It's time to let go.

It's become his obsession. At his 2 year check-up Dr. John asked if my oldest still used a bottle or pacifier. I quickly said "No bottle. That's been long gone. The binky is a different story." Dr. John said "Do you want me to be the bad guy and throw it away?" My reply was that it would have to be a little more creative than that. This was what I came up with. Now when my baby pleads for his "binky, binky, binky", I hand him one of these. He's tried to find another way to use it, but it's not the same, and he throws it and walks away. Can it be this simple?

Firemen's Day At America's Fair

On the first Friday every year at The America's Fair (formerly known as The Erie County Fair), they honor the local area's Volunteer Firemen and EMS personnel. We get free admission and get to show off our trucks and marching skills (or lack there of). We pitch a tent on the inside if a 1 mile horse race track, eat, drink and celebrate with other local Fire Depts. At 7pm the parade begins. It starts with marching and ends with all the firetrucks flashing their lights and sounding their sirens. It's so loud, and very, very cool to see. I'll try and give you an idea of what it looks like from the inside of the track.

Some other pics from Fireman's Day.

Daddy and Benny getting ready walk the fairgrounds.

Xander sampling some of the farm equipment displays.

Xander playing on Farnham Fire Departments 1929 Buffalo Firetruck.

It almost always wins a blue ribbon.

Benny, hydrating.

Catching a quick nap before the parade. They didn't even flinch as the other fire dept band practiced in the background.

After the parade we hit the conservation building and Daddy took Xander fishing at Lawtons trout pond display. The creepy man to the right IS NOT a relative. He belongs to the pond people.

And in true Maurer fashion, we end the evening with a trip to the fish game. Now my husband has "hooked" my son on the sport. He's good at it too. He actually won one!

Eden Corn Festival

The first weekend in August is alway corn pickin' time. This is our trip to the festival to get the first taste of this years local corn. Um, I don't think we actually got any pics of us EATING the corn because it's hard to hold the camera with our buttery fingers! Sorry. It was good though.

The sky was so pretty. We only managed to have a 5 minute rain shower roll through. That's when the eating started. What else does one go to these events for anyway?

Grandma Maurer taking Benny on his first ride!Grandpa Maurer with Xander.

Daddy and MiMi teaching Xander to fish for sharks. Xander participating in the "Catch and Release Program".
Daddy, Xander and Grandpa Gannon.

And this is my "oldest child" showing you his fishing skills. We CANNOT leave without playing the fish game. Most people stock their ponds with trout. We do it with "fair fish".