2008 Olympic Team Trials

Garrett had a fantastic opportunity to volunteer with his scout troop at the US National Whitewater Center. The 2008 Team trials for Whitewater Slalom are being held there this weekend. He worked all day in the sun passing out drinks to spectators and athletes. He was able to meet some of the athletes (Kyakers, ages 12 -14). He had a blast! I am so proud of how hard he worked today THERE and then in the garden!

Garden Party!

The garden is started! I was so industrious this morning and went to Lowe's (and then Home Depot and finally Pike Nursery, UGH!) to get the vermiculite, peat moss, and compost. Oh! and the rest of the plants/seeds. But by the time I got home I was hot and tired and honestly a bit cranky. (Home Depot no longer sells vermiculite? Some garden center!) So I took the afternoon off. Not very productive of me, but hey, it's my garden.

Later in the day (5pm) I finally felt a need to get it done. So here are the photos. Though the garden isn't complete, I am off to a great start!

Garrett hefting and pouring compost for the garden.

Okay, I know this isn't the most flattering photo of me. Keep in mind that Eli took this one and I had pretty much lost all feeling in my face because he took his dear sweet time!

Here's the cukes and beans (seeds planted)

From the top, tomatoes, and onions.

Here is part of the garden behind the family room (where the garden was last year) There is another box this shape and size mirrored to the left. This has carrots and onions in it so far.

Still to plant: zucchini, cantaloupe, watermelon and pumpkin.

Random Thoughts

So I have been reading a few blogs today. They are written by very funny, talented women. I am a bit jealous. I have my funny moments, but to write about everyday life and have it be laugh out loud funny...well, I won't put you through that. Maybe I just don't see the humor in life and I have turned into a grumpy old person....naaaaaw!

I have some things to blog about...like my garden, or what will soon become my garden. I have pictures of the process but they are on the card in my husband's phone. My husband is currently in Boston which means I can't post any of the pics until later this week. :(


I do have a picture of the poster I made. (Made might be a bit deceiving. I traced it from an overhead projector and then painted it. )
For all of you who wonder what it is I do for the Book Fair...this is one thing. Our theme this Spring is "Take a Reading Road Trip" so we have a wall in the school decorated with a map (photo coming soon) and this sign. I spend a lot of time doing the two Book fairs a year at the Elementary School, but I LOVE it. And I love the girls I work with.



I promised Noah that I would post a photo of this worm.
He is convinced it is a cankerworm that the county has recently sprayed to kill. I don't have the heart to tell him it is just some ugly run o' the mill worm. At least, now when he asks if I posted the photo I can honestly say "yes".













This (left) is a photo of a REAL Cankerworm.

Our Happy Holiday

The family (and ship) in Ocho Rios, Jamaica

Ok, so our vacation didn't start out "happy". It was a bit stressful to drive 2 hours to the airport in Greensboro to find out our flight had been cancelled (thank you skybus!) BTW...our flight was scheduled for 9:08pm on April 4th. The plane had been refueled, our bags were loaded and THEN they made the announcement. On the BRIGHT side...we didn't get to Florida via skybus and then have no way home, and we aren't the employees who lost a job!

So, long story short...we drove thru the night, 13 hours to Miami to meet our cruise ship in plenty of time. We definitely had the help of the Lord. I drove most of the way (11 hours) and didn't nod off once. The weather was abysmal (thunderstorms and hard rain) but the kids slept, we made it safely thru the storms and the traffic was almost non-existent.

The Cruise..... recoup, regroup and relax.

We were on the ship from Saturday to Thursday making stops in Ocho Rios, Jamaica and Georgetown, Grand Cayman. It was a perfect vacation. Enjoy the photos.

Leaving Miami... Bon Voyage!

Noah and Eli in the pool

Sunrise at sea Sunday April 6th.
Yes it is pretty, but I didn't like waking up early on my first day of vacation!

My four sons (Garrett hated the matching shirt thing!)

On Monday we spent the day in Ocho Rios, Jamaica on the beach and playing with dolphins and other exotic animals. Here are two Jamaican drummers.

Laura having her hair braided in Ocho Rios

Sally the dolphin posing for a photo shoot

Evan on the beach in Ocho Rios

Bryant and Noah in Ocho Rios

Eli caught by a pirate's hook

Noah with a bird

The family with Elvis the Iguana

Pretty birds

Eli asleep on the bus back to port in Jamaica.

The guys in snorkeling gear in Grand Cayman

Cooling down in Grand Cayman

Pirate ship in Grand Cayman