In the Catskills

 I'm at a meeting in the Catskills this weekend (sadly, missing out on the return of Bubba and the boys' end of season baseball celebration.)  I took the train here this morning.  Matthew would be excited to see that we crossed the Rip Van Winkle bridge to get here!  (He likes the audiobook version of the story we have.)

When I sent Mike the conference info (it's a meeting at a retreat center about using media to convey stories of hope and healing, rather than just bad news and tragedy), his reply was, "seems very hippie."  He was probably right -- this evening we enjoyed a vegetarian dinner, and then had a musical performance which ended with holding hands and dancing in a circle to a Native American chant.  :)  I will probably skip the sunrise meditation but might make it to the pre-breakfast yoga. (Seriously, though, I think it's going to be a very interesting and engaging time. And the musician was awesome!)

Last Week

 I can't believe it's the last week of kindergarten already!  Wow.  I'm excited for the start of summer, but a little sad for them to be leaving kindergarten behind -- it was a good year!

(They also had their last swim lesson today (Weds), and they're excited to go back for the next session.)

James

Matthew

Snapshot in the Family Album

One day Matthew may ask why James was in the family pictures when they were six and he was not. Here is why:

Exhibit A:  uncooperative
Exhibit B:  grumpy
Exhibit C:  stubborn

(And Exhibit D, moderately acceptable.)

P.S.  We love you anyhow, Mattie.  :)

Pool Time

 More signs of summer -- the pool is open (although the weather has been a bit cooler than ideal for swimming).  Matthew couldn't wait to go!

The water squirters are working again, which means that the kids have go through a waterfall to get to the curvy slide -- they were a little nervous about that at first but then enjoyed it.

Visit from Bubba

Happy belated Father's Day and Happy Birthday to Grandma Geo!


 Mike's friend Elton and his family came to visit this weekend -- we're now on the way between their house and the lake place where their family spends a week in the summer.  If we're remembering correctly, the last time I saw them, their oldest one was just a baby (at our wedding) -- and now he's taller than I am and going into high school!

We were hoping the older kids wouldn't be too bored hanging out with six year olds, but it turns out that the Wii and keep-away soccer are fun for all ages.  :)  Sam, the middle son, was especially great with Matthew and James.  Elton's kids also loved playing with the musical equipment -- I think they have some natural talent for it.

I love the fourth picture because it looks like Elton and James are having a Very Serious Discussion or Solving the World's Problems.  (In fact, Elton was asking James math questions.)

Bubba cooking Bubba burgers

Field Day

 You hear the expression "have a field day" sometime, but the boys' school had an actual field day on Friday.  It was awesome!  They had eleven stations, including sack races, water balloon t-ball, hurdles, and the "gator getaway" (a race that involved carrying an inflatable gator over your head). The morning ended up with the "tug for fun" (apparently the warmer and fuzzier name for what used to be tug of war).  Their class won the first round, but then lost the second round.  (However, the losers got to get their popsicles first, so no one was too disappointed.)