Always Playing Catch Up
:::::Halloween 2008 pages:::::::
I am finally getting around to scrapbooking the kids Halloween photos from 2008. Michael did such a great job on the costumes. There was a lot of giggling when all was said and done.
:::::High School Reunion::::::
My 20th High School Reunion is coming up on Saturday. Michael helped me shop for a "dressy casual" outfit. I'll get him to take a photo of me before I leave for the shindig.
:::::Chinese Food::::::
Michael took us out for Chinese food last night. YUM! Noah tried the vegetable spring rolls and decided that he likes them better than he did last time. We are slowly getting him to try more things.
:::::Walking::::::::
I'm off to do that. The only day I missed last week was Saturday. Even the rain didn't stop me on Sunday. I am almost through with my book on Meriwether Lewis. It is a great read.
Life is Kinda Funny Sometimes
I took Noah and Eveybug to Fernbank Natural History Museum, yesterday. We walked through the new dinosaur exhibit and went to see the Imax film "Dinosaurs Alive" The film took us to the Gobi Desert in Mongolia and discussed the finds from the past and what the palentologists are still discovering. The film was well done. After the film, we got to have a creature encounter on the third floor. We got to learn about a tiger salamander, and touch a bearded lizard and a boa constrictor specie that was native to madagascar. Since the curator's hands were, literally, full I volunteered to squirt Purell onto everyone's hands after they finished petting the boa constrictor.
Our kids love the permanent exhibit on the senses. The best section is creating giant bubbles, so Noah played there for a while. Eve galavanted around playing with the plasma dome, the green screen and some of the other exhibits about the eyes.
On the way home we stopped for ice cream at Bruster's. I ordered a regular sized chocolate malt. Another man asked me what the difference between a malt and a milkshake. I explained it was somewhat like eating a Whopper candy in powdered form. He thanked me for getting him hooked on, yet another, form of ice cream treat. Eve decided she wanted to try my malt too. Now, Eve is a fan of chocolate malts. I was lucky she was strapped in the middle seat on the way home, or I might not have been able to drink most of my stuff. She did get her own ice cream. She had a chocolate scoop on a cake cone with candy eyes, while Noah had a Dirt Sundae.
::::::::::::From Indexed.blogspot.com:::::::
Dinosaurs are in your Legos:
I thought is was kinda funny when I picked up this book and found that the idea started when the author was in a sandstorm in the Gobi Desert. She was writing about a dinosaur expedition. I love funny connections. So far, the book is really a fun to read. Thinking about what actually makes up the dust is almost bewildering. I would like to state that I'm glad that ant legs and spider eyes are big enough to become trapped in my nose hair. It is unfortunate about the industrial pollutants that can scoot past, though.
Book Reviews::::::
Chasing Vermeer was a book that centered around this painting "The Lady Writing":
The main characters, Calder Pillay and Petra Andalee, are 11 year-olds who discover many fascinating coincidences on their way to finding the stolen painting. Their are clues with frogs, pentominos, and the number twelve. Rachel was the most interested in this book. It didn't grab the interest of the rest of the kids too much. The art history was fun to learn. There are a couple of more books in the series, but we are jumping right into the latest Sisters Grimm book next.
Our family has really enjoyed the Sisters Grimm series. It was funny to see the kids laying down on their bed, while they prop them self on their elbows eager to hear what is happening. Everyone gets a great belly laugh from Puck's antics.
::::::::::Father's Day Prep:::::::
Michael and I took Aaron and Rachel to the mall to pick out a chocolate chip cookie cake. While we waited for the lady to decorate the cake the kids did the trampoline jump. Rachel's harness was not adjusted well, so she had a hard time. Aaron's was just right. He even was able to throw in a double backflip. He was a bit dizzy after that.
Rachel bought another Fablehaven book and Michael grabbed a tube of chocolate covered sunflower seeds. He loves those. He calls them crack.
The cake has been cut and eaten. Michael and Grampa Jim are taking a snooze on separate couches.
::::::::::Possible Beach Weekend:::::
Next month we think we will get to head to Gulf Shores for a 3 or 4 day weekend. We have never visited that locale, so if you have some great spots to visit there, please let me know. Aaron is going there with his Venture Crew. They are scheduled to see the U.S.S. Alabama and go deep sea fishing. Teenage boys with sharp fish hooks on the ocean make me nervous.
Well, I hope y'all have a great weekend!
Rachel Was “Out of This World”
Rachel's group went first with their skit. The idea was funny and Rachel got a couple of big laughs. She annunciated and projected. I was so proud. Here are some photos. I still have to upload the video I made of her performance.
The Rachel Taylor fan section:
Kinda of a rough crowd, apparently:
Rachel gets the giggles after she makes a gaffe during the dance number:
Stage makeup that she really wanted to get off:
This face is one any alien would be proud of:
Rachel talks to one of her elementary school teachers:
Here is Rachel with two of her camp counselors:
(I think if I keep taking her photo she will get a cramp in her tongue and her eyes will stay permanently crossed...that would please her).After the performance Rachel requested a stop at Arby's for a roastbeef sandwich and curly fries and we complied. This looks like something we will be doing every year (this was her 2nd drama camp). She wants to join the Drama Club at our local high school, and I hope she will take part in middle school when the opportunity comes up. Crazy, but fun times.
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::Cub Scout Camp::::::::
Noah finished up his Twilight Camp experience. He was able to work on several things at camp that they will award at the next Pack Meeting. The evening was the best time to hold a summer camp. He also got to perform a skit with his "patrol" and he is good at projecting, so I was proud of him too. I remembered to bring our canned food donations, finally. Noah's group won for bringing the most food. YEAH! He got a little toy surprise that he gave to Evey.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::Scout Camp:::::::::::::::
Michael and I will be driving to pick up Aaron and one other guy in his troop on Saturday morning. I bet he grew taller on me.
Take care! :)
So, It Begins…
::::::::::::Summer Camp Time:::::
Rachel started Drama Camp today. She has a few friends that signed up, as well. Our neighbor's daughter is one of them, so this morning they took her to camp.
Yesterday, Michael and I went to the parent orientation for the Cub Scout Twilight Camp that Noah will be attending this week. The theme is "Under the Sea". One of the days the camp director will dress up like Davy Jones and explain the rules.
The program director and camp director have put a lot of preparation into this camp and it sounds like the boys are going to have a blast.
::::::::::::Nap Olympics::::::
I think I have been in training for the Nap Olympics. It has been a few years (maybe it has been never) since I've gotten 2 hours of uninterrupted nap time. I had a pleasant one yesterday. I also went for an evening walk at the park and saw church friends, elementary school teachers, and extended family. The day was really hot but the light breeze and the cooling temperature in the evening made it a wonderful time to walk. I did my usual route, which ends up being around 6.86 miles by the pedometer. I followed that with my usual reward of a blueberry/banana smoothie chaser. I also had a headache trying to make me uncomfortable, but not enough of one to get any ibuprophen or acetaminophen. As I type the headache has all but disappeared.
Noah and Eve are sleeping on the couch and chair downstairs. They were very excited to get to stay up and watch the movie "Ant Bully" and get to sleep outside of their bedrooms.
:::::::::::::Scout Camp:::::::
Aaron left for Scout Camp on Sunday and isn't scheduled to return until Saturday. He drove up with another boy in his troop with the other boy's dad driving. He and this other boy went to the Special Olympics at Emory University on Saturday as helpers. Aaron said they had a good time helping.
::::::::::Aaron Enjoys Cooking, See::::
:::::::::Photos from Noah's Birthday:::::::
...I think I'm going to read for a bit. Smiles!
Happy Birthday, Noah!
We have been in and out of the house today. We celebrated Noah's 9th birthday. We made his favorite breakfast of French toast, then we ate the cookie cake we bought yesterday. He chose the design when I took him shoe shopping and to buy a present. I let him pick out an expensive Lego set in return for not having a party.
Then, we took the kids to Stone Mountain Park to do the Sky Hike. Eve didn't want to try it in October, but today she decided she would try. She was nervous at several spots, but completed all 3 tiers. We are so proud of her. It started to rain as we were finishing up, so we left. We were going to stop at the movie theatre, but the movie on the marquee isn't showing until tomorrow. So, we took the kids to Noah's favorite place to eat, Chick-Fil-A. Aaron had a headache, so afterwards we went home for a nap.
:::::::::::::Juniors to Cadets::::
After the nap we had Rachel's bridging ceremony. She went from being a Junior Girl Scout to a Cadet. The weather held out for occasion. Granny and Grampa Towhey came with hugs and their cameras.
Michael and Aaron had fun cutting up on the bridge, after the ceremony:
They also started a water bottle fight in the parking lot at Bruster's ice cream. Rachel, Noah and Eve got involved too. Everyone was laughing and damp.
::::::::::::::::::5th Grade Promotion::::::
On Tuesday night, Rachel had fun at her promotion ceremony. She received a certificate for Perfect Attendance and one for doing well on the CRCT.
Wednesday was the last day of school and the 5th graders had "Survivor Day". They got to have a water fight, play on inflated equipment, eat snow cones, sing karaoke and dance to music played by a D.J. They also got served pizza that was ordered in. I was at the school all day and got to see Noah and Eve dance and enjoy the last day, too.
::::::Update::::::
Granny Alice is doing well. Grampa Jim goes into the doctor for a follow-up tomorrow, but says he isn't experiencing any pain. So good news on both fronts. Thanks for the kind words and prayers for their behalf.
I'm in desparate need of a shower. Y'all have a good night, or day.
Smiles!
Breakfast Conversation…
...in the Taylor house is a little different. This morning Rachel was arguing with Noah (I know this part may not be too different from other kids in the morning). She asked him, "Hey Noah, do you always have to be right?"
Noah replied, "Well, I don't know String Theory."
I'm not sure how many 8 year-olds that use this in an argument, or show any concern that they don't understand a theory that know one else has a firm grasp on anyway.
:::::::::::::::::::Another Noah Story::::::::::
To preface this story you have to know that the basic Krystal hamburger is always made with diced onions, a dollop of plain yellow mustard (the best condiment ever, in my opinion) and a slice of pickle. Now to our story:
After picking strawberries on Tuesday the kids voted to stop at Krystal's (actually, everyone, but Noah who has lost ALL voting rights to places to stop for food since all he will order is chicken nuggets with ketchup). We ordered 12 Krystal burgers, 2 small plain pups, and two cheese pups. Everyone got Sprite to drink and before we had even said the blessing on the food, Noah had spilled his drink on the floor because he kept gesturing with his arms to explain a joke to Michael that Michael told him he already understood. Noah and I cleaned up the mess and he got a new soda, then I asked Aaron to say a blessing on the food.
Aaron: "Dear Heavenly Father thank you for this food...
Noah: "Hey, there is a pickle on my sandwich!"
Aaron: "...please bless it to nourish...
Noah: "Did you know they put onions on this thing?!"
Aaron finishes the prayer and we all stare at Noah and Michael says, "NOAH, Aaron was saying the prayer. Why did you keep asking about your hamburger?"
Aaron translated Noah's remarks, as follows: "What are you doing?! Are you trying to kill me?!!"
Noah gave his hamburger to Michael and set to eating his fries. About 5 minutes later he is fussing with Eve over the amount of fries she ate.
Noah, "She ate 60% of the fries!" Eve says, "No I didn't!"
Noah: "Well you ate 20% of the 40%." And we said that would make half of the fries. Making up fractions and calculations of all kinds is a Noah thing.
:::::::::::::Some Atlanta Zoo Layouts::::::
::::::::::::::::Strawberry Farm Layouts:::::::::::
Noah getting a noogie from Aaron:
::::::::::::::::::In-Gathering::::::::::
Rachel and I had fun with her troop at In-gathering. I will make some layouts to post soon. Our troop won the "Drama Queen" award for our fantastic skit. It was fun to create and practice with the girls.
We also got to climb the Alpine Tower before the rains hit. I was so proud of Rachel for reaching the top and for the girls that were afraid who tried to go up. The girls also made fleece pillows for a service project that would go to the children's cancer center.
When I got home Michael had detailed my minivan and cleaned the kitchen. Good stuff!
I need to go finish some crocheted socks for one of Rachel's classmate's mother who had a baby girl.
Later, gators! :)
