Playdate 2012 Opening Games

Dear me, another Playdate is nearly upon me and I've yet to chronicle the opening day events of the first Playdate of summer.   The weather prediction was quite horrific and severe weather was supposed to move in at 1:00 (starting time).  Well-what to do?  One thing I've learned living in the Ohio Valley these many years is that I'm usually sorry if I change plans based on weather, so I didn't.  If something awful blew up, we'd just haul the poo-pies to the dungeon, er, I mean basement. So filling water buckets, pool, etc. continued.
Then Ol' Mother Hubbard pulls up, poor Antebellie hops out and proceeds to be quite sick.  Back in the van she goes, only mildly hysterical at missing out on the day, "I've waited for all year long!"  Ohh, so sad.
Every year we paint shirts.  Can you guess what Baby Boy is holding?

Ceece carved cool designs into potatoes for us to stamp on our summer shirts.  I love Pinterest, not because I visit there much, but because so many other folks do and I no longer have to be the craft queen.

And stamp they did, so far unmolested by the storm.

 My little Giddy-up thinks Playdate is the awesome as Syddie and Bugg took him for a ride.

Good idea filling the new pool Pappy got us.

Still no foul weather, so time for some snacks and a story expertly delivered by Ms. Glitzy.  Until she was interrupted by the most terrorific crack and thump.

The culprit, this old tree that has been hanging out on the side of our creek for, well a way long time.

You've seen this picture many times, only usually it is filled with my gramerlings.  Be still my heart!  A big pause in the story, while we all loudly expressed heartfelt thanks to the heavens and our Good Father for having those precious cherubs snacking round our feet as opposed to being under that old tree.

Well, it wasn't long before the kiddos had to check it out and spent the next hour catching everything they could manage to trap and having a big creek time.

And this girl, with her very blue eye shadow, red shirt,  and missing tooth, well sometimes there are no words.  Her choice of make-up and clothes was an aim to be Raggedy Ann, since I've collected them forever.  So sweet!

They played and played and played, but by six the clouds were collecting in a serious way, so we started the bonfire early and got everyone a dotdog and a toasted marshmallow before the rain began in earnest-poor Pappy.  Still, no real threatening weather, thank the Lord!

All in all, it was a great way to kick off Summer 2012!

So Long Ohio

We wandered home from Sycamore, Ohio and returned Aunt Lois to her home and boy Giddy-up.  Before picking her up we took a couple of days to wander through central Ohio, Amish country, where we had never been. We stayed in Berlin, at a nice little cabin nestled in the hill.  We shopped and ate and read and napped whilst Uncle Jimi kept the home fires burning and the chickie girls fed and happy. It sprinkled most of the way, but Saturday, Sunday and most of today was sunny, breezy, really perfect weather.
No matter how far you run though, life goes on. How happy I am for the lives that will go on.  First, I got a message from dear friends of a cancer diagnosis.
This has nothing to do with the shock and sadness of that diagnosis, but it's so strange.  I have two sets of friends in which the wives have the same name and their husbands have different names than the girls, but the same names as each other.  Both of these guy friends have B cell lymphoma.  So crazy. So prayers for Pastor Dave as he makes decisions about his health.

Then, I got a call from Ceece that she had received a call that 1st Lt.'s base had been attacked. Someone in the group he went with was able to get a call to his wife, who called the other wives to say their were no American casualties. Still, no word from the 1st Lt. himself left everyone on edge.  Poor Ceece, he had only arrived three days prior.  As usual, I needed a minute.  I went outside the cabin.  I didn't know what to do with myself when I wasn't even able to hang out with Ceece, being 300 miles away. These type of situations typically produce great anxiety in me.
Imagine my surprise when stepping out to look up and find this beautiful rainbow above the trees in a rain free sky.

This scripture came to mind, along with Noah's promise,  and with it some much needed peace.

Psalm 121

A song of ascents.

1I lift up my eyes to the hills—

where does my help come from?

2My help comes from the Lord,

the Maker of heaven and earth.

3He will not let your foot slip—

he who watches over you will not slumber;

4indeed, he who watches over Israel

will neither slumber nor sleep.

5The Lord watches over you—

the Lord is your shade at your right hand;

6the sun will not harm you by day,

nor the moon by night.

7The Lord will keep you from all harm—

he will watch over your life;

8the Lord will watch over your coming and going

both now and forevermore.

Thank you Lord!

1st Lt. was able to call Courtney on Sunday and confirm that all was well.  Bless her heart, it's going to be a long year.

We also had a big time on first Playdate last Thursday and I'll be back with more on that later.

The Packing Up Blues

Well, after a little help from my friends, I am very nearly finished packing up fourth grade. I believe that closing up my room is one of the huge negatives of a teaching career.
Big news, at least for me, it was my last year in fourth grade. So lots and lots of decisions to be made about what to keep and what to hand over to the new kid in town.  I am tuckered.
 I am looping with these kidlets and moving on up to fifth grade.  I've asked to move for a few years, just ready to do something different. This was such a lovely class, even though it's the biggest one in our school.  I might have had just  a moment's hesitation after spending many hours finishing permanent record and report cards, but not for long.  I'm more than happy to have this group again.
They've all already met 1st. Lt. and I'll be doing a big unit on Afghanistan when we return. It will be good to be busy and have to do a lot of planning this summer.
Can't imagine my concern when learning that 1st Lt. arrived in Afghanistan, but not his final destination and is currently a resident of the sidewalk, while awaiting a flight out that could take seven days.  You know, I think they can't surprise me, but then they do.
A friend, and master teacher in my book, is retiring. Just isn't willing to do it "their" way.  She said they were told not to worry about putting craft type supplies like crayons and markers on the kid's supply list as they won't be having time for those things anymore.
Could someone, anyone, explain to me why you need to tell teachers who have a successful track record years long, how to do their job.
Our staff received a great gift of books from her.
Bean's last game before tournament was tonight. He has really improved in all areas this spring.
First Playdate tomorrow.  It would have been nice to take a week break from everything.  I feel like someone has been shoving me in the back this entire month.  We are moving to a balanced calendar and my summer will be done on August 2, so I just didn't want to lose any time.  Last week it was over 90 degrees and tomorrow is calling for near perfection at 78.  I do hope to have a bonfire, so perhaps the predicted storms will hold off a few hours.

Monday Musings from the Garden

My hydrangeas have lost their minds.  That mild winter must of have been very pleasing to them and to show their pleasure they are putting on an amazing show, not quite like anything I've ever found in a nursery catalog.  I've always understood that bloom color was based on the acidity or not of the soil.  This particular bush was a gift to Handy Many from my family when he lost his father.  The tag said it was blue, but would need acidic soil to remain so. I've tried to oblige, as blue is what the Handy Man likes. First of all, this puppy is now about 5 feet tall and 6 feet wide and  secondly it is popping out all over in an amazing array of colors.  I have a rainbow in my yard.

Would you prefer pale pink?

 Lavender?

 Dark blue?

Light blue?

 Dark pink?

 Lavendar, purple, pink, yes we have that too.

So Long Fourth Grade

 Well, Friday marked the end of another very successful school year.  State standardized scores are in  and  my kiddos did great, thank the Lord.  Often I'm blessed to receive a few gifts at the end of the year. I was surprised however to see  all these parents walking in with these three big blue bags.  I couldn't imagine what in the wide world could have been in those bags.  I assumed the album was likely pictures of kids, which it was, in addition to many kind notes from kids and parents,  but beyond that I had no idea.  Anyway, they gave me a card and the card said, "All year you have loved and cared for our babies. Now it's our turn to care for yours." The bags were filled to the brim with items 1st Lt. can receive in Afghanistan.  In addition, was a package of notes my students wrote to him and also notes from their families.  The card also contained a hundred dollars for me to mail the stuff to  him. Oh my!  Tears galore.  More than anything I guess was just the understanding of those sweet families that the 31year old who is now on another continent will always be the child of my heart. Such a touching kindness.

This will also be so fun for Bean and Bugg to pick a few things each week for us to mail to him. An amazingly wonderful gift.

 Another friend left me the surprise of a new garden implement and a wonderful book and the water table is out, so I've officially kicked off summer.

 I believe I've given a report on this little water table before, but I will again as this is its sixth year to be rode hard and put up wet and it's still standing and stable and our newest playmates were loving it!
Other Big News- the boy is walking.   Let's see, set your eyes on the goal.

 Hunker down a bit until you get your balance.

 Then off you go!

 Wha, la- arrival at the new chickie baby play yard with a big guy cousin ready to show me the ropes!

 Then, perhaps a little snuggle!

Bean has always loved the little ones.

Last, but most assuredly not least- Happy Birthday to my lifetime love.  We scooted across the river to view the Samurai Exhibit at the Frazier Museum,  then enjoyed a dee-wish-us meal at Morton's.  

What you doing this holiday weekend?

How Many More I Wonder

I'm guessing if 1st Lt. were home, he'd be seeing this young man to his final resting place. Prayers for the Fields family.

Midnight Special

For several years before I finished my teaching degree, I worked with autistic children.  I came upon this video through another blog.  My heart was always broken for these parents who were constantly trying to make others understand why their son or daughter behaved in unexpected ways.  I love that this guy doesn't seem the least bit affected by the little boy dancing and wanting to feel his guitar.  Not to mention, I love some good pickin' and folk music-oh, and old hippies.
Praise the Lord for another day of perfect weather for my last field trip of the year.
Sunday, an e-mail from 1st Lt. said he was in Baltimore.