Moving to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

About a month ago Mason came home and said he wanted to go to school in Pennsylvania since he was reading the Magic Tree House books and they are in PA.  What a big surprise to him that we were about to say he could.  Stacey received a great job in Moon Township, PA a town west of Downtown Pittsburgh and near the Internationl Airport.  The first thing Cameron wants to do is go skiing and Mason wants to build a tree house.  It should be another fun Offner Adventure.

Student Showcase

Mason was able to be the Student Showcase this week so he came up with all the things he loves. Anything that either moves him and or he moves is what he likes. Look at the pictures and you will understand. I wish was in the room to hear him present to his friends.

Saraychik

Today the boys and I went north about 45 minutes to a small city called Saraychik. It used to be an important city many hundreds of years ago, but now it is just something to go do while living in Atyrau. The first stop was the local museum. Since we didn't have a translator we did not get the full understanding of the history, but that was okay. We were welcomed by an older Kazakh man into the museum. We took off our shoes and paid the $5 for all of three of us to enter. The museum was lined with artifacts from around the area and had a map of the city in the center. The boys enjoyed seeing the old money and map. As we were leaving we were asked to sign a guest book. Mason wrote his name so beautiful and neat. I was so proud and told him his name would be there forever for everyone to see.


The last stop was the local archeological site by the river. It is kind of sad because the river has actually washed away part of a burial spot. Cameron and Mason had fun digging and it was eerie to see human bones and coffins sticking out of the ground about to fall as the wall of dirt moves. When I asked the boys what was their favorite part, Cameron said, "Digging up coins and bones" and Mason said, "Digging up bones." Nothing seems to faze them.

Got to go?

New Bikes

The boys keep growning so that means new bikes.  Mason is a little small to ride a 20" bike, but I knew he would be on Cameron's anyway so I let the boys pick out their own bikes.  They both wanted gear bikes and both came with all the best features.  Since the bikes came in a shipment I had to put them together and it took me a couple of days to locate the right tools and get a safety check.  At night Mason wanted just one more look at his new bike before going to bed.  He does love riding and the first day he rubbed his hand a little raw changing the gears so much.  Boys for you.

Mason has to see how this works.

Tie Die

The boys have always wanted to do tie die t-shirts so I brought a kit back from the USA and invited some of their friends over.  It was not the usual tie die, but more of a spray.  Easy to clean up and all the kids enjoyed making their own.  We even tried socks.  The next morning Cameron and Mason could not wait to wear their new clothes.

Paper Airplanes

Stacey challenged Cameron to make paper airplanes.  As an incentive she told him if he made all the paper airplanes that came in the pack (365) that she would pay him 10 cent for each one.  Cameron is motivated by money and was off to a fast start, but has tapered off now.  I think he will need a little reminding to finish the rest.

The Start of School

It seems like I was just writing about the first day of school and here we are again.  Cameron is starting the 3rd grade and Mason in 1st.  They were excited to start school and so was I.  Here is to another great school year!

Bubble Gum Fun

For years we have been telling the boys they can not chew gum.  We told them this because Cameron has spacers in his teeth and not being able to have proper dental care we couldn't take the risks of something happening.   Since we were in the US and the boys are older Stacey decided it was about time and made a big deal of it. 
Stacey taught them how to not only chew gum, but blow a bubble.  Cameron was determined to do it on his own and Mason just wanted to chew and watch.  After about thirty minutes Cameron got it.  He always will overcome to have some fun.

Karate Camp

This summer the boys entered their first ever camp and why not karate.  They learned a little and always took it home to demonstrate.  They also enjoyed the many outings the camp had such as swimming, pizza, arcade, skating, farms, video games, parks, etc.  I am sure they will want to go again.  Lets see if they bring it up between now and then.

Greensburg, KY

Kentucky is a very peaceful and beautiful place.  I understand while Stacey enjoyed it as a child. 
Cameron and Mason loved looking around at MeMaw and PePaw's house.  From riding the lawnmower with PePaw, the four wheeler with Uncle Kyle, and Mason convicing PePaw it was okay for him to ride in the front seat of the car we enjoyed our time in Kentucky.