We had a fun and soggy weekend camping. Despite being wet most of the time, it was so much fun being with friends and living in the woods for a few days. We just bought a new tent for the trip and it did leak a little, but we stayed dry in our rain gear for the most part ( I sealed the seams of the tent when we got it home, so hopefully it will be good for next time.). This was probably one of the best camping trips we've had. The boys are old enough now that they can run around without us worrying about them too much. Plus we went with 3 other families, so there were always eyes everywhere. Nolan had 3 other boys to play with and Thomas had 2, so they would be exhausted at night from all the playing. They played baseball, went fishing (didn't catch anything), went swimming, had a little hike. At night, the parents all sat around the fire, drinking beer and sharing stories. The only down side was unpacking everything and drying it out when we got home. But thankfully it didn't rain when we got home for most of the day. The tent and tarps are already dried and put away. I just have a ton of laundry to do today. It was all worth it.
We have a nice, easy week ahead of us. Thomas starts swim lessons today and Nolan starts a reading club at the library tomorrow. We have some plans to meet up with friends, but mostly just hanging out. Next weekend it's off to the grandparents for 4th of July!
Monday, June 30, 2008
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Here we go!
Ooh-I sound like Oprah in that title! But that's how it feels with the summer beginning. Already, it is so wonderful to have both my boys home, no lunches to make, no set schedule and lots of fun things to do. Nolan finished school with a great report card and he's getting the teacher that I hoped he would get. We also found out today that Thomas is getting the same teacher that Nolan had for kindergarten, and we LOVED her. He also has afternoon kindergarten which is what I hoped for too (It's so cool to get exactly what you want!). On the last day of school, I took Nolan out of class and we went to see their cousin Olivia graduate from 5th grade. She'll be going from the elementary school to the middle school. Nolan won't be in the same school as her again until he's in 9th grade and Olivia is a senior! We had a picnic with friends after school and went to see really cool 3D movie at Proctors that night called BUGS!. They loved it. They got to see a praying mantis eating a fly up close--yuck. Last night we took them to see Hair of the Dog, a really great, local Irish band. They played at an outside theater in Scotia They've always loved the CDs we play at home, so I think they thought it was cool to see them in person. Well, Thomas liked it more than Nolan. Nolan mainly liked the ice cream I think. Today we went to Great Escape with our friends the Brownells. That was also a rockin' time, despite the little bits of rain here and there. Chris and I are always saying, We Rooneys are hardy folk! And we are definately proving it this weekend. We leave to go camping tomorrow despite the fact that it's supposed to rain most of the time and scattered thunderstorms. Who has more fun?! I'll blog when we get back and fill you in.
Monday, June 23, 2008
Season finale
Another baseball season is in the books. These shots were from Nolan's last game on Saturday. I love the look on his face as he gets ready for a ground ball coming toward him.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
One down, One to go
Thomas is officially a kindergartener--he tells me he can't wait to go to school, but he'll get back to me about riding the bus. I've been keeping him busy since preschool ended. We've been to the YMCA to swim, I took him and his best friend Leo to the Great Escape and he's had lots of friends over.
He also has begun doing chores to earn an allowance. He gets $1 for making his bed, putting his laundry away, feeding Chester, helping put the groceries away and helping clear the supper table. If he refuses/forgets 1 time, half the allowance goes away. 2x and no allowance that week. Too harsh? He gets the same number of chores per his age, so each birthday his allowance will go up a dollar (and he'll get another chore). Nolan gets $2 and has 7 chores, soon to be $3 and 8 chores, same rules apply. We're hoping they learn that we're a team and all have jobs to do at home. We're also hoping they'll learn the value of money and saving. Nolan has to save $10 before he can spend it, and $5 of it has to go in the bank. My only concern is I want them to still help out with other things at home because we ask for their help, not to get paid. So far this isn't an issue yet.
Nolan is VERY excited to be done school now that Thomas is already done. He has 5 more days left. He has 2 more baseball games left . He is going to a birthday party at a GIRL'S house this weekend--now that's a big sign that Nolan is growing up! Girls are no longer as icky as he thought, or at least not this one. He actually wants to get her a Hanna Montana doll for a gift because that's what she likes!
I have started running more regularly again with my local running group. I thought I was still in good shape, but I'm dreadfully slow compared to them. Today was my third day out with them, and I did go a little further and faster, but I still ran alone most of the time and they had all left by the time I finished! It's making getting up at 5:30am pretty hard, but I'm sticking with it. I won't get faster unless I keep at it.
So I'm trying to think of more free things to do with the kids over the summer. If anyone has ideas, let me know!
He also has begun doing chores to earn an allowance. He gets $1 for making his bed, putting his laundry away, feeding Chester, helping put the groceries away and helping clear the supper table. If he refuses/forgets 1 time, half the allowance goes away. 2x and no allowance that week. Too harsh? He gets the same number of chores per his age, so each birthday his allowance will go up a dollar (and he'll get another chore). Nolan gets $2 and has 7 chores, soon to be $3 and 8 chores, same rules apply. We're hoping they learn that we're a team and all have jobs to do at home. We're also hoping they'll learn the value of money and saving. Nolan has to save $10 before he can spend it, and $5 of it has to go in the bank. My only concern is I want them to still help out with other things at home because we ask for their help, not to get paid. So far this isn't an issue yet.
Nolan is VERY excited to be done school now that Thomas is already done. He has 5 more days left. He has 2 more baseball games left . He is going to a birthday party at a GIRL'S house this weekend--now that's a big sign that Nolan is growing up! Girls are no longer as icky as he thought, or at least not this one. He actually wants to get her a Hanna Montana doll for a gift because that's what she likes!
I have started running more regularly again with my local running group. I thought I was still in good shape, but I'm dreadfully slow compared to them. Today was my third day out with them, and I did go a little further and faster, but I still ran alone most of the time and they had all left by the time I finished! It's making getting up at 5:30am pretty hard, but I'm sticking with it. I won't get faster unless I keep at it.
So I'm trying to think of more free things to do with the kids over the summer. If anyone has ideas, let me know!
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Good-bye Kiddie Car
Tomorrow is Thomas' last day at Kiddie Car. I can't believe it! He went to preschool kicking and screaming for months on end. But he is leaving as a confident kid who says he can't wait to go to kindergarten. His teacher told me yesterday that he is such a pleaser and always snaps right to attention whenever she catches him misbehaving. Wow! And he was amazing at his End of the Year Show. He has never performed well in front of people because of his stage fright. He'll do it with people he knows and trusts, but never otherwise. Not anymore! He marched right up on stage and sang his heart out! He made funny faces at everyone and did all the motions with the songs. I sat there with tears in my eyes. I was so proud of him. He is coming into his own and it is just great to watch it happen. Do you ever feel like your kids grow more quickly than you can keep up with them? Or you think you know them and find out they have matured without you knowing it? Wow. It's just so great. I think this will be the first of many, watching Thomas on stage.
Ok-do you mind if I brag a little more about my kids? Nolan has been playing some amazing baseball! He's been connecting with the ball and running fast to the bases. He had a double on Saturday (I think Chris told you, Nolan said it was the first in his career!) and got 5 kids out. He just really pays attention. He just loves it and it seems to love him too. He tells me he's going to be a baseball player when he grows up, and write his own books in the off season. Sounds good to me.
On Saturday, we went on a family hike to Christman Sanctuary. It is a beautiful place for a short hike, and only 20 minutes away. It was a farm, and when the farmer (Christman) retired, he planted trees on his land and let nature take over. He became a poet and wrote poems about the land. Here's one:
I just love the idea of returning the land back to the earth, and yet he grew from being a farmer to a poet because of it. Anyway, the best part of the hike was it led to a 30 foot waterfall. The rocks surrounding it were shale, and shale breaks off with clean lines. So the landscape was all this secondary growth hardwoods and pines and then this harshness of the shale and waterfall cascading from it. It was something you would see on the travel channel but it's 20 minutes from our house. (Although we won't know anymore about the travel channel because we got rid of our cable today--sob!!) Absolutely beautiful, and a great respite from the chaos of school ending. And, Thomas found a crayfish claw and held 2 frogs--how brave! He's becoming a real bug and dirt kid. We had our lunch at the waterfall and hiked back to the car. A great family day that didn't cost one cent.
On Sunday I had coffee with my good friends Marlene and Karen. Marlene and I were supposed to go on a hike of our own but it was too hot and a threat of thunderstorms. So we met for 3 hours at Starbucks! We could have kept going but other errands called to us. I've been friends with these women for over 7 years. We were all just moms at home with babies. Now one is working and we all have kids in school. One has moved away and come back. I had a falling out with another and we've somehow become close again. We seem to be more busy than we used to be and don't get to connect like we used to, but it's great when we do.
Wow, I'm really rambling. Sorry readers. I even have more ramblings but I'll rest your eyes for now.
Ok-do you mind if I brag a little more about my kids? Nolan has been playing some amazing baseball! He's been connecting with the ball and running fast to the bases. He had a double on Saturday (I think Chris told you, Nolan said it was the first in his career!) and got 5 kids out. He just really pays attention. He just loves it and it seems to love him too. He tells me he's going to be a baseball player when he grows up, and write his own books in the off season. Sounds good to me.On Saturday, we went on a family hike to Christman Sanctuary. It is a beautiful place for a short hike, and only 20 minutes away. It was a farm, and when the farmer (Christman) retired, he planted trees on his land and let nature take over. He became a poet and wrote poems about the land. Here's one:
I remember when I stood
Filled with wonder in a wood
And saw two birds that built a nest,
And one had roses on its breast.--W. W. Christman
I just love the idea of returning the land back to the earth, and yet he grew from being a farmer to a poet because of it. Anyway, the best part of the hike was it led to a 30 foot waterfall. The rocks surrounding it were shale, and shale breaks off with clean lines. So the landscape was all this secondary growth hardwoods and pines and then this harshness of the shale and waterfall cascading from it. It was something you would see on the travel channel but it's 20 minutes from our house. (Although we won't know anymore about the travel channel because we got rid of our cable today--sob!!) Absolutely beautiful, and a great respite from the chaos of school ending. And, Thomas found a crayfish claw and held 2 frogs--how brave! He's becoming a real bug and dirt kid. We had our lunch at the waterfall and hiked back to the car. A great family day that didn't cost one cent.On Sunday I had coffee with my good friends Marlene and Karen. Marlene and I were supposed to go on a hike of our own but it was too hot and a threat of thunderstorms. So we met for 3 hours at Starbucks! We could have kept going but other errands called to us. I've been friends with these women for over 7 years. We were all just moms at home with babies. Now one is working and we all have kids in school. One has moved away and come back. I had a falling out with another and we've somehow become close again. We seem to be more busy than we used to be and don't get to connect like we used to, but it's great when we do.
Wow, I'm really rambling. Sorry readers. I even have more ramblings but I'll rest your eyes for now.
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Angels in the Outfield
Nolan (and his whole team for that matter) played one of his best games tonight.
He made two outs at the plate as catcher in the first inning, one at first base in the third and he assisted with an out at second base while playing right field in the fourth inning.
Batting he went four for four, with a double (the most you're allowed in Single A) and three singles. It was his first ever double. When Kris congratulated him, he made sure to point out to her that it was his first "career" double.
Here's the crazy thing. When I arrived at the game (I was running late unfortunately) I noticed there was a C-130 circling overhead. Every time I see one of the ski birds from the Stratton Air National Guard Base I can't help but think of dad. So I smiled and thought to myself that it's going to be a good game.
And it was a great game -- with that C-130 up above for what seemed like most of it. A part of me can't help but think that meant Nolan's pop was looking down on him.
He made two outs at the plate as catcher in the first inning, one at first base in the third and he assisted with an out at second base while playing right field in the fourth inning.
Batting he went four for four, with a double (the most you're allowed in Single A) and three singles. It was his first ever double. When Kris congratulated him, he made sure to point out to her that it was his first "career" double.
Here's the crazy thing. When I arrived at the game (I was running late unfortunately) I noticed there was a C-130 circling overhead. Every time I see one of the ski birds from the Stratton Air National Guard Base I can't help but think of dad. So I smiled and thought to myself that it's going to be a good game.
And it was a great game -- with that C-130 up above for what seemed like most of it. A part of me can't help but think that meant Nolan's pop was looking down on him.
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
14 Days to go
until school is over! Chris told me by August 1st, I'll be counting the days for school to start. Do I really complain that much? I'd like to think that I just look forward to change and new beginnings. It's like the seasons--it's great to experience all the different times of year. New things are exciting for us stay-at-home moms who really have a lot of routine in their lives. But I have noticed I've been complaining about things lately--the kids' behavior, money, routines around the house. I need a good kick in the pants--I'm lucky to be here and doing what I love.
Anyway, Happy Birthday Kim! My sister is 40 today. She doesn't show it. She has a busy week of family this week--we're thinking of you today!
Nolan had a good game last night--got one run in. He really is attentive during the game. I took some pics that Chris will put on soon. We have 2 more games this week. Thomas has his end of the year singing program on Friday. He recently learned how to ride the tag-a-long on the back of my bike, so we've been trying to ride together more. He really likes it and it's stretching out our gas for the week. Not much else is new.
Anyway, Happy Birthday Kim! My sister is 40 today. She doesn't show it. She has a busy week of family this week--we're thinking of you today!
Nolan had a good game last night--got one run in. He really is attentive during the game. I took some pics that Chris will put on soon. We have 2 more games this week. Thomas has his end of the year singing program on Friday. He recently learned how to ride the tag-a-long on the back of my bike, so we've been trying to ride together more. He really likes it and it's stretching out our gas for the week. Not much else is new.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)