More Choices

The first day of 5th grade brings more choices for The Boy.  Carrying over from his week at camp he was all about making his own choices for the first day of school, choosing his clothes himself and getting himself ready.  The shirt reads, "Nothing but Awesome"...I did go make sure his Awesomeness had on matching shoes since last year's choices had him wearing two different ones on the first day of school, which you can see here.   

After the inspection of the footwear and a quick picture he was off to first day of his final year of elementary school.  Where did the time go?  I feel like in the blink of an eye he will be off to his graduation but it was just yesterday he was waking up in his footed pajamas saying "Go fix me a waffle woman!"  I'm a lucky mom to have such a great kid!  

Us

I love this picture of us

Still Got It!

Like you had any doubt...

For my mom's client.  I told her I don't know if it is what she wanted but if it isn't, it is NOW cause no one does this better than I do!  At least no one does it as well at my fee...  What a waste of talent! ;)

Anything With a Goal

You are a little big for that thing, kid...

Still Smiling...and Still Speaking to Each Other

Camp was a success!  When we got there to pick them up they were all three patiently waiting in their room for us.  They were happy to see us and tell us all about their week!  They are big on letting the kids make their own choices while on their own at camp for a week.  Some of the choices they were eager to tell me Jayke made were eating only potatoes all week, trying to lock Zach in the closet using bandaids, and sleeping in the closet on top of his suitcase.  They played lots and lots of basketball.  Got to play miniature golf and be total goof balls in their dorm room at night with no parents around to tell them what to do. Got to go to a buffet 3 times a day and eat whatever they chose without parents to tell them what to eat.  Well, no parents, just Seth.

They can't wait to go back next year!!

After we got them loaded up we went down to the gym for an exhibition by the kids and by some performers who were there to entertain the kids.  

                                       

After the exhibition we raced over to Ivanhoe's to try to beat the camp crowd.  Jeff nor the boys had ever been there before.  Jayke, on the other hand, is a regular with Oma.  She takes him up there all the time!  I don't recall EVER being taken there as a kid, in fact, I didn't even know what it was until I was an adult but she takes Jayke several times a year!  

It was a long long wait but the food and ice cream were worth it!  On the drive home we drove over the covered bridge so the boys could see it, I'm sure Jayke is a regular there too...smh.

Shipping Them Off...for a Week!!!

Heading to camp!  Thank God Jeff has a van or we wouldn't all fit.  We all fit in my car as long as we don't take anything but with all this stuff we have to take, we need his much bigger van.  

The boys are all signed up to go to basketball camp for a week at Taylor University.  They will all three be sharing a room so this could be interesting.  This will be Jayke's first time away from home, other than staying with family.  He was signed up to go last year but we backed out at the last minute because he wasn't ready.  This year, with Seth and Zach going to be there made it much easier.  When I was getting him unpacked he said, "I've never been left somewhere with so much stuff!  I can't believe you are letting me be responsible for all of this!"  Neither, can I.

Jayke is bunking on top.  They lucked out with the weather this week, it is supposed to be nice and cool.  The dorms are not air conditioned so it can be really hot especially after playing basketball all day outside in the heat.  We brought 3 fans but I don't think they will need them much.

"Dorm Dorks"  That is what Zach wanted me to name this picture.

After we got them unpacked we decided to take off but not quick enough, Jayke got all teared up as he hugged me goodbye.  I'm sure it didn't last long but for a split second I thought he was going to change his mind about staying.  I got out of there as quickly as I could.  I'm sure they will have a lot of fun and not even miss us!

Photobombed

Another Swim Day

On our way to swim at Dad's house again!  One stayed home and one is hiding and pouting in the back seat.  At least half of them are happy though!

Georgia and Hilton Head, SC

I asked Mike to send a few photos of Jayke on his trip to the beach with him.  They had a place near Hilton Head, South Carolina for a few days.  I don't have any details about this trip other than Jayke had a LOT of fun swimming in the ocean, jumping waves, and riding the boogie board. Oh, and they went to a lighthouse but the beach where they stayed wasn't any good, too many rocks.  I'm assuming this is it in the picture below. I'm glad he had fun because I was a nervous wreck about him being in the ocean!

He text me the morning they were going and I was bombarding him with warnings and instructions.  I don't even like Jayke to swim in a lake let alone the Atlantic freaking Ocean!!!  I was simultaneously texting his father giving him warnings and instructions as well.  (I'm sure he LOVED this, but I don't care)

Not sure where the picture below was taken...something historical I assume.  I don't think Jayke remembered when I asked him.

Opa met Mike outside of Atlanta to pick Jayke up and bring him home.  He was down visiting his mom and sister.  He has done this in the past to help Mike out and Jayke likes it too.  On the way back to Aunt Jennifer's house they stopped and climbed Stone Mountain...or I guess they rode the Gondola up and ran down.  Opa took a picture and sent it to me up Jayke at the top.

Below are some images of the mountain I stole from Google.

He had a great trip but was really glad to get back home to his cat, his xbox, his couch, his toilet, his fridge, his basketball goal, his Oma and, I suppose, even his mom.  He left the next night to stay with a friend.  (shaking my head)

 

Pacer's Camp!

We put all three boys in the Pacer's Basketball Camp at the YMCA.  Jayke really liked this camp, he thinks most camps are boring because they are usually below his skill level but this one challenged him and was a much better camp than most.  Oma took him and picked him up every day and she took this picture for me on the last day.  Next up, ten days with his dad in Georgia.  He doesn't want to go but I think once he gets there he will have fun, he usually does.

Laid Back Fourth

We had a very laid back fourth, laying around the pool at Kathy Pickering's house.  Jeff, the boys, and I all went over for the afternoon.  The kids were able to play basketball, swim, play corn hole, baseball, and there was lots to eat! I tried a new dip, Jalepeno Popper , which was a hit and also my pasta salad, a concoction of my own that everyone seems to love too. (My coworkers request the pasta salad on carry in days)   People are always shocked when I make something which is funny to me.  I'm actually a good cook, I just HATE it so I ACT like I can't cook.  I need to start doing it more often but then I wouldn't get to enjoy the shock and awe from my friends when I do!  LOL

After the party at KP's house we all met downtown to watch the fireworks and then went over to Angi's to play some cards.  Even though this wasn't our original idea for the fourth (Ang and I wanted to have a party at Bob's and he told us NO! GASP!!) it turned out to be pretty good.

Jayke and Zach played cornhole behind the Muncie Central Fieldhouse while we waited for it to get dark.  Friends, Tim and Nikki, introduced us to a prime spot for watching fireworks.  We will have to remember it for next year!

Why do They Hate Him So?

Got a weird text from Mom this afternoon that I wasn't able to decipher at first.  It said something about Jayke and a wasp but her texting skills leave a lot to be desired.  Much of the time it's like trying to figure out the Da Vinci code so I finally gave up and just called Jayke.  He was crying and told me he had been stung twice by a wasp.  I immediately went into my calming, "it's no big deal, it will only hurt for a short time, you've been stung before" speech (not sure if it is calming him or me...but I do it anyway).  I get him all settled down and Mom walks in the door.  Game over, or I should say, game on.  The crying and theatrics begin all over and are ramped up to "GRANDMA" level.  I hang up.  I can't deal with that mess especially while at work.

I decided to check the situation out about 45 minutes later and call Mom this time.  She answers sounding all exasperated (I would imagine she is the way she lets him carry on) and tells me that they have tried putting everything they could think of on the stings and NOW he is soaking in the bathtub.  (CRICKETS)  Um...why on earth does a bee sting on the THUMB require a full body soak in the bathtub???  She said it was to calm him.  I think sometimes she gets confused on if we are raising a boy or a weenie here.  I also think the bathtub idea was to get him away from her so that she could calm herself!  Again, I'm at work, I can't listen to this.  I hang up.

I leave from work wondering what kind of dramatics I'm going to be walking into when I get home.  Luckily, mom was gone.  That was the first good news (just because he tends to be more of a drama queen around her), the second good news was that he was NOT crying, however, as soon as he saw me that chin started to quiver.  I immediately told him he was fine and walked into the other room.  I refuse to baby him and allow him to go into his theatrics a second time.  Sure enough, about 15 minutes after I get home he is going back out to play basketball again.

A short time after Jayke is outside Mom sends me yet another of her creative texts to ask if he is okay.  Just as I write her back telling her he is fine, he runs in the door holding his forehead and crying.  ANOTHER wasp sting!!  What on earth is this child doing to these angry wasps?  Why do they hate him so? Mom didn't even believe me when I told her he'd been stung again.  I don't blame her.   Jeff was here and headed outside to check things out.  He had a thought that maybe they had a nest in his basketball goal and the ball bouncing off the backboard was ticking them off.  They fly out and see Jayke bouncing a ball, making noise,and torpedo his head!  

We didn't see anything but just to be on the safe side we go buy some spray and soak the inside of the pole by spraying it in the holes on the sides.  We didn't have anymore problems the rest of the evening.  I think the feisty little buggers were just laying low though because they got him again the next day.  This time, Oma, took no chances and put duct tape over every hole on that pole! 

Two days and four stings later...the court is open again.

Old, Grey, Smelly, Toothless, Arthritic, Half Blind, Half Deaf

But still loving life!  The Seniors are becoming more and more work for me but other than a few minor age-related deteriorations they are as good as ever! Every now and then they take off through the house or yard like they have forgotten how ancient they are.  They are terrible watch dogs now, in fact, they have no clue if someone comes in the house at all.  They sometimes forget they are supposed to go OUTSIDE to go to the bathroom (good thing I got rid of the carpet), and they smell like they died 3 months ago but they are just fine! (I'm the only one suffering)   I'm guessing if anyone saw them in person they would report me for starving them they are so skinny but they eat whenever they want.  Sucks getting old but I'm starting to wonder if they are going to live forever???  Happy 16th birthday this month, Doggies!!  I'd give you a special treat but I don't think you have enough teeth left to chew it!

Lazy Kayaking

Uncle Mark thinks he is ready for some rapids out west.  I am thinking the only rapids he needs to see is the ripples in the water from the neighbor's fountain!  He is getting pretty good managing the kayak but no way would I let him loose in some rapids!

No Name Burger

That's what i'm calling this thing because I think he made this up himself!  We went to Scotty's Brewhouse  for dinner and I guess he was REALLY hungry!  You can't see, but it has an egg on top of 3 huge patties smothered in cheese...I'm getting heartburn just looking at the picture.  Thank God he couldn't eat it all, he was regretting what he did eat.  Scotty's is becoming our new Friday night thing.  I just wish their service was faster...love the food though!

Sideline

Today he is but a spectator, watching Zach play baseball.  

2 Minutes of Silence

They think they are cute

Splish Splash!

Took the kids swimming at my Dad's today.  This was our first trip over there and everyone seemed to have fun.  They swam for most of the day and then played soccer in the yard while Jeff and I talked with Dad and Sherri.  Hoping to get another chance to do it again before summer is over.  Jayke has an extremely busy schedule this summer though so I don't know if it will happen.  He will be going to Georgia in July for 10 days with his dad.  He also had soccer camp, has a Pacer's basketball camp coming up and a Taylor basketball camp where he, Zach, and Seth will all stay for the week.  After that he has just a couple of days until school starts!  Short busy summer!!

Splash House!

Oma took Jayke and his friend, Zack, to Splash House today.  It is a water park in Marion, IN and this was Jayke's second trip.  Oma got a picture of the floating down the lazy river.  She had threatened him that she was going to wear a bathing suit and get in too but the weather saved him and it was too chilly for her.  There's always next summer!

Relay and Bark for Life

(Note the photo bomber in the background)

This year we only made a quick stop off at Relay For Life.  We stayed long enough to help serve some BBQ and let the kids play and visit some of the other booths, like the face painting.  Emily got to meet up with Kaylee and the boys got to hang out with Perrin.  Kaylee and Perrin's mom works with us and also will baby sit from time to time if we need someone to stay at the house with the kids.

Mid-West metal raised over $12,000.00 through our Bark For Life event, which we were the hosts, and Relay for Life of Delaware County . Bark for Life is a cancer walk for survivors with their dogs although, we did have someone register and walk their goat as well.  We weren't able to attend this event due to a soccer tournament but I'm hoping my schedule works out to be able to go next year.

We were the number one fundraising team at Relay and our co-workers presented a check to the American Cancer Society at the event. (We weren't there for this but below is a picture of our team).  You can see pictures in The Star Press from the Bark for Life here.  

We left Relay early so that we could take the kids to the Drive Inn Theatre!  There is still one left in nearby Winchester and we made the drive out to watch a couple of movies.  We had the kids in chairs behind the car watching their movie while we were inside the van watching the other screen.  None of the kids had ever been so it was something fun and new that we could all do and all enjoy.  I'm hoping to go back again before the summer is over.  You can't beat paying $26 for 6 people to watch four different movies (2 on each screen) AND you can bring your own food and drinks!