RIT Bound!

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We spent last weekend in New York, kayaking, partying, and dropping another kid off at college!

I rented a minivan for this college trip. We had a fun time with the space, cup holders, and complete lack of get-up-and-go! It went zero to sixty in like five minutes! LOL.

We stopped at the usual lunch spot where King Gerald enjoyed a fruit cup. Then on to Rosy’s house for the evening. She invited us to join her on a swim/kayak around the lake with her master swim class. They swam, we kayaked. It was supposed to be moonlight swim by the light of the almost full moon, but the clouds didn’t cooperate. We had a great outing even without the full moon.

The next morning River and I headed to Rochester Institute of Technology! The forecast called for rain and storms, but they held off for most of the day so we were able to move him in under the hot sun instead of an umbrella.

Apparently I didn’t take many pictures. LOL. He had some roommate switching to do so we couldn’t get him all settled in and unpacked, but I thoroughly enjoyed the view from his window! He can see the athletic fields and much of campus. He could watch the football and baseball games from his bedroom! We went to the resource fair and grabbed a few freebies, went to the bookstore for a new car magnet, and then the rain started. By then we were ready for dinner, so we called (j/k – texted) the Kirkwoods, our Rochester buddies, and went out to dinner with them. Somehow I didn’t even get a picture of that?! We’ll be have to sure to do it again soon. I drove home that night with a happy heart and, after the storm parked, a beautiful full moon guiding the way.

The next day we had a little family party to celebrate Rosy’s birthday. Apparently I didn’t take pictures there either. Slacking on my photography responsibilities here! I enjoyed the visit though, and that’s what really matters. We drove home the next day.

All girls! Cat, kid, fish, mom. (Huxley was still at the kennel.)

This weekend we had a little video call so I could see the boys again. :) It sounds like everyone is settling in and doing well.

I wasn’t sleeping, just looking down at my phone to take the picture. 🙄

Back to WPI

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We brought Lex back to WPI today. The summer went by waaayyy too fast! He went back a week early again this year for band camp. This year he’s living in a campus apartment with six other guys. He’s in a friend group that decided to get two adjoining (or at least near by) campus apartments. He’s sharing a room with the same roommate he had last year. They both got along well. They are also both in band so they will be the only two in the apartment this week.

The apartment is nice, but the bedrooms are TINY. I was reminiscing about my freshman dorm and it was probably twice the size of his room!

  • His dorm last year was that building in the background. His room was the window in the peak. :)
  • In this picture you can see his current window (and him in it) and last year’s window. :)
  • The path from the car to his room felt like a Donkey King game. Glad no one was throwing barrels at us!
  • The living room. (we were all pretty hot and sweaty by this point!)
  • The other side of the living room. That TV looked a lot bigger in last year’s room.
  • The kitchen / dining room.
  • His bedroom.
  • They have bunk beds! They aren’t allowed to unloft them, which is fine because there’s no available floor space anyway. I think this will be hard for Lex this year.
  • Looking out the front door of their apartment.
  • Campus is just across the street.

Once again he had drumline auditions so we couldn’t spend the day with him. We did have time to get him moved in and somewhat unpacked before he had to go. Plus a few photos, of course!

I texted him tonight and he said the audition went well. He’ll be playing Bass 2 in pep band this year. He again was hoping for snare, but seems happy with bass. I’m looking forward to seeing him perform, and just seeing him again! :)

Maine

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Most summers we spend a day, or sometimes more, at the beach in Maine. This summer went by way to fast, and barely felt like summer, but we made a very quick trip to Maine last weekend. E, L, and I drove to York with four goals in mind: 1) put our feet in the Atlantic, 2) buy salt water taffy, 3) eat at JJ’s Eatery Too in Old Orchard Beach, and 4) see a lighthouse. Mission accomplished!

The forecast was pretty bad for the day (and days before and after), so we didn’t bring bathing suits or anything, just us. We got to the beach, lucked out with a perfect parking spot, and went down to water. Feet in the water. ✔ The water was cold!! Within a few minutes, it started thundering and the lifeguards cleared the water. We cleaned off our feet and walked over to the taffy shop. ✔ The taffy shop is also an ice cream shop, so we got taffy and ice cream and walked back to the beach in the rain. We thought it would be fun to sit on the beach and eat ice cream under umbrellas, but the thunder and lightening worsened and it started to feel unsafe out there, so we headed back to the car pretty quickly. Fortunately, with our prime parking spot, we were able to enjoy our ice cream and watch the storm over the ocean, with help from the busy windshield wipers!

When we were done with our ice cream we took the scenic route, through cute towns being pummeled with rain, to Old Orchard Beach, a cute beach town with a theme park and lots of souvenir stores and food places. This is a pretty popular place, but the only time we’ve been there before is when Rosy, E, and I happened across it one night on the way home from Portland. E loved it and wanted to take Lex there. LOL. So we went. We enjoyed our food ✔, walked around in the rain a bit, then headed back to the car.

We had one more task to complete and the rain finally slowed, then stopped, so we started looking for nearby lighthouses. We found a cute one but there was nowhere to park, so we just drove past it twice. ✔ LOL. Lex was done with our nonsense by then, and it was getting later, so we pulled over at a nice rocky area so E and I could get out and smell the ocean one last time, then we headed home.

It was a great day with lots of laughter and silliness. 💗💕

A quick woe-is-me

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I saw a meme that said something like:

June is like a Friday, full of excitement for the summer/weekend;
July is like a Saturday, lots of fun, trying to do all the things to make the most of your summer/weekend;
and August is list a Sunday, dread sets in, never long enough, torn between relaxing and stressing

(This would be better if I could actually find the meme, but instead you’ll just have to use your imagination.)

I knew, last year, when I took this new job, that this summer would be tough. I knew that having minimal vacation would be a bummer. So really, feel free to skip this whole sad sack post, but I’m writing it anyway.

I didn’t miss (too much) the end of school year chaos and fun, and I DEFINITELY won’t miss the August stress, but the June summer is not the same when you have to work all year. My coworkers all have lots of saved up vacation time (how?!) and have been taking weeks off here and there. My bosses take LOTS of weeks off. Me and my miniscule vacation time are spending a lot of time at work these days. Well, the usual amount of time, but it feels like a lot when everyone else is on vacation! I know this is a weird post to follow my DC vacation post, but that was one day off, plus two weekend days (which were great!) and therefore no downtime at all at home. Working every 3rd Saturday also means less time at home. In theory you’re supposed to have a weekday off if you work a weekend, but in practice it ends up being shorter week days and no break. Sigh. It’s already the end of July and I haven’t even done any summer things. No Maine trips, no beaches, no water, no house projects, minimal sleeping late. Sigh.

Ok, enough of that. I’m going to turn off the computer and go outside. 🤗

The girls take DC!

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My college girl friends get together every summer. They started by going to Las Vegas every year, then branched out to different cities. Their routine these days is an MLB ballpark city each summer. I joined them once, 14yrs ago, in Vegas, though you won’t even recognize me in the pictures from that trip!

This year they went to Washington, DC and I managed to join them again. I was a little nervous because in my mind they are still college age and I’m ancient, but when I got there and we reunited, we fell right back into the old comfortable friendship. Believe it or not, they are also aging! LOL.

  • I got a free bag through the wellness program at work. It arrived just in time!
  • I flew on a baby plane that wasn’t even big enough for the walkway to connect.
  • Best airplane window photo ever! :)
  • This was a giant escalator!

We took a boat tour down the Potomac River, half listening to the announcer point out the sights. We had dinner on the other side of the river at a restaurant with a live band.

We spent the next day checking out the wharf area, exploring the Spy Museum, and taking in a Nationals game. The most fun of all though, was the hours and hours we spent talking and laughing and catching up.

  • It would be cool to see this light up at night!
  • Cool building at the Wharf .
  • Someone built a duck ramp onto the floating garden thing.
  • The Spy Museum was pretty cool.
  • Did you know Harpo was a spy???
  • I do now.
  • The museum had a lot of very big, engaging, immersive exhibits.
  • LOL
  • After the Spy Museum we stopped by the Bullpen, outside of the ballpark, for a drink and some music before the game.
  • This is a pretty nice stadium.
  • I presume. I’m no stadium expert.
  • Us, at the game.

I love these girls and missed them. I think I’ll be joining the girls trip more often going forward. :)

I had a good flight home, on another baby plane. I was in the airport when Biden announced he was exiting the race. There was a collective gasp throughout the packed terminal. It was wild. When I got home I was met by the cutest driver ever, who arrived with a cold drink from Starbucks for me.

Life is good. <3

Cherries!

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We are having a great cherry harvest season here in Wilder! Eve picked them a few times and today she baked not one, but TWO loaves of cherry bread. What’s cherry bread, you ask? Well, I don’t know exactly, but she found a recipe and it’s delicious. It’s sweet and dense and the burst of tart flavor and bright color from the cherries is pure perfection. 🍒

Graduation weekend

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We had another graduation celebration last weekend. This time for the middle kid. Family from all sides and places came. It was a little anxiety laden IMHO before the weekend, but all went very well and we now have two high school graduates in the house. Three, if you include me. :)

Friday was rainy off and on. Graduation was scheduled to be outside, but it was touch-and-go to the last minute. They made the final call to be outdoors, which is what I was hoping for. Indoors meant limited tickets to different areas (gym, auditorium, café) and a hot, sweaty event. Outdoors is wide open with unlimited attendance. We packed camping chairs, towels, umbrella’s, and water into the wagon, parked at a friends house, and walked over to the field.

The rain held off for most of the ceremony, with only a quick downpour while the valedictorian gave his speech. Poor guy. We all just put up the umbrellas and got through it. By the time they were handing out diplomas, the rain had passed, leaving a rainbow and fiery red/orange sky in it’s wake.

  • The valedictorian giving his speech in the rain. The superintendent was nice enough to hold an umbrella over his head. :)
  • This is blurry because it’s a zoomed in screenshot from the livestream recording on YouTube.
  • River and El.

After graduation, River spent the evening with his bio-siblings while we the rest of us went back to my house for an exciting evening of hanging out. :) The next day we took a little “hike” on the Appalachian Trail (about 100 yards, but long enough for me to step in dog poop 🤢😡), visited a nearby waterfall, accidentally harassed a homeless person at the park, and then went to check out Mema and Tom’s tiny house lakefront rental. We enjoyed the day and delicious, lake-side dinner at the Baited Hook.

It was a really nice weekend full of family, love, and celebration.

Lex’s birthday weekend

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We celebrated Lex’s 19th birthday this weekend!!

The thought snuck into my mind that this might be his last summer living at home for his birthday, but I had to quash that thought real fast! I’ll take every summer I can get with this kiddo. 💕

Friday was a hot one, as was the whole weekend, so after work and school three of us went out for ice cream! (the 4th didn’t want to come) The kids played on the play structure a bit and we all enjoyed the treat.

Saturday, Lex woke up before me so I didn’t have a chance to get the birthday table done first! Eeek! LOL. He said his birthday was just as good even though he didn’t see his birthday table until after he went upstairs to brush his teeth… for a good long time. :) He is so responsible these days that he sets a 9am alarm every day. He said (rightfully so) that the schedule and routine is easier for his sleep cycle. I got that table set up though and he did a wonderful job of acting surprised to humor me. LOL. He’s a good kid.

The kids had DND plans in the afternoon, so we did presents and ate birthday cookies before they left. I packaged up a bunch of birthday cookies for him to share with the group, but apparently other people don’t think oatmeal raisin cookies are the greatest and so he came home with many cookies still left. We have been munching on them all weekend.

  • Books, Minecraft, and Legos, of course.
  • Mema knows what’s good!! Lex had two types of oatmeal cookies to enjoy this weekend.
  • A year later I finally got around to framing his black belt certificate and photo. I wanted a better mat option, but I didn’t want to pay the hefty framing price. I might redo it some other time. We’ll see.

Then the kids went off to play DND. I went off to bicker with the owner of a new car wash that scratched up my car (🤬) and get a mani/pedi (💅🏻). One obviously was much more fun and productive than the other.

  • It’s weird to photograph toes. I think. I liked that they painted them with my sandals already on though! No smudges at all.
  • On my fingers I got color changing “cats eye” polish. There is magnetic material in it that forms the “eye” line and the color changes in heat and cold. I asked how it worked and the girl said
    🌟 science 🌟

At bedtime my responsible 19yr old reminded me to measure him on the way. I got out the step stool, which resulted in some silliness. In terms of height, Lex has only grown a touch since he was 17, but it feels to me like he keeps growing! Maybe I’m shrinking.

  • Recreating an old picture Mema posted on FB.
  • The “behind the scenes.” Don’t ask why they are both on the stool. LOL.
  • Recreating my fond memories of being taller than my kids.
  • I’m sure you can guess how this was done. 😁

On Sunday we picked up the birthday squad and headed to an escape room! Alan met us there and together we solved puzzles and rescued Dr. Jones! Go team! We celebrated our success and hunger at a tasty pizza place in town.

  • The crew!
  • A cool and tricky code to crack.
  • Sometimes we take shortcuts. LOL.

Today we are enjoying our bonus weekend day. The kids were going to play DND again, but one of them is sick and a few others are sick of the group (Saturday’s game was rough) so they are taking a break from it instead. Everyone is quite and enjoying some down time on this rainy Memorial Day Monday. Living our best lives for those who gave theirs.

Last concert

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River had his last concert last week. Lex and I went to watch. It occurred to me part way through that this might be my last concert at HHS. I mean, I know I can go to any of them, but it might be the last time I have a kid in the show. It was a weird realization.

It was a good concert though. The photo above is of the jazz band. For full band River sits right in the middle and you can’t see him at all. :) It was fun to have Lex by my side, instead of onstage. He had comments on the performance that I never would have thought of on my own. At the post-concert ice cream social he was a minor celebrity, with lots of band kids happy to have him back. I think River is happy to be done with it for now. One more thing checked off the list on the slow march to graduation!

Prom 2024

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Eve decided to attend prom this year with a group of friends. She rented a partial tux (vest, shirt, pants, shoes) and added her own flair. We all met for photos by a lovely river, then the kids went to Panera Bread for dinner and the moms went to a much nicer place. 😂

Eve and her friend Liv coincidentally wore the exact same shade of shiny emerald green! It was beautiful and funny that they both chose that color.

The kids had a great time at prom. Afterwards they all went to Simon’s house, built a huge pillow/blanket fort, and watched movies all night. I think a good time was had by all.