Buhner

We were still considered in the newly married stage when we purchased our first house thirteen years ago. We opted for brand new in a rural city due to the get more for your money price. We had the hugest yard in the 80+ community and that is what sold us. My husband was a budding landscape hobbyist and we thought future yard for little ones. But before we delved into the two legged kind, we first went with the four legged variety.

We were planners. We built a nice side yard kennel for this unknown future dog; we could not afford a fence just yet for the over sized yard, but we really wanted a dog. It took weeks to build this nice sized kennel. We first had to move the pile of dirt and rock that came with the unfinished backyard, which then led to building a large retaining wall by hand. Next came the chain link fence enclosure, hiring the addition of a back door to the garage, adding cement steps and a porch to said door. Finally we added the crushed rock and the kennel was ready. But we had no dog.

Although we wanted to rescue our dog from a shelter, we had a specific dog in mind. A Labrador Retriever. The search began. I had a bi-weekly routine during my lunch hour to call all the shelters in the area. The search continued for over a month. Until one day in late September, just before the day was over, I got a call that a golden lab had been delivered and we made immediate plans for a visit. Three hours later, we had adopted our first dog.

He was picked up as a stray, perhaps three months old. We counted back to June 30th and deemed that his birthday. We named him Buhner, after our favorite Major League Ball player Jay Buhner. But when he was overly playful or mischievous we'd call him Bone or Jay for short.

A happy go lucky guy, always with a pant of a smile pasted on his adorable face. A good boy who would mind his manners, but enough mischief to add puppy throughout his life. A dog the kids literally looked up to, pulled on a few times, sat upon, kissed a lot. He was a gentle giant. He loved to play catch and would carry multiple toys in his mouth at one time. He could run with his tail wagging in a circle; it was his motor winding him up. He would pull the toddler kids on sleds during the winter. He would get bathed in the yard in the summer. A true buddy.

Eighteen months ago he went peacefully in his sleep. We have pictures of him around our house; the kids still talk about the remember whens. We planted a Yellow Dog Wood in his honor in our backyard with his favorite blue and yellow porcupine toy buried underneath.

Always loved. Our dog Buhner.
Happy Birthday.

Rafting

Gorgeous day! I haven't heard the official report, but it would not surprise me if we hit 90+. It was fab-u-lous! The kids spent the day in our backyard playing in our blow up pool with their neighbor buddies, while I read my book in the shade and fed them ice cream and water, while keeping the sun screen flowing. My husband putz'd with our raft getting it ready for our evening voyage.

We drove to the lake that is around the corner from our place to drop our boat in the water. Hooked with motor and oars, the boys ended up having a fantastic ride. Once my girl saw the water, the boat, the water, the boat ... she opted for a walk with me and Cora around the park. And that was really fun having girl talk time after her day with friends.

The rafting went great; up until they started taking on water on their way back to shore. By the time they reached land, it was a substantial amount on board. My son was worry free, I like that. My daughter would have been the opposite. This could possibly have been the last voyage. So we will enjoy our photos and our Rafting Memory on such a glorious day.

It's Finally Here

I have debated on writing about our glorious summer weather in fear that I would make it disappear. People sometimes don't wash their cars on sunny days around here because it never fails that the following day it will rain. But I hand washed both our cars this week and the weather stayed, so I figured I'd be good to blog about the sun.

I enjoy waking up to the yellow cast of light streaming through our bedroom window on summer days. Knowing that when we open our downstairs living area windows, the chill will crisp my bare feet and add a slight chill to my legs while I eat my breakfast. But I remind myself that the air will be dense with heat in short hours. The beautiful sounds of sprinkles, old and new, chatter throughout our neighborhood by eight in the morning, providing a fresh backdrop to the birds singing wildly in our woods. The kids wake refreshed, sporting a safe sun screened protected tan line. They eat breakfast on the patio and plan their summer day.

Smelling the coconut lotion while the heat presses against skin, a wee bit of sweat running down tanks, you know summer has arrived. Outside eight hours plus. House remains clean. In and out with flip flops. Lemon water. Otter Pops. Water balloons. Books. Shade. Relaxing.

As the sun dips further to the ground and the hours tick closer to ten when the air will be dark, the house remains plugged from the day's heat. Kids sleep with oscillating fans in their rooms, doors open to the hall, summer pj's, and cold wash cloths on their face. Upstairs window's remain open to hear the premature fireworks bang in the distance. Tired from the sun, the play, the fresh air.

Summer is Finally Here!

Genuine. Loyal. Friend.

Jinx'd

A sunny day was yesterday and I was hosing off my driveway, sprucing it up for our 4th of July block party. The kids were riding their bikes and chasing the water running in the street gutter. Just the three of us out. Peaceful.

Until I heard the rumble of a dirt bike, that classic sound of ... well, how do you type the description of a dirt bike? The awful high-pitched whirl of Rrrrrhhh! Something like that? Basically, I find dirt bikes to be extremely loud and obnoxious. That was the sound we were listening to when I felt a jolt in my gut that told me this was something to be cautious about. I turned toward my kids in the cul de sac and yelled for them to just get on the sidewalk. We could see nothing, but heard this bike getting closer and it just sounded wild.

As soon as the kids had cleared to the lawn, the dirt bike rounded the corner barreling onto our street being pursued by a State Patrol Motorcycle Officer who had his lights on, but no siren. Within seconds the illegal bike was down our street, over the curb, and jumping onto the trail that leads mysteriously between two houses at the end of the cul de sac where we live. He had to have known previously about this trail, a newbie to the block would hardly notice it. Hearing the bike travel down the path and onto the new neighborhood below, I was furious.

My kids frozen in time, shocked. The Officer pulled his rather large bike around to where I was standing:

Officer: Do you know that kid, has he come down here before?
Me: No, but in summer's past we've had issues with dirt bikes coming up that trail.
Officer: I believe it.

Thinking that he should really be on his way to catching this guy rather than chit-chatty with me....
Me: You know, that leads to the new neighborhood below.
Officer (with a smirk): Yeah, but I can't get my bike down there.

Still thinking he must get on with the chase ...
Me: The road out here leads around.
Officer: Oh, he's long gone.

Amazed this Officer's blood is not boiling as hot as mine ...
Me: Well, do you need to call for back up?
Officer (completely calm): We already did. They'll get him.

Adamant to do my part after the biker could have easily careened into that tree, that bush, that car, those kids!
Me: I'll call 9-1-1 if we see him again.

And once again, a random circumstance putting me back into the Traveling Path of 9-1-1.

(thoughts to self: Looking back, I'm sure this grey haired senior officer was appreciative of this young chick's suggestion, uh actually telling, him how to perform his duties. Oops, but it just came out that way.)

Passion

These photo will be more priceless when my grown son accomplishes his dream to travel the world saving wild animals. And if his dream changes, it will be a forever snapshot into his young character. He's had a soft spot in his heart for animals since he could talk. Naturally gravitating to animal books, animal movies, the zoo and aquarium, nature hikes, search and view of wild life in our backyard, these photo are some of my favorites.

Agility 102

The enormous green tent on the side of the highway houses our Agility classes. A large facility complete with acres of garden and landscaping, beautiful and clean. The teachers are fun with a no-nonsense attitude that keeps the class (ehm, humans included) in line.

Cora started seven weeks ago very cautious about this thing called Agility. While she would try everything that was asked of her, she was far from being a barking speed demon like Bo the Keeshound. She was the cautious princess that every one adored. But today we started the next step up in the series and she now gets the need for speed.

Actually, I should clarify. She now understands that the faster she runs, the faster she gets to the yellow touch points on some of the equipment which lays a treat served on a plate. Literally. A sour cream lid is on the sawdust floor and on top of that lid is a yummy piece of cheese, or meat, or treat. She lives for those touch points. Sometimes, so much so, that she'll skip the equipment and head straight for the plate.

And learning to weave through the six poles is a fun game because she gets to lick the treat the entire time through the weave; eating when she's done. One of my favorites because I get to control the speed of her wiggle. The faster I pull the treat through, the faster her little bum wiggles left, right, left, right. Eventually, her muscle memory will be built where she will weave minus the treat.

And when she waits her turn to run the course, she sits and stares at my pocket of goodies. Not a moving muscle, just her will power beaming hard into my side willing that treat to reach her lips.

Good dog.

(Yikes!! What's up with chicken legs ~ thought I was building muscle. Gotta be the green reflection).

Climbing Trees

Not being a tree climber, I can only guess there is an art to climbing big trees. I would think you would need to know where to put which foot and where to hold onto so you do not turn into a pretzel. And then there is the fact too that you probably do not want to sloth hang and start giggling so hard you scream you might fall when you are feet off the ground. Unless you have a trusty Grandad to save you.

Once you arrive, I can imagine that the scenery surrounded by beautiful green and brown is amazing. The reward for your hard work is feeling like you are the King and Queen of the air, the one peering down on the life moving below you. A dreamy state of imagination.

My children enjoy climbing the big tree in my parent's big yard.

Family Day

Although my parents did not move to the home they have retired in until after I moved away to college, their house has always felt like a cozy home to me. I enjoy going to their house with it's beautiful large acre lot filled with woods and gardens, nicely landscaped bushes and trails, their neat and well cared patio furniture always out and ready, the white porch swing hanging outside their bedroom porch, a hammock nestled next to the woods.

They always have something for the kids to put their hands on or into, with my parents experiencing with them. It could be the old Fisher Price classic toys saved from when my brother and I were children, or it could be Spirit Trail named and made for the grandchildren who walk through the over and under growth to get to their neighbor's horse pasture which borders across their back fence line.

The food is always amazingly creative. My mom is the master chef of creating intriguing salads, and wonderful menu combos that always creates a wonderful spread of food. My dad is a good complement with his equally amazing entrees. Growing up I did not always appreciate the goodness in wholesome meals, or the creative selections they would always provide. Now as a mom stuck on a mundane rotation I can't get out of, I definitely savor and appreciate their knack for always making it taste so good with a complementary variety. And my kids actually eat it!

Very well organized, they have something for something for just about anything. It is hard to explain really, but the type of people who always have an extra to make anyone feel at home. Need a toothbrush? Here, I have an unopened one right here. Need some boots? Aww, I have just your size in this closet. Or even, you prefer Rye Bread? I bought some yesterday just in case you swung by. Seriously, they are always thinking of others and making their home so darn easy to be comfortable in!

Maybe that is why we always stay so late!! Always enjoy family day at my parent's house.

My Brother

The story goes that my only sibling and brother by two years was home with our grandmother when I arrived home from the hospital with my parents in a bundle of yellow blanket. My brother's enthusiasm was not because of his cute, adorable little sister arriving to greet him, it was because he thought my parents had come home with McDonald's! Back then the paper sacks housing the food of Ronald McDonald were yellow ...

After the disappointment of not having a hamburger that day and instead getting a sister, we soon fell into a great relationship. We have always been good friends. Our squabbles were to a minimum and were over trivial items; like who set the table last or who got to sit in the front seat of Mom's 1962 white Dodge Dart with cherry red interior. We never punched or kicked, never yelled mean slang to each other, or broke things out of frustration toward the other. We were just friends.

He could beat me at a discussion any day regardless of topic, regardless whether I agreed or disagreed with his thoughts. The lawyer mentality, the books smarts, the whole package of brain he possesses is just spot-on. And I like that. He makes me think, and sometimes I wish I had his quickness to use on others. The moments when you retell the story and he says, "So, did you tell them ...." and you think, "Ugh, that would have been perfect!" Sarcastic, yes. Hurtful, no. Balanced.

A kind hearted, thinker, confident in who he is and what he wants, a gentle soul, a musician, good looking, athletic, personality plus ... my brother.

Smooches and Happy Birthday!!!

Pile of piles

My laptop is parked at my kitchen desk. This cute built-in spot big enough for a nice chair, couple drawers, a tiled counter space to my left with a nice petite lamp sitting atop. I love my desk. With cupboard space above me, it houses everything I need to work at my computer. Bills are here, school prep work for the kids, folders labeled with on going projects, cookbooks to study. It really is a neat set-up. When it is clean....

I deep organize this cupboard and drawer space about twice a year (the surface space is otherwise spotless). Every June when school lets out and every December when the long break calls for time to self.

I cleaned today. I found stuff. And more stuff. I embarrassingly found four gift cards that I did not even remember receiving to: Target, Jamba Juice, Starbucks, and Regal Cinema's. I also found the original Manicotti Recipe that my husband and I made when we were dating some fifteen years ago. We thought we lost the family hand-me-down recipe for good few years back. But nope, I found it. Stuffed between a cookbook and those cards.

And then all the kids' school things. I admit I was tough and tossed a lot today, but I still have a hefty stack that I can not justify tossing. Will I ever look back at this pile and relive? Do I care to look at my elementary school items? Not really. But I guess I hang on for that random "just in case"moment.

And then there is our art closet ... and the garage ... oh, and the master bedroom closet ... hmm, what other's can't see, who cares, right? Wrong, it is on my Summer To Do List, during the next rainfall (which will be tomorrow no doubt). ~ Sigh.

Skater

My girl is a traditional girl. She prefers dresses over jeans, nail polish over plain, pink over blue, playing house, school and dolls over climbing trees, catching bugs and getting muddy.

So it was a shock when we heard last September that she desperately wanted a skateboard for her ninth birthday. Out of everything on her long list, she put Skateboard on top.

I know she is not the only girl to have a skateboard in our town, but she's the only one on our one-street neighborhood. The boys deemed her cool. The girls looked on with a hidden sparkle.

Loving her skirt as she took her first ride; still clinging to her inner self.

Note to self ....

I got what I had been wishing. I got the next wire size when I had my orthodontic adjustment yesterday. This is my first real adjustment since they were placed in February. I still think my doctor feels my teeth move slower than molasses, but I'm glad I finally passed this round.

But ... Ouch! My jaw feels like I hit it full force on a cement sidewalk. As I'm reliving the pain all over again from the first application of the braces, I thought of four tips I need to remind myself should my children ever wear braces under my roof. They are:

*Schedule adjustments for the last appointment of the day. The tightening does not hurt until about the eighth hour, which would get them past dinner and into bed. With ibuprofen I would think they'd be able to sleep off the pain.

*Do not be concerned about a well balanced diet for a few days and just cater to soft foods. For example, unlike my husband's mom, do not accidentally serve spare ribs on the first day.

*Keep the house quite due to headache.

*If they complain that the thingy which hangs down to attach future rubber bands to, has literally poked a small hole in their cheek and then that thingy gets stuck in that hole; that it can be easily bent by the doctor so it no longer happens. They do not have to suffer for three weeks like their mother and wear white gunky wax 24/7 to cover the pain, the hole, the freak out.

With complete certainty, I will have fresh memories of braces if it comes time for my children to endure the same.

*self photo via camera phone, compliments of my son

Thursday Night Line Up

I flipped on a rerun of Seinfeld late last night and it took me on a time travel to the early '90's.

We and our siblings were all relatively newlyweds back then. We all lived within a short drive of each other. We saw each other for every birthday, every holiday, and just about every weekend. Our circle was even smaller because my brother and wife were best friends with my husband's sister and husband. That is how my husband and I met. We were introduced at my brother's July wedding, and my husband asked me on our first date at his sister's wedding that same year, four months later. Got that? Basically, my spouse and I are the siblings to everyone in the close knit circle; making our children cousins to all seven children between the three couples, but two of the couples are non-related. I am sure that achieved a succinct description for you.

And in the early 90's we had this thing going called Thursday Night Line Up with my brother and sister-in-law. We would look forward to it all week long. We would arrange other commitments around this sacred night. And in the end it worked out that every Thursday we would alternate going to one another's apartments and later our new houses, sometimes for dinner, sometimes just slipping in before 8:00 pm. Our purpose?

To watch the NBC's channel of All About You, Friends, and Seinfeld that were ingeniously stacked back to back. It was a great connection for the four of us. A chance to chat and get caught up with our lives, to see each other face to face, to laugh about on-going jokes or one-liners from the shows. It was the best and changed only when Seinfeld went off the air, nine seasons later.

Purchasing of houses, job changes, four children between us later and we have kept the connection. Although we no longer join each other on Thursday nights, we have taken two shows that we watch and discuss on a regular basis; Lost and The Amazing Race.

I am grateful for the small tradition we started. Grateful for our friendship that sparked and deepened as a result of Thursday Night Line Up.

Summer Break

Schools out!! I always loved the last day of school as much as the first day. Glad to sleep in, to have a lazy schedule, vacations, the prospect of sunshine, and neighborhood creativity. I always enjoyed the freedom that the last day of school brought.

Today is no different. Picking up the kids from early release brought freedom knowing that a morning schedule will only be my doing, that we don't have to "have to" on any activity, hopes of everyone getting along and enjoying the short two and a half months of being just us.

I pinch myself that my girl is a 4th grader. Her teacher will loop the classroom to the next grade and as she put it, "Awesome! Six boys opted out for a new teacher and we gained two girls!" Adoring her teacher as a person and enjoying her teaching style, my daughter is set for her move up.

Feeling grateful that my son got the teacher I had been crossing my fingers for all spring. The most hard working teacher I've ever met thus far, she taught my daughter's second grade class and those students were nonstop academically active. My son is very excited at the thought of 2nd grade.

Even little Miss Cora graduated today! Her certificate reads successful completion of Agility 101 and we will start Agility 102 next week. She had her best run today; having to turn a blind corner to go from an A-Frame to a Dog Walk without getting a nose distraction to the freedom of the ring becking her call. She did fantastic,; even though I can't explain why she would jump the first poles but would opt to run around the second. Oh well, adds humor to the course.

Welcome, Summer Break!!

And then there were roses ...

"That was awesome!" Those were the first words spoken from my girl as I lifted her off the stage from last night's much anticipated dance recital. She owned her two dances with her amazing facial expressions, knowledge of her dances, and cooperative muscles.

That morning, she woke to a sign outside her door from her little brother which read:

"You Rock!! I can't wait for tonight."

Next to the sign was a bag with her initials on it. Inside the bag was an old key chain, a yellow highlighter, a sharpened and well worn pencil with some random store logo printed on, and a necklace that actually already belonged to her.

To him, he had reached into his junk drawer and pulled out with love a gift for his awe-inspiring big sister. To her, it was just so very cute and sweet, that she giggled and gave him a genuine hug and thank you.

That is how we started yesterday ... and we ended with roses.

Happy Father's Day!!

Thank you to my husband for being a fantastic father! He has a never ending source of encouragement and strength for our family, with a hard work ethic which provides our children a wonderful example. He is quick to laugh and smile, quick to tell a joke, yet has the balance between serious and light hearted. He is a hands on father who knows the routine and can tell you who belongs where and when. We love him and he shows his love for us every day! Happy Father's Day, Honey!

Maybe is better than No

We do not own a Nintendo DS nor a Wii. We own an old fashioned, original xBox. We purchased it new when the kids were too little to understand what it was all about. Now that they are older and understand the concept of gaming, our machine is outdated. Games are rarely sold, new ones are no longer being made. Even though the kids have only played the cute and fun games like Ratatouille and Chicken Little, most of them require some adult help because of the skill level involved to advance anywhere in the game.

This week, per usual, my son came out of his room after being tucked into bed with a sad little face. He had been thinking. His thoughts were that he was the only!! child in his classroom, with his sister and him being the only!! children in the entire school, without a DS or Wii. It was so lonely not being able to talk with the other kids about the games. He was so out of the loop. He was sad.

But it woke me up. He is only in 1st grade and he got the big picture. It wasn't the fact that he really wanted one (which he desperately has for the last year). It wasn't the fact that he used the only!! word, because even he knew that was an exaggeration. What got me was that he was able to put the picture together and realize that he could not share in conversations with his buddies. And that made me sad.

I know there will be millions of examples as he continues to grow about what's in and he won't have it ... but this hit me. Are the games so common place that it is like not having a TV in your house? Or like not having a computer? Hmm. Would it be so bad to upgrade? I had viewed those machines negatively for so long. But I had never stopped to think that really it is the parent's responsibility to control the usage. We have thus far with xBox and Webkinz, what really is the difference?

I think he caught my realization because the next evening he brought his list of persuasion: a list of everything he would do to help around the house, to then be paid, to then save up his money, to then purchase the upgrade. Such as, changing Cora's water dish for .10 cents, picking up the playroom all by himself for .50 cents, setting and clearing the dishes for .15 cents. The list continued with .70 cents being the highest pay out for good attitude. I couldn't help but smirk. He then said, "What? You think this will take me forever, don't you!" Well ....

The topic is still on the table. We are at Maybe (which drives my son nuts).

My Porch

Our house has a nice covered front porch big enough for dancing and singing! Recently, the kids were out playing, my husband was off golfing, and I was alone with the house to myself. I opened my front window to allow the breeze to blow in and found myself sitting down at the piano. During my teaching vacation, I still find the piano a treat.

I was engulfed in melody for a good 20 minutes before I noticed peeking eyeballs, tilting heads, and giggles coming from my porch. The neighborhood gang had joined my personal party.

And then it just got really crazy. Singing and dancing came out full force as I purposefully played kid-tunes to spark their innovative fun. Then came requests for particular songs. The kids had a blast and I had fun too; developing my part to their end of school memory.

Another reason why I adore our house.

Field Day!!

Across the playground, short cut in a neighborhood, trek through the woods, and the students arrive at our school's Field Day at our communities lake park setting. A huge open field sprawls in front of the beach and the gym teachers have the stations set ready to go for the mob of students in the AM and the PM.

Each child is numbered on their hand as to which station they begin; the kids are mixed with other classrooms, other grades, a time to meet new friends, and keep school spirit. Fourteen stations complete the rotation of Field Day, complete with a bull horn beep when it is time to rotate.

Picnics on the grassy lawn, classroom t-shirts for the primary grades (to help keep an easy eye on students), a nurses station, photographers, everyone enjoying their adventure walk and field day energy.

Passing the can with no hands.

My son's personal favorite; Tug-O-War. This one seemed to acquire the most tears and the most injuries throughout the day. Some student's didn't get the gist to let go when they fell, and would find themselves being pulled across the grass or finding another's foot on their body.

The cup speckled with holes made for a fun, messier beach as they relayed to fill up their cup with water and race to deposit into their milk jug.

The day would not be complete with out a Hula Hoop Competition

and Hippity Hop Relay Races.

They called this the Olympic Torch relay. Yes, that is a toilet plunger and a rubber ball. Very creative, and the ball had a mind of it's own and would pop off unexpectedly, adding to the fun. My son really got into this one; cheering for his winning team.

Field Day means the end of school is almost here. Woo-Hoo!

Swim Practice

Perhaps my daughter is going through a growth spurt, or we've just been that busy in end of the school year activities; but she has been sleeping longer and still complaining she's tired. I knew she would rather skip swim practice today, but she agreed to go after I suggested to just "do your best, practice your technique, no need for speed." Yeah, coming only from a non-competitive person.

Today, the class started working on sprints (aka: mini races) against their classmates. My daughter has a healthy competitive streak like her father, so she was not going to be "taking it easy" as suggested by her mother.

Watching my son swim is a real treat. Taking to the water in preschool and swimming twice a week throughout Kindergarten, he has come far in a short amount of time. It is fun to see him work hard, studying his teacher's instructions, and pushing through even when his coordination on some new strokes have not caught up to his mind knowledge.

My son grinned and smirked when I pointed out his muscles in this next photo.

So envious of my children's swimming ability!

The Best Part

The best part of watching my daughter dance is not only the leadership roles that she has been placed in by her two teachers, but it is fantastic to see her stage presence. She is very expressive with her face when she dances, and while on stage.

For her Chimney Sweeper's jazz dance, she was in a group of four soloists (above, dancer on left) who do a fun jazz entrance before the rest of the troop arrives.

I find the painted sets to be so amazing and the costumes are very creative for each dance.

In the Gumdrops ballet dance, she again arrived before the rest of the class and tended to stay downstage (in front) for the dance. We are so proud of her, and that her hard work is noticed by her teachers.

My Gumdrop with the main character, Charlie, in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

The best part of having my girl in dance and spending many hours driving, sitting, and supporting her throughout the year is that she loves her sport!

Wind, Rain, Power Loss

What time is it? We just rolled into our house from dress rehearsal on stage. We've been in the auditorium since 3:59pm. We've been sitting since 3:59pm.

And isn't this JUNE?! While we were away a freak wind and rain storm moved in and shut down our town. When we arrived we noticed that all the power was out. Knowing that the power was on when I spoke with my mom 30 minutes prior, I knew it must have just gone out. And the way our town works, it could have been hours before we would have had it back on.

But unfortunately, they were out long enough to wake my son, who was then up from bed and bouncing from one dark wall to the other, chatting up his own storm with my mother when we opened our front door. Thankfully, they came on just as my mom was leaving. My girl will have her shower in the AM, she's tired and it's late.

The auditorium where we spent our evening is about 40 minutes away; but we were probably hit with the same storm. As my girl was on stage, amongst a crowd of dancers, the entire auditorium's power shut down and the backup lights come on; few as they were.

But the Studio handled it fabulously. Within seconds the team of teachers and stage crew mixed themselves into the group of dancers protecting their safety. I was impressed as any one close to my daughter will know that she is not keen on power outages and fire alarms; even the planned drilled ones at school. As the power went out I immediately thought of my girl. However, I heard no screaming, so I knew she was holding it together.

When we got in the car she half-jokingly said, "Ok, I only held it together because I was one of the big kids on stage and I didn't want to freak out the little ones. Otherwise, I would have been running while screaming."

I will post pictures of our evening another time. I am going to bed! Hooray for power in the middle of June, in this awkward, darn right, pathetic weather pattern we have been sucked into.

Wishin' to go Fishin' (and a little shoppin')

As the light grew brighter in our bedroom window, we found a bouncing boy on top of our covers riling us to wake up. "Dad, it's free fishing weekend! Can we go?!" My son has been wanting to fish for many weeks and we've had legitimate reasons for postponing (no fishing license and prior commitments). Until today. Today was his lucky day. "Umm, sure! We can do that." The ultimate gift from daddy to son.

My son had a fabulous time fishing with his dad. Although they came up empty, both boys enjoyed their time out on our local lake. Watching the geese, ducks, and dogs in and out of the water.

While the boys were out, my daughter and I enjoyed a girls day shopping. Getting this and that. I decided to go to my old stomping grounds. Totally impressed when I was younger, but it fell to the way side as the years continued. But I needed to go to Nordstrom for a quick purchase and with gas prices these days, I told myself to be economical and go to the closest Nordstrom, rather than the one that is farther away; which houses the cute, hip, fashionable mall which I prefer.

What a shock!! My old stomping grounds have been completely renovated, updated, expanded. There are some neat finds in the area. I was impressed and found myself guilty of prior snobbery.

It was a joy to spend one on one time with my girl. She still likes to hold my hand, and she still likes to bounce her way through stores (rather than walking). As a joke, I asked her if she remembered how to just walk. She giggled and walked. But it took all her might to just walk. And soon our giggles released the bounce.

Where are you ....

One of my favorite framed photos in our house. A summer day hanging out in a city park, watching an air show, cooling under some shade. I was trying to get my son to smile at the camera, but he was in one of those uncooperative camera shy phases at age five. His big sis leaned in and we captured this. I love the age, the look, the summer story.

I want summer and all the joy it brings in people's moods, their skin, the freedom in clothes and shoes. To feel the water run through your toes when you wash the car, to eat Popsicles and let 'em drip down your fingers, to say, "Wow, it is so hot!" .... I long for those moments.

Where are you summer?!

Sea Turtles

My son is learning about Marine Life at school and today was the due date of the Family Marine Life Final project. He opted to showcase Sea Turtles with claymation and a fact sheet. He was very specific that he wanted only ten facts, that's all. I could help him with the research and typing of that, and thankfully his dad has an art background and helped the Sea Turtle come to life in clay.

My son had a patient touch as he sculpted and painted his turtle. Mixing colors to get the right hue and creating textures. The first grade boy's tongue stuck out just a touch while working to show his concentration and thought. Always fascinating to see that same trait appear on many hard working kids' face.

The Sea Turtle would not be complete with out a habitat. So the two artists' created from a box; sand made from tan spray paint on sugar, and a 180 degree picture of the sea at sunset taped as the background. My son's claymation was headed off to Sea, and it was sad to see the critter go because it is so darn cute! :)

News in the classroom ... he did a fabulous job and it is hiding on top of the cupboard for an unveiling next week when the reports are shared. Big smile of accomplishment via son!