Day Eighty One

Day two of home vacation

Jack made an archer's bow and arrows today.  Here he is about to shoot them.  We also played Monopoly and had a nice family brunch this morning.   

Day Eighty

Day one of our home vacation.

We did a lot of things we often do on a Saturday, but there was a hint of vacation in the air.  We slept in and then I went to the Farmer's Market.  I wasn't in a hurry to rush home, like I often am, so I had time to talk to some people I hadn't seen in a while.  We did a bit of cleaning, so that we could enjoy the clean house this week.  And we bought some splurge food items at Costco and Martins that we usually reserve for special occasions.  In between these preparatory activities, Chris and I took breaks sitting on the back porch.  This is one of the views from there that we have really been enjoying lately.  We often see a variety of butterflies visiting these flowers.  It was nice to be moving at a slower pace today to be able to sit and enjoy the winged visitors.

Day Seventy Nine

Jack is now 10!

He has been in our lives for an entire decade.  He has been looking forward to being 10 for a while, so he's pretty excited.  We celebrated his birthday by recounting his birth story, trying red velvet cupcakes (which he didn't like), getting a Mr. J's bacon, egg, and cheese bagel sandwich, and then Ciro's pizza for dinner.  I got the pizza early, so he could put it in the fridge and have it cold for dinner- the way he likes it best. 

Day Seventy Eight

This was Jack's favorite gift- a basketball hoop for his bedroom. 

He likes to go up there, turn on his new MP3 player and shoot and dunk.  The dunking has taken its toll on the rope, but he seems to be having a great time. 

Day Seventy Seven

I loved how all the spiderwebs on the bushes were collecting the raindrops.

Day Seventy Six

This is one of Chris's zinnias.  He's taken such loving care of these flowers, through drought and high temperatures.  Now they look beautiful in our front and back yards.  Today was gray and overcast and the flowers looked like they were almost glowing.  While I was out there taking pictures I saw a monarch on one, a bumble bee on another, and a hummingbird nearby.  Beautiful!

Day Seventy Five

Another volunteer gourd! 

It's been so neat having the gourds growing out near the compost pile.  I was excited to see that we actually have 2 types growing.  Like I said before, this is my type of gardening.  No planting, watering or weeding needed.  Just waiting and watching to see what appears!

Day Seventy Four

We have many purple buds on the moonflower vine.  I wonder when they will start to bloom. 

Day Seventy Three

Jack's Birthday Party!

Here Chris and the boys are playing basketball, the first activity of the party. 

I surprised Jack and the boys with a pinata when they came back from playing basketball.  After many whacks, they scrambled to collect Yu-Gi-Oh cards, bags of popcorn, glow sticks and candy.  I think they enjoyed it all.

Day Seventy Two

Jack's basketball cake for his birthday party.  It is a basketball, which fits the theme of his party.  I really enjoyed designing and baking this cake with him last night. 

Day Seventy

A drain at Gypsy Hill Park, that the boys call *Big Mama*.  One of them took this picture.

Day Sixty Nine

Pumpkin hanging out in Sean's shirt.  Both of them were happy with this arrangement.

Day Sixty Eight

Delicious, homemade Eggplant Parmesan

This picture does not do this dish justice! 

I made this with fresh eggplant and basil from the farmer's market.  Plus, a simple tomato sauce and fresh mozzarella.  It was so good!!

Day Sixty Seven

Two pictures from the Rockingham County Fair.  Here Jack is riding the SuperShot, which took him up about 3 stories high and then dropped him in just seconds.  It wasn't his favorite ride, but he survived!

Below is a picture Jack took of the winning pig in a pig race.  I was a rooter for this pig, picked because of my pot belly!  And because Jack held my hand up to volunteer. 

The pig won the race and I got a little gold trophy. :) 

Day Sixty Six

This is the first stage one of my favorite dishes: roasted veggies.

They look so beautiful now, but I roast them down until they are soft and browned.  Then serve them over pasta or wrapped up in a tortilla with some feta cheese.  Yum!!

Day Sixty Five

Back to The Split Banana, this time with the boys. 

Chris took this picture of our recyclable cups and colorful spoons.

Day Sixty Four

Crystal found a comfy place to take a nap and Sean set his ax on the chair.  She didn't mind at all.  Sean noticed that it looks like she's been slain.  I can assure you, though, that no cats were actually harmed in the making of this picture.

Day Sixty Three

Some artwork Elizabeth made for me during Math Camp.

Day Sixty Two

Rose, tessellating during Math Camp.

Day Sixty One

Jack's cool magnet creation!

Day Sixty

I was pretty proud of these perfect pancakes, even though Jack said they weren't as good as Chris's. 

Day Fifty Nine

Chris and I spent a Sunday afternoon in downtown Staunton while the boys were at a birthday party.  We had a wonderful Italian dinner and ice cream, from The Split Banana, for dessert.  The day before I cut my hair short, which I don't regret at all.  Here you can see the Munchkin is growing, too.  Only 3 months until he is due to arrive. 

Day Fifty Eight

A summer dinner.  Yum!

Day Fifty Seven

I love the dishwasher!!

And I love that I can put a dirty pan in, just like this, and it will come out totally clean!  I enjoy setting the dishwasher at night and, even more, unloading the clean dishes in the morning. 

Day Fifty Six

Almost twins!

Annika and Elaina showed up at the park today wearing the same shirt!  It was total coincidence and they were delighted.  I enjoyed their delight.

Day Fifty Five

Our sunset tonight

Chris took this picture.  We had a wicked storm this evening, with lots of wind.  Chris got caught in the storm on his way biking home from work.  The boys and I were relieved when he walked through the door.  The storm left behind cooler temperatures and a beautiful sky.

Day Fifty Four

I missed a day last Sunday, so I thought I'd make it up by posting 2 pictures today. 

Here is Jack standing near our huge volunteer plant.  We think the the mystery fruits are gourds, since they stopped getting bigger and are starting to get bumps.  And we remember tossing some of last year's gourds in the compost pile after autumn passed.  So, we'll have some to decorate the house this autumn.

A tangram turtle that one of the kids in my Math Camp did this morning. 

They had fun making designs and were so creative.  I wish we could all hold on to that creativity as we grow up! 

Day Fifty Three

This is a "spike ball" made by the kids in my Math Camp today.

This week and next I am holding a Math Camp for kids to have fun with math.  Today the kids had fun making discoveries with the Ball of Whacks.  I enjoyed watching their minds at work.

Day Fifty One

Father and son

I thought my guys looked very handsome in there navy blue shirts, their wedding attire.  Here you can see that Sean is almost as tall as Chris.  In the background is Liberty Presbyterian church, were Chris and I were married 17 years ago and Becky and Tony were married just that afternoon.  It's pretty neat to return there with family and friends to celebrate weddings and family reunions. 

Day Fifty

Jack playing chess with me at Mountain Quest Institute.  We stayed there this past weekend to attend and celebrate Becky and Tony's wedding.  It was a beautiful location, with something for all of us.  We had a great time and hope to make a return trip in the future.