First week of summer is done!

Tuesday of last week (our first "real" day of summer break), I took the girls to a few places they had been asking to visit. The library was high on Chloe's list. She picked up her application for Battle of the Books this summer. I believe she has already started reading the books she borrowed that day. She has also talked two of her friends into joining her group this year.

Jesse wanted to go to the toy store to get some more Rainbow Loom bands and needed a new loom hook. Chloe also picked up a new LEGO mini figure. Afterward, we went to Michael's to see if they had additional colors of bands. They both wanted certain colors and the toy store's stock has drastically decreased along with their choice of colors. Michael's just happened to have them on sale, so they came home with a few thousand bands. Gotta love those little bands.

The rest of the week they spent reading and working on different projects. I realize it doesn't sound too exciting, but they love having time to do the things they want to do.

This weekend has been adventurous. Saturday morning started with the commissary. Today, we started at Target for Chloe a pair of shorts. We didn't set out to find Morgan's graduation gift but we did. (I am not going to say what because she reads the blog.) We also went for a drive. We rode into Camden and found a new place to fish. We saw a nice size, close to a foot, trout. Then we went to find the "Science Park". It is a park with a runway for model planes, a launching pad for model rockets. We'll go back and it explore it more later.

School is out! Or is it?

We finished our school year Friday. I still need to finish grading a few tests and send in report cards. But we are done with last year; however, I still need to do some prep work for next year.

Today, Jesse had her orientation for animation class. It was our first experience with an on-line class. I found it fascinating. We could see Mr. Stewart, a list of all the participants, a chat box and other information we'll need in the future. Mr. Stewart could even make it to where we could see his computer screen. Totally interesting! We have her syllabus and she is already thinking about what she is going to do. Now, we just have to download the animation programs so she can start tinkering.

"Goodbye" and "Hello"

I received the call from my Dad Friday at 3:30 regarding Wilburn's funeral. By 7pm, we were all (the four humans, two dogs, and the fish) on our way to Jacksonville, Florida. John said "we had to go". So we did.

Saying farewell to Wilburn is sad for me. I knew him and I didn't know him. There was always something about Wilburn. He was described, during the service, as gentle. I think of him more as a gentle giant. He was a tall man, kind and easy to talk to.

I have not seen this side of the family since John and I were married. Some longer than that. Others I have never met! Sunday, I met my cousin John (or Jon) and his wife, and my cousin Steven (or Stephen). It was nice to sit with everyone to get caught up a bit.

Steven (Stephen?) and Sandy

John and Margie

John and his bride.

We did get a chance to relax a bit Saturday, since the service was Sunday. John told the girls we'd take them to the Jacksonville Zoo. I have to admit I had mixed emotions about "having fun" while down for a funeral. But the family seemed okay with it.

The zoo there is beautiful. We saw so many animals we don't have at Riverbanks. They even have a water park for the kids, a goat farm where you can brush the goats, and a playground that looks like trees including a giant bird's nest for kids to crawl in.

 

Compliments and changes

When I was leaving Book Club last night, I was speaking with the library manager another librarian. The other librarian was the previous volunteer coordinator. Last week, I told the new coordinator this week would be the girls "last week". Well, they were all "freaking out" (her words) because they thought the girls were not going to go back to volunteering. They sent me an email earlier this week and I confirmed they would be back in the fall. But she had to tell me last night, while laughing to almost tears, what they were thinking. The manager then told me they can't quit because "they are institutions of the library". I thought that was very sweet. He even told three of the ladies from Book Club the girls are "their best volunteers". I think the girls are awesome; but, I'm their Mom. I love to hear other people agree with me.

Life is full of changes. Our little, extended family had one of those this week. In fact, it was yesterday. Yesterday afternoon my Dad's cousin, Wilburn, passed away. He had a massive stroke last year. He had improved greatly over the year, but in recent weeks had some complications. His passing is so very sad for John and myself. Other than our parents and John's siblings, Wilburn and his family were the only ones attending our wedding. We didn't send invitations out. We told everyone where and when we were getting married, but no invitations. Wilburn had told my Dad they "wouldn't miss it for the world" and they didn't. They came down a snow covered mountain in NC to go up another one in TN to get to our wedding. I am waiting to hear from Dad regarding arrangements. My Dad can't ride to Florida, but I will hopefully be at the service.

On and on

The debate continues between John and myself regarding fixing the truck. Do we go ahead and have it fixed? Or do we wait for the check from the government? We have yet to decide. Oma saw it this weekend. John had not told her about it and, by her reaction, I don't think anyone else had either. She was shocked. And angry. I appreciated the concern.

It will get fixed. The only question remaining...sooner or later?

Next Friday will be our last day of school. We have so many things to finish. I have so many papers to grade, final grades to input and preparing for our new school year. Our first year of high school for Jesse! Oh, my.

I think I have my feet firmly planted, but we won't know for sure until we start in mid-June. I just hope it all goes smoothly. Chloe's books are all waiting for her. I am still working on writing up tests, but I hope while they are on break I can get a good bit of work done in advance.

April 30th's Taekwondo Graduation

I haven't shared any pictures from our graduations in a while, so I thought I would share this one. It is rare we get one with all three of us. I zoomed in on the photo on the camera, and didn't realize I'd gone in a little too close so it blurred. However, the original photo showed many extra people and I hoping for one picture of the three of us. I'll take what I can get for now.

And here is one of the girls at "the table". They were the only black belts who were not mid-terming this session, so they were there alone with Master Mike.

John's Baby!

Well, it has been a little over a week since my last post. So many things have happened.

The biggest event in our lives happened last Friday (May 1st). The girls and I were at the library when I received a text from John. It read, "A big rig backed into my truck". I was finally able to reach him by phone and heard what happened.

He was working in his old building last week. There is an entrance to the drill hall that has a large door for trucks to drive into the building. John parked his truck in the end space next to this opening. Per witnesses, the driver of the truck just backed in without assistance or asking if anyone knew whose truck it was to have it moved. (The driver later told John he "looked all over but know one could find him [John]".

First of all, John has been working there for ten years...EVERYONE knows John.

Secondly, don't lie when you are surrounded by witnesses and they all like John.

You think John's truck getting hit would be the worst part. Nope. The driver was not Army; he is Air Force (AF). So we have twice the paperwork, two sets of rules to follow, and no one in the Air Force wanting to answer John's questions.

Finally, today, he got some answers. Some of those answers came from his JAG officer, some were finally answered by the AF. At this rate, we have no idea how long it is going to take to get his truck fixed. All because of one lazy man!