::Sigh:: They're Gone

The house is empty. Lisa, Kyle, Ashley, and Braden have gone back to Utah. Sarah, JC, and Trinity are home in Iowa. Curt is out with the missionaries teaching a lesson, Jessica is moving in Iowa tonight and Cole, of course, is in Russia.

Lisa asked me if I was going to enjoy having my house back. I am looking forward to fewer hikes to the trash barrel and running the dishwasher every other day instead of 2-3 times daily. But I will miss:

~ the pile of shoes in the front hall (which drove me nuts when everyone lived at home. Now I look at the shoes and think, "They're home!!")

~ toys scattered all over the house

~ every room having at least 2 people in it (with the exception of the bathrooms...)

~ laughter, chattering, and whooping it up

~ watching musicals with Lisa and Voyager episodes with Kyle and Ashley

~ assorted snacks and food set out for the fam to enjoy (Ashley's fudge and Lisa's carmel corn are to die for!!)

~ being able to see everyone when we want to instead of waiting for blogs and phone calls

~ walking up the stairs and seeing Lisa reading on the couch in the overlook

~ watching Kyle take care of Braden (he's such a good daddy)

~ getting to know Ashley better

~ missing the energy JC and Trinity bring with them (and having American Girl doll clothes hanging from tiny hangers on the fireplace mantle)

~ talking with Sarah and hearing her wise perspective and insights

~ seeing Sarah's mother/wife skills (she is fabulous)

~ watching Curt whiz around on Trinity's Barbie scooter while accompanying JC around the lake

~ seeing the interaction between great-grandparents and grandchildren/great-grandchildren

~ family prayer voiced by children and hearing them remember those who lost everything in the Iowa floods as well as "Uncle Cole on his mission"

~ having Kyle accompany me on my daily bike rides (and seeing him pop wheelies on his dad's mountain bike)

~ seeing cousins interact and get to know each other

~ reflecting on the time when it was just Craig and me as members of the Church in our family, and seeing the third generation beginning

~ hugs and kisses from little ones and big ones

~ playing games around the dining room table late into the night

~ watching Zeus' patience with pats and hugs and a few accidentally stepped-on paws, and the forgiving licks he offers

~ being asked, "Will you bake us more cookies, Grammy?" by JC and Trinity

::sigh:: Craig and I are feeling very lonely tonight.

Zeus uses Lisa as a pillow as they nap. Meanwhile, Braden ponders the best way to get Aunt Lisa's attention.

Lisa and Curt show their courage as they ride the Pharoah's Fury at the county fair. (Craig took the picture; I couldn't look!)

Belated Happy Birthday to Kyle! He celebrates by doing the Robot while his birthday card plays 'Mr. Roboto.'

Kyle joins me for a 10 mile bike ride. (Zeus would like to go, too!)

Down By the Lazy River

Ahhhhhhhhh! It's summer! Kyle, Braden, and Ashley enjoy the Lazy River feature at Columbian Park.

Look closely and you will see Grammy doing her famous bicycle kick - her secret to passing slow-going floaters.

More Family Fun!

Celebrating Apple Jack's 85th birthday! (Does he look happy or what??)

Kyle, Ashley, and Braden look at Braden's new Quiet Book with help from cousin JC.

Lisa and Trinity bunny-ear an unsuspecting JC.

JC & Trin Pictures!!

Uncle Curt helping Trinity climb Prophet's Rock. (Yes, they're on a trail; nevertheless, I had a hard time watching.)

We couldn't get to the pool this day, so Boompa got creative with two hoses and pitchers! (Our grass was well-watered after this...)

WILBUR??? Nope, these pigs aren't terrific or radiant; they're just SOME PIGS at Prophetstown.

Beau investigates the carrot bag Trinity is holding.

Prayer Request

This lady, Gayle, is a friend of mine as well as the parent of one of my students, Gavin. (He's the guy in the back. Love that grin!!) I met her when I had her son as a 3rd grader, and she had just been diagnosed with breast cancer.

During the past two years, she has been fighting and had lots of ups and downs. Recently she got another down - the cancer has spread to her bones and she is beginning yet another radiation/chemo treatment. Throughout it all, she has stayed involved in her kids' lives and even served as room mother for me last year! 

Gavin is one of my "3 year" kiddos - those that had me for either 3/4/5 grades or 2/4/5 grades. He's a neat kid with a quick wit, enthusiasm for life, and lots of energy. It has been very difficult for him as his mother has been ill; in fact, Gayle just emailed me and told me he is struggling with her most recent diagnosis.

Please, pray for Gayle and her family, the Roswarskis. Those who feel to do so, putting their names on the temple roll close to you would be much appreciated.

I can't say enough good things about this lady and her family....

Turtlezilla!!

Wow. No wading in the creek, and if you choose to ignore that advice, wear steel toed boots.

Yesterday I saw what looked like a dark-colored garbage can lid on the hill by the creek. As I slowed the car to get a better look, the garbage can lid moved!

I hit the brakes, and hollered, "Kids! Hop out of the car! There's an ENORMOUS turtle on the bank!"

As I came around the back of the car, the turtle raised its head to look at me, did a 180 and RAN into the creek. I would never have imagined a turtle could move so fast! It sank underwater, leaving only ripples and two disappointed kids who never even got a glimpse.

I have seen big turtles before, in zoos and on the Mississippi. But I have never seen one that large (I compared it to a nearby manhole cover in the grass by the creek; its shell was that big!) elsewhere, and I certainly never expected to see a turtle that size in a small creek! 

I sure hope to see "Turtlezilla" again! (Er, from a safe distance.)

Life with Kids...

... is never dull! It's amazing how much more energy I seem to have, how I don't put off cooking or other things with JC and Trinity here. Even though we are go, go, going constantly, I feel vibrant and alive. (Okay, Charlotte, write "vibrant" in that web...)

Today we went to Hobby Lobby and chose paint for our treasure boxes. (Last week, I bought two wooden boxes for the kids to decorate and paint. They can store their treasures in them - hence the name.)

I put old tee shirts on the kids (and me) and we went out into the yard to paint. We used spray paint for the exteriors, and got that all finished. We haven't decorated them yet and may not. JC has his full already and is sleeping with his. (That's when you know a Grammy-craft is a hit!) JC chose fishing stickers (fishing??) and Trin selected a Disney princess (no surprise.) I also have a clear finishing spray I'd like to put on them.

So, drying in the sun in the back yard today were (cue the music): 3 stepping stones, two treasure boxes, and a Grammy in a paint-splattered tee.

This afternoon Boompa took them down to Linden to see the railroad museum and get ice cream at the Lindy Freeze. Sadly, they were rerouted 20 minutes out of their way due to a fatal accident on 231. And, when they arrived, the museum was closed. But the Lindy Freeze was open and I hear it was delicious! 

Boompa suggested Dog & Suds for dinner. JC had a "long foot" hotdog and Trin a corndog. The impact of the Iowa flooding showed yet again when JC commented that Dog & Suds was like their Iowa City Sonic, then added, "But it's underwater." I can't help but wonder how much of the flood these two munchkins will remember. My guess is, quite a bit.

We wrapped up the day with showers, watching a little bit of the old Sherman and Peabody (from Bullwinkle), and then another chapter from "Charlotte's Web." (Wilbur's in the crate and headed to the fair with Charlotte and Templeton hidden and along for the ride!)

Another Busy Day!

Today's activities:

~ going to visit Apple Jack  at Davis Manor. (Happy 59th anniversary, Apple Jack and Great Grandma Thanks for setting such a good example of marriage for us!)

~ going to McDonalds for lunch with Great Grandma (thanks, Great Grandma!)

~ visiting Great Aunt Leslie's farm and feeding the horses carrots (thanks, Aunt Les; sorry, Boompa, that we took every carrot in the house!)

~ showing Great Grandma the hermit crabs (she's brave; she held one!)

~ riding with Grammy on scooters/bikes around the neighborhood (thanks, JC! I sweated off 10 lbs. in that 90 degree heat!!)

~ heading over to the Farmer's Market with Boompa (thanks, Boompa, for brushing your teeth after tasting that new variety of onion!)

~ playing with hoses in the backyard (thanks, JC and Trin for hosing down all the patio furniture! Next time, try not to hose Zeus, okay??)

~ grilling hamburgers on the grill and having ice cream for dessert (thanks, kids, for not complaining about having burgers twice in one day!)

~ calling Uncle Kyle and singing the regular version of "Happy Birthday" and then the "You look like a monkey" one (you're a good sport, Uncle Kyle. Happy Birthday!)

~ falling into bed without complaint (would it be irreverent and disrespectful to say, thank you Lord??!!)

Happy Birthday, Kyle!!

They don't come any better than you, guy! Thoughtful (calls every Sunday), hard working, loving, selfless...  Enjoy your special day!

Happy Birthday!

Love, Mom

Aquatic Life...

.... with aquatic animals and us in the pool! Yep, we have two new pets, Sally and Joe, the hermit crabs. They're for my classroom this fall, but I let JC and Trinity choose them and help me set up their environment. Sally is quite active and curious while Joe is staying inside his shell as tight as he can. 

Remembering Kyle's hermit crabs from 3rd grade, I made sure there is a lid on the aquarium and nothing tall enough for them to climb and escape.

We went to Tropicanoe Cove with Uncle Curt. We did the lazy river, the slides (well, I didn't slide...) and played in the water. I used sunscreen but I think I have some burning. It was 94 when we went, but we went late enough in the day that the afternoon crowd had left.

On the way home we picked up pizza from Pizza King and had a late supper. JC and Trin are emailing Mom and Dad, and then heading up to bed.

Stepping Stones

This morning's project - stepping stones! We hauled out the ornamental bits and pieces, mixed up the concrete and poured it into the molds, and then went into the back yard as the kids wanted to do footprints. (We had to work to get JC's foot to fit into the mold! It barely fit!)

But the effort was worth it - we got two wonderfully clear footprints and set to work adding marbles, stones, and glass along with the kids' names, ages, and the year. Not that you'd know it - by the time JC and Trin finished embellishing, you could hardly see their footprints! JC had even put a mosaic chip into each toe. :)

Then I mixed up some more concrete to make one for my yard. Tired of crafting, JC went out to play, so Trin and I did this one. Her  idea? "Let's put our names and ages on it, Grammy!!"

Oh great. Like I want to put THAT on there.... But hey - the law of "little kid embellishment" worked in my favor! When you come see the stone in my garden, I dare you to find my age among all the beads, marbles, mosaic chips, etc.!!

Off to the pool... more later!

Rock Climbing, The Battlefield, and a Movie!

Sheesh, we all need naps!! (Actually, Trin, JC, and I did fall asleep for about a half hour this afternoon in between activities.)

We began this morning at Prophet's Rock - a huge limestone rock (bigger than our home) where Tecumseh and The Prophet gathered the Native Americans before the Battle of Tippecanoe. We climbed the rock and hiked the trails around it for a little ways. The kids' assessment? "Awesome!!" 

Then we headed over to the site of the Battle of Tippecanoe. JC and Trinity were genuinely interested in reading all the monuments, and they took many pictures, including a couple of JC pointing to the name "James" on the main monument.

We went into the museum and toured it, Trin snapping photos of EVERY display. We even watched the movie and listened to a recounting of the battle. Of course, we hit the gift shop (No, JC, you may NOT buy that musket) and bought a raccoon hat, a fan, rock candy, and a surprise for Mom and Dad.

After lunch and our little nap, Boompa and Uncle Curt went with us to see the movie "Kung Fu Panda." Want the theater to yourself? Go to the 2:40 show when everyone else is at the pool!

Of course, we had to take Uncle Curt to see Prophet's Rock (heads up, Kyle, Lisa, and Ashley - guess what you'll be seeing when you come next week!) and he was amazed at it. He took the kids to the top of the rock (okay, I freaked, but they really were on a trail) and then down one we had not hiked this morning.

As we pulled away from Prophet's Rock, again the word "awesome" was bandied about, along with a request to come back tomorrow. We'll see!

Hamburger Helper for dinner (that should be called Grammy Helper today!), showers, reading, and the  we'll hit the hay! I can't wait for tomorrow!!

Happy Birthday, Cole

Elder Cole, missionary to Russia, turns 20 today. Happy Birthday, Cole!! I love and miss you, but am so proud of you for what you are doing.

JC, Ferdinand, and Spanish!

Last night JC wanted to read aloud the book "Ferdinand the Bull." The book takes place in Spain, and we talked a little bit about how Boompa had served a mission in Spain.

JC read quite well, sounding out the few words he did not know.

When he came to the word "lonesome", he read it correctly, but asked what it meant. We explained it meant "lonely" or "alone". JC then reread the word as "lonely." Boompa explained that the word was "lonesome." Again JC read  the sentence saying "lonely." And again we repeated the word was "lonesome."

Hmmm," JC said, "must be some Spanish thing."

When he came to the word again in a later sentence, he read it as "lonely". When we reminded him that it was "lonesome" he responded again that it was a Spanish word. We could not get him to read it correctly again (even though we knew he could because he had when he first came across the word.)

Interesting that he thought he was reading Spanish and was "translating" the word into English!

They"re Here!!

JC and Trinity have arrived, complete with clothes, sunscreen, assorted toys and books to last a week! A big thanks to Uncle Curt for going to Chicago to get them. (Curt, help yourself to those chocolate chip cookies I baked this afternoon. You know where they're hidden.)

You can tell Trinity is from Iowa. Tonight she volunteered to say the blessing on the food at supper. She asked for those who'd lost their homes in the floods to find someone to live with.  What a sweetie pie.

Dinner was hotdogs and grilled cheese. JC came into the kitchen and volunteered to help. He buttered all the bread for the grilled cheese. He and Uncle Curt also took scooters (Curt rode Trinity's) and zipped around the park and lake tonight before dinner. (Yes, Sarah and Todd, they wore helmets!)

Currently the kids are on the overlook - JC is playing with Uncles Kyle/Curt/Cole's legos and Trinity is playing with Mom's and Aunt Jessie/Lisa's Barbies. Hmmmm... somehow Uncle Curt has become the trash man in their games. They both keep calling, "Trash! We have trash!!" and he comes and empties it. Whatta guy - lots of patience. Have some more cookies, Uncle Curt.

I was SO EXCITED to see Sarah had tucked "Charlotte's Web" into their suitcase and that I am supposed to read it aloud to them Whoo hoo!! I can't wait! And, Trinity brought some Breyer horses with her! We played with those for a while (like mine did when I was little, these were doing flips off the diving board into the pool.)

The place is hopping!! But that is a Good Thing.

   ~o

   '\<'

 (*)/(*) I'd rather be biking!

Newspaper Interview

Got a call this afternoon from Meranda Watling, the education writer for the Journal and Courier. She asked if she could interview me about the proposed policy on limiting field trips that TSC is considering.

Gulp. I didn't even know they were - I have not yet read the proposal, but I am not surprised to hear they are thinking of cutting the number of trips we take due to the skyrocketing costs of gas. (Last year our district buses drove 1.5 million miles.)

It's always dicey to be interviewed. You risk angering administration and/or your fellow teachers with your remarks. You want to sound intelligent, too! I'm not real good at off-the-cuff remarks, but I gave it a go.  I tried hard to be honest, but I didn't want the admin to think field trips weren't important aspects of learning. On the other hand, I don't mind cutting back a bit - TSC is very blessed financially when compared to Urbana 116.

Throughout the interview, I felt like I was walking a very fine line. Add to that the fact that sometimes when your interview is printed, things aren't quite what you said.... Well, we'll see what happens!!

More Feathers!

I was cycling again this morning, and as I whizzed past the site of yesterday's feather find, sure enough, I spotted another long feather, this time in the grass. As I bent to picked it up, I noticed several more in the grass. Not as many as yesterday, but still, I ended up with about 8 new feathers.

I am even more sure that a heron is roosting over the spot and preening itself. Can't wait to see what I find tomorrow!

Surprise While Cycling!

This morning I was riding my bicycle (got in 8 miles, whoo hoo!) around several of the lakes in the area. As I pedaled past the lake at Amberleigh Village, I saw a large feather in the bike path. Naturally, I stopped for a better look. :)

It was quite long and the end was very soft and like a tendril, not stiff at all.  I have no doubt that it was from a Great Blue Heron - I know of one that roosts high in a tree around the bend of that path. 

There were other feathers on the ground, but none so long. They were gray, white, and a few were tinged with orange. Some were speckled and fan shaped. I picked up some and tucked them into my bike pouch.

At first I thought maybe a bird had been killed. But I found no body parts, blood smears, or anything, just feathers. My guess is the bird was preening while roosting or possibly something did try to catch it and it lost some feathers as it escaped.

Gettin' Started

Okay,  I am entering the blog world! That'll save ya'll the trouble of reading my posts about the flora and fauna of Indiana on martinbargers. And, I'll be able to publish my OWN embarrassing family photos, just like my kids sometimes do of me!! :D

Welcome!!

      ~o

   _'<,_

  (*)/ (*)