Blurry eyed wake up

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After tons of fun and tons of kids around, the summer is over and I am still standing.
This morning met with mixed emotions from the kids, while I calmly anticipated the silence.

James was bummed…too early to wake up, not wanting to eat yet, picking a shirt to reflect this…but a slight pick up of his mood when he thought of seeing friends.

Kate was dutiful and happy.  Careful to pick out her clothes and jewelry.  Adjusting her Safety Patrol belt and practicing the pledge.

Alexander was excited and full of energy–playing outside, riding his bike, and still–ready to leave over an hour early!

The dogs and I had a nice walk this morning and have been enjoying the quiet all day.

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Kate’s now 10.  She had a sleepover party.  One friend didn’t stay overnight, and in the AM we added one.

They had tons of fun:

ate pizza, pink lemonade, and fudge cake on china

learned to make God’s eyes with sticks and yarn

jumped on the trampoline

watched a movie

stayed up screaming til 12:45

woke up after about 7 hours

ate fruit and cinnamon buns

packed up sleeping bags

designed t-shirts

Can I get a nap?

I seem to remember that around this time last year I had no posts…  Summer is a strange time for me.

My dear friend reminded me that she checks in to see what I have posted and there has been nothing new.  This does NOT mean there is nothing new in my corner of the world!

I will link all of these bullets to the dates that I took the pix.  When the print is color instead of black, the link is done.  I will try to crank them out for you!   Click on the link if you want to see or read more.

A few bullets:

The end of the school year brought many activities.

James’ soccer team finished their season–champions!

Kate had her instrumental music concert.

Alexander turned 8.

They both were recognized for achievements in school at an assembly.

I started a shop for my creativity. It’s called Simple and Green.  I hope to have new things to post there soon too.  Crafting can take a lot of time… but I love it!

Rich went on tour with Joyful Noise through PA and OH.  He got to see the music hall of fame–the highlight of the trip for him.  Followed by the “homecoming concert” that finished this year of “noise”.

James and Kate went to R-Camp for a week.  They always have a fantastic time making new friends and seeing old ones, learning some independence and growing in spiritual principles.

Coco is growing.  Fast. Her personality is strong.  She is vocal about everything.  She is “on” and going non-stop, or “off” and sleeping deeply.  We wonder about her lineage.  Many comment that she looks like Akita.  We were told Sheltie mix…  We’ll see.

The 4th of July found us at a friend’s annual bash.  Pool.  Drinks.  Food. Fireworks.  Fun.

These are the pictures that we fell in love with of Coco before we got her.

Then the first pix of her arrival home.

(for more, go here)

And now.  Long legged, but still pink paws.

Any bets on how big she’s gonna get?  What breed mix? 

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Alexander’s Birthday fell on Memorial Day this year.  So we had a small family gathering that included uncle Bert and cousin Thomas and “Buddy” Rey.  Thomas’ bday is right around the corner, so it was a double celebration of sorts.  Gifts included the bean bag chair that was tossed around, Legos, and a gift card to Game Stop.  Thomas got a book and bucks to spend on more books.

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James’ soccer team has been on yet another amazing run.  They have quite the team.  This season found them claiming the championship early with still 2 games yet to play!  Even if they lost those games, they were high in the ranks.  One of the games was a forfeit, and the other was a win.  Way to go Eagles!

Ready to start.

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Kate and Heather have been doing a dance every year for the school talent show and this year is no exception.

They do their own choreography.  The song this year was “So What” by P!nk.   They had a great time practicing and performing together.

Green pledge cards formed "Earth"

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Our Elementary School has been recognized as a “Green School” by our state.  So Earth Day is a big deal.  We have undertaken many projects in and around the grounds to help conserve energy and preserve the environment.  There was an “ampitheatre” installed on the hill to keep the ground from eroding.  There have been trees and bushes planted.  The electricity usage has been cut by changing out light bulbs and turning off lights and computers when not in use.  There are recycling bins for paper throughout the school and for bottles, cans, and containers in the cafeteria.  There has been a switch to compostable paper products for PTA events and annual stream clean-ups nearby.

Today Kate’s class presented a play: “The Great Kapok Tree”.  She was a narrator.  The students also shared pledges of ways they could help the Earth at home with their families.  Some students read recycling essays and  played music too!  “This Land is Your Land”

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We took part of the break to drive to Sandbridge.  It is known as the Outer Banks of Virginia Beach.  We rented a house just across the street from the ocean.  We had typical spring weather with some  cold rain and some beautiful warm sunshine.  We made drip castles and moats; played in the freezing surf; ran with Shadow up and down the sand; and, of course, hunted for seashells.  Grandy and Pop came for a visit too!  It was so peaceful that none of us wanted to leave.

B--Window View

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Snow.  That’s all that anyone is talking about.  We had a blizzard.  We got around 30 inches of snow.

The good news is that it was forecast correctly.  Starting mid/late Friday morning and snowing until late Saturday.

Friday morning I went to the store.  The produce section was barren.  There were no eggs.  The shelves looked ransacked by crazy people…

The school system decided to open on time, but to close early.  The kids came home as the snow fell hard.

It snowed constantly.  Friday.  Saturday.

We were among the lucky few who did not loose power.  Many of our neighbors and friends were without power all weekend.  The temps were only in the 20s!  I am so grateful!

Sunday true to it’s name= SUN.   Digging out began.

The kids have created a constant stream of wet snow clothes to keep the drier and I working overtime!

Rich took the kids on a two mile hike to the middle school for sledding.  (Backpack with provisions)  They met friends (who were able to drive) and got a lift home–well–to the top of the hill a couple of blocks from home!

On our street…No plow has come by.  Still.  It’s Monday night!  Cars and trucks are getting stuck in front of our house.  Rich has helped push many free.

School is closed, but they have only committed to being so thru tomorrow!  AND we are forecast for 10-20 MORE inches Tuesday night!

So…

I have been working a 1000 piece puzzle in between meeting all the needs.  Food.  Clothes.  Dishes.  Clothes.  Shoveling. Clothes.

Do I get paid time and a half for all the overtime?!!

(the pix have letters in front of them because of my sort filter–and I don’t even think it worked!)