Sting Pong - Poetry - Pool - Broken Laptops

The name of my son's favorite game to play with friends. It involves all of the equipment necessary for old fashioned ping pong plus a small dose of sado  masechism. He returns home covered in welts. This being the sting part of the equation. When your opponent scores a point he gets to hit you with the ping pong ball. Nice game. I know.

Sometimes I don't get teenage boys. 

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Fifth Grade Poetry Class

I Am

by Grace Shupe

I am focused and athletic

I wonder how a plant grows

I hear the sound of duck feet

I see a tree blooming

I want a really fast horse

I am focused and athletic

I pretend to be a horse

I feel goofy when I laugh

I touch the sky

I worry about my horse

I cry when I get made fun of

I am focused and athletic

I understand how to saddle a horse

I say the closer they are the more they fight

I dream about horses

I try to do my best

I hope for a great sixth grade teacher

I am focused and athletic

It's funny how as a parent we think we know our kids, yet the most unexpected moments catch us completely unprepared.  When I read her poem, I did not find the mention of a horse on alternating lines to be surprising.  I did find it interesting how her free spirit shines through even in her writing.  

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He did it again.  Grant managed to be the first person into the pool this summer.  And he managed to be the last person out of the pool as well.  The accomplishment was not without some risk though.  Another father and wayward toddler were as slow as molasses in January exiting the pool.  Poor Grant was holding back so he could exit last from the water.  Before he could accomplish his mission, a lifeguard who was more than eager to close the pool for the season whistled at Grant to hurry it up.  We pretended not to notice.  The slow guy and his daughter finally made their exit.  Grant triumphantly added a fourth successful year to his current streak of first in/last out.

Sometimes I think eight year old boys are more complicated than teenage boys.

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Emily is working hard and getting good grades this year.  She made an amazing batch of chocolate chip/oreo cookies over the weekend.  She's not using her manners though and sharing with others.  Brothers and sister would sure like a cookie.  Emily is keeping them under lock and key.  She plans to share them with her high school youth group Wednesday evening when they meet for the first time this school year.

Sadly, Emily learned this week why she should not leave her open laptop lying on the floor.  It would have been a perfect I-told-you-so moment.  I refrained.  

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It would seem I have taken an extended blogcation.  I am currently trying to get my life in order (HAHA) so I can get back to blogging.  Wish me luck with that.

The family has been busy doing lots of things both big and small.  Maybe I can share some of it with you now that my blogcation has come to an end.

Full swing

School that is. We are back in the books and checking off the days quickly. So far we have had only good things to report. That makes me happy. 

John is in JROTC for the third year. He is part of their raider team too which practices three afternoons weekly. Both kids are still in high school band. Neither is doing piano this year. It was time to give it up. Life just gets too hectic. 

Grace is playing flute in fifth grade band and grant is hoping to join a fall soccer league. That remains to be seen. 

School doesn't really mean I get to slow down either. Between JROTC, PTSA officer obligations and general volunteering at both schools I've been in one school or the other most days so far this year. Today was a field trip with Grace to the state fair. Four girls and I conquered the fair in a fast five hours. I don't know about them but I'm tired. 

Now we are off to enjoy the weekend. Grant to a birthday party tonight. Grace to a surprise birthday party. Tomorrow to the farm to work and play before returning home for high school fun with bonfires, boys, state fair food and friends. 

I'll need a nap before it is over. 

Actually I could use one now. 

Have a great weekend!

Friday Night

One husband mowing at the farm hopefully doing what he wants to do.  Two kids at a high school football game doing what they want to do. Two more kids playing on a school play ground and NOT going to a high school football game. Very obviously doing what the prefer to do. 

Me?  Enjoying the peaceful moment. 

Happy Friday!!

Potato Harvest and Barn Building

Sunday John and I spent a few hours working in the garden and orchard. 

A lot of our time was spent digging taters. 

I hate digging potatoes.  A lot. 

But I like the bounty we harvested. We dug probably fifty pounds of potatoes. I see pots of potato soup in our future. 

Come visit. I'll share. 

Also I have good news to report. 

Our barn is finally starting to look like a barn. 

See?

Our builder says we are quite the talk of the neighbors. No one can believe we went to the trouble to build a board and batten barn anymore. 

Obviously someone still builds board and batten. Namely us. 

Can't wait to see it done....walls painted with stalls and doors in place. I'm getting excited to see this project finished!