A Morning Conversation...

While standing out waiting for Dill's bus this morning, he asked "Can you be artistic and still be good at Math, Reading and talking?"

Knowing Dill is very good at all three of those things and that his big brother has been doing lots of sketches for his art class lately, I thought he was asking me if I thought he was good at art too. I said, "Of course, you are very creative! I think you are great at Art!!"

He looked at me strangely and said, "There's a boy in my class that is really good at Math, he can read and he can talk... even though he sometimes uses the wrong words. My teacher says he is artistic anyway."

"Oh! You mean AUtistic!" I say, the dim light over my head getting a little brighter.

He looks at me frustrated as he heads out toward his waiting bus and says, "That's what I said Mom. How old are people when they can't hear correctly?"

Two conversations

A couple weekends ago Pete and I both took the Hunter's Safety Class. It was actually very informative and interesting. I learned a lot. We learned about the history of hunting, how firearms work, how to track and stalk, how to climb into a tree stand.... just to name a few things. Another thing I learned is that kids do not learn how to take notes (at least not before 7th grade) I watched Pete and other kids that sat around me and even when the instructors gave BLATANT hints like "THIS will be on the test!!" the kids did not write down what was said or highlight it in their book. I took it upon myself as a side mission to show Pete how to listen for things that were important to know from the lecture material. The other kids that sat around us started paying attention too.... and I must have done well. Everyone passed the final..... 98% or better! I really enjoyed getting to spend the whole weekend with Just Pete. One on one time with any of the kids seems to be a rare thing in our family. It was nice to do something I knew Pete was interested in. As a follow up, Pete and I went to Cabela's to have his bow checked over and to get his first hunting license for youth weekend. We stood in line waiting for his license and chatted about his upcoming trip with Uncle K. He was very excited about finally getting to go hunt. When it was our turn to step to the counter, Pete was ready. He had his wallet (he checked his back pocket every 3 minutes to make sure it was still there) and wore his serious, ready-to-hunt look. "Can I help you?" the lady at the counter asked. I quickly explained that it was our first time to get a license. She looked at Pete and said, "How old are you?" "twelve" "Did you take the hunter's safety class?" she asked. "yes" "Did they give you a certificate of completion?" "yes" "Do you have it with you?" "yes" (Pete stands there, waiting for the next question) "I need to see it" "Oh!" Finally he reaches into back pocket for wallet. She takes the certificate and begins typing. She makes sure she spelled the name correctly then says, "What is your address?" Pete turns to me and says, "Should I tell her?" :)

While standing out waiting for Dill's bus this morning, he asked "Can you be artistic and still be good at Math, Reading and talking?" Knowing Dill is very good at all three of those things and that his big brother has been doing lots of sketches for his art class lately, I thought he was asking me if I thought he was good at art too. I said, "Of course, you are very creative! I think you are great at Art!!" He looked at me strangely and said, "There's a boy in my class that is really good at Math, he can read and he can talk... even though he sometimes uses the wrong words. My teacher says he is artistic anyway." "Oh! You mean AUtistic!" I say, the dim light over my head getting a little brighter. He looks at me frustrated as he heads out toward his waiting bus and says, "That's what I said Mom. How old are people when they can't hear correctly?"

The Homecoming Dance

Tonight was Homecoming. Both Dori and Macy were beautiful as they headed out the door toward their parties and festivities. Dori headed out to eat with swim friends, then the dance and then finally to an overnight party. Macy went to the dance with a new date (not the guy that she rode in the parade with the night before!) then to a party where they watched a scary movie together. Her Facebook page now reads “In a relationship”. Wow do they grow up fast!

Our Band Leader

Look carefully at this picture....our Dori is way out front. She rocks as drum major for the high school band. She had difficulty deciding where to be for this parade. She helped out on the senior float so she could have ridden on that or she could have ridden in a truck with the swim team but she was out there leading the band down our town's main street. She has been keeping very busy this fall between school, swimming, band, working at a fast food restaurant and lots of other activities. Go Dori Go!!!

Macy's Parade

Our Macy was in the parade as a Homecoming Princess. She looked beautiful and had a handsome escort as she was driven down the main drag of our hometown with Sister S driving her cute little convertible. The only small deterrent was the wind. The winds were gusting and everyone's hair looked mighty wild.... except for the girls on the Homecoming court.... hair spray to the rescue! :)

First day of school

Just after Labor Day we all got ready to head back to school. It was a great summer, everyone had lots of fun and we were all sad to see it end. In the past, we would all get up early on the first day of school and take pix while waiting for the bus. Nowadays, we take the picture the evening before. There are a lot of good reasons for this.... 1) the middle/ high school bus comes REALLY early... it is still dark out and hard to photograph (without flood lights!) 2) the elementary bus comes much later which means the youngest kids had to get up extra early for the first day and then hang around either bored or stressed about their 1st day and 3) the kids plan, then know exactly what they want to wear for the big day and we can work out any issues (finding underwear, clothes that need ironing, remembering where the backpacks are, etc.) before the bus is enroute!!


Happy school year every one!!! :)

Surf and Turf

When I was growing up every year over Labor Day Weekend my whole family went to our Aunt Sue and Uncle Jerry's house for the annual family clam bake. Before Aunt Sue held the clam bake my grandmother held it at her house and it has been a tradition since at least the 1940's (I am guessing from the pictures I have seen and the age of the cars in the background)

The event was held for a couple years at my mother's house after Aunt Sue moved out of their home, but in the last 10 years or so the tradition has died. This year, my sister L decided it was a tradition worth saving and she held a smaller version of the clam bake. At her house, there were no clams or chicken (as had been the traditional fare) instead she made a surf and turf. It was quite a meal!! My kids are still talking about it and want to know when we are going back. L and her husband did a great job with the crab legs and the steaks (I helped grill) then there was also a baked potato bar and broccoli and fantastic grown up drinks!!!

What a great time!