Home from Camp

We picked the kids up from camp on Friday afternoon. They were happy to see us (and Ethan and Cate too) and to tell us all about their week. We were able to witness a few of the camp chants and songs that the kids learned....and they learned A LOT of songs! Thankfully I had pretty low expectations for hygiene and cleanliness while they were there ("Just let them be alive when I pick them up," was my motto) because we found out that Hudson used his bar of soap only once! The weather could have been better- it rained quite a bit, and Alex had a little problem with a "bully"and some demanding cabin-mates, but all in all they both had a great time.

Ethan playing soccer

Here's our little soccer star!! This is really funny. Click on "Jump to tagged clip" and then "ethan playing soccer" so you only have to watch the 33 second clip, instead of the entire 2 minute movie. Enjoy!

Camp

Alex and Hudson are off to camp! They are both spending a week at 4-H Camp Bristol Hills. I went to this camp as a kid ans LOVED it. I hope they have the same great experience I had. Neither of them went with a friend, but I'm sure they are making new friends left and right. Hudson looks a little worried in this picture, but he was very excited...both kids were. They were like, "Ok goodbye Mom. Get out of here now...I'm fine!" No tears, no apprehension. There was a little girl in Alex's cabin who was crying and clinging to her mom, and I have to admit that I'm glad my kids didn't react that way. They are going to have so much fun! I want to go to camp!

Harry Potter Day!

The 7th Harry Potter book came out at 12:01 this morning. Alex has been looking forward to this day since February 19th when we pre-ordered the book. To celebrate, we attended the Bloomfield Public Library's Harry Potter party. We arrived in costume (it said on the invitation that costumes were encouraged).... well, only one or two other kids dressed up. But my crew didn't mind. It was a good excuse to wear a costume - and you know how we all like to be in costume!

The day ended (or began?) with a midnight trip to the mall to pick up our copy of the book. Alex wore Ethan's headlamp so she could read in the van on the way home.

Dancing with Jack

Alex will probably kill me for putting this video up on the blog- but 1. its SO CUTE! and 2. I just figured out how to do it..... so I had to!

Week in Pictures

Cousin fun! That's Ethan (I think), Frankie, Luke holding Harrison & Hudson.


Alex played in s U12 tournament this weekend. She did well, made new friends, had a lot of fun and played A LOT of soccer.


Our caterpillar is now a butterfly! This is the second butterfly we have hatched this year so far. The first one was a Painted Lady- this one is an Eastern Swallowtail. Uncle Dick found the larvae on his dill plant and we put it in our butterfly "cage" to watch it change.... isn't it beautiful! Prior to the Painted Lady and the Black Swallowtail we have only hatched Monarchs, so this was a treat!


Veggie Camp wraps up tomorrow. The kids have fun and learn lessons about forgiveness and kindness, but let me tell you all this Jesus singing that is going on around here is making Justin crazy!

Sadness....

It is hard to fathom losing your child.... I cannot even imagine being on the the receiving end of that terrible phone call or visit from a State Trooper. I just read about a woman who's son was in Iraq, and so when she saw the uniformed officer coming up her front front walk she just knew what horrifying reality he about to deliver to her.... so she refused to let him in her home. She figured, if I don't let him in he can't tell me the bad news and then it won't be real.



It won't be real.



But unfortunately it is real. It was real when Michael and Nancy had to bury Mary Therese, and it is real for the families of the five girls who just died right here in our town. On our road. I feel so horrible. I didn't know any of these girls, so obviously I don't feel as shattered as the people in Fairport.... but as a resident of the Town of East Bloomfield, I feel so bad for these families. I'll probably drive by the devastating site everyday, and see the charred fence and blackened road, and my heart will break for those parents all over again. As a steward of this town, I feel terrible that this happened under our watch.

Preparation

What are you doing to get ready for the 4th?

Big Throw!!

That's what Ethan said when he saw this picture...

This is from Hudson's game on Wednesday where he scored 2 goals!! Justin asked me today, as Hudson climbed a tree and jumped 10 feet to the ground, "When did Hudson become so athletic?"

Ethan and I went strawberry picking on Wednesday with some moms and kids from preschool, and although it was a fun time, I do not recommend it... we came home with $20 worth of strawberries!!! Good thing I had that much cash with me... not the norm, believe me!

The kids and I took Cate on a little nature walk today...first day of summer vacation!!

Alex Scores

Alex scored 3 goals in her game last night...one from mid-field when she was a defender!

Alex's New Do

"Hair" today. Gone tomorrow.....

As we "speak" Alex is cutting off at least 10 inches of her hair to donate to Locks of Love.

Recital

What a great performance! I am so proud of Alex and Hudson... they were wonderful! Can't wait for the DVD!

Happy Birthday to Me!

Justin and the kids gave me an awesome camera for my birthday. I'm still figuring it all out, but I got a few shots of the kids today and wanted to share them.

Hudson taking a throw-in at his first soccer game of the season.

Kicking with his left foot!

Ethan running.

Alex at her dance recital rehearsal. This picture was taken without a flash in a dark auditorium and I was sitting half way up to the back of the theatre. The picture below was taken the same way. I'm still working on getting action shots- those ballerinas move pretty quickly.... but I'm pretty pleased.

Ethan Graduates!

Congratulations buddy! You did great! And Happy Birthday too!

Goin' Fishin'

Today Ethan went down to Uncle Dick's workshop to deliver him some watermelon, and while he was in there he said, "Oh, Uncle Dick has a fishin' pole." (Ethan is very much into all things outdoors lately...canoes, rowboats, camping, etc.) So Uncle Dick takes down a fishing pole and gives it to Ethan. Then he takes him out and gives him a lesson in casting. He told Ethan that the pole was 50 years old (Ethan said "Ifty years old" when he told me) and that it had been to the Adriondacks many many times. Well that just about put Ethan over the top!

Little Piggy

Hudson was in the 2nd grade production of the "Three Piggy Opera" on Thursday night. He was a narrator, and did a great job. It was very cute. Part of the song said, "So much of this story is scary you know, scary you know, scary you know.... So much of this story is scary you know, SO ONLY BRAVE PEOPLE SIT IN THE FRONT ROW!"

Catching Up....

Here are some pictures from the production of Peter and the Wolf that was performed at Bloomfield.