Strange and Unusual

One day when it was still summer, I got up early and went out to work in the garden before the kids were up. Well, you know how it is. There was a lot to do, and time just got away from me. But I knew the kids were up when Ben came out to the garden, and said, "Hey Mom, I just took a picture. Wanna see?"


The other day I just happened upon a killer deal on cheese. I also just happened to be on the phone with my mom when I found it, and so I had to get some for her, too. I ended up buying 23 pounds of cheese! (At about .41/lb, in case you were wondering.)
My kids thought it was great! What a nice mother I was to buy them some new building blocks.


Also during the last couple weeks of summer we had a couple of violent wind storms. One of these wind storms knocked a branch out of our tree and smashed the trampoline. Once again, my kids thought this was great! Our trampoline has never been so popular.
Thankfully Superman (aka Jef, but don't tell) came along and bent it back into shape for us.
Thank you, Superman!

Camping

Because of Jef's crazy schedule this summer, it became obvious that if we were going to get a camping trip in this summer, then it was up to me. So the kids and I went up and explored Castle Rock and picked out the perfect spot. The next week we packed up, hitched up the tent trailer, and off we went. Just me, six kids, and a tent trailer for three nights. Not one of my more sane moments, I'm afraid.

But it turned out great, because I managed to back the trailer into just the right spot, only hitting one tree in the process. Then Jef got so nervous that he ditched on of his evening classes and came up to set up the ten trailer for me. Yes!

The best part about our spot was the little creek running right past it. Ben and Cannon spent most of their time floating things. But then Ben made himself a home-made fishing pole, and really really really really wanted to try it out in some deeper water. So we headed down-stream and found the coolest little spot for Ben to fish.Unfortunately, he didn't catch anything. This could have been for two reasons. One: he didn't use any bait. Two: His brothers and sisters were swimming and being crazy about twelve feet away from his spot.So Ben soon gave up and got in the water. He was very proud of himself for being able to do the butterfly against the current and actually making progress.

Robyn spent most of the camping trip reading.
The only part that got a little lonely was in the evening. But luckily we only had one night like that. Both of the other two nights we had guests. My family one night and some friends the other. Thanks guys for a super time!

Swimming

We couldn't possibly pass July without mentioning swim team. Ben has always been half fish, and I'm so glad we've found an outlet for his obsession with water.

(This being the exact opposite of Robyn, who still doesn't like to get her hair wet while at the pool.)

Ben did an amazing job, even completing his first 100m IM at his last meet, and getting second place!

And of course, the rest of us had a great time. Spending half the summer in a sweltering hot indoor pool without being allowed to get in the water. Who wouldn't love that?

Hooray for Swim Team!

Happy Birthday Jef!

Happy Birthday, Honey!
(ten days ago, but who's counting?)

Jef isn't really into cake, so we made apple pies instead. Super yummy!

29 again. My, how time flies!

July Holidays

Since I'm behind anyway, let's just pretend like the 4th of July and the 24th looked exactly alike. Since they mostly did.

So for both holidays, we sat and watched a parade. The kids got tons of candy, but more on the 24th.The best part of the parade was Robyn playing the cymbals with the high school band. No, you haven't lost track of time. At least not that much time. Robyn will only be in 6th grade next year. But the band was lacking a cymbals player, and since we're friends with one of the percussion players, she recruited Robyn.

But the best part of the 4th was The Field of Stars, a locally written and produced patriotic musical.
I must say that most of the play was incredibly long and boring. There were 33 songs, which was at least 20 too many.
But the feedback I got from everyone was that Jef was the best part. I'm glad the whole town agrees with me. Jef was hilarious as the King of England. He was obviously meant to be royalty. Which works for me, since if he's the king, that makes me...Emily was also in the play, and did a fabulous job of knowing all the words to all 33 songs. Of course she would forget her hat on the one night I remembered my camera, but at least it makes her easier to pick out in a picture.

Happy July!