Summer updates...

Dear Mom and Dad, (from camp)
....But the highlight by far is the food which is amazing (I'm getting more than I need). {in letter to little brother the first three meals were documented as chicken teriyaki, eggs with sausage, and breaded chicken patties.} Can't wait to see our fort again!

Dear Mom and Dad, (from camp)

...I went rappelling today and it was a blast. We had an OA thing where we got food and stuff. It was cool. (OA= Order of the Arrow)... see you l8tr!

Dear older brothers,

While your younger brother has enjoyed you not pestering him, he is now bored. He misses you and wants you to come home. He wants to make you a special meal on Saturday night. How do bacon cheese burgers, foil potatoes, corn on the cob and ice cream sound?
We love you. Bring Dad home safe with you.

Love,

Mom

p.s. Prayers and positive thoughts for the Dad of a brand new scout. The Dad had a heart attack at camp on the first day. The scout is still at camp and Dad is recuperating in the hospital.

Randomness on fitness, food, and family...

Don't have anything particularly erudite or insightful to say.. but here are some random things we are doing, I've read and enjoyed, or just popped in my addled brain.

*We are doing Summer Bingo, with assorted bits of enthusiasm. Mostly I think they like the list of suggestions and fun options.
* One of us has summer football conditioning, basketball conditioning, basketball camp, summer gym, and Honors English reading... and that is just this week.
* Teens that get exercise every day are happier at home. Yes, it is a bit much... all his choice though... like the perfect storm of summer activities.
* No, he has never played football before.
*I'll share his summer reading list eventually, some interesting reads. I'm reading them too.
* Yes, we will need three sets of cleats, helmets, practice jerseys, and pads this fall.
*Lots of Boy Scout camping this summer too. Already done a 15 mile canoe trip. Summer Camp, Northern Tier, Cub Scout Day Camp all still on the schedule.
*I am staying at home this summer.
*I am rereading books, making library lists, and letting in the HVAC guys to install our new furnace/air conditioner.
*and yet, tonight, cool breezes, bacon/cheddar hamburgers with foil potatoes and corn... someone mowing, someone doing dishes, someone playing Bejeweled, someone watching NCIS. Perfect summer night.
*The addiction to NCIS and Bejeweled are new... and compelling. Who knew that NCIS had so many episodes on at any point you get home from a workout? The addictions are not mine
*Need to spend July figuring out how to corral all the football equipment come two-a-days and conditioning.
*Also need ideas for football team sized meals. Apparently the Moms feed them the night before the game. Bit daunting. The high school team, the freshmen... oh dear.
*Rode our bikes to the grocery today. My knee that did not have the acl replaced did not like that at all. Too bad. Bike riding and swimming are apparently what I need to do for exercise. Just got a bike on Sat. for $10, plus $1 for a basket. Not bad. Perfect size to haul back burgers and tomatoes.
*My burger was half-sized, thankyouverymuch.
* Cathy says it best.
*Saw Transformers, perfect if your humor is that of a 13 year old boy whose Mom isn't watching what you are laughing at.
*What with GI Joe, Ice Age, Harry Potter and the Half blood Prince, UP, Terminator Salvation, X Men Origins: Wolverine, all out or coming out, it might be the perfect summer to see tons of movies... if we had the moola and the time. Old enough not to get scared, old enough to know what not to repeat, and young enough to still not mind going with Mom and Dad (for the most part anyway).
*No one wants to go see Twilight: New Moon with me. At least no one from this house.
*Can't wait for the Diana Gabaldon coming this fall.
*I know, I adore Edward... but Jacob, Jamie, Roger are much more compelling... if they were real, which they aren't. But if they were .... Jacobjamieroger would be called Don.
*I'm just saying.
*I think that is all...
*Hardly ever watch tv anymore...books, friends, computers, games, chores, yard work, and family will pretty much define my summer.

On this day in history...

This post.... inspired by Elizabeth who was inspired by Cathy Z.

It was 2004, the first year for Vacation Bible School at our parish. We were finishing set up and bought everyone pizza for dinner. One child was very tired and grumpy and refused to have his picture taken. This year, his first for volunteering, he has asked to help with the skits... up IN FRONT of everyone. ASKED to do it. I'm so proud of him.
One child relished the pizza, even though he would be 'stuck' all week in the preschool room. He still helps and enjoys each moment. Even though he gets dragged to everyone else's stuff. I'm so proud of him.

One child was very helpful, continues to be helpful. He will spend the week going from volunteering for 4 hours, to 4 hours of summer gym, to 3 hours of football conditioning. Let's hope he survives the week. He's gone this week on his Order of the Arrow ordeal. I'm so proud of him.

Why do I scrapbook?

why?
The contrarian in me says.. why not?

I enjoy scraps, literally, bits of ephemera and whatnot.
I enjoy pictures.
I enjoy writing.
I enjoy stories.
I enjoy my family (past, current, and future).

It all seems to add up to scrapbooking to me.
That, and at a ripe young age I saw my great-aunt's scrapbook from her teenage years. I thought it was one of the coolest things I had ever seen, from one of the most beloved people I have ever known, documenting things she no longer remembered due to Alzheimer's. That probably had something to do with it too. :)

I like sports....

I like watching our boys play hard.

I like watching them cheer on teammates.

I like seeing them try their best.

I like having them learn sometimes their best isn't good enough and that is O K.

I like seeing them learn new skills.

I like seeing them rejoice in the achievements of others.

I like that they learn that sometimes people make mistakes. You can forgive others their mistakes and they can forgive you your mistakes.

I like having them learn that every game, in every sport, starts out 0-0. Every at bat starts out with no strikes and no balls, every inning has three outs... and so forth. Fresh starts are always there.

I like rain delays.

I like chit chatting with other parents.

I like cheering for a great play on another team.

I like cheering for the last runner to finish the mile.

I like spending time outside.

I like that they want their name on their back and to get their uniform good and dirty.

I like that we are there to cheer when they do well, encourage when they don't, and quietly give a hug or pat on the back when they are upset.

I like that they listen to their coaches and repeat their instructions... as in, "coach said we're running a five two defense, but occasionally we might run a four three." AND they know what that means. ;)

I like that they love sports and have the opportunity to exercise another part of their brain.

I like that they get hot and sweaty and tired and sleep good at night.

I don't like...

to scrub tile grout.
to hear my children cry out in pain.
to eat soggy pizza crust.
to eat soggy pie crust.
to smell burnt dinner.
to drop a marshmallow into the bonfire.
to forget to take a picture of a momentous event.
to feel lost, rarely happens and I can't stand it.
to be late.
to see/hear of someone who is mean to children.
to be cut off in traffic, I'd let you in anyway, no need to be mean about it.
to be yelled at.
to yell, except in joyful happiness.
to have holes in my socks.
to have mosquito bites.
to have poison ivy.
to eat Lima beans.
to eat mushy green beans.
to watch wrestling.
to read badly edited books, although my blog posts are frequently badly edited. ;)
to have clutter.

I like...

to travel.

to stay home.

to play wii.

to listen to others playing Guitar Hero.

to rock the guitar... or drums... or vocals.. or bass...

to read an all engrossing book.

to feel the sun on my face.

to smell a fresh rain.

to eat the fruits of our hard labors in the vegetable garden.

to sit on the couch.

to meet new friends.

to relax with people you've known forever.

to laugh.

to make a child giggle.

to have work with a purpose.

to have a day with no list of 'must do's.'

It's a great life.

I love sharing it all with them.