Tuesday

I just can't stay quiet any more. I was a huge Michael Jackson fan in the 80's and I was a bit saddened by his death (yes I admit it). However I can't believe that they waited 12 days to lay him to rest, and frankly, I can't believe the media attention that this is getting! And the funeral has an elephant parade? Come on folks he was a talented musician, but still a human being for pity sake!

On the other hand, what a better send off to the King of Weird!

This is the last week of regular season base/softball for us! It has been fun, and it is hard to believe how fast the summer is zipping by! I hope that the tournaments go well and that the kids have had fun!

Colin starts another wrestling camp this week. He will probably be miserable since he will have to wear pants to cover the poison ivy spots! Actually, he is much better thanks to the steroids and million dollar cream!

Everyone else is doing our usual summer routine - mom gets off work, we go to the pool, we clean out a pig pen, we walk the pigs, and then we shower and go to the ballpark! Fun times! So long as I am admitting to things, I will say that I am especially attached to a hog. I never thought it would happen...I have never seen anything except breakfast when I look at pigs, but Jenius is so friendly and has these jowly cheeks and comes up to see me when I am there. I think he really likes me too! I might be a tad bit sad when he gets sold at the auction next month!

Birthday Girl

Quincy's actual birthday isn't until next weekend, but since we are planning to attend a wrestling tournament, we had her party this evening. She had a great time being the birthday girl!

Fun 4th

We had a very good 4th today! We started out our day at the annual Overbrook non-motorized children's parade.

The kids had a good time, and it was fun to see how this event has grown from a few kids on bikes 4 years ago, to a ton of kids this year! The PRIDE sponsors it, and all the kids are treated to cookies and watermelon afterward! It is a fun time!

From the parade, it was on to buy fireworks. We had a wonderful time blowing up stuff, and luckily nobody was hurt, or burned and our house and all the neighbor's houses are still standing!

After a few hours of shooting off fireworks in our front yard, it was onto our neighbor, Bev's house for smoked ribs and swimming. The kids love Bev, and Jim and I really enjoyed her cooking! (Actually we all love her- we are very blessed to have such wonderful neighbors!)

We followed up the eating/swimming frenzy with a visit from our "Aunt" Grace. Grace is Madison and Quincy's Godmother, and she brought presents for Quincy's birthday. Quincy is very excited with her Barbie, and is now socked out on the living room floor with her! Thank you Grace, for the nice visit and the great gifts!

We finished our day off with working the concession stand at the city's fireworks display, and the kids and I even deserted Jim and got to watch the fireworks!

The kids also pointed out that we have lived in our house for 9 years now, since we moved here on the 4th of July in 2000. Jim pointed out that this is the longest that we have ever lived in any one house!

Overall I would say that we had a great 4th of July! I am proud to be an American, and blessed to have such great family and friends!

Day Off?????

Well, I was excited to have a day off work today - paid even! But my excitement was short lived! When we picked up the boys off the camp bus, we immediately noticed that Colin's poison ivy had gotten much worse, despite sending quite a lot of medication with him. So we had to go to Topeka to the Doctor, but this is a 'holiday' so our doc was not in today. We spent our time instead at Express Care. Now, I don't like to point out the obvious, but if you are going to call yourself Express care, then folks really shouldn't have to wait an eternity to see a doctor there. After waiting patiently, we finally saw a doctor who told me that Colin has poison ivy. Yep, that was money well spent! He phoned out some prescriptions and we were on our way. However, the insurance would not cover the meds that they phoned out. So we begged Walgreen's to call the doctor and get generics. They finally got a response, but the Walgreen's we were at was out of the medication that they phoned out. So they were kind enough to find another Walgreen's who had everything in stock. So we drove across town, only to discover that we had left our insurance card at the first Walgreen's! By this time I was about to have a major meltdown and I think that the pharmacist could tell, so he told me that if I came back within 7 days with the insurance information, they would refund my money. OK so this means another trip to Topeka, but I COULD NOT TAKE ANY MORE TODAY!! We are home now and I am going to bed at 9!

Have a fun and safe 4th from all of us here in insane land!

Too quiet...

Life at home is so quiet and calm with my big guys gone...I can't wait to pick them up tomorrow! I hope they are having a great time at camp!

Last night the nursing home up the street had the military band come and then they put on a great fireworks show! We didn't attend the concert due to the fact that I had a library board meeting, but we did enjoy the fireworks right from our backyard! Mallory set up blankets for the little ones and they had a great time! I tried to get some photos, but they turned out really dark and awful!

Madison attended a Christian rock concert last night with her friend. She had a great time too! She said the music was good even though it isn't typical music she listens too, and she was really impressed with the special effects.

Jim and I are looking forward to having tomorrow off work! And we are looking forward to an extremely busy weekend full of parties and fun!

First Night Game

Preston giving mom a 'thumbs up'
My action shots are not very good - I have never been a photographer, but Preston got a great hit without using the T.

Quincy says that 6 pm ballgames with no shade are too hot!

Preston's t-ball team had a game last night. He was very excited to get to play a "night game" like the big kids! (Usually his games are on Saturday mornings).

Quincy was not impressed with the sun/heat of sitting out at Preston's night game though!

On a happier note, Quincy has decided that wearing underpants isn't so bad and that she even can potty with no help! I am excited at the thought of getting a break from diapers (at least until December). A break from both buying and changing them!! Yeah!

On a differnt note entirely, Jim and I were both badly behaved at the girl's game last night. We are finding that sitting at games and being quiet when the umpires are bad, and the other team's coach is really bad is just difficult or almost impossible. I never wanted to be one of 'those' parents, but last night we both were! OH well! I guess we can try again next week! Happily, we have no more games this week...with the boys being away at camp and then the holiday weekend, we are done for now! By next week we can get together a new attitude!

Camp

We put the boys on a bus for Rock Spring's 4-H camp. I have so many good memories of going there when I was a kid! I hope that Cameron and Colin have a great time!