CHiPs

Last weekend was counselor training out at Camp Lael and camper Open House.  It was a little soggy but stopped raining enough to take people on tours without much discomfort.  Ethan is signed up as a camper but Benjamin has chosen to sit this one out.  He could still change his mind, but he really wasn't into the cabin sleeping situation, although he enjoyed all the activities.  Fox will most likely be a counselor for the day camp but final placements haven't been made yet.

The goose couple has returned with four goslings again.  They are making themselves quite at home venturing up very near the house and settling in on the backyard grass during the day while it's quiet.  When the boys are all back home they hit the pond for a while then chill out "on the far end."  I don't mind having them other than the goose poop everywhere!  They'll move on soon enough.

The boys helped out Mother's Day to get up fencing for another field area the pigs can root about in.  They've pretty much demolished  it up near the barn.  I may even plant some late crops there once they head off to fair.  Next year I'll plant the whole area with veggies again.  I've taken about four years off from major gardening but it's time to get back into it and have some fresh foods more readily available plus extras to store for the cold months.  I'm starting to feel a resurge in my Earth connections.

Both Ben and Ethan have been good about getting out and taking care of the pigs although I do have to remind them.  There is a lot going on right now with school wrapping up, sports going on, and everyone having to be in different places almost every night.  Once school lets out in a couple weeks they will be spending more time "hanging out" with the hogs and training them more so they can handle them during showmanship.  Oddly the pigs are all very personable and I swear they even know their names.... 

Fox has seemed to hit a freshman plateau in his running.  He's holding on to the times he improved to but hasn't been able to break under into ther under 12 minute 2-mile.  Since the team is so young overall Fox has been invited to all the invitational meets, is at regionals as I type this, and has enough points for his track letter.  I doubt if he'll go to states, but there's one more invitational at Birch Run next week then he's done.

We've talked about him working with a trainer in the off season and he is definately interested. One of the girls that runs for North Branch knows a college runner on team at her school that is willing to work out with them during the summer.  The boys from cross country have also talked about getting together to run the water tower park or through Oakdale ponds and prairies during the summer too.  Found a couple cross country camps too, one at Grand Valley and another at Central but I'm not sure if we can work that in this summer with driver's training and the 4H Discovery Camp already in play.

Still didn't meet his goal of an under 12 minute 2-mile, close (12:03) but not quite there, maybe tonight at Regionals. Pictures got a little crazy once the sun went down a bit and the exposures started going weird on me but I thought effects were kinda fun.  So, no, it's not your eyes going bad... lol

Benjamin came with me to the Bad Axe meet and was curious about the different events and how it all worked since he is going to be running middle school track.  We've had many heated discussions about next school year.  Although it has yet to be put in print and signed by the both of us, the way it looks now is I'm going to let him continue on into NBMS but if a spot opens at Chatfield he'll shift immediately.  He is adament about not being in band again and is willing to DO ANYTHING if I let him not be in band!  Over this I am completely torn.  He's very good at it and it comes easily to him. On this point I've remained uncommitted until I see what other electives are being offered.  We also had a choice to make about soccer for next year.  Thankfully I've been asked to teach some classes at a local theater however, the days I need to teach will greatly conflict with the U14 game schedule, plus all games are an hour East, on the same days where cross country meets are an hour North. At little too much divide to conquer.  Ethan is not interested in playing next year and is going to concentrate on baseball and golf.  At this point it's agreed to let soccer go for the fall and all the boys will concentrate on cross country.  Depending on where things are at with track we'll look at doing a late add-in for spring.

Since the meet was taking so long, Ben and I, took a breather and went exploring the old cemetary across from the school.  One of the oldest stones we found was Born 1877- died 1906.

Ethan has been a real go-getter with his trophy, pen, and arena sponsorships, raising close to $800 with a few businesses still to confirm by early next week. Many people commented about his sales skills and presentation.  When I would take him to meet people he would wear a dress shirt and tie and most times his suit coat as well.  He's learned to open and close the conversation with a hand shake, explain his mission clearly, offer to leave the material for them and check back, ask who he should talk to when he comes back, follow up with people in person or by phone, stop back in to personally thank those that contributed if something was left for him.  It would be cool if next year he remember enough to keep track of the routine himself, he's seems to be understanding the concept and has no problem talking with people.  Plus he's still got that young boy cute factor working for him!  I should have took a picture with him in his suit, out selling.  Oh well, can't snap everything.

Last soccer game Saturday, with a team we're playing for the third time and already creamed the first two.....seriously? Who made the schedule?  Next week is the Lapeer Virtual Learning Center Open House which I've agreed to help with in some capacity although I'm not sure yet exactly what I'll be doing when I get there.  I have no idea what to expect as far as turnout.  I've been doing more subbing the last few months as well, just don't blog about it so much, mostly I've been in special ed rooms and some regular high school.  Next Thursday the boys are I will be heading out on the 6:45a Blue Water to Lansing for a capitol adventure with Grandpa Q.  We're going to do a capitol tour, check out Impressions Five Hands-On Museum, and peruse the Potter Park Zoo! After a yummy dinner we'll hop back on the 9:35p Blue Water back to Lapeer.  Then we'll all chill with a 4-day weekend!