6-30-2010 Gorgeous Day!

Woke up this morning and it was actually chilly out! The high today topped off in the 70's with low humidity and a great breeze. Perfect!

Kathy had the kids today and they went swimming with the Bailey kids, Luke and Emma. They tell me they had a great time.

I went shopping to Sal Val after work. Picked up a fabulous pair of jammie pants for $2.50. I also bought 2 stainless steel bowls to use as the cats' water dishes.

Then I went to Sam's Club and Redners' for groceries. It is so much easier to shop by myself. Very proud of myself for making good use of my time.

Got everything put away and still had about an hour to myself before Charlie and the kids got home. I read the entire paper in a silence. Can't tell you the last time I was able to do that.

6-27-2010 Toy Story 3D

The 4 of us went to the movies this afternoon to see Toy Story 3D. So nice to sit and relax in the nice cool theater. I worked day shift yesterday and came home too tired to do much of anything. So it was nice to hang out as a family today.

6-26-2010 The Big One

 
Charlie caught a giant catfish on the river today. Much excitement. It pulled him down river in the kayak and I had to get a net for him b/c he was fishing with a $5 pole from Wal Mart. Unfortunately, the net was a hand me down from George with a hole in it. And so the fish got away. Literally. But atleast we have a picture!

6-24-2010 Another Hot One

Lovin the A/C again today. We went to Imax this morning for the free summer series movie "Ice Age 3 Dawn of the Dinosaurs." Then a quick run to the library to pick up a book bag Luke won thru the summer reading program.

We had a quick thunderstorm this afternoon which did nothing to cool things off. Charlie came home an hour early and had to drive thru areas where trees were down and power was out. Thank God we did not lose power. Not a good day to be with out the A/C.

6-23-2010 Good day to Swim

Hot, hot, hot. About 93 and quite humid. Hate it.

The kids were with Grandma K today and went swimming at Debbie's. They had a great time. They were fascinated by a pool lounge chair with cup holders. funny what fascinates them.

Poor Charlie is working in an attic today. So glad I'm not him.

6-21-2010 Monday, Monday

Hot out there today. Not that I was out in it much. I worked today, in the A/C.

 Mom and Dad had the kids and took them to Knoebles  and then for Chinese. They didn't get home until 7pm.

While I was home alone I sat out on the kitchen porch with the kittens. They're starting to explore and just figured out how to climb out of their basket.

Charlie hooked the sprinkler up in the garden tonight. It's only the 2nd time we've had to use it this season. We're supposed to have thunderstorms tomorrow afternoon, but it's too hot to wait that long for the rain to come give everything a drink.

Dad gave us 4 more boxes of strawberries. Shortcake for breakfast. And lunch. And dinner. Yippee!

6-19-2010 Katie Fox's Baby Shower

Lily and I spent the afternoon at Katie Fox's baby shower. Had a great time. It was Lily's 1st baby shower and she said, "best baby shower ever!"

6-17-2010 Gorgeous Day and Random Musings...

Well, the weather today was just perfect! I'd take it every day for the whole summer if somebody in charge of weather wants to know my opinion. We topped out at about 78, but no humidity and strong gusty winds. Sitting in the shade, watching Lily in the pool, I was actually a little bit chilly. I mowed the entire property at mid-day and wasn't a bit hot! no air conditioner. All windows and screen doors opened. Perfect, just perfect.

The orchard next door is having pick your own blueberries. I think it started Tuesday. Usually it isn't until closer to the 4th of July. Lots of traffic we aren't used to.

We've moved the kittens and half-tail to the cat house. we cover the cat doors at night to keep her in and predators out. so far, so good.

6-13-2010 To P&J's house we go

Hung out around the house this morning getting things done. We took the kids to Mom and Dad's for a sleepover after supper. The plan is to do this every Sunday over the summer so Dad can watch them Mondays while Charlie and I work.

The plan is to go to Knoebles tomorrow. Mom is hoping to be off from work so she can go along.
I was relieved that both kids were very excited to go up there. I knew Lily would be of course. But Luke was much more of a wild card. Since I've gone back to work he's been getting up with me every day at 5:30 am so he can see me before I leave.

Dad picked 16 pounds of strawberries from a farm in Ringtown this morning. We had strawberry shortcake at Mom and Dad's and I brought a few boxes of berries back home with me. They're excellent. Just like the ones we had when we were kids. relatively small by today's standards and really ripe. They're going to have to be used in the next few days.

The pictures of the steers are included here because when we got to Mom and Dad's one of the first things the kids wanted to do was go up to the barn and see the steers.

6-12-2010 Adan's 5th Birthday Party !

Went to the Crowell's today for Adan's 5th Birthday Party. The kids enjoyed the pool ! It was a bit hot, but a breeze kept it from being unbearable.

Lunch was hoagie's from Weaver's a favorite of Charlie's.

What I found most remarkable about the entire day was how incredibly quiet Chase was. Not a peep from that child. He just sat and watched the kids play. Not fussing. No crying. No wiggling around. I told any one who'd listen that I thought he greatly resembled a stuffed animal. What a blessing! Unfortunately, I never experienced such blessings with either of my own 2 little angels.

Home now and the rains have come. Hopefully, things will cool off a bit for sleeping tonight.

6-11-2010

First full day of summer vacation for the kids. charlie took them to Palmyra to pick up cabinets at Rusty & Laura's. Since they were only a few miles from Hershey they did a tour of Chocolate World. Then lunch. Then Chocolate World again. Then home. Then a Reading Phillies game. Perfect weather for a baseball game. We had great seats and a good time was had by one and all.

6-10-2010 Last Day of School !

Last Day of School ! Last Day of School! Although both kids say they are excited to be done with school, they also admit they will miss their teachers and seeing their friends every day. One of Luke's classmates handed out her card with her phone number and address on it to stay in touch with classmates throughout the summer. Brilliant idea, I'm so mad I didn't think of it!

We took a celebratory trip to the libraries after school and then came home for some R&R. Actually, the kids had R&R while I mowed the lawn.

6-8-2010 Lily's 6th Birthday !

6 years old today! Beach day at school followed by trip to McDonald's. When asked how she thinks being 6 will be different from being 5, Lily replied, "Well...I'll be able to run a lot faster because my legs will be longer." Okay...

6-6-2010 Schuylkill River Sojourn

Today was the day. The big day. The Schuylkill River Sojourners were supposed to come past our property on their way from Schuylkill County to Philadelphia. Charlie and I went down to the dock early in the morning to enjoy some peace and quiet. The kids came down a bit later and put an end to the peace and quiet. But, it was still a gorgeous day to be down there. I went in to the house around lunch and put a picnic together for us to enjoy dock side.

 After that the kids did some swimming while Charlie did some fishing. I graded my nursing students' blue sheets.  And so it went for an hour or two. Then it started to get cloudy. Then we heard thunder. Then the kids and I packed up and went in to the house. Then Dad called and said we had a tornado warning. I called Charlie in off the river. Then the heavens opened.

So, now it's been 2 to 3 hours since we expected the sojouners and they're still no where in site. We've all been in the house since the monsoon, but are keeping an eye on the river. Just as we finished supper and were walking into the living room, Charlie saw a kayak go past. Grabbed kids and camera and ran to the dock just in time. The poor adventurers on their way to Philly were way-laid by the storm. But, all were in good spirits and willing to chat with us as they went by.

6-5-2010 Relaxing at the River

Half-tails kittens are starting to open their eyes. The kids spent the morning cuddling them in the summer kitchen while Charlie and I got some work done around the house.

Around lunch time we took a minivan load of recycling to the recycling center. We saw lots of cars parked in the fairground fields for people going to the WWII plane show at the airport. We were able to see all kinds of planes flying above us. And we were in the air conditioned car. Nice.

After running our errands we came home and decided to enjoy the river. Perfect day for the water b/c the temp. is in the high 80's and it's quite humid. The kids swam (with life vests on). Charlie kayaked and attempted to fish. I sat on the dock and read and took pictures and got drinks and towels and a device to retrieve the lost anchor and kept and eye on the kids and pointed out the planes flying overhead, and....

God, I love the weekends when we can all hang out together.

6-3-2010 Field Day

Both kids had field day at school today. Lots of running. In the full sun. Lots of sweating. I showed up and took a few pictures. Then headed off to the air-conditioned grocery store.

I'm planning on having strawberry shortcake for lunch. Yes, for lunch. I can fully enjoy it in the nice quiet house before kids and hubby get home and mayhem begins!

6-02-2010 Memorial Day Weekend

Kids are back in school after a nice long weekend for Memorial Day. We had such a great time together. Saturday we had Lily's 6th birthday party and surprised her with an inflatable pool with a slide. She (and Luke) loves it! Both sets of grandparents came and hung out and enjoyed each other's company. Saturday night we decided to sleep out in the tent set up in the back 40. First, things first...smores. Then we crawled into the tent. Funny thing, we weren't the only ones crawling around in there. There were plenty of bugs to keep us company. Luke decided he wanted to sleep in the house and Lily and I were right there with him. I was thinking "thank God he's suggesting going into the house" b/c I did not want to be the 1 to shout it out 1st. But, I bet I really was the 1st 1 to think it. Charlie stuck it out in the tent. We went in and snuggled together in my bed and all watched TV until we fell asleep. Paradise according to both kids. I agree. Charlie heard stray cats carrying on and got drenched when the skies opened up around midnight. Charlie wasn't around Sunday b/c he had to help with the Charlie Horse. I did about 8 loads of laundry. Kids entertained themselves with the new pool. Monday, Charlie and Lily went for a bike ride while Luke and I hung out at the dock. Lots of people on the river canoeing and kayaking today. Fabulous hamburgers and homemade french fries for lunch. Kiddie pool in the afternoon. So greatful for all veterans, soldiers, and their families who have sacrficied so much for our great country.