipod touch. He will probably text you soon.