Flag

Jamie is enjoying Girl Scout camp. She is learning how to be a part of the color guard and take down the flag every day. I'm so proud of her.

Plaster

Canoeing

Girl scout day camp

I asked how can I help today as soon as we checked in. I was pulled to be a helper in the juniors class. I missed Jamie but she had a great time. She got a new blue t-shirt. I didn't know how to handle the loud dancing preteens so I just watched. I figure it is their summer and if the main helper says free time all day they can do what they want as long as noone gets hurt. My favorite part was when Jamie saved me a seat on the bus and we sang songs on the way to the pool. I love swimming, which we did for 2 hours to keep cool. Jamie played mermaids with 2 new friends. We both missed canoeing today but it was way too hot - maybe later in the week. I was starving when I got home so I finished my seafood pizza. Jamie is taking her bath and washing her hair while I wash our suits and towels for repacking. Gotta get to bed early tonight. I stayed up late reading my new Nicholas Sparks novel At First Sight.

Free night at the bookstore(s)

We got an unexpected free night and we ate at Devines - our little hole in the wall Italian restaurant. We spent hours walking thru bookstores - Lifeway and Barnes and Nobles. I picked up several books but only bought one at each place. One was a birthday present to me that I have been saving for back to school days. It was something different to do!

Seawall Festival

We went to the seawall festival in downtown Portsmouth with Dee Dee. It was so hot - we only lasted an hour. Jamie got to pick her favorite artist / photographer and she gave him a kid's choice award ribbon - in return he gave her the photograph of the wild pony on the beach that she liked. She was so excited. She showed it to everyone. His name was George Rhodes and he made a little girl happy today despite the heat. Jamie found the ice cream truck as soon as we got there. I got a crabcake sandwich which was very expensive but very yummy. The festival has gotten smaller over the years but the music group we heard today was very good. Mom enjoys getting out of the house but next time we need to take our umbrellas and make our own shade.

Water Country

Since Friday was our last "free" day without plans, I asked Jamie what she wanted to do and she said Water Country. We got there really early and had the first parking space in the preferred lot. She wanted to go to the lazy river first but it didn't open til 11 or 12. So we went to the wave pool and other kiddie pools to cool off til then. We bought her a new pair of pool shoes; since hers are falling apart and we need them for next week at girl scout camp. We found a pool near the lazy river that was 4 feet deep and we could both swim and stay cool. I didn't have a watch but when we finally went back near a clock, we had been swimming for about 3 hours. We got sunburnt but we had a blast. We really need a pool in our yard again. We miss it!

Mid-Week Update

Christine stayed Monday to see James since he only had 2 days off this week. We went back to the beach. James went body surfing while Christine used the boogie board. James rolled on top of a jellyfish - ouch! Jamie was tired from all the fresh air she took a 2 hr nap when we got home. James worked more overtime in the afternoon. Christine built Jamie another little campfire and sang more camping songs. Tuesday morning she drove back to MD and Jamie cried. Then we had to pick up Dee Dee for an eye dr's appt - tunnel was backed up and we just made it. We spent the day with her after picking up her medicine. When we got back in the afternoon, we did laundry, cleaned house and James did the yard.

Today - the highlight of our week - we met with the Moms in Touch group and walked around all 5 schools in the neighborhood. We may be a small group but we can cover them all in prayer by making an effort. We prayed for each set of our kids at the schools as well. The kids played on the playgrounds. Some kids came home with us to see our dogs and they pulled out all the EZ bake oven stuff - Jamie was happy; I was a little overwhelmed. But more memories were made. The days are going by so fast. We went back to Dee Dee's for another dr appt this afternoon and now we are finally home and bathed! I haven't been able to get the blog to open and create the last few days. Might have been popular times. Until next time . . . enjoy the last few days of summer!

Saturday

We went to a birthday party at Nauticus for a girl in our scout troop. Aunt Christine went with us. She took a picture of Jamie in the mermaid prop. We were there from 11:30 to 4 pm. Lots to see and do!
We went swimming with Carlee when we got home to relax our feet.
Then Dad cooked steaks out on the grill. Christine showed Jamie how to make a campfire in our pit and we made baked apples, banana boats and bread/biscuits on a stick. It was so fun - we stuffed ourselves. Then we sang songs around the fire and laid on the trampoline to see the stars. Very relaxing!

More knitting

Cousin Michelle taught Jamie how to knit first. She made Jamie a lovely skirt for Easter. When she came to visit us in April, she made me a coverup for my suit. I'm afraid I'll scare people with my picture so I'll just post Jamie's. ha ha
Thanks Michelle!

Socks

We ran errands today. Christine knitted me a pair of socks and Jamie took the picture to put on the blog. I learned how to cast and bind and knit a square today. We went to the Knit Wit store to look at all the different kinds of yarn and projects. Jamie bought herself a paid of bamboo knitting needles. We went to lunch with Dad at Cox. Then we went bowling - Jamie did really well. She beat her first game the second time. They gave us scratch off tickets and she won free bowling games! She is a winner!

Exciting things I have done today

When we got up, Jamie and Christine made breakfast - french toast. It took about an hour because it was a learning experience. 1) I blogged and emailed while they worked on it. They wanted to surprise me. 2) I drove them to the beach again - 2nd time this week. Tuesday was peaceful. Today was windy and rough but Jamie still had fun jumping over the waves and running on the beach. 3) I got beaten up by the waves so I stood up on the sand for 2 hours watching her play and taking a ton of pictures. My feet are so sore. 4) We played hide and seek for awhile. 5) I pulled out her bike with 2 wheels for her to practice on. She found her "new" helmet and knee and elbow pads in the closet. She went across the grass once and almost to the corner with us holding onto the back before she quit. 6) I fed the dogs. 7) I knitted a little. 8) We played LOOT - a pirate game and I won! 8) I cooked meat for tacos - trying to use up some tomatoes that Aunt Judy sent from her garden with Christine. 9) Helped Jamie make a craft or two. Then cleaned up. 10) Took a shower after the beach to get rid of all the sand and made Jamie take a bath and wash her hair. 11) Read 2 chapters in a bedtime story for Jamie 12) I did 2 loads of laundry 13) I loaded and unloaded the dishwasher all day
These are not in order but 13 things as I thought of them (to answer Teresa Green - glad I didn't have all your things to do today)

Another day at the beach

We went to First Landing State Park for 2 hours this morning.
Jamie actually went into the water twice this week. Christine went body surfing. She also buried Jamie's legs. Then they ran up and down the beach. It was a windy day.

What are 5 things that you are thankful for?

3 aunts coming to visit in one week
going to the beach
learning how to knit
Jesus is my best friend
Dad cooking hamburgers on the grill

3 Aunts in a row

Jamie is so excited. We have had 3 aunts visit in a row this week!!!!
Aunt Christine is staying for a whole week. We went to the beach and had a wonderful time yesterday. James, Jamie and the dogs went with her in the morning while I took my clerical test. They brought back a ton of seashells in the sand sifter. Then James went to work and we went back without the dogs in the afternoon to the same beach - pass was already paid for. It was so relaxing and Jamie actually went into the deep water with us and swam. She is being so brave. Today we went to the latest Veggie Tale movie "Larry Boy and the Bad Apple" at church and learned about temptation - ours is chocolate of course! Need to hide those cookies. We had a ton of kids show up. It was great!! Then we learned how to knit with our very own yarn dyed by Aunt Christine. Lots of new things to do. We just went for a walk/run/bike ride with the dogs and our neighbor JW around the block. James is grilling out - brats and hamburgers. It is finally cooling off some so we can go outside and enjoy the afternoons.

Jumping in

Jamie wanted to show her jumping into the pool trick to Dee Dee and Aunt Lori but she didn't want to let go of my hands. Lori tried to get some action shots. I got splashed alot. ha ha

Aunt Lori

My sister / Aunt Lori came to visit on Saturday and stayed until Monday. Jamie and I went over to Dee Dee's and finished up our Explore Portsmouth patch. We even played Yahtzee again! Lori watched over Mom and Jamie Sunday. James and I went to Busch Gardens by ourselves. He wanted to ride Roman Rapids and we wore jeans that day. We were completely soaked all day! He let me ride the carosuel even without Jamie and we met a family from her Greenbrier Christian Academy days. I was caught without a kid on the ride. Oh well! I'll always be a big kid. We ate out a lot this weekend - Mexican at Don Pablo's, seafood / shrimp at Gus' Mariner Restaurant and then IHOP for pancakes this morning. Whew!

Even slower day

After VBS, every day seems boring. We slept in until 10 today. A friend called and woke me up. My sister Lori called and said she is on "vacation" this week. She is coming to visit mom tomorrow and will drop off her computer for James to look at. Jamie and I went to school and dropped off a basket of apples for the front office staff from Moms in Touch. Getting a head start. We went to Roses for more school stuff. Then the library but it wasn't enough. We decided to go on a date - we went to play putt putt since it was so cool out tonight. Then we played with the dogs and Jamie actually jumped on her trampoline some.

The only excitement I have is reading my "new" Sisterchicks book by Robin Jones Gunn.

Slow day

Girl Scout Friendship squeeze

I haven't done much today except check email and look for encouragement ideas for moms in touch and flyer ideas for PTA. Then we played Yahtzee which was a lot of fun. Girl Scout meeting was at 7 pm. We all voted to move it up to 6 pm in the fall. All the girls got certificates - Jamie's was for being an attentive listener. Mine was for being a VIP - Very Important Parent - I love it! We have more patches to iron on her brownie vest now - early bird and around the world I think. We found some brown pants and a brown shirt with gold sparkles on it to wear with her vest for Thursday night meetings. Jamie said she now needs brown socks and shoes. I am not very fashionable but we do like to have our colors matching. She made me wear brown pants too. Talked to my family on the new "cell" phone my niece brought me as a surprise so I can talk to Richmond family members every day at no cost. Mom updated me on the parking lot paving job going on at her building. That was our exciting day. It was cooler today but we didn't venture out much.

Shopping

We went to Chesapeake Square Mall and found the Disney store. Jamie bought a unicorn with her own money. Then she wanted to ride "Sundance" at the food court. She had a good time just hanging out with her aunt and cousin. We went to Red Lobster for dinner and she helped crack the crab legs. She was amazed at how the meat popped out when she cracked them. It was fun watching her face!

Surprise

My sister Marti and niece Sha had Wednesday off and came to visit us. They showed Jamie string games and coin tricks which reminded us of Grandpa Fish when he was alive. Here they are doing "cat's whiskers".
They had fun doing all kinds of tricks together.

Dad's day off

We have not been feeling well so we didn't go far today. We played Monopoly this morning. Then we went to the mall to see RV. Jamie does not like the noise and she complained about going all the way there and even when we got there. But it was so funny, she was dancing and happy by the time we got home. I asked her the best part of her day and she said the movie. After all that hassle!!

I have been trying to read over all the paperwork for PTA membership. I have a lot to learn in a short period of time. Laid down early but couldn't sleep so got up and shined my sink and then emailed and blogged.

Cleaning

Today we had a family cleanup day. Jamie worked in her room and filled 2 bags full for Good Will. James and I worked on the den and we can see the floor again. We took out a lot of stuff. I decluttered 2 baskets and the computer desk. We mailed another box of puzzles and things for cousin Lucas - things that the great grands and grandparents had given to Jamie when she was little. Hard to believe how fast she is growing up. I got rid of a lot of kindergarten and first grade papers. More to go but it's a start. I have my first PTA meeting tonight. I'll be working on membership and book fair this year.

Shopping

Some people love shopping. I was always afraid of being separated from my mom in the store. When I was a teenager, I didn't mind as much. Now I'm afraid of losing Jamie. Anyway, I had my school supply list for 2nd grade and James wanted us to go this weekend to take advantage of the no sales tax. With hundreds of other people, we did it. We shopped Saturday at the mall. James met us at J. C. Penney's to find some pants. Then he went back to work and Jamie and I shopped for clothes. I could not believe the camoflauge and bobby jack monkey -who is that? She begged for an outfit. I was not impressed. We found a lot of school supplies at the Dollar Tree. Then today we went to Sams and Walmart to finish the job. Jamie woke up with a cold and we had to carry a bunch of tissues with us. But it's now done and she can sleep in tomorrow. Above is the backpack covered with golden retrievers that was a must to carry all the other goodies in for the first day of school - less than a month away now.

Courage - pool side

We studied courage all week at VBS. We had a Sunday School pool party at the Hudsons house to celebrate. We encouraged our kids to swim and have a blast. Tommy started jumping off the side and then Jamie followed. It was Jamie's first time and I was so excited!!! She even tried swimming under water like the other fishes - Jessica, Jillian and the Riffles boys. We called Dee Dee as soon as we got home to tell her the news. Jamie didn't want me to bring my camera but I'll never forget this day.

Tag list

I was tagged by Teresa Green to list...
5 things in my freezer: waffles, pierogies (thanks to Nick's Russian project), toaster struedels, steaks, ice cubes (ha ha)
5 things in my closet: lots of clothes (Jamie said we should list shirts, pants, dresses, shoes, ties separately), blankets, hangers!!
5 things in my car: entertainment book, car seat, cds of the Secret Garden, jumper cables, mostly cleaned out all the supplies/bags from VBS (yeah) - now to clean the house (sigh)
5 things in my purse: (just cleaned that too) wallet, checkbook, camera, school supply list,
keys
5 things in my wallet: driver's license, credit cards, money - change, Jamie's pictures, card for dream dinners
People I tag to do this list:
Teresa Haunsperger
Marti Martin

VBS updates

Check out my friend Teresa Green's link for all the VBS updates and more pictures.
I have been so worn out every day but it was worth it.

VBS is over

The week flew by. The VBS musical was great last night. The picture shows Jamie playing the air guitar. They love the motions. All my kids came back to shop at the "good behavior" store. One was sick and we missed her. I was sick all day Friday but somehow survived it.

Wednesday was the hardest day - the kids had trouble keeping their hands away from each other so we went over the rules - keep your bear paws to yourself! The brothers and sisters love to fight. It was a challenge.

Here is a class photo of 1st grade the Caribous. The day flies by but it is loaded with fun and learning. Today we learned about Esther. More kids brought their bibles so we could look up chapters.