Fair 2023

 What a fair it was! Kids were so busy with their entries, working in the food booth, working in the exhibit hall and the parade.  This post is a few shots of them working. Tomorrow's post will be the fun in between the responsibilities. 

My reader

This one will just plop down wherever she is and read, which is basically my fave thing ever. 

She loves to read to me, which is also my fave thing.  

 

His 13th Recap

 

Subs, chips and dip, pickles, lemonade, lemoncake and berries.  13th birthday done per request.  He's a good kid, we'll keep him.

Hurricane prep

 Hurricane prep consisted mostly of bringing the flowers in.  Lots of things were cancelled, power trucks rolled in to help with power outages.  Although I know in other places it did hit hard, it was nothing but a really breezy day here.  We aired out our basement nicely, did a lot of gardening and piled wood into the woodshed. I have flowers everywhere, which is a marvelous thing.

 

Eagle!

 Never did I see a juvenile bald eagle in my childhood, never mind get this close!

Also, the ones watching me photograph my girls got an extensive nature lesson that they didn't even ask for. Oops. They thanked me for all the random facts, probably because it was more socially appropriate than calling me a weirdo.

Word to the wise, if I start a conversation with "Did you know...", might be best to just back away...

Lake Day

 The boys went to a truck show. The girls to the lake. Mine are the ones who pointed out the eagle, heard the loons and noticed the flock of ducks had different species swimming along. They followed fish, caught minnows and we now have a new collection of snail shells. They returned with many ideas for their nature journals.

They don't just swim to cool down, they learn and discover along the way on a Saturday afternoon for fun.

I think this is the best high five I can get as their teacher. Budding naturalists loving to learn they are.

Life isn't always easy breezy lemon squeezy, but sometimes, especially when upside down in the water, there are moments that are.

Adrian is 13!

 

Happy 13th Birthday, Adrian!  To the boy who made me a mom! 

You are the most organized, efficient and dependable boy I know! 

Every morning you wake at 5am (because we won't let you rise earlier), take care of your pajamas, make your bed, brush your teeth, get dressed and do your chores.  You eat your first breakfast, don your reflector vest and spend the next 2 hours waving to people driving by. 

Then you come in and eat your second breakfast, crack a few eye rolling dad jokes and complain that you're still hungry. You're officially taller than me now.  You then do your schoolwork like a champ and eat again.  

Afternoon you enjoy talking to friends, riding your bike, disc golf, swimming, hiking, snow shoeing or cross country skiing, drawing/painting, working on your diorama while singing LOUDLY to country music.  You're always ready to eat again. 

You end your day with a giant meal and always dessert, doing your night time readings and going to bed at an appropriate time that you set on your own. Impressive, huh?! 

I've been helping you get some odd jobs doing landscaping and wood stacking and you have a nice business going with your vehicle paintings. You are very, very responsible. 

You avoid your sisters, but don't avoid your mom (unless I have the camera) and you love talking with your dad.  You're a true introvert, but can play the extrovert part very well (like both your parents). 

You have a desire to grow up to be a man of character and your efforts show everyday.  I'm just so blessed to have you organizing me and helping me out everychance you get (often when I don't even ask).  

You're a joy to raise, I'm blessed to have you as my son! 

Love, 

Mom, formerly mama 

 

This is the only other picture you let me take of you, so I'm posting it!