Belated Birthdays

We recently had belated parties for the kids. Alec's was late only by a couple of weeks, Kaitlin's was about 1/2 a year off. We have been telling her for a while that she could have a summer party. There were so many activities going on near the end of the school year, they had to wait until school was over. Alec had four boys over for pizza, games and a movie. They seemed to enjoy the games. It was hard to know what 11-12 year old boys would enjoy.

We played wrap a mummy, pass the orange, and balloon pick up. They played flashlight tag inside since it was storming outside. It was funny to see one boy be grossed out about the orange game. Kaitlin played to make the teams even and he didn't want to pass or recieve the orange from Kaitlin, that was too gross.

Kaitlin took friends to Waldorf to the Color Me Mine studio. Everyone chose a ceramic to paint. It was fun. She chose a great group of girls. They were all pretty mellow and got along very well. It was very relaxing. That's something I could get into, except I'm not very creative. Kaitlin is already asking when she can go back. She loves to paint. She made the rose.

more photos added**

Bethpage Resort, Urbanna, Virginia

We finally departed on our maiden camping trip in the new camper. Bethpage Resort was our destination. We didn't want to go very far on our first time out and Bethpage was only about 1.5 hours away. After a few delays leaving town, we were headed South.

The Kendigs were able to come with us to share in our first experience. They arrived around 8 p.m. and we stayed up playing cards until the wee hours of the morning. Mel and Gretchen took the queen bed while Joe took the dinette and I got the fold-out couch. I have had much worse sleeping arrangements, but I don't want to sleep on that for an extended period of time. It reminded me a little of being on ship. A small bed with a fan running all night and the camper rocking anytime someone would roll over.

Today, we went to watch some golf cart obstacle course racing, and it turned out that we were able to participate. It was set up where a child would navigate while the dad drove the golf cart BLINDFOLDED!!!! The 1st driver had a time of over 5 minutes. Next, Joe had his oldest daughter navigate to a time of 3:40 (only hiting one plastic chair). Alec, Kaitlin and I were next. Alec turned out to be an excellent naviguesser.

We finished in a blazing 3:05 without hitting anything. I thought I had the time to beat, but I was soon out raced. We left when another team hit the 2:15 mark. I found out later that the winning team did it in 1:05. I don't think his blindfold was on all the way. I don't think I could have done that without the blindfold.

After that was an ice cream social, then swimming in the lake with a HUGE water trampoline. Paddleboat followed that, then dinner and SMORES!!!! What a way to end the evening. Nothing better than a SMORE with Hershey Special Dark!!!

We will post more pictures later. We are enjoying our relaxing time. Not too much computer on vacation.

Webkinz

Have you heard of Webkinz? It seems to be a craze lately. Kaitlin has just caught on to the craze. You must have a special Webkinz animal to play on this site. They have a clubhouse where you can play game of the day to earn money and you also can get a job for cash. You use your money to send packages and greetings to other friends, buy your house and furnish it. There is a trivia question show, arcade, newspaper and shopping. You can play online with another friend that is also online at Webkinz. It was funny to see Kaitlin playing on the computer with a friend and talking to that friend on the phone. Rich walks in on the middle of this going on and was very confused as to what she was doing. Alec is enjoying playing with Kaitlin's log in name and now wants a Webkinz of his own. You can find them at Hallmarks, specialty shops maybe drug stores. Have fun with your Webkinz!!

There is also a similar site called Millsberry. You play games to earn money, pick a character, purchase a house, furnishings, clothes. You are limited on how much you can play each game unlike Webkinz. You can have yard sales and send junk to other friends. When they log in, the junk is waiting for them. My kids have enjoyed this site (which requires no purchase), but they like Webkinz much better.

Last Day of School

Friday, June 8th was the last day of school for our household. There are mixed feelings. Alec is thrilled and relieved. Kaitlin wants a little break but is very sad that school is over. Me, well, I am delighted for the break and the chance to sleep in, but I will miss it too. I've worked more than I've been home the last few months and it shows. I guess I have lots of time to clean. Not really what I want to spend my summer doing. We do have some fun things planned. We are going camping, Kaitlin has swim lessons and girl scout camp, and we are flying to San Diego for a week. I can already see school starting around the corner. I know summer will fly by as it always does.

It was fun to be at the last day seeing all of the teachers out in front of the building with their pom poms cheering and singing "Hey Hey Hey, Goodbye!" Kaitlin got a big kick out of that. Both kids finished the year with straight A's. We are proud of them both.

Here is Kaitlin with her 3rd grade teacher, Mr. Clapp. He is so much fun. He is a lot like Rich so Kaitlin relates to him very well. Kaitlin has enjoyed her year in 3rd grade. Once she began to come out of her shell, Mr. Clapp approached me and wanted to know where her "true character" came from. He thought she would be a little more like me. It was not uncommom for me to pass by and see him sticking his tongue out at her and vice versa. He will be missed next year.

More RV Pictures...

We promised more photos, so here are a few to enjoy.

The back portion extended out is where the queen bed is.

Not the most attractive bedding...

yes, those are the kids heads in the bottom of the photo, forgot to crop them out :)

Kitchen area...there is also a microwave.

Kitchen table/bed

Here is the kitchen pantry. I love the slide out shelves. Now to decide how to fill it up:)

We also have several drawers, 2 closets and 4 bunkbeds.

We are going to go camping in 2 weeks.