Musical Moments

The kids felt tortured had the opportunity to go to two concerts this past week. On Sunday night after Jason's softball game we took a picnic to Alum Creek Park in Westerville to listen to British Invasion. We first heard them last summer at the balloon show we went to where Jordis was really showing off her far out dance moves. It was a nice night and we thought the kids would have fun. They complained the whole way there but once we got some food in them and it was time to leave, they decided that they were having a good time.

On Thursday night Jason had to work so my mom accompanied the kids and me to Gallant Woods Preserve to listen to some steel drum music.

Xander wasn't keen on this event, either, but we did the best we could. BaDee tried to engage the kids in some dancing and we also let them take turns using the camera.


We also took them on a walk through one of the paths.


Since we had to park across the street we also got shuttled back and forth on a little hayride, which the kids loved.

Along the way we saw a deer and they also liked this windmill.


A trip to the library netted the kids some books about bears and sharks, and movies about manta-rays and crocodiles. They also painted birdhouses.

Can't to see what this week holds.

Going batty

I'm pretty sure that these kids make me batty. Don't get me wrong, they both have really good moments and I wouldn't trade them for the world, but most days the overwhelming moments overshadow the good ones.

One day last week I got to get out of the house by myself to go to one of my favorite places. Imagine my shock when I was walking up to the building and there was an actual bat, hanging on to the side, taking a little nap. I took it as a sign from God that it wasn't my imagination, I WAS going batty and that trip out by myself was just what I needed.

Isn't he cute? (I don't know why I assume it's a boy.) Unlike the big, scary, leathery bats at the zoo, this one was little and furry. I knew better than to touch him, but I was so bummed to see him when I didn't have the kids with me. They would have been so excited, especially since we just studied bats and took that program about them at the park. So I took his picture.

I love fun unexpected moments!

Happy Independence Day!

Our July 4th activities kind of overlapped the whole week. The kids and I spent some time making stars for our friends at the nursing home using blue posterboard and red and silver glitter. Jordis liked passing them out to the residents and Xander gave his to Miss Connie, the activities director, who decorated the tables in the nursing home eating areas.

The next day we went back for story time that included a bike parade for the 4th.

We ate celebratory gluten-free/dairy-free waffles...

On the 3rd Jason was off so we contemplated going downtown for Red, White & Boom, but in the end decided against it. Instead we went and got dinner from our favorite Chinese restaurant and ate at home while letting the kids stay up to see the fireworks on TV. It ended up being a good idea because Xander fell asleep and Jordis got cranky. I noticed this guy standing outside the restaurant while we were waiting on Jason to get the food. I'm hoping he was an Elvis impersonator.

Jason picked up some overtime on the 4th but we were able to squeeze in a late lunch/early dinner cookout at my mom's to celebrate both the holiday and my step-dad's birthday. We had a little lunch...

...a little football...

...and helping Ba fill his bird feeder.

We can see the local fireworks from our deck so the kids and I got all ready to watch them when it started to rain. Then they started 20 minutes late, so the kids were kind of over it before things really started. I ended up watching them myself, cold and wet which is odd for July, then the kids dragged themselves out for the finale.

God Bless America!

Is it July already?

Last week went by really quickly. It started with a lovely evening at my aunt and uncle's house. They usually host a family cookout two times each summer and the kids love it because they get to play with their cousins and we let them eat junk. The weather was great and we stayed until dark.

And what color do popsicles make YOUR tongue?

We walked to our neighborhood pond one day to feed the ducks. The kids especially like it if there are duck babies. Xander also found some pinecones to bring home.

The rest of the week I forgot to take pictures. But we went on a play date with our moms group, where Jordis ran into another girl, then fell and hit her head on the concrete. Luckily no stitches but some lovely scrapes on her forehead and eyelid. We also went on a picnic dinner with my friend Catherine and her boys one night. With jackets on, mind you. It was definitely not warm enough to use the pool last week, and I loved it. We even found some time where Jason and his mom were both not working at the same time, so we went to visit his parents for a few hours. It was a busy week, the kids definitely wore me out.

How Could I Forget?

In my posting about last week I didn't mention we watched a LOT of baseball. LSU baseball, that is. They won the College World Series!

Apparently it doesn't matter which sport you watch, but LSU has a knack for taking things to the last minute. I get enough of this from Ohio State during football season, but I guess LSU likes to keep up the excitement all year long. Poor Jason had to keep leaving for work part way through the games, so I would send him text messages with important updates. Anyway, since Ohio State was not involved I happily cheered for the Tigers, became familiar with the roster, and I think I may have even shed a tear when they won the series.

Or when Mikie Mahtook got that great RBI double in the 6th inning of game 3.

Or when Coach Mainieri hugged his dad after the final game.

Maybe.

I was all alone and there are no witnesses, so you can believe me or not. But here are a few of my favorite moments from the series.

Geaux Tigers!

Pool time

It was so nice out this past week that we spent a lot of time in our pool. I even got in 2 or 3 times myself (yes, this is not a lie, I got in the pool).

We bought the pool at the end of last summer and were pleasantly surprised at how well it fit on our deck. It got a lot of morning sun which made it nice and warm, and putting it up there kept the kids from getting in and out and dragging grass in the water, which is what would have happened had it been in the grass. We got a cover for it and discovered that we can go 3 or 4 days before needing to replace the water. Monday we spent a nice relaxing afternoon outside and ate dinner on the deck.

Jason went out and bought some new squirt guns, so on Tuesday we had pool day again. My job was basically to refill water guns while everyone else emptied them of their water. As you can see it starts getting shady in the pool around 2:30, so that will come in really handy later this summer when the heat is scorching.

Wednesday, you guessed it, pool day. And on Thursday BaDee came over on her day off to swim in the pool, too.

Saturday night I took the kids to Powell Fest to watch the fireworks. I always say I'll never go, but I did this year because I got to park in the police department parking lot which meant no long walk. Then I proceeded to lose Jordis. Unlike Xander does though, she didn't wander off on purpose. I think she took a bridge over the playground to the walkway and couldn't figure out how to return, so decided to walk around the perimeter to get back in. One of Jason's fellow officers found her about the same time I called him to say she was missing, so it worked out well. As well as it could anyway. Never thought I'd say "thank goodness she had on her LSU shirt," but had I described her as the girl wearing an Ohio State shirt that could have been any number of kids. We finally settled in for the fireworks. I had met up with another officer's wife and their three girls, and the girlfriend of another officer who let us all pile in to his truck for a great view with no crowd.

The kids loved the show and were excited to drive by their dad directing traffic on the way home. I was happy that they slept in for a little bit the next morning.

Father's Day

Jordis' singing debut last week was on Father's Day, so I was really excited that Jason got to be there for it.

After coming home for lunch and relaxing for a little while Jason left for his weekly church softball game. He had been wanting some meatballs so I made those for dinner while he was gone, and also a chocolate cherry cake for dessert. After dinner we gave him presents.

A book written by a local police officer who was donating proceeds to the fallen officers fund.

And a handmade LSU hot/cold pack that I found on Etsy.

Our kids are so lucky to have such a great dad!