Vacation Week Two

Scott had another week of vacation this year, and we intended to go to Disney, but that fell through when the band Disney trip was announced.  So we spent the week doing little fun things, like Eagles training camp, a Gaelic Storm concert at Musikfest, and a camping trip to Pymatuning lake, where we canoed, visited a spillway with about a million fish to feed, and took a day trip to the Cleveland science center.  Best of all, while in Cleveland, we saw a Packers preseason game!  It was an awesome bonus vacation!

Family Reunion

My early childhood was spent surrounded by aunts and cousins.  Then we moved to Wisconsin, and since then, the family hadn't gotten together.  I had gone 25 years without seeing my aunts and uncles, and had never met most of my cousins' spouses and children.  Until this Saturday, that is!  It was the perfect day for a reunion.

Thank You, God!

After weeks of work, the first day of VBS was a blur of activity.  Kairi was in charge of the slideshow this year, so she took most of the pictures you see here.  Today's Bible Point was that "God Made Us!"   The kids had a fabulous time recreating the days of creation in our Wild Bible Adventures station.  It's going to be a fun week!

Bye, Harry

Bittersweet.  We'd waited so long to see the last Harry Potter movie.  So many scenes were so good.  They got so very much right.  We laughed, we cried, we cheered - and so did the rest of the costumed and crazed crowd.  It was bad enough that it was ending, but unfortunately, it ended badly. Goodbye, Hogwarts.

America's Pastime

We got together for a picnic and pick-up baseball game with Barry, Tammy, Hannah, Faith and Juli.  Hannah plays softball at her mom's house and she couldn't wait to play with Nick - who couldn't wait to play with the new bat he got at Grandma's house.  With kids ages 4 - 14, it wasn't exactly regulation.  But who cares?

Dumbledore's Army

Kairi and Nick finished their Neville and Luna costumes today so that Kai could be Luna at a pre-premiere Potter party.  I realized today that they don't remember a time when there wasn't something Harry related to anticipate.  It's like a little part of their childhood going away. I'm sad!

Impromptu Camping

I was facing a long weekend without my kids, and I was feeling generally out of sorts from summer doldrums.  After dinner, Scott and I went down to Saucon Park to wander around and try to shake me out of the blues. As we sat with our feet in Saucon Creek, Scott mentioned how much he likes the outdoors. When he said we should go camping someday (after 17 years of refusing to do so) I jumped right on it and suggested we go home, make a reservation, buy a tent and go this weekend!

We were lucky enough to snag the last open spot at Lackawanna State Park's campground this weekend.  It was a walk-in tent site, which was fine by us.  We arrived, set up our tent, and headed out on the lake for some canoeing.  To our great surprise, we saw a bald eagle circling the lake.  Dinner was campfire stew and s'mores!

After a night full of thunderstorms came a day full of rain showers.  Scott and I had to sneak in the ranger's scavenger hunt, a trip to the pool, hiking, and another canoe trip between rain showers.  Worst, it rained just as we finally got our dinner fire started with very soggy wood!  Luckily, the fire survived the deluge.

After a morning kayak trip, we broke camp and headed back to Bethlehem to meet up with my sister's family for the fireworks.  We told them to be at the parking garage a bit too early, but it was worth the wait.  We filled our time with chatting, snacking and lighting sparklers. The girls loved the fireworks.  At one point, I looked across to the Allentown show, only to have Juli remonstrate, "Aunt Jenn! You missed a VERY PRETTY firework when you weren't looking!"

Vacation Memories

We headed to Grandma's house for vacation this year.  It may not sound exciting, but we definitely packed our days with fun.

Day One:

After a loooong car ride to Grandma's house, we were all glad of a chance to stretch our legs.  We headed to the waterfront in Clayton on a rumor that a tall ship was at the dock and allowing tours.  When we got there, there was no ship in sight! Fortunately, it was only out on a passenger cruise and we got to see it return to dock.

Day Two:

Kairi had a dream - she always makes a quilt when she is at Grandma's house.  This year, she wanted to combine quilting with her fan girl passion - Harry Potter.  So she found patterns for 36 quilt blocks based on the Potterverse.  But Grandma doesn't know how to paper piece!  Did that stop her? Oh, no.  We spent the whole day choosing fabric to make each block using applique.  It will be a serious undertaking, but Kairi is an uberskilled uberfan! But why do so many of the designs she chose require GREY fabric????

Day Three:

We planned to go to Seabreeze Amusement Park, but they were closed.  So we headed to the Strong National Museum of Play.  I worried it would be too young for the kids - WRONG!  We all agreed that the day at the museum (and it took the WHOLE day) was the best part of the trip!
Day Four:

Niagara Falls was awesome!  Kairi was pretty impressed right away, but Nick (who is not a fan of heights, or boats) was apprehensive.  But he ended up loving the Maid of the Mist, and by the time we ate real Buffalo (NY) wings at the Top of the Falls, and climbed to the Hurricane Deck at the Cave of the Winds, he was in heaven!

Day Five:

Today was a very laid back vacation day.  Scott researched my family geneology. Kai traced her applique patterns.  Mom and I quilted, and then ran to the local general store, where we found this foosball game for only $12.  Kai and Nick then played foosball for the rest of the night.  Such a lazy day!

Day Six:

Grandma's request for this trip was that we take a boat trip to Singer Castle.  It was created as a hunting lodge for the CEO of the Singer sewing machine company.  We enjoyed seeing all the secret passages for the servants, but decided we'd find it a bit creepy to have secret panels in our bedrooms!  Still, it was a lovely home!

Day Seven:

Who wants to cook when it's hot outside?  Not any of us!  We mostly spent the day in Mom's quilt shop, working on my quilt and Kairi's. After kicking around ideas for dinner all day, we finally decided on ice cream for dinner.  Sounds good to us!  The ice cream Nick is holding is supposed to be a small!

Day Eight:

Bingo!  Had to yell it here because no one in our group yelled it during bingo, that's for sure!  Mom got us something like nine cards each, and I for one am sure I missed some of the numbers.  The game moved pretty fast, but the kids seemed to be having a good time.  I guess that was worth the price of admission!

Now the kids will stay with Grandma for another ten days or so while we head home so Scott can get back to work.

At The Car Wash

It's definitely time for vacation!  We always end up washing our car the night before a road trip, but this was the first time I let Kairi and Nick try using the car wash tools.  It might have taken a few extra quarters, but it was definitely more fun!  The car is spiffy and ready to go - now we just have to pack our suitcases.

Way To Go, Nick!

Nick doesn't care that he graduated 5th grade.  He's considered himself a middle schooler for a year anyway, and he marches with the high school band.  But he was pretty darn happy to get his graduation gift - tickets over home plate for the BoSox vs. the Orioles at Camden Yards.  It's only 5th grade, but we're still proud!

My Homeroom Rocks!

My students and I took a field trip to Hawk Mountain today.  We had so much fun - once we lost the other groups.  It's a bit crowded to take 180 kids up a mountain, but my group of 19 was able to distance ourselves by taking the 3 point rock climbing trail back down.  It took lots of teamwork, but they made it!

Kairi's Baptism

Kairi was baptized today.  We were so proud of her.  The pastor made a humorous reference to her desire to become a music therapist. He explained that music therapists often help people with stress, and said he might be coming to her for treatment some day.  Since her whole church family knew her from infancy, it's that much sweeter for them to watch her follow the Lord in baptism.  Jim Wagner was especially surprised to see her all grown up - he asked after church if she still liked the nursery Cheerios!

Faith's Birthday

We celebrated Faith's birthday at Becky's Drive-In.  She got to see "Kung Fu Panda 2" and "Rio", meet Po, ride a fire truck, play on a playground, eat cake and open presents.  It may not have been as well decorated as Juli's party, but it was definitely just as fun!  Not to mention, how can you go wrong with alien glow pops for a snack?

Mother's Day

I had a very nice Mother's Day this year.  The kids and Scott gave me a charm for my Chamilia bracelet. (I thought time to scrap was my present!)  Scott made a tasty spaghetti lunch, followed by this yummy strawberry ice cream parfait.  Laurie and Jon came over to share dinner with us, too.  It was a very nice day!

Fifth Grade Field Trip

Going to the zoo on Nick's fifth grade field trip was a very different experience than going with Kai.  Nick and I had fun, but he was the only one in my group!  And since we know the zoo like the back of our hands, we were hard pressed to find new things to do.  We did get to see baby ducks on the Swan boats, though!

He Lives!

"How sweet to hold a newborn baby,
and feel the pride and joy he gives,
but sweeter still, the calm assurance,
this child can face uncertain days
because He lives!"

I forgot my camera, our family pew was a study in dysfunction, we ended up with four extra guests for brunch, everyone got the times wrong - but who cares?  The sun shone brightly on our Ressurection morning.  Christ is risen - everything else pales in comparison!

Busy Busy Busy

We spent the entire Saturday before Easter cooking.  We made and decorated sugar cookies for the church breakfast.  We made casseroles and cupcakes for Easter brunch.  We made pasta salad for dinner.  Oh, and we colored all those hard-boiled eggs.  It was a long, tiring day but relaxing on Easter itself was worth it.

A Sad Goodbye

Honey had been sick for a long time.  She wasn't able to walk easily, and fell down the stairs quite a bit.  Then one day, a lump started growing on her leg and got infected.  We should have taken care of it right away.  But we were afraid of what the vet might say, and worried about the cost.  She was already older than the average lab. I hate to admit, I didn't even think I liked her that much.  But I was wrong.  I loved her.  She was put to sleep today.  I think I will feel guilt and regret forever. I'm sorry, Honey.

Dyeing to Be with You

We miss Hannah so much when she is with her mom in New York.  That's why it's sad that she only got to visit with us for four hours on Friday night before going to spend her spring break in Florida with Barry - and he took Faith and Juli, too!  Still, at least we got to dye some Easter eggs together before they left.

My New Classroom

It may not look like much, but to me, this is one of the most beautiful pictures ever.  Just imagine teaching seventh grade for eleven years in a triangle shaped classroom with no windows, temporary walls, and open spaces where doors should be.  Compared to that, today's tour of the new school felt like winning the lottery.

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday, Nick!  Nick is eleven today.  He celebrated before school with a pile of presents.  He celebrated at school with doughnuts.  He celebrated after school with pizza and cake.  Now he's headed to the movie theater to see the next installment in the Diary of  a Wimpy Kid series. Pretty sweet!

Surprise!  Cyndy had a surprise party to celebrate Faith's new smile.  Faith was a little overwhelmed at first, but how can you stay shy when there's a room full of balloons and ice cream?   It's too bad we couldn't stay long since I wasn't feeling well - I wish we could all stop playing "pass the germs" in this family!

Juli's Birthday Party

Cyndy asked Juli what she wanted to do for her birthday.  Did she want a party at Chuck E. Cheese?  Bounce U?  The movies?  Nope.  She wanted a party at Aunt Jenn's house.  Someone knows what side her bread is buttered on! So of course, I had to make her garden-theme party great!  Since she cuddled up to me and said, "This was the BEST time," before she left, I think we succeeded. We had cupcakes, planted flowers, decorated flower fairies, and played ladybug games.  A perfect early dose of spring.

St. Patrick's Day

If you're lucky enough to be Irish, you're lucky enough!  We love celebrating our Irish heritage.  We love Gaelic Storm, U2, Guinness (for the grown-ups), Celtic jewelry, Irish foods, and assorted shamrockery.  We celebrated St. Pats's at Aunt Cyndy's house this year. Don't they look cute wearin' o' the green?

Putt U

We have successfully passed on the geek gene. Only a family of geeks would choose mini-golf ball colors based on Hogwarts houses, and then compete for the house cup in "wizard golf".  I was Gryffindor, with a red ball. Kai went for the evil green of Slytherin.  Nick quickly nabbed Ravenclaw's blue, knowing that Daddy would then be stuck in Hufflepuff with a yellow golf ball.  The kids kept insulting him by calling him a "spare".

What can I say?  "Gryffindor Wins!"

Faith's Smile

Isn't she lovely?
Faith has waited for years to finally have something most of us take for granted - teeth!
So today at lunch, when I got the text from Cyndy showing me Faith's beautiful new smile, I had to run around the building showing everyone.

Neon Lights

Nick had a fun project to do this weekend. I probably helped him more than I should have, but we all got into it. He was building a model of neon, and then creating a presentation about it. We ended up using a black light to make the protons and neutrons glow. Then we put LED lights in the electrons and set them in an electron cloud. The end result looks pretty awesome.

Also, I love my cricut. How did we do school projects without it??

The Theater Goes Dark

Our last play at Philip F. Lauer Middle School was a HUGE success. The kids made me cry with this adorable photo board and PILES of flowers. It was possibly our best play ever in terms of smooth, problem free productions. The costumes and sets came out great, too. I didn't think I would miss anything about the old building. But I think I will miss the lecture room. It was such a pain in the butt, but it was "ours".

Valentine Technology

When I was a kid, I could never have made Valentine iPods. Wonder if Nick's kids will wonder what the heck this is?

We had a great time with Cyndy, Ben, and the girls making Valentines for Nick and Faith and baking raspberry hearts for Faith's girl scout troop. I heard "Aunt Jenn's" cookies were really popular at the party!

SUPER BOWL, BABY!!!!

Wow. Wow.. Words fail me. I honestly thought I might hyperventilate myself into a heart attack a few times during the playoffs. But here we are. Green Bay Packers. SUPER BOWL CHAMPIONS! Unbelievable!

Not to mention, my across the hall teacher neighbor now has to buy my homeroom donuts - she's a Steelers fan! HAHA!

S(NO)w More! Please!

We were hammered with snow days in January this year. We had several days for minor amounts of snow. One day, I was so sick of school being cancelled that we took a trip to the zoo. I posted those pics on facebook, but here's one for reference:

Every time we turned around, it was snowing. Or sleeting. Or freezing rain. Or more snow. We had days off in a row. It was crazy.

Districts started not calling off for the little amounts. So it started snowing feet at a time. Now we were stuck in the house AND off from school. And Kai's finals kept getting pushed back farther and farther.

By the time all was said and done, the kids were actually begging to go back to school.

No luck. Next we had a major ice storm.

The worst was yet to come, for me at least. In the end, we had so many snow days that the district took away the Monday before and after Easter from our spring break! Now I'll have a weekend, a SINGLE day of school, and Tuesday - Sunday off that week. How crazy is that??

Playoffs?? Playoffs???

Yup.

Packers v. Eagles.

Wild Card Weekend.

It got sad for awhile there. Hate to see Scott lose. Really.

BUT I FREAKING LOVE TO SEE THE PACKERS WIN!!!! GO PACK GO! 12 more quarters to go!

Scott's A Terrible Bowler

That's what I learned today. Scott can't bowl. Sorry, babe. The truth hurts.

Fortunately, his competition was aged 3-14. So he didn't look quite so bad.

Okay. Yeah. He did. ;) Look at Nick though! He's only bowled once before and he kept up with Hannah. Not too shabby!