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.

Vacation Bible School

Last week was Vacation Bible School at our church. The theme was Crocodile Dock, which was a Cajun theme that Xander loved. Tonight I heard him in his room through the monitor saying, "God is with us!" His first day was a little rough, but the rest of the week went great. Since I had to drive him there every day I decided to volunteer, and that was interesting. It reminded me why I'm glad I decided not to be a teacher.

I tried to take pictures of the backdrop, but one of them is a little blurry. And of course we don't have pirogues here, so a kayak had to suffice. One of the leaders is married to a man from Houma, so she pointed out one day that Blossom the Possum was wearing a purple bandana because he must be an LSU fan.

The kids also spent some time with my mom Thursday night so Jason and I could go to dinner and attend a memorial service for one of my former co-workers. They had a great time playing water boats in the tub and eating my mom's homemade popsicles.

On Saturday the kids and I went to Logan with my dad to the Washboard Festival. Xander had seen it on TV and we haven't seen my dad since April so I thought it would be a nice way to spend the afternoon together for Father's Day. My dad's parents are from Logan so we thought about visiting his aunt while we were there, but that didn't work out so well. All in all, it was a nice day though, and the kids loved riding rides and eating lunch at McDonald's. My dad did not love the whining, beating each other up in the back seat and the forcing of Xander to clean-up the trail mix that he threw all over the car.

After the festival we met my step-mom at Eagles Pizza by their house for dinner. I've always wanted to try their pizza and it was REALLY good.

Jason was working 2nd shift that night so we stopped to see him on our way home. They had fun visiting with him and two other officers, especially Mr. Travis. He came for dinner one time and read Jordis a book and drew sidewalk chalk with her, so she likes him a lot.

It was a tiring week so looking forward to this next being much more restful.

Up, up and away!

We decided Saturday that we'd attempt to take the kids to Grove City's annual Balloons Off Broadway festival. It was 40 minutes from here, but parking and admission were free so we figured it would be worth the drive for the kids to watch 22 hot air balloons take off. Well, long story short, it took longer than 40 minutes to get there (traffic), the hot-air balloons did not take off and nothing went the way it should have. After the week we had I don't even have the sarcasm left to describe the evening, so I will spare you the details. What we learned, though, is that Jordis likes the Beatles and The Rolling Stones and Xander likes throwing dirt. And they had fun, so I guess all was not lost afterall.


If we sit here for this picture will you give us some food?




This is as much cooperation as we could muster.




The British Invasion, Jordis has become a groupie.