The last month has been unbelievably busy. What am I saying? It's July. Of course it is busy! This is the one month of the year that my Heathens and I never stop moving or traveling.
Last time I wrote, we had just finished VBS. Since then, let's see...
Ryan & Brandi's wedding (June 27, 2009)
The Asst. Zookeeper and I actually found someone willing to spend the night with our Heathens while we went to a friend's wedding. Eight years ago, Ryan was part of our wedding party. It was wonderful to attend his wedding as well. No one deserves to be happier than Ryan. All the best wishes from our household to our adopted "Uncle Mindo." The Heathens have also decided unanimously that Brandi is also "Aunt Brandi." Welcome to the zoo, honey!
Boy Scout Camp 2009 (June 28-July 4, 2009)
After years of visiting his grandfather at scout camp and desperately wishing he was old enough to actually attend, Heathen #1's wish finally came true. We packed him off to Seph Mack for his first week as a boy scout at camp. Despite the rain, he had the best week ever. Here's a link to a skit his troop did. He's in there as well.
2nd Mile (July 5-10, 2009)
Heathen #1 was home overnight from scout camp before we packed him off to State College to attend a camp called 2nd Mile. He was there for a week and really had a great time. He made some great new friends.
Cub Scout Day Camp (July 8-10, 2009)
While Heathen #1 was at 2nd mile, the younger two Heathens and I attended Cub Scout Day Camp for three days out in New Germany. It's three days of BB guns, archery, slingshots, crafts, games, skits, songs, etc. It's absolutely exhausting, is what it is. But it is also a great three days.
Heathen #3's birthday party (July 11, 2009)
We celebrated the youngest Heathen's 4th birthday this month. I'm not adjusting well to the idea of having a 4-year-old as my youngest. He's much too independent! We had sparklers and other fireworks for his party. It was a bit damp and dreary, so most of the party was in the house. But we still had a great time!
Cub Scout Overnighter (July 18-19, 2009)
The cub scout pack had an overnight trip to Living Waters (very convenient!). I took the three Heathens out and they had a great time making and racing paper boats.
Middler Camp/ Kindergarten, First, Second Grade Camp
After a week off in the middle from any major traveling, I packed up all three Heathens for a week at Living Waters in Bedford, PA. Heathen #2 attended K, 1, 2 Camp for three days, before joining my camp on the hill. Heathen #1 was old enough for the first year to attend the camp that I direct every summer. It was strange to have him with me. It was definitely hard to figure out where the line was between being the mom and being the director. I don't know that I always got it right, but he had a great time. Heathen #3 tagged along with me for the week. A special KUDOS to my staff for the week: Farrah Felten, Sara Galko, and Sam Telep. And a huge thanks to Joni and Kat for everything!
Uncle Rhys & Aunt Michelle in town!
We came home from camp this past Saturday and were only home long enough to shower and change clothing. My brother and his wife were in town from Texas and my mother held a picnic. It was great to see them!
and since then...
We've now been home for a total of three days/nights. So far, all three of the Heathens have spent a day and evening sick with stomach flu. Nothing is more fun than a child that starts to vomit with little or NO warning. But they all seem to have recovered.
BUT WE'RE LEAVING AGAIN IN TWO DAYS!!!!
The Asst. Zookeeper and I are packing up the Heathens for another canoe trip to Kinzua. We leave Friday morning and aren't planning to come back until dinner time on Monday. Plenty of time to paddle in the quiet, play on the rope swing on the lake, and just vegetate. I can't wait...
