Jessica's Notes

Josh woke up in the middle of the night on Friday night and noticed a light was on in the hallway.

He got up, and found lights on in the hallway, kids' bathroom, kids' bunkroom and library. He turned off the lights in the bathroom, and the library then went in to tuck the kids in, only to realize they WEREN'T IN THEIR BEDS!

He headed back to the library and flicked the lights on... and there they were, READING, in the middle of the night!! (1:47 am!) He ushered them back to bed, but....WHAT?

Crazy kids.

So, my sister is a teacher, and I know treasures the kind notes she's received from students and parents in the past. Well, I can say that I'll treasure this note from T's teacher, and am posting it mainly because I want to save it somewhere 'safe' and not have it get lost in the email archive...so forgive the 'braggy' post, please. :)

This year, both the kids' teachers are very communicative and email-friendly. We've worked through some hurdles (visits to the nurse to escape creative writing - ahem) and generally been in good alignment between home / school as a result.

Here's one that made my day / week, from T's 3rd grade teacher:

---
As I said before, I really enjoy Tobias. Last week I was having a
rough time with some other students and he could tell they were giving
me a hard time. He wrote me the SWEETEST letter telling me that I am
the best teacher and so nice. It made a rough day a little better and
made me so happy. You have such a great kid!
Also at Living Lab yesterday he was so funny taking notes on
everything! Dr. G was very impressed!
Have a super weekend! Thank you for your kind words!
---

I'm so grateful that she took the time to write this, as it made my day as well!

Corn Maze (Maize Maze... ha ha) and corn cannon - what could be better? (oh, and ice cream!)

We had a great time at the Big E today...We'd never been before and loved seeing all the baby animals. The kids got to milk a goat(!) and see baby chicks hatch. We watched a fantastic "Extreme Vegas" show that has inspired the kids to redouble their wizarding and magic practice. Oh, yes, and there were rides.



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but, sometimes embracing the new season is the way to go. We had a great apple pick at Autumn Hill Orchard, followed by dinner with friends and a fresh apple crisp. Mmm.

Autumn Hill was wonderful - gorgeous views and lots of varieties of apples, no crazy hoopla -though a cider donut wouldn't have been unwelcome, I'll admit. ;)

Jake's first try without training wheels went really well. Wheeee!

means a kayak ride to get some mussels! Woo!

Toby made his first solo salt-water paddle and did a great job. -and it's been fun to return to "Kelp Island" with the kids




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Our back steps have sunk and the wood has rotted almost all the way through, and were in dire need of replacement. Below is a before and after picture.

I have to say it: I think the before picture is akin to those makeover pictures in magazines where the person is unwashed and unsmiling, perhaps fresh from a workout. -I gave up on weeding these steps because I knew they were being torn out...at least I like to tell myself that they really didn't look *this* bad most of the time.

We still have some work to do - replacing the shed, landscaping and dealing with the fact that now our back porch looks pretty shabby!! but are so happy with the change. Thanks to Eric at Burr Brown Design and the team.


Before:


Now:

We had a terrific day at Canobie Lake Park for Jake's sixth birthday. We were there from opening until closing, including fireworks. (and, the fact that Canobie does fireworks on summer Saturdays meant that BOTH kids by pure luck got fireworks on their birthdays this year - Toby's in Niagara Falls and Jake at Canobie - a rather dangerous precedent!)

In any case, I have yet to chronicle the day (we went with friends who were great companions on the adventure- both for us and for the kids)... for now I will simply say that it was wonderful.

About 5 minutes into the car ride home Jake said (in a husky, worn-out voice). "That was the BEST. BIRTHDAY. EVER!!" Then fell asleep about 20 seconds later.

Here, at home, at the end of the day:

Birthday boy hugging his very special gift (a pokemon ball)


Big brother, and a very small donkey he won on one of those games (all the kids got donkeys, in fact)



(I wish I could steal - or copy - his eyelashes!)

The (small) boys and I had a great time in our tiny cabin at camp. So many fun activites in just a few relaxed days. :)




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Toby won the hula hoop competition - Jake went SCREAMING onto the field when the last contendor fell as if Toby had won an Olympic competition. "YOU WON! TOBY, YOU WON!!" It was hilarious.

A clip of Toby honing his technique and Jake, well, being enthusiastic.