Making a Robot..Bug Bot...Kei's Cake...Pink Frosting..."GIRL'S NIGHT OUT" Cake...Clay Fairies...Wonderful Library Books...Kei's Pasta, full of tomatoes, squash, brocoli, carrots, cauliflower and onions...Kei's Chicken with Caribbean Jerk sauce...It was delicious.
And she wrote a story..a lovely story of a world of Numphs, Everas, Layus Elves.
Here is the ‘blurb’ she wrote for the back:
“They are all around us but only the warrior can see them and save them from evil. Come and learn the truth. Help the creatures of the land and save them too! We need you. See the world the place where dreams are true. Come let’s go!”
Doesn’t it just make you want to read it right now???!!!† It has 14 chapters and she worked on it all week.
"The Book of the Creatures of The Land: The Untold and Unkempt""The Everas"
Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated.† ~Confucious
We celebrated the first day of Fall with a swim party!† Heather hosted us and yes, the kids swam.† Since the weather has been about 18∞ above normal it was perfect weather for it!† It was a great day with great friends.
Fall Swimming....Piano PlayersTalking and Eating!Silly Kids
There was a full moon last week and Kei and I went outside and howled at it.† What??? Doesn’t everyone do that???
*OooOwwwwwwwwwwwwwww
We went to Early Works Museum this week to see a presentation on Harriet Tubman and The Underground Railroad. † It was amazing! She did about a 45 minute One-Woman show.† Wow!
"Harriet Tubman"
Afterward they asked if any of the kids had questions.† Of course Kei was the 1st in line.† We studied The Civil War last year and learned so much about the Underground Railroad.† It was great to see it ‘come alive.’
Then they had different stations they went to to learn about slavery, womens right to vote, and more about The Underground Railroad.
Kei playing an instrumentRoles of Underground Railroad
It was a mix of PS and HS kids.† Of course our kids already had big plans for after the show.† They love Early Works and have some ongoing scenario going on where some of them are Colonial shopkeepers and some are Pirates.† Roles were already assigned long before we arrived.† I love our kids!† They couldn’t ‘free’ play until the PSers were loaded onto their buses.† Then it was on!
Old General Store
When the Pirates stole from the store, Kei was ready with her trusty Cast Iron Skillet.
Photo by Heather Woods
It was a great day!
We are learning about Ancient India in History.† We saw pictures and videos of the ancient city of Mahenjo Daro.† It was really interesting.† Kei used different materials to make bricks.† The bricks of the city of Mahenjo Daro are still standing.† I told Kei I doubted hers would last 1 week!
Dirt and Sand Bricks
We get a Science Newsletter from† Home Science Tools that has a “Question of the Month”.† Last month Kei sent in a question and she was picked as the winner!† She got a tin of Thinking Putty.† We love Thinking Putty.† It is the coolest thing.
Pretty Putty....
Also I made a comment on a blog about how I would love to teach Kei to knit but hadn’t a clue.† One of my favorite bloggers, AmiMental, saw my comment and sent me an email that she just happened to have a Klutz knitting book that her daughter didn’t use.† She told me that if I didn’t mind giving her our address she would send it to Kei.† Kei got it last week and was so excited.† Not only did she send the book but also yarn and the sweetest card.† Aren’t blog friends just great???† I have met so many online friends that I just adore.† Thanks again Ami. 😉
Box of Goodies...Happy Kei
A very good week indeed.
I can’t wait until next week when the weather is supposed to FINALLY get more Fallish!
“I love the fall. I love it because of the smells that you speak of; and also because things are dying, things that you don’t have to take care of anymore, and the grass stops growing.”
– Mark Van Doren
I spent my 20ís married.† Young, broke at first, silly, thinking I knew it all but in reality knowing nothing.† We lived like young, cool, hip twenty-somethings.† Had an awesome modern cool house that everything matched down to the napkins.† Had friends galore, partying like there was no tomorrow, living for the moment, not taking time to stop and look around, not appreciating all I had.
I spent my 30ís searching.† Grasping after the elusive love that I just knew was out there.† Supporting myself, working 3 jobs at times, making ends meet.† Moved to California with a boy who I thought would complete me.† Got a job at the coolest place on earth.†† Just knew I was a California girl trapped in an Alabama girlís body.† Living for the moment, not taking time to stop and look around, not appreciating all I had.
My 40ís were rediscovery.† Changing everything I ever thought was important.† Priorities changed, I moved back home, to where I belonged all along. †What a clichÈ right?† I had to travel to the other end of the country to finally realize that here is where I should be.
I then became the best thing I have ever been; a Mommy.
I finally trust in my God to know what is best for me.† All along He had this plan.† I wonder how many times he shook his head and wondered if I would ever get it.† When I pray, I thank Him for my journey. All the ups and downs and mistakes.† †I know that without it I would not be where I am today.
I finally understand that this moment is important.† †This flower, this butterfly, this starry filled night.† Who cares if there is dust under the bed or the pillows are all on the floor ?† I take Keiís hand and we dance in the kitchen not caring that our socks are dirty when we are done.† We roll around on the bed with Nomad not caring that the dog hair is flying all around us.† We go down to the creek and slip around in slimy algae not caring that our clothes are wet and yucky.† We watch movies all day long, snuggled on the couch, and not do one other single thing.† We speak with a British accent all day and let the dishes pile up in the sink.† When Kei is grown, these are the memories I want her to cherish.
I lay outside in the hammock last night and looked up at the stars.† I wondered if 40 years ago I lay in the same place, in this same house and looked up at the same stars and wondered where my life would take me?† Never would I have believed it would come full circle.† That I would end up here, where I began.
That I would be on this amazing journey with MY child, educating her at home. ††Living a life full of laughter and love and learning and secret handshakes and dances and made up songs and hugs and kisses and sad penguin waddles and laughing until it hurts and amazing friends and a church that is so important to us and a silly yellow Lab that we adore.
Today is my Motherís birthday.† She always wanted only one thing for me; happiness.† I think she must be in Heaven, smiling down, secure in the knowledge that finally, after all the twists and turns and drama and craziness of my life; she got her wish.
Happy Birthday Mother.
Time is a companion that goes with us on a journey. It reminds us to cherish each moment, because it will never come again. What we leave behind is not as important as how we have lived.
Wednesday night we had convergence at our church.† We don’t have enough room for all of us at our building so we go to The Princess Theater.† It was amazing as usual.† I love our church and it has made SUCH a difference in Kei and I’s life.† Truly.
Kei had gotten a new shirt/jacket that she had to wear.† I reminds me of a jacket I had in the 80’s!!† Wish I had kept things like that.
We started off having children’s dedications.† It was so sweet.† Kei and I participated in it a couple of years ago. Everyone in the entire place prayed for these amazing kids and their parents.† Then our band played.† Our band ROCKS!
We did some really cool things this week lesson wise.† We are working on fractions in Math.† Right now I am using Math Mammoth Fractions.† I also have Life of Fred which we love!
In Science we are doing Physics for 3 months.† We are learning about forces and energy.† I found a GREAT free download based on 2D Physics.† Kei plays with this for hours.† It is called PHUN. She told me the other day, “Mom I bet you $1 I can make a machine that writes a “K”.† She did and I happily paid her $1.
We are using Story of The World for history.† I started out using that, then last year we did US History up until reconstruction.† Kei wanted to go back to Ancient this year.† We love SOTW.† We have the audio version and she listens to the chapters.† We even listen to it in the car.† We also got the activity guide which is SO worth it.† We also use Evan Moor History Pockets. These are the coolest things we have almost ever done.† Fun, hands on projects.
For writing I make Kei do a report once a week.† She turns in a rough draft and I correct it and she redoes it.† It can be on any subject and she has to have 2 resources.† So far she has done cooking and dogs.† :)† I have never made her do a spelling program because she would make 100 and promptly forget how to spell it.† This† year we are using Sequential Spelling and we both really like it.† There is a spelling ‘test’ ever day but it takes us about 5 minutes.† It makes sense so she remembers it so much better.† I can tell such a difference in her spelling.
For Geography I put all the countries of the world in a big glass bowl.† She draws one out each Monday.† She does a COUNTRY REPORT 2010 that I made up and also looks up images during the week.† I want her to really see how the people live.† How the children live.† How they are like and not alike.† We have 2 of the most amazing books that we also use for Geography.† One is called What the World Eats. It is a fascinating look at what the average family in different countries spend on food and what they buy.† The other is our favorite.† It is Material World: A Global Family Portrait. I had it in my cart for months and finally just ordered both of them.† We love them. It really makes you appreciate what you have when you see how most of the world lives.
I also made a jar with about 200 random questions.† She draws out a question every day and has to find the answer online.† I think knowing how to search is really important.† It is one of her favorite parts of her day.
We are using Live Mocha for Spanish.† She has only done a few lessons but really likes it.† We do critical thinking about 3 times a week.† We are doing Monet in Art right now.†† We read a biography about him and read Linnea in Monet’s Garden and watched a video from Netflix.† I couldn’t homeschool without Netflix!† This upcoming week we are going to try our hand at water lilies.† I am doing the drawing along with Kei.† I have always sucked at drawing but I still am loving it.† I am actually learning some techniques that I never knew.† We also do some Photography.† I just give her an assignment and she shoots away.
Friday’s we don’t do ‘lessons’.† We have, what we call “Fun Fridays”.† This past Friday we went on a hike and a picnic.† We took Nomad.† It was a really awesome day.† The only ‘bad’ thing is that we hooked Nomad on a post while we went inside to the bathroom.† When we came out his empty leash was laying there!† We freaked out but finally got him.† Kei calls him Houdini Dog.
The Beginning“Ah-ah-AHHHH, ah AHH.....Bridge Over LiliesIf A Tree Falls in the Forest...Me & The DogMuscadine and Kei in the BackgroundRest Time..
After Flint Creek we went over to the Wild Life Refuge for our picnic and more hiking.
Hiking is Thirsty Work...Monet in the Making...
We didn’t see any ducks but we saw some beautiful cranes. Some of the telescopes are on the second floor so Nomad climbed his first stairs.† No problemo.† Coming down was a different matter.† He laid down and went on strike.† Finally we got him to come down.† It was so cute.
Looking....
Every time we go to the Refuge we take a “picture of Mommy and Kei on a rail post”.
Me & My Girl...
I think it is supposed to cool off a little next week.† I hope so.† I am so ready for fall!† Fall was always my Mother’s favorite time of the year.
Be blessed,
Climb the mountains and get their good tidings.† Nature’s peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees.† The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves.† ~John Muir
We had a great week even though the temperature is hovering around 100∞!!
The first of the week we went to Cullman to Ave Marie Grotto.† Actually we went to Cullman to buy Kei a Caterpillar Webkinz that she has been looking everywhere for.† Then we decided to go to the Grotto.
It is so fascinating there.† Kei hasn’t been there since she was 5 and she didn’t remember it except from the pictures. Their website says:
Known throughout the world as “Jerusalem in Miniature,” is a beautifully landscaped, four-acre park designed to provide a natural setting for the 125 miniature reproductions of some of the most famous historic buildings and shrines of the world. The masterpieces of stone and concrete are the lifetime work of Brother Joseph Zoettl, a Benedictine monk of St. Bernard Abbey. Begun as a hobby, with various materials he could find, and infinite patience and a remarkable sense of symmetry and proportion, Brother Joseph re-created some of the greatest edifices of all time.
It is mostly underneath trees so it wasn’t horribly hot.We talked to all the people working in the grotto and even talked to a man whose granddaughter goes to the Prep School.† It is grades 7-12.
I asked a lady if Kei could have her picture made with a monk.† She said, “Of course” and Kei whispered, “Mom this isn’t the Amish!”.† I didn’t know if it was some Monk rule about pictures!!
After the Grotto we walked around the Prep School.† They have a beautiful Catholic church that Kei had to check out.
When we were leaving we saw this doggie.† Of course Kei had to pet him.† When we got home I looked up the Prep School online and there was a picture of this same dog!!† It must be their mascot or something.† Wait…they are the “Saints”.† But it wasn’t a Saint Bernard….Hmmmm
We spent the next few days hanging around the house.† Kei swam and we cleaned up the HomeSchool room and cleaned out bookshelves.† I just can not bear to throw books away!!† Even when they are for K-3.† I mean, you just never know!!!
Kei had ballet lessons twice this week to make up for an earlier missed day.
I also got a shot of a wasp’s nest.† See the eggs?† I felt so bad knocking it down but it was in the building with my lawn mower and it was surrounded by wasps.† I apologized to the eggs while Kei laughed at me.
Wasp's Eggs
Today we decided to go on an adventure. Somewhere I had never been before.† I found this little town in Tennessee called Prospect.
The FANTASY: [From the webpage]
Prospect Historic Downtown
Entertainment museum (1890-1999), including a “silent movie” theater, a gristmill and an old-fashioned ice cream and pizza parlor. Free.
I mean come on!† Entertainment museum??!!!, gristmill!!!????, ice cream???!!!!, FREE???!!!.† We were so THERE!
We put Prospect, TN in our GPS and off we went.† After winding roads through very beautiful country, this is what we found.
The REALITY:
Empty with a For Sale SignLocked up Tight
By this time we were laughing so hard I had to pull over.† It was one of those silly things that just kept getting funnier and funnier.† We saw a cemetery and Kei said to pull in because we may as well see something while we were there.† We thought this must have been used for hanging.† Doesn’t it just look like a ‘Hanging Tree”?
Hanging Tree
We did stop and buy lottery tickets so I guess if we win the $82 million the trip will not have been in vain. 🙂 We just went back to Athens and walked around their square.† It was really pretty and I had never taken Kei there.† She got a bottle cap necklace and some more silly bands.† And ice cream…there is always ice cream.
Ending up being a great day full of the best things: laughter, ice cream and jewelry. 🙂
Be blessed,
ìWandering† re-establishes the original harmony which once existed between man and the universe.î Anatole France
Kei loves plays.† She has always been a bit of a drama queen, not in a “I want it my way” kinda way but in a “over the top with her emotions” kinda way.
Her Kindergarten teacher recognized this.† She told me that I should get Kei into plays.† She said her daughter had done it and she thought Kei would love it!† She sent home a newspaper clipping for Dreamweaver’s Childrens’ Theatre auditions for “Jungle Book”.† Kei wanted to audition so I let her.
The first time she tried out she sang “Tomorrow” from Annie.† I was so nervous I thought I was going to throw up.† She wasn’t nervous in the least.† She walked up there with her 6 year old self, in front of a huge room full of strangers and sang her little heart out.† She had to read lines and she not only delivered them perfectly but she even changed a word or two because, as she told me later, it made more sense that way.
She got her first role as a bumblebee.† In this play the kids stayed on stage the entire time.† Imagine 6, 7 and 8 years olds supposedly being still for 2 hours.† Kei didn’t move a muscle when she wasn’t supposed to.† Moms would ask me “How do you make her stay so still”? and I told them, “She just knows that is what she is supposed to do”.† She loved it so much.† My star was born.
Bumble Bee
Her next play was “101 Dalmatians”.† As always she knew the entire play within a couple of weeks.† She was a chihuahua . She spoke in a Spanish accent and was adorable.
Chihuahua
Then she did “Sleeping Beauty”.† She was a yellow rose and did a beautiful dance with other roses.
Yellow Rose
Next came “Pocahontas”.† This was a great play.† She was a raccoon and she LOVED this part.† She especially like the furry tail.
Raccoon
The next play was “Seussical” which we loved, loved, loved!† It was such a great story and the cast was amazing as always.† Kei was Cindy Lou Who.† She was very excited to have a ‘named’ part.
Cindy Lou Who
The last play she has done was “Wonderland”.† This was a great play also.† We had so much fun on this one.† Kei had 2 roles, a Red Pawn and a Dixie Chicken.† She also had a costume change that she had to accomplish in 1:32 and freaked me out.† She had to change leotard, tights, clothes and even a wig!† She made it every time.
Dixie ChickenRed Pawn
This morning Kei started acting camp.† It is a week long camp at the Princess and she was so excited.† She couldn’t even sleep last night.
Camp Princess
We have an amazing theatre group.† Dedicated, hard working people who do this because they love it; not for any monetary compensation.† Unfortunately they don’t have as much support in our city as they should.† I wish people would realize what a wonderful influence theatre is on children.
Kei has blossomed in the last few years in the theatre.† She loves it.† I love it.† I love the kids she interacts with.† I love the adults.† It makes me sad that there seems to always be money for athletics but not for arts.
“All the world’s a stage” ~ Shakespeare
ìI believe that in a great city, or even in a small city or a village, a great theater is the outward and visible sign of an inward and probable culture.î ~Sir Laurence Olivier
July is speeding by like a flash.† Lazy, hot days have been the norm this past week.† I wanted to relax and not have somewhere to be every day.† I am so lucky to work from home!
Kei and I didn’t do much this week.† We hung out at home and she and Nomad played in water a lot.† When it is 99∞ in the shade there must be water involved.† As hot as it is, I will take it any day over cold.
Water Water Everywhere...Water Loving Doggie
Kei and Brit spent the night with Chan Wednesday night.† I almost lost and then almost killed Nomad.† Kei said she was never leaving me alone with him again!† He woke me up at 5:30 Thursday morning to go out.† I hooked him up on his run and stumbled back to bed.† I woke up about 8:00 and looked out and he was running around in the back yard LOOSE!† I almost fainted.† 2 1/2 hours he was running around.
I felt so bad that I brought him in and let him into my room.† He got into some medicine that I had dropped on the floor and freaked me out again.† I called the vet and she said he would be fine to just watch him.† While I was on the phone he crawled under the armoire which he is too big to fit under anymore and got stuck!† I almost never got him out.† I did manage to capture it on my camera.† Hey! I have my priorities!
Get Me OUTTA here!!!
My A/C went out late Wednesday and I think it was about 100∞ in my room.† Thursday the A/C guy came to check it out and I left Nomad outside.† He decided to eat my lounge chair.
The Chair that Was..
After buying a new A/C for $470 and paying $130 for the installation, it is finally not hot enough for a sauna in the house.
We are still reading “The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate” and it inspired Kei to get her microscope out.† She looked at creek water, a leaf and Nomad’s spit.
What could it be?
Kei has wanted that silly Pillow Pet for a month.† She has weeded gardens, dusted, cleaned bathrooms, picked up sticks from the yard, vacuumed, mopped and swept her little butt off for the money.† She finally got enough, $30.72, to order it from Amazon.† It came today.† She was a little excited.† I kidded her about it being for little kids but I really love how excited she still gets about things.† I think the world would be a much better place if all of us remembered our ‘childlike’ side.
It's HERE!!!Bailey the Bumblebee
The rest of the week we have spent reading, playing with Nomad and just staying cool.
Doggie KissesPlay Ball!Me and the DogNoble Nomad
Last week, Kei gave Nomad a Barbie doll.† She had long, beautiful blond hair.† Kei now calls her “War Zone Barbie”.† She is pitiful looking.† Nomad loves her.† He has chewed 3 of her fingers completely off.† Now that is true love.
Beauty is in the Eye of the Beholder..
Kei is still taking pictures.† She has a really good eye, something I don’t really consider myself having.
Self Portrait..Yellow Flower.. Orange Beauty
We need rain so badly. I hear thunder booming all around but only a few sprinkles.† Maybe tomorrow.
“Let the rain kiss you. Let the rain
beat upon your head with
silver liquid drops. Let the
rain sing you a lullaby.”
Langston Hughes
The United States is the only country with a known birthday.† ~James G. Blaine
Happy 4th of July!† It is hard to imagine how it was for our forefathers back in 1776.† How they must have felt finally being FREE.† I am not a believer in war, however at times I suppose it is necessary to growth.
We plan on celebrating quietly.† We hung out outside in the sun and played with Nomad.† We swam and played some board games.† Tonight we are going to grill out and shoot some fireworks. Kei spent 30 minutes making this water chair.† When she finally got on it I asked her, “What is the difference in just having in on the grass”? and she showed me by falling off of it into the water.
Water Chair
Kei shot a few last night to get prepared.
Pre 4th Fireworks
Nomad has a new favorite toy.† It is an old Barbie doll of Kei’s.† He loves it and carries it everywhere.† Kei said she needed to find him a Ken doll and I told her it was probably better if he tried to chew the head off the female one…right?
Barbie Love
This is a contraption we made him for alone time play.† I think we should patent it don’t you?
More Barbie Love...
Kei has been playing with her Little Pets a lot.† She got this idea to pierce their ears.† My Momma loved jewelry and had tons of it.† Kei found earrings and went to work. I about cracked up when I saw the ‘finished’ pets.
Oh La La....
Here is Hopper with her new earring.
One earring bunny...
More HOLEY Pets…
Here they are having a race up the washing machine.
And the Winner is...
I am so glad my child is easily amused.
Kei has been getting my camera and taking pictures.† She told me she really wanted to learn more about Photography.
Here are a few of her shots.† I thought she did really well.
FeatherBeautyKei's Doggie
Kei and I have been having tea parties for years.† We wear flowery dresses, hats and drink from a hand painted tea set Kei made when she was about 5.† This was our 1st Tea Party in the new house.† We decided to have it in the rose garden.† I am always Miss Chamomile and Kei is Miss Sassafras.† Nomad was invited and he was Mr. Fluff.† We always speak in either British or very Southern accents. It was an interesting addition inviting Nomad.
Miss SassafrasMr. Fluff NOT cooperating...Mr. Fluff drinking his tea..Miss Sassafras and Mr. Fluff relaxing
Kei has been working on her treehouse.† It isn’t really a great tree for a treehouse. I tell her when I win the lottery I will get her a killer treehouse. Seth spent the night and he helped her work on it.† He put her in a seat.
Perched..Lookout
We also went swimming at Cathy’s and ate lunch.† We had such a great day!
Just keep swimming...
On the way home Kei saw a turtle in the road and freaked out for me to get it.† I just knew either me, Kei or the turtle was going to end up smooshed but we all made it home safely.† Kei let the turtle out in our creek.
Sniffing it out...
The next day we went bowling shopping and some of the kids did the bungee jumpy thingy.
Boing!!
Thursday Kei and I went to see Eclipse.† We really liked it and I wouldn’t mind seeing it again.† I think it was my favorite Twilight so far.† We also saw the trailer for Deathly Hallows!!!
Kei and Johnny chillaxing...
Kei is responsible for changing our fishbowl every week.† I told her only, ‘Make it beautiful”.† This is this weeks.
Art in a bowl...
I am loving our summer, our new doggie and my girl.† I am blessed.
ìDon’t underestimate the value of Doing Nothing, of just going along, listening to all the things you can’t hear, and not bothering.î† Winnie The Pooh
Saturday night.† Kei is at a party and I am sitting here listening to silly pooch bark his head off.† The barking….please make the barking stop!
Kei went to a Luau and she was all lualed out.
Aloha...Hanging Ten...???
Today was also Nomad’s 3 month birthday.† WalGreen’s were also having a “Bring Your Dog and Take Their Picture” Day.† Of course we were there bright and early.† Everyone was oohing and ahhing over Nomad and Kei was strutting around like a proud Mama.† The people at WalGreens said he was the best dog they had all day.† He jumped up and sat for his pictures.† All the other dogs were running around kinda crazy.† One lady told Kei she would have to come train her dog when Kei said “Sit” and Nomad sat. He really was the cutest thing in his bandanna.† Reminded me of when Kei was little and everyone would oooh and ahhh over her, but I never strutted, really, I didn’t….not much anyway
Kei and Nomad
When we got home we had to have a little party for him.† Kei put on his favorite song, “Who Let the Dogs Out” and they danced in their party hats.† I told her I wasn’t doing this EVERY month!!
Shaking it Doggie Style..
Kei has seen something on TV she MUST have.† It is a pillow pet [Do NOT click this link] and no matter how much I try to convince her it is for 3 year olds, she wants one.† I guess I should be happy she doesn’t want a push-up bra and a 6 pack!† I have told her that I was not giving her almost $30 for it so she made up a list of chores that she would do and get paid.† Her prices were ridiculously low so I had to adjust them to 2010 standards.† One thing is weeding which I DESPISE.† Yesterday she worked her little butt off weeding a flower garden.† It took her 2 1/2 hours.† She was supposed to get $3 but I gave her $5.† She was as dirty as she has ever been!† [You clicked the link didn’t you? Now you have that ridiculous song stuck in your head don’t you???]
Dirty Work..Weeds Be Gone!YUCK!
We got some corn and beans from the Farmer’s Market and Kei shucked the corn.† I think she loved doing that because she feels all farm girlie.
Ah Shucks...
Kei has been swimming in her pool often.† Even though it is a little crooked.† I really should have put some sand under it since the yard slopes so much.† Oh well…next year….
Handstand...
She also has loved her tire swing even though I am afraid she will slam into the big oak tree.† She was on it with her bathing suit on and I just could see her body wrecked on that tree.† Of course the fear didn’t prevent me from capturing the moment on film digital.
Just Swinging....
Chan spent a couple of nights and they played in the creek, played in Kei’s room, played with Nomad,† played Rock Band and swam.† I was exhausted just watching them.
Doggie Love...
We also ran over to Bridge Street to pick up my PowerBook…again.
Kei and Chan
Kei is still loving her dance classes.† She seems to be really learning a lot because the class is small and they work one on one with them.
Just a little further...
Kei is ready to start school back so I think we will do that in a week or so.† I am so excited about it!† I know it’s early but we just love learning!† I can’t believe I started homeschooling when she was in 2nd grade and she would be in 5th grade the coming year.† I just want her to SLOW DOWN!
As we move into July soon, the days are getting hotter, everyone is moving a little slower, we are eating more ice cream, the A/C is running constantly but life is still sweet.
“The good life, as I conceive it, is a happy life. I do not mean that if you are good you will be happy; I mean that if you are happy you will be good.“††††† Bertrand Russell
Today is officially the first day of summer.† However it has been SUMMER for a while now. The days have been hot with summer showers popping up to make things even more muggy.
Nomad is growing like crazy.† Chewing up everything in site.† He jumps up on us with delight and we both have battle scars to show for it.† I got his nails clipped but at $8 a pop, I MUST learn to do it myself.
We bought him a pool.† He loves it.† At first he started picking up his water bowl and carrying it around, spilling everything in it.† We knew he needed water especially outside.† So we found a metal bucket that was too big for him to carry around now.† But he would try to get his paws in it.† So we found a larger container…same thing…he would try to get into it.† So we gave up and bought him a little swimming pool.† It is kinda gross because he gets into it all dirty and then drinks it but hey! we are talking about an animal that licks its butt!
Splashing...
He is officially [in our world, which is the only world that matters] the WORLD’S CUTEST DOG.† It must be announced in capital letters to show just how cute he is.† There are days I want to kill him [but there are days I want to kill Kei too] but we do adore this crazy pooch.
What???!!!????Swimming is fun but tiring...
Friday the 18th was National Picnic Day.† We celebrated by going to the “River Park”.† Liv had spent the night and we loaded up Nomad and his ‘stuff’.† Seriously I feel like I have a baby in the house!† Fun was had by all.
Happy Picnic DaySliding is FUN ..really...it is....
For the first time Kei was able to get onto the swingie, rollie, thingie.† She was happy.
All in all a good day, albeit hotter than hot!
Kei, Ka and Krazy Nomad
Kei and Livvy washed the dog.† I helped…some…
Gotcha....Come baby..this won't hurt a bit...
We ran to the Dollar Tree to spend about $30.† Has anyone ever gone into the Dollar store and spent only $1?????† Kei and Liv once again proved they are still little girls at heart.
Giddy Up...
We also went to see Kung Fu Panda this past week.† We love going to FREE movies!
Everybody was Kung Fu Fighting...
Kei and I had a dryer meltdown and had to move the old dryer to the alley [we have a BIG yard] and get the new one out and around to hook up.† After much sweat, brainstorming, screaming, kicking, cussing talking sweetly to it, we got ‘er done.† We were very proud of ourselves!
This way..NO this way...
Sunday we met Daddy, Marlene and Eddie at Cracker Barrel for Father’s Day Breakfast.† After church Kei and I decided to go to Bridge Street.† I had to take my laptop back because the DVD wasn’t recognizing the ..well the DVD.† Then we went to see Toy Story 3.†† We had HORRIBLE seats but were excited about seeing it.† Kei has always loved Toy Story.† She was about 3 and I took her to Toys R Us and told her she could have 1 toy.† She wanted Buzz Lightyear.† She decided when we moved to still keep him.† The movie was so sad.† I mean I cried…CRIED, not just sniffled.† Kei just rolled her eyes at me like she does.
Then we went to Orange Tree Yogurt. That place lures you in with promises of 45¢ an ounce yumminess.† After putting peanut butter yogurt, a few little sprinkles and a little bit of caramel topping we had $4.79 worth of yumminess!
