More Privacy

Seven Months, we've had a temporary hole in our fence. 

We've enjoyed it as little as the neighbors driving by in our neighborhood have.  

Because the world is not all fun and games, we enlisted the kids to help us button that thing up.  And we're crossing our fingers that this is the last of the temporary entrance to our yard that is needed. 

Anemic

We lovingly planted what was to be our grand oak tree last fall. 

This spring, it was showing a little sad.

Not long after iron supplements, we're on our way to some privacy back here. 

Summer is here

Jumping in. 

And when you learn you aren't a tennis star, put floats on the net and make it into a swimming pool game. 

Flying

Elevated Foodies

We are running out of new things to try.  

Here we have tofu that I started before anyone could see what I was doing. 

Tofu is pretty easy to make into something delicious, as long as you don't add too much pepper. 

Avocado toast with soft boiled eggs. 

Shrimp with Kale. 

Because we had no idea how much kale we would wind up with...

But then sometimes, you just wind up with cheese all over your face from an evening of tossing cheeseballs at each other and trying to catch them in your mouth. 

Ironing

Many years ago (like over 20), I received a harsh critique about how I ironed an Army uniform.  Harsh may be a little harsh a word, but I apparently took it that way. 

For a long time, he took out the uniforms and they came back so starched they stood on their own. 

Then they changed the uniform fabric, and you weren't to take them to be starched any more. 

Then the world continued its decent into casual, and ironing became a thing of the past. 

Then we had coronavirus and had all virtual meetings, and I'm not even sure folks wear pants any more.

And then, he had his first briefing to a four-star General.  I may have been laughing too hard at him actually ironing to take a clear picture.  Virtual or not, he was very presentable, and did an amazing job, of course.  And, I'm glad we're back to looking presentable. 

Braces

Surprisingly on time for what we had scheduled, braces arrived on number one. 

Number two is scheduled for September. 

And we're crossing our fingers that 3 and 4 remain beautiful without. 

Next up, drivers education classes.  I have mixed emotions about the fact that those are still closed due to COVID. 

Sunset

Girls, you should go look at the sunset.  It's amazing. 

"Huh?"

Happy Father's Day!

Man, I lucked out.

Summer Camp Outing

We went out to eat in a real restaurant!

And man, it was the best chicken pimento cheese sandwich with fries ever made. 

The rest of the family were clearly not quite as excited as I was to be out in a restaurant. 

A day off for the cook was the best start to summer I could imagine though. 

Summer Camp Cafeteria Food

The cook at summer camp makes a mean make your own nachos bar. 

She's pretty great.

Summer Camp Arts and Crafts

I hated the ugly "No Diving" stickers we had. 

So Elaine made me a new sign. 

Summer Camp Learning

We grew some broccoli, 

and some cabbage, 

and some purple cauliflower, 

and we really don't know what this is, but when Patric uncovered it under some mulch he about jumped out of his skin. 

And the dill.  It's gone unchecked a little too long now.  

Summer Camp Activities

Preparation for hunting season has begun. 

Helps with interest when you have an ogre to shoot at. 

Summer Break Ready

Watermelon and a shirt the color of--we are ready for summer break.  Very, very ready. 

School's Out!

All online learning, video uploads, Zoom meetings complete!  

Onward, to see what happens in August after a little summer break. 

Above Elaine had to teach someone to sing and sign the scales with her, and maybe more importantly agree to be videoed for classroom upload (or maybe also blog sharing...)

Home cooking turns interesting

Honey mustard chicken thighs were about wonderful.

This was disturbing to find. 

And then it didn't stop. 

That's about all it's good for in my opinion. 

There was a point early in our pandemic that Elaine accused me of watering down the milk to make it last longer.  No, dear girl, that is 2% milk vs your usual full fat milk you insist on drinking.  

Then there was meatball sub night, 

Which added on pretzels t the last moment.  

That was a carb heavy one.  

We'll work on more summer greens soon.  

Mothers Day

The girls (well everyone) helped with some weeding. 

The boys were this close without clobbering one another. 

And I had coconut cupcakes. 

A pretty successful day. 

Ben Grows

Having overtook me long ago, our 14-year-old is working toward towering over us all with his enviable hair growing downward nearly as quickly. 

Home Bakers

The girls have mastered chocolate chip cookies the size of a plate, even if they are a little creepy looking...

Makeshift Beach Night

Firepit in our dirt backyard. 

With some seating and brownies. 

And some very serious faces. 

Until the neighbors starting setting off graduation fireworks as a bonus. 

The end to a pretty good beach day at home. 

That Day We Pretended to Be at The Beach

When the farmers market is open and full of seafood, you steam and sear all sorts of things. 

That Day We Pretended it Was Vacation

Nice enough to spend the day outside, we hit the backyard together. 

Not sure when Nick turned 22, but Covid has messed up time. 

Argh, the dog has a spot. 

Flying. 

Throwing your sister. 

Stacking three high. 

Quadruple jump. 

And splash. 

Even if one was a little behind. 

And then, funniest of all, they all went and played in the sprinkler.