Excuses

Here are my top 10 excuses for not having time to blog, shower, or have a coherent thought about anything (just kidding on the shower part - I do manage to hose myself off once or twice a week):

1.  Ballet.  We are on our 5th summer week of ballet camps, workshops, etc.  This time it's Yo-yo's turn.  I will try to remember my camera today to capture the essence of 'fairy tale' week, but here are a few shots from Joy's 4-week run...

Variation from 'Don Quixote'

From 'Swan Lake'...  Four Little Swans

2.  Injured Kitty.  Poor Hamlet...  He got in a fight with something and wound up with a massive belly wound.  After being rushed to the vet and having a not-so-small surgery, he's been recovering in the basement for the past 10 days.  Today, my multi-talented husband is going to remove his stitches, and kitty will be set free outside.

The cone of shame...


 





Tiger is missing his buddy.

 

3.  4H Fair.  First, there's a harried week or two of completing projects.  Then, we spend the better part of a weekend entering everything at the fair.  Then, of course, we must visit our projects and all the animal barns, eat elephant ears, and participate in a game or two (greased watermelon races, anyone?).  We love the fair.  The weather cooperated beautifully this year as it was neither too hot nor too muggy. 

 

Here are a few kids and their projects:

 

Popcorn Mix - her own recipe

 

There used to be cookies in that bag. Can't believe he ate them after a week and a half on display.

In the level 1 Sports category, Spike earned the reserve champion ribbon and a trophy.

 Since I failed to get a picture of Joy's blue ribbon Child Development poster,  I'll show you her recent endeavors.  She'd like to enter a project in the photography category next year, so she's getting an early start.

With all the rain we've had, my hydrangeas are looking totally awesome.

4.  Books.  Everywhere.  New books for school.  Last years books going back to shelves.  Books just for fun from used sales we couldn't resist. Books all over the basement from a bookshelf we had to unload and move due to a minor flood (septic pump failure).  We love books, but right now things are a wee bit out of control. 

 

5.  Destructo-Baby.  We have firmly entered the into-everything phase of toddlerhood.  Baby's not quite walking yet, but that doesn't stop him from rapidly exploring/destroying anything and everything in his path. 

 

6.  Bible School.  Our church has a lovely 3-night program which we would not miss for the world.  This year, Joy and I were in charge of story time for 2 of the evenings.  She has graduated to helper status now that she's a 7th grader.  Here's one of the craft projects:  The 10 Commandments in road sign form...

 

 

 

 

 

7.  Birthday party!  Spike is 11!

Cake by Joy

8-10.  Remember the 'lack of coherent thought' I mentioned above?  yeah, well...

 

Happy Friday!!

 

Happy Friday!! (did I say that already?)