Half Way There

We are half-way through the summer and we're in a pretty good groove.  First, to give you the finale to the ring caper, the plumbing company give me a check for the full appraised value of all my jewelry within 2 weeks of the date I reported it stolen.  I could not believe what stand-up people they were.  We were truly grateful and although it's sad to know that things like that can happen, it restored my faith a bit to know that they went out of there way to make it right.

Anyway, the first week of summer was filled with both CCE and scout camp.  Our church here allows the kids to finish an entire year (30 hours) worth of CCE in 10 days (3 hours a day).  It was intense, and I won't say that the boys loved it, or even really liked it, but the good news is that they were with their friends and it's now done for the year.  After CCE was cub scout day camp. This was Grant's first year as a new tiger cub, but veteran Jackson's 2nd year.  They were exhausted as the camp ran from 2:30-8:00 and they had CCE from 9-12 in the am, but we got through it.  One funny incident, on the last day of camp at the parent's performance, the four year old of one of our friends got sick and threw up red gatorade in front of everyone.  Which made Jack get sick.  Jackson announced "I couldn't help it, wierd colored puke makes me puke!"  Overall, camp was a success, both boys shot bb guns and bow and arrows, climbed a rock wall (Jack made it to the top 2 times!) and had various other fun activities.


Then came our trip to Concan where we stayed at Neals Lodges and spent the evenings dancing at Garner State Park.  It was wonderful.  The weather was terrific, the water was cool and the boys had an outstanding time with all of their buddies.  We stayed in a cabin with our good friends, the Bargainers and our other good friends the Cheves stayed right down the road.  All told we had 9 kiddos, a four year old, 5-six year olds, an 8 year old and two nine-year olds.  It was a crazy good time.  Mostly we relaxed in the water on floats while the kids swam, jumped off the rocks, fished with nets, swung out over the river on the rope swing, or whatever other adventure came their way.  In the evenings we went to Garner State Park to the nightly dance.  The dance at Garner is a very longstanding tradition since 1941.  Heath's dad danced at the Garner State Park.  Most of Jackson's teachers did too.  From the Lindy Hop to the Bunny Hop, and the waltz to the Whip, every dance imaginable has been done on that floor.  The best tradition of all though, is that EVERYONE that can walk dances.  All the little girls, and some are LITTLE, line up along the sides while the boys ask them to dance.  Jackson wasn't so sure at first, but by the end of vacation he had 16 dances to his credit.  Grant stuck to dancing with mommy and daddy, but it didn't keep him from going out "scouting" with Jackson for girls.  He did tell me he found "the one" but he wasn't going to ask her until next year.  Sure hope her parents decide to go the last week of June!

Last week Jackson took his now 2nd annual trip to Nana and Poppop's house.  He's a veteran now of flying by himself, and with his know-it-all attitude, I'm surprised he didn't tell the pilot how to fly the plane!  He had a blast in Florida, he went to Universal Studios Orlando and could not get enough of it, particularly the Harry Potter exhibit and ride.  He also spent lots of beach time with Poppop and even went fishing and caught an alligator gar in a lake nearby.  He was ready to see Heath and I, but not really ready to leave Florida.  I can't say I blame him!  Meanwhile, Grant and I held down the fort here while Heath worked.  We had a nice visit with good friends from Colorado and a spectacular fireworks show viewed from a high-rise apartment overlooking downtown.  We spent quite a bit of time at the Bargainer's pool and generally took it easy.


Well, that's it for now.  Next week both boys have science camp during the day, and then the week after that they go to zoo camp for the week.  I'll be able to get at least two weeks of work in this summer!  Heath I'm sure just misses me at the office SO MUCH.  Then they are off for a few weeks and hopefully we are off to Ruidoso, NM on the 15th of August.  School is starting a full week later this year and I want nothing more than to escape this oppressive heat.  I'll post with updates!