School Supplies

Tonight I broke down and decided to get some of Michael's school supplies. I am pretty confident that I didn't buy anything that he doesn't really need, but he did insist he needed a sharpie and when I asked what for he said, "To sign yearbooks". This made me laugh, although I don't think he intended it to. I didn't buy one. The lead in the picture is not for the nonrefillable lead pencils shown, but for their good ones here at home. Michael won't take his good one to school because he always manages to lose it. Somehow he doesn't lose the cheap ones. ??

Steven was making peanut butter chocolate chip cookies when we got home, yum!

A Birthday

Happy 74th birthday to my mom! I am very thankful for another year with her.

High School?

Tonight I had to go to parent orientation at the High School Steven will be attending. I'm finding it very hard to believe that I have a child in High School....gulp! The above picture was taken just a few very short years ago when my mind was far from him being a highschooler. He does act like a highschooler in a lot of ways I guess...he isn't nearly as snuggly as he used to be, wahhhh!

Cameras and Water

For the last 2 days I have not been able to find my camera. I have looked high and low. Last night we had another major downpour, starting at around 10:45pm. It rained well into the middle of the night, and this morning it is a cool 60 degrees and cloudy. Usually I bring the cushions to my outside chairs in so they don't get wet and moldy, but last night I didn't know it was going to rain, and when it did I just didn't think about it. This morning I went out to tip the cushions up so that some the water runs off, and to my surprise there was my camera. I wished that I was seeing things because I know that digital cameras and water don't mix well, but indeed I was not seeing things. I picked it up and turned it on, and it seems to work! I haven't tried to take any pictures, and I won't until it is completely dried out, so we'll see. The camera card was not in it because I had forgotten to take it out of the laptop when I posted the 2 cousin camp pictures, and I don't want to stick it in a wet camera. If it turns out that it doesn't take good pictures, it didn't work that great for outside pictures anyhow...we have actually been looking into getting a new one, but this one was going to be Michael's so that I wouldn't have endless lego and car video pictures on my camera all the time. Hopefully he can still use this camera.

Time to say, "Goodbye"

Steven doesn't really have to go to the bathroom in this picture, he is trying to hold onto all of the candy he got from the candy toss. The other kids look skyward as more candy rains down.

Well, cousin camp has ended and the kids wrote out their goodbyes on the driveway just before they left. I think they had a good time playing and talking into the wee morning hours. Michael is feeling disappointed that all have left, and he doesn't know quite what to do with himself. I guess he'll just have to find something that he and Steven like to do, and hang with his brother. This can be difficult since they are very different!

Puppy Love

Do you think these boys love their puppy?

Koty is never lacking in snuggles.

Keeping it Real

I have never done one of these "keeping it real" posts, but will try since seeing it on Christine's blog.
1. I have to admit that I have not been the best trainer of my children when it comes to teaching them to pick up after themselves. I have often found that it is much easier to just do it myself. I am inconsistent in sticking to a plan. An example is that I at one time got so sick of picking up my children's clothes from behind their bathroom door, that I told them whatever wasn't in their hampers on laundry day wouldn't get washed. I kept to that plan for quite a while, but find myself occasionally giving in just to "get it all done". I know...not good. Their wives will probably hate me for this.
2. I am somewhat obsessive compulsive about things. An example of this is having to turn around occasionally and return home (if I haven't gone very far) to make sure I closed the garage door. I AM NOT obsessive compulsive about keeping my refrigerator neat and organized. (my husband told me to put that)
3. I love for my house to be organized. There are things that I said that I would never do (that my mom did do) when I lived with my parents, but I find myself exactly the same way. Example: My pan cupboard is always getting messed up, and my dryer has a pile on it all too often.
4. I cannot multi task very well, I am way too easily distracted.
5. I make my kids breakfast almost every morning, and I enjoy doing it. But if they ask me to get their drink too, the answer is no, and I am shocked at their laziness. I also feel like I need to see what they put in their lunches to make sure they have everything they should. They are teenagers so I know that I really don't need to do this anymore, but it gives me some peace of mind knowing that they have all that they need.
6. I always sing or hum when I blow dry my hair. Most of the time the songs are made up as I go.

Lightening

My last post was about a major thunderstorm we had. We ended up losing many electronics due to a lightening strike. It's a pain, but we have many blessings to count.

Storm

It is storming here this morning...very loud, booming thunder that keeps making me jump out of my skin. It's pouring so hard that these are the best pictures I could get.

Koty has to go poopy, but no one wants to take him...

Mmmm!

Guess what we had tonight?

Watkins Glen

These are pictures from our camping trip to Watkins Glen this weekend. The millipedes were all over the edges of the gorge in some areas...very strange, so I had to get a picture. The gorge is absolutely beautiful! We also took the kids to the campground pool (which was closed on Friday because someone threw up in it...yuck!) Going out for ice cream is a must when we go camping in the Glen, Mmmmm! The only bad thing about camping at Watkins Glen is that it is daddy long legs central! They are everywhere! I had one crawl across my closed eyes as I was trying to fall asleep last night. I swatted it away and then turned on the flashlight to see one of it's legs detached and twitching on Dave's pillow.
It was lots of fun hanging with our friends! Funny thing is, is that Priscilla was there on Friday too and we had no idea each other was there.

Burning Food

This morning I put some ground beef on the stove to brown for sloppy joes. I wanted to bring the sloppy joe stuff all put together already, camping with us this weekend. As soon as I put the ground beef on the stove to brown, I ran upstairs to pack some stuff, intending to come back down in just a few minutes. Well, I got sidetracked. While I was upstairs packing for camping I heard a sound like someone was running the water in the kitchen sink. I called down from my bedroom after a while, "Hey who's running all that water?" No answer. I walked over to the stairs where it sounded more like a sizzling sound. "Oh no!" I ran downstairs to the smell of burning meat, where the boys were playing as if nothing was wrong. "Guys," I said. "You could've called me or stirred the meat." Niether of them seemed to have a clue what was happening. The meat was burned into one big clump. So much for multitasking. I did go get more meat and made some yummy sloppy joe stuff for tonight, but we're getting a little later start for our camping trip.

Together Again!

Tonight we picked Michael up from a local grocery store parking lot where the Wyld Life camp bus dropped off the kids. He had a wonderful time, has a suitcase FULL of filthy clothes and sopping wet shoes, and many stories to tell. This was his 1st camp experience, as he has never wanted to go until this year. We picked him up at about 8:00pm. He hadn't eaten dinner because he hates fast food and they stopped at McDonald's on the way home. Here he is eating his minimally sauced spaghetti (he doesn't like a lot of sauce) and telling us all of the crazy goings on of camp. Steven missed him quite a bit. He got to stay home with us (he didn't want to go to camp), and then just me when Dave had to go to Albany yesterday morning. He came home today. Steven and I had a nice time together biking, eating out, and having Monkey Ball competitions. Now we are all together again, and I am happy!

A Calm Rain

This evening Steven was in the pool when we got a nice calm downpour. Since there was no thunder and lightening he stayed out there. A few minutes after I took this picture, the rain stopped and Koty joined him in the pool.

Action packed day

This morning at 8:00 we said our goodbyes to Michael as he headed off to camp. He was quite embarrassed when I automatically picked up his heavy suitcase to help him out. He politely told me that he could carry it himself. I'm always embarrassing my kids somehow. I guess I need to remember how big they're getting.
Later in the day, around noon, Dave, Steven, Dave's sister, and I put our bikes on our bike rack and headed out in our cars to the Erie Canal in Pittsford, NY, where we got on the bike trail that runs along the canal. It was a beautiful ride. We rode about 10 miles to the Rochester airport where we stopped and layed in the grass to wait for the Thunderbirds to fly overhead. (the air show was on) The Thunderbirds put on an awesome performance right over our heads! It was very loud and I can't hear anymore, but it was really neat! After the Thunderbirds performed we started the almost 10 mile trek back to our car. In all, we biked 19.74 miles.
After going home and showering we headed out to Bill Grays for some food. We chose to eat outside since the weather was so beautiful. We were starved! We also got frozen custard from Abbott's which dripped like crazy all over us. The weather was much too humid to lick an ice cream cone fast enough. I really wish I had my camera with me because Dave's sister was covered in frozen custard. She had gotten sprinkles on hers...big mistake today. Steven was fortunate to have ordered his in a dish. Since Abbott's is right across the street from Lake Ontario, after finishing our sloppy cones we walked down the pier. There were people fishing along the sides of it, children climbing on the rocks, and honeys walking hand in hand (Dave and I included). It was a very beautiful and action packed day...very fun!

Boys

Dave bought the boys magnifying glasses today, for the purpose of burning beetles...eeew! I just don't understand this about boys. What is so fun about burning a bug? Here is Dave giving it a shot.
Here is Steven doing what he seems to really enjoy doing. He LOVES to eat whatever he can find. This time it was cream cheese and crackers.

A Very Touching Video

This video made me cry this morning.

Steven

I am feeling very frustrated at the moment. Steven has been having some issues these past few days. He is choosing to worry needlessly about things and it is so frustrating to me that I can't seem to do anything to help him. He seems to want to cling to these worries, and it is throwing him so out of whack that he walks around like a zombie. Please pray for him. These teenage years are proving to be quite a challenge. Dave is a wonderful father, very willing to talk to him for hours on end, and very patient...mine is beginning to wear very thin after 4 or 5 days of this. All I have left are tears of frustration and helplessness.

Hooray!

The stone fireplace is progressing! Today Dave put up the corner pieces.

Tagged

I have been tagged by Judi to list 7 songs that I really like. Here we go...

1. Empty Me, by Chris Sligh
2. You Never Let Go, by David Crowder Band
3. Every Man, by Casting Crowns
4. Need Your Love, by Caedmon's Call
5. Turn up the Music, by Avalon
6. Jesus Messiah, by Chris Tomlin
7. ?

The REAL Golf Story

Today we had a fun golf outing with my niece, Bethany and her husband, Adam. Bethany and I are very inexperienced golfers, but Bethany had a misleading post today, so I will explain the REAL story. You see, Bethany needed a lot of help with her stance, so being the nice Aunt that I am I was trying to show her how SHE should bend her knees (see Bethany's post). After that lesson she played SO much better. ;-)

Dave was very patient with me today. He is a very good teacher!

Bethany was quite the little pro (after my lesson), so not only did she have the look, but she could play the game. Great job, Beth!
p.s. You look GREAT in my visor!

Happy Independance Day!

We had our annual 4th of July picnic/mini family reunion at a park in Penn Yan today. It was an absolutely perfect day with lots of bright sunshine, and temperatures around 80 degrees. My Uncle Chuck has put together several rather challenging bicycles to ride.Here is Dave trying one out. The frame is upside down so the pedals and seat are much higher.

This is Ben (Martha's son) trying another.

This is one that I hope to see at next years picnic. Doesn't it look fun?

Water Balloon War!

Tonight we had some friends over that we have known for many years. Michael found some water balloons, and the kids decided to have a water balloon war. What fun they had! It was a refreshing end to a muggy day.

Dave was the official water balloon knot tier.

The kids filling their water balloons. Michael and Jonathan fight for the next spot in line.

Michael laughing after he was blasted with a water balloon.

Cherries and cool air...ahhhh!

This morning Dave and I went sweet cherry picking. Yummy! When we returned home there was Adam (Bethany's hubby) hooking up our central air. Thanks Adam!

The Dog Whisperer

Koty LOVES to watch The Dog Whisperer, but Dave and I have decided that maybe it isn't the best show for him to be watching. After all, the dogs on there have some pretty serious issues. Last night we pulled him out from in front of the TV and put him in his crate to go night night. Are we meanies for not letting him watch his favorite TV show?

Happy Birthday Dave!

Today Dave turned 40! It's hard to believe that he's 40 already. Time sure does fly!

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day to all the dad's out there!

The Pool is Open!

Dave had to repair some leaks in our solar panels. No matter how well we try to drain the water from them at the end of the summer, we must not get it all because there's always a leak to repair. I hate it when he has to go up on the roof like that.
The boys had fun rough housing on the tube. They were so happy to get in the pool today after 2 very hot, humid days. Tomorrow and Monday are also supposed to be hot. (in the 90's)
Koty decided that he was tired of being hot too, and he went for a ride on the tube and then for a swim. He seemed very relaxed about it, and is quite the good little swimmer! I wish I could've gotten a good picture of him swimming, but he was so fast and I didn't have my camera ready.

Koty goes to the beach again...

"I think this is close enough to the water"

"No way, I'm NOT going in there!"

"Oh, I don't know if I like this...it sure is cold."

Koty decides that he likes to walk in the water

Koty is pooped after his trip to the beach