Last day of summer vacation

It was Friday. The last Friday before school would start. It had been raining off and on all week long so there went our trip to the lake (no boat and there is no way the grass had been mowed). No spraypark - they (the children) didn't want to go. But, MMMMOOOOOMMMMMM what are we going to do on the last day of summer?????? They wailed.

So, we went to my dad's house - Sir, as all the grandkids call him. He still lives in the house we grew up in. He was taking it easy on this quiet Friday. So, we visited for a short while and we decided to go to the park. After all, we can walk to Sir's park. (We live in the sort of country and can't walk to the park). So, off we went to the park. We walked past the swingset and playplace and ran down the hill to jump the creek - just like when I was a kid. We went to the amphitheatre and climbed the surrounding walls and sat in the "watchtowers" (the tops of the wall corners). We climbed trees to get down and walked along the rock walls around to the back and jumped off. We talked about the games I played there as a girl. There is a dolphin statue at the park that has water spraying on it and is there to be played and climbed on. We took off our shoes and ran into the water and onto the dolphin in our clothes - just like when I was a kid. I shared stories of coming to play in the dolphin with my sister and our best friends. We climbed some more trees and went back down to the creek. The creek has rock walls on either side and runs through the town getting wider in places and narrower in others. I jumped down into the creek and told the kids to come on and follow me. They did. We went through the tunnel under the creek with me passing on stories of how we did this when we were little and would stop under the sidewalk and yell when people would walk over us. We climbed out on the other side and climbed back up to the street - just like when I was a kid.

We walked back past Sir's house and up the very long hill to the church that I grew up in. We found an open door and I took them inside. I showed them the sanctuary I was baptized in. I told them stories of going to church and sitting in the balconey. We went up to look. I told them stories of singing in the choir and going to lock-ins and climbing up the ladder into the steeple. We walked through the church and I showed them the music room and we check to see if the elevator worked - just like when I was a kid.

We left the church and went around the corner to the school I had attended. It is no longer a "real" school but only houses the gifted program for the elementary students. As we walked past the playground I told them about playing kickball and hopskotch and racing and playing basketball. We walked down the sidewalk and they walked up the grass hill - just like when I was a kid. We walked around front and walked in the door and we were met by a lady asking if we needed any help. I explained to her that I had gone to school there and wondered if I could take my kids on a tour. She asked when I had been there and I told her @ the time. She asked me the name of my 6th grade teachers. I told her - Mrs. Martha Brush, Mrs. Betty Cox, Mrs. Nelson and Mrs. Cooper. She smiled and said "I am Mrs. Cooper" Wow! that was amazing! What was even more amazing was that was the only year she taught at Gary and had just returned the year before. She said for us to feel free to wander and introduced me to a few of her colleagues.

We walked through the school with me sharing stories, answering questions, showing them my old classrooms, cafeteria and auditorium (the auditorium still has the same wooden seats!) We finally walked out and down the steep ramps to the street - just like when I was a kid. Okay, so I usually ran down them.

We walked back to my dad's house and headed down the road. We stopped at the store and bought ice cream and chocolate sauce and waffle cones and came home and ate sortof sundaes.

All in all, it was a very good day. And I got to act just like when I was a kid.

Meet the teacher

Tonight was the big night! We went to the new school and I do mean brand new building new school and met the teachers for 3 of my little darlings. We are so excited. My kindergartner has the same teacher that #3 child had, my 2nd grader has the same teacher that #4 child had and, until tonight, I had never met the teacher the 4th grader has! 2 out of 3 ain't bad! We got the principal that I like, we have the nurse that fully understands my way of thinking. Unless it is broken, bleeding profusely or is running a temperature it needs to go back to class. And we have the office people that I get along with really well. You know, the ones that you can call and they know you and don't put you through all kinds of craziness just to get a note to your child. The kids are really excited to be going to the new school and I am excited that I will actually have 3 at the same campus. I've never even had 2 at the same campus.

Your Hair Should Be Blue

Wild, brilliant, and out of control. You're a risk taker with an eye to the future.

What's Your Funky Inner Hair Color?

The Insanity has Begun!

On Monday night, my 2nd oldest started band camp. It occurs every night this week except Wednesday and next week it will be twice a day. Dance tryouts for my oldest daughter for competitive dance are next Thursday Friday and Saturday as well as the beginning of the dance team practice for the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders competition which, if we score high enough, means we will be performing at a half-time extravaganze at a Cowboys game. As exciting as that sounds, one must understand that I am NOT a fan of "America's" team. But, I will go, I will cheer for my daughter, and I will wear the colors of whatever team happens to be playing against Dallas that week. And, hopefully, my husband will stand between me and whoever I offend with my cheers and boos! LOL!

Summer is slipping away so we are doing as much as can in these last few "dog days" of summer.

Band camp starts tonight

Pray for me! Band camp starts tonight and it is just the beginning of the crazy life called school. From here until November, there will be something going on every night of the week with 1 or more children. Right now the 14yo schedule will look like this starting with the first week of school... Monday: band practice; Tuesday: scouts; Wednesday: Youth; Thursday: Football game he plays in; Friday: Varsity football where he plays in the band....And that is just the first one. Girls will have dance 1 evening a week but probably not the same evening. youngest boys are playing fall ball and I am praying they are on the same team!

I am starting my casserole and crockpot recipe searches as well as trying to find "different" things for lunches that are fairly easy and don't cost a fortune. Any help is appreciated!

August already!!!!

It is so hard to believe it is August and school will start in just 3 short weeks! I think this has been a great summer! We have gone to the lake, discovered a splash park in our town, played in the sprinklers, ridden bikes, gone for walks... and we will keep on going until school actually starts!