Quinn's first real time with a real tie

The cause for this forced bit of growing up was the sixth grade band winter concert.  First, there was defiance, then, resentment.  Resignation came thereafter followed eventually by acceptance.  Imagine how surprised Quinn was when he realized how good he looked with it.

Merry Christmas 2013

Thanksgiving 2013

I get to do this the easy way thanks to my brother Kevin of "Kim & Kevin's Super Amazing Spectacular Family Blog Bonanza" fame.  Here's the link to his site with all of the great photos documenting the Thanksgiving reunion of the entire Schneider family.

 http://ksschneider.blogspot.com/2013/11/thanksgiving-recap.html

Swiss Family Schneider - Return to Catamount - UPDATED VERSION WITH JACK VIDEO

UPDATE - Please click on the YouTube link to now see Jack in action on the zip line.  It took much longer for this one to upload for some reason.



Nothing says family time like climbing through various "elements" (as they're called) and zipping down taut cables suspended high in the trees.  Today was the long awaited trip to the Catamount Mountain Aerial Adventure Park which straddles the New York / Massachusetts state line.  Everyone had a great time.

You have to be at least 7 years old to navigate the courses.  And, naturally, the parents have to sign waivers for themselves and their unsuspecting children which I can tell you no one spent any time whatsoever reading. After overcoming some initial anxiety, Jack conquered the 3 beginner / intermediate courses we took.  As expected, he needed assistance with his carabiners, pulley and the tweezels (yep, those are real thingamabobs).  That did not deter him though.

Cindy jumped right into things as well.  Dad was really hoping to capture a classic damsel in distress moment but she scoffed at such rubbish and laughed in my general direction.  We didn't take any of the double black diamond courses though.  This was a family day.  

Quinn and Dad were able to enjoy some of the VERY long zip lines which were not present when we last visited 3.5 years ago.  Jack had run out of gas by then which was probably for the best.  The photos really capture some of the highlights.  Click on the YouTube link to see the action packed video footage! http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrQpZTsa0SDjhqGPkO9RdCg Looks like the ol' family blog can't handle the bigger video files anymore.

Jack's 7th birthday bowling bonanza

Jack turned 7 this past Tuesday.  He enjoyed 2 days of birthday fun.  He was permitted to bring cupcakes into his class, wear the "birthday belt" at karate and hauled in tons of loot.  Today, was the bowling party and everyone had fun.  Tomorrow, the celebration will culminate with the Highland Schneider Treetop Adventure.  Stay tuned!

Just for fun

Here are two fun videos of Jack in action on the family trampoline.  With his 7th birthday only 2 days away, you can expect to see some action shots from his upcoming bowling party and the family trip to Catamount Mountain for a canopy adventure.  That's right.  You'll see Cindy on a zip line.  Heh heh heh ... Stay tuned.

Here are also two photos from Dad's hike up Peekamoose Mountain in the southeastern Catskills.  The top photo is a panoramic view from the southward facing observation point.  The boulder photo depicts "Reconnoiter Rock", a precariously balanced boulder.  You reach it after completing one of several rock scrambles. Using all fours to climb is a necessity but very fun.  The peak is approximately 3,850 foot high so it's a good workout.  "Strenuous" according to the mapmakers.

 

Update from the pitch

Jack Schneider,  an emerging star striker for Highland Hose,  scored 4 goals in today's match.  He demonstrated strong dribbling skills before finding the net each time.  It is rumored several scouts from English teams blew tea out their noses in amazement. 

Sent from my telephone machine

Jack's spider crawl

The quality of this video has been reduced so we can share it with you. 

Sent from my telephone machine

School doth returneth

The summer blew by at light speed.  The boys filled the first 6 weeks of so with various camps.  Jack's interest in soccer took off with a one week camp run by a young chap plucked straight out of an English coal mine (note - he may not have actually worked in a coal mine).  With his cockney accent, Jack is destined to be a star and it has already shown.  Read below.

The boys then spent time in different day camps where they hit all of the local summer highlights including the county fair, the water park and the roller rink.  Quinn's highlight was hiking and getting caught in a thunderstorm.  

We hosted a Labor Day weekend party complete with over sized water slide, trampoline, Dad's only Hawaiian shirt and enough food and booze to host a real live college party.  

Now flash forward to the present.  Quinn has two complete weeks (and one day) of middle school under his belt and all is well.  He is treated as an older kid and has responded well.  He has even transitioned to waking up early without much fuss.  The middle school building is only one mile from our home so we let him walk home from school which he appreciates.  That's because he can be home in 15-20 minutes as opposed to arriving home by bus almost one hour after the end of the school day.  Don't worry yourselves grandparents.  He walks home with a seemingly ever growing gaggle of friends.  And in case you wondering, they still teach home economics.  Now, it's called Family and Consumer Sciences.  He will only take it for one quarter but will be learning about cooking, sewing and, of course, laundry.  He continues with band lessons, too.

Jack has actually complained that he has too many friends.  He is more physical now than ever before but got back into the swing of things at school.  He does complain more now about going but is generally eager to get out to the bus stop in the mornings.  A summer of trampolining resulted with him becoming proficient with two or three different flips.  He also has a great interest in American Ninja Warrior and parkour.  He demonstrates it by "spider crawling" up all the walls in our house.  He is taking karate and soccer now (Dad is an assistant coach) but when soccer ends, we already have our eyes on a local parkour class for kids.

Below are just a few recent photos of the boys.  School photos will follow soon.     

 

A Lake Champlain Saturday

What a beautiful day we had on northern Lake Champlain.  Your captain dusted off his temporary State of Maryland boating licenses (obtained after passing the test on three separate occasions so you know I am pro) and jumped behind the wheel of a mammoth pontoon boat.  We rented it for the day and sailed out of Pelots Point in North Hero, Vermont.   Had I been born just a few months later, I would not have been able to operate this powerhouse without a full fledged license.  So I guess I just enjoyed the first benefit of old age and am now a 2-state boating all-star.

Grandpa was very surprised to learn we were bringing him onto the Lake.  It didn't take long for all of the boys to start jumping in.  The water was great.   Life vests were mandatory for the boys which was just fine seeing as we were in water that was never less than 30 feet deep.  We stayed away from the choppier areas of the lake with depths of 140 feet.  I only had to jump in once to reel Jack back in.  Quinn was able to keep him from bobbing away the other times.  That never stopped Jack from diving right back in.

Jack discovered that seagulls enjoy Goldfish crackers ... alot.  He and Quinn devoted a majority of our Goldfish supplies to the birds.

All in all, it was a great day.  The weather could not have been better.  Strong sun and a warm breeze.  What else could you ask for?  We all got a little sunburned but we didn't mind.

Where were the ladies you ask?  Well, Mom, Grandma, Grandma's sister Joyce Hilfman, and Grandma's niece Laurie spent the day in Burlington,VT doing something or other.  No photos were taken.  Mom conceded it was best she didn't go on the boat.  She said she would have been too nervous watching the boys.  I assured her that Quinn only swam into the propeller once.  Don't worry.  The engine was off at the time.  Somehow, that didn't put her at ease.    
 

The first mate

A genuine smile

The Captain in his happy place

3 satisfied boys

Who knew hams could dive?

Quinn "moves up" to middle school - Parents go into shock

Quinn is nearly 11 years old and will begin middle school in the fall.  The "moving up" ceremony mimicked that of a conventional graduation.  Quinn is seen in the video at top accepting his certificate and shaking hands with the principal, vice principal, the superintendent and august members of the board of education.

Quinn is popular with the students and teachers and has great grades.  He has grown to enjoy band and I only wish the website would let me put up the files of him playing at his recent concert.  Unfortunately, the files are too large.  I will take another shot at editing them.  I can share them in other ways for anyone who may be interested.

The boys will spend some time in a day camp this summer.  They will bounce on their new trampoline with friends everyday.  We'll hit a beach somewhere along the way.  And before we know it, Quinn will be causing us agita this fall when he vigorously resists getting up at 6 a.m. or so for middle school.

It was a day to reflect, more so perhaps for Mom and Dad.

          

Jack earns his second stripe

Jack has really taken to karate.  He is typically enthusiastic about going to class.  Today, he took a small step  toward his next belt.  He came right out to give us hugs after the short ritual you are about to watch was over.  We are proud of him.

Lucky 13 for Cindy and Bryan

Happy Anniversary! 

Sent from my telephone machine

Jack's first lost tooth

Jack was a late arrival to this small aspect of growing up but he lost his first tooth yesterday.  I, for one, will miss all of his baby teeth.  His dentist has repeatedly referred to them as "perfect".

Spring school pics

Enjoy!

Disneyworld!!! Part 1 of maybe 2

Hollywood Studios entrance

Main Street - Magic Kingdom

 Whew!  What a trip! It was worth every penny.  Everything was ... well, let's just say it Disney-style ... Magical!

Even getting up at 3:30 a.m. to leave and walking through a biting wind did not dampen our spirits.  Our flight and ride to the hotel were smooth and on time.

We stayed at the Animal Kingdom Lodge - Jambo House which has an African safari theme.  We all highly recommend it.  We had a "savanna" view which meant we could see the African wildlife from our balcony.  There was no shortage of it.  From the moment we arrived, there were giraffes, zebras, african cranes, wildebeests, antelope etc. in plain view.  There were times they were as close as the fencing would permit (75 feet away or so).  Cindy and I never tired of it.

The pool was a mere 11,000 square feet with a bar and waterslide, naturally.  Obviously, that was popular with all of us.  And it was heated to just the right temperature.

The weather was perfect.  The first two mornings were a bit nippy by Florida standards but we lost the sweatshirts and hoodies by lunch time.  The remainder of the trip was summertime weather but not oppressive at all.   It was even better knowing we were missing a snowstorm back at home.

Cindy at her best in the Animal Kingdom Park - Day 1

The boys in their ol' Chevy while we waited to eat at the Sci-Fi Diner.  It was an indoor drive in.

 We hit Animal Kingdom shortly after arriving as it was the closest of the four parks to our hotel.  We did not cover the entire park but we all rode Dinosaur!  which was downright amazing with its life like dino-robots and whatnot.  Jack and I also rode Expedition Everest, a serious freakin' coaster (photo below).  I was worried Jack was going to melt down but he loved it.  We enjoyed a walk through the open air aviary with birds from southeast Asia.  But as much fun as this was, the boys felt this was their least enjoyable park.

The boys cooling off in the mist - Adventureland - Magic Kingdom

My princess and her castle

A carefree moment during our last night 

 Day two brought pure joy to Jack as he and I went to the Magic Kingdom while Quinn and Cindy went to EPCOT.  Jack and I covered plenty of ground, riding Space Mountain, Thunder Mountain, Pirates of the (continued below)













































Caribbean, Haunted Mansion and some crazy Buzz Lightyear game which was a life size shooting gallery.  We were entertained by a talking and dancing trash can, too.  We went to see the Country Bear Jamboree and rode the Carousel of Progress.

Meanwhile, Quinn and Cindy were touring the "world" with their stomachs. They particularly enjoyed Morocco and Italy.  Quinn added baklava to his list of favorite desserts while Cindy drank wine and ate asparagus and lobster in some nifty sauce.  Quinn had his name written in Arabic on a pendant he bought with a chain.  They saved their tour of the Futureworld for when we were altogether with the exception of riding Soarin' which to put it mildy is one hell of an attraction (calling it a ride does not do it justice).

All four of us enjoyed Pirates and Haunted Mansion at Magic Kingdom along with the fantastic nightly "Celebrations" and "Wishes" fireworks / castle magic production during our last night.  Quinn wanted me to film it but honestly, I just wanted to enjoy it without the cameras.  It is too good to miss.

Hollywood Studios presented us with the Tower of Terror which Cindy really liked (ha ha!) with its drops - and ups! - over 13 stories or so.  I woke up early one morning to enjoy the "magic hour" available only to guests of the Disneyworld resorts.  No outsiders can ride anything during that hour which meant I could walk onto one of the busiest attractions at the park, the Rockin' Rollercoaster or whatever.  It is an indoor coaster with 3 inverted loops as you supposedly whip through L.A. traffic in an Aerosmith limo.  Certainly woke me up at 8:15 a.m.

When we went back to Hollywood together, we watched the Indiana Jones and Extreme Stunt shows.  Highly entertaining and borderline unreal at times.  The shows alternated between action sequences and time spent with your hosts (directors, stunt coordinators etc) breaking down the scenes and some tricks of the movie making trade.  All I can say is go see them if and when you make it down there yourselves.

Letting the boys play hooky for a week was a great idea.  The crowds were definitely nowhere near capacity but there were days wait times and lines for the biggest attractions were crazy.  The "Fast Pass" ride option, however, is ingenious.  It gives you the ability to essentially make a reservation for the ride / attraction you want which are usually the ones everyone wants.  You don't have to wait in line if you don't want to.  Disney, Inc. deserves much credit for the creative ways they cater to everyone and focus on every detail.

I will sift through the rest when I can and throw a few more photos up when I can.  I will conclude by saying that there were many times Cindy and I saw pure joy and smiles in our boys' eyes and that made the whole thing worth it.

"Hey Grandpa!  I rode Space Mountain twice and loved it!"

Thunder Mountain

An in flight photo of Jack and Dad .... and our long lost cousin Earl Gristleweed from Ricochet, Oklahoma* (* this guy may not be named Earl Gristleweed and he may not be from Ricochet.)

Expedition Everest - Animal Kingdom Park - Great coaster with an eerie Yeti awaiting us

Jack's first minutes on Main Street - Magic Kingdom

Quinn from the Epcot World Showcase facing Spaceship Earth

Quinn in Adventureland - Magic Kingdom

Quinn in an Epcot fountain with the monorail track and other exhibit scenery

Cindy in "Italy" during an unexpected date night with yours truly

Epcot was hosting its annual Flower Exposition when we there.  

Can you see the boys' new pet?  - Animal Kingdom