Summertime Frenzy

Ben and Ethan enjoyed the basketball day camp very much, they both knew different kids at the camp and picked up some new skills. Fox has been spending his time working for me around the yard, mowing, trimming, raking, schlepping, etc. and also found time to check out an economics class online. This week he has been at an idTech Camp on the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor campus, Video Game Design-RPG. Monday the younger boys and I spent the day on campus, Starbucks to start us off, then the comic book store, Hands-On Museum, lunch at a Greek restaurant (they both loved the Mousaka), wandered around Borders, spun the big cube by the Student Union, then they scootered around the West Quad while we waited for Fox to finish.

My dad has been working at scanning all our family slides into the computer. He gave me some of what he has done so far on disc. Here is one circa 1967 of my mom the day of her graduation for a Masters in Education from Wayne State University. I am not quite two, to young to remember who attended the ceremony or any other whoopla.

Since school ended we've also had our VBS at church. I used the Agents in Action program, but adapted it to three days, to view click here. I also wrote dramas for the open and close of the day that introduced campers to the Armor of God. Around 40 kids participated and things went well overall. It was interesting working with a 'tween-age' drama/music team but things worked out and I certainly learned a lot as I always do everytime I plan something. Games seemed to be the biggest hit, running, throwing and shooting things you just can't go wrong with! But my boys also commented that all the storytellers were very good. We fed them some healthy snacks and they enjoyed the crafts as well.

"Train Me Up"
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Last Saturday we ventured down to Monroe, Michigan for the annual "Blessing of the Land" ceremony/celebration. Mother had asked that a tree be given to the IHM gardens in her memory, when my brother called to inquire the director voiced a need for garden benches so one was donated in her memory, since she was cremated there is no head stone, now this is at least a place to go and commemorate. It is a very fitting place for her memorial to be since there are many people there helping take care of the place and her bench will be taken care of as well. She always wanted to be taken care of. The ceremony was short and sweet, we sang a rather timid rendition of 'Holy Ground', the prayer interestingly enough was an ancient, wordless Native American blessing, then a time for open prayers, "thanks for the sunshine, the workers, the garden, etc." Ethan helped hand out the worms, everyone got one to go place in the garden somewhere. My aunt found a beautiful and most appropriate garden sculpture to sit along side the bench. Benjamin has suggested we go visit each year on gramma's birthday. That would be nice.

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Next week I will be preparing for 4H Mystery Clue Camp, I'll be doing science activities and experiments with the 2nd-6th grade participants. Ben and Ethan will be attending the 3-night camp. But before then I'll be heading off on a business trip with Rob to northern California. I haven't been on a plane in years! Going to try and just take a carry-on......

Relish the Time

The school year ended with a whirlwind of activity and last minute gatherings. Ethan is now done with his elementary days and will be moving up to the Ruth Fox building next year for 5th grade along with brother Ben who will be in 6th. All the boys will be on the same schedule so no more double bus duty, everyone will be gone by 7am with school starting at 7:30am and finishing at 2:35pm. This will make things much simpler when it comes to subbing since I won't have to figure out a place for Ethan when I start early.


The Bay City Planetarium field trip was a good time, the day was clear and blustery. It was a shame that we were inside for movies instead of outside enjoying the weather, we did go outside to eat lunch though much to the delight of the seagulls.

The Art & History Festival field trip was very well done, I loved the passion of the people involved in the different living history organizations. They really take their stuff seriously from presenting the information to making sure their outfits and items are as authentic as possible. We heard about the 'war' over Toledo, Abe Lincoln's background, medical procedures on the battle field, various soldier units, and basic cannon safety and usage.

Saturday we stopped back at the festival and checked out the art booths, while we were watching a cannon demonstration I noticed Abe and a soldier conversing under a tree. The fruit art of a young culinary student was pretty amazing too.

I've also been sifting through stuff in the house and trying to get organized plus working on rescuing more garden areas. My energy feels very low lately and I'm not sure how to snap out of it, I nap daily in between running around and working. The end of the school year has left me a bit meloncholy for our old homeschool life. I wish I could take parts of homeschool and public school and meld them together for the perfect experience, the boys however are used to being with their peeps and are not into being home again, at least not at this point. I do also enjoy my 'me' time when the kids are all gone for the day and substituting teaching is very rewarding as well, so I guess things are good for now.

This week we've got some dentist and ortho appointments, Fox will get his braces this summer. I just get Alex's paid off and we're on to another round, whoo hoo. Ethan and Ben are doing a basketball day camp at the high school plus we've got two baseball games. Next week is our Agents in Action VBS at church which I am coordinator of and the last week in June Fox will be at a video game design camp at U of M Ann Arbor while the younger boys jump into swim lessons.

Alex is busy working at the BK and hanging with her buds, she was disappointed to find out she did not make it into Grand Valley for the fall because of a couple bummer grades so it looks like she'll be at Mott for another year doing some GPA clean-up and trying again. We also talked about her investigating what Oakland University has to offer.

Signing off for now.