"Supah slacker. Ugg! All of the things I haven't written about haunt me- Nashville last summer, all of the hilarious one liners from my kids, Nation's Day... I suck.
A super jumbled recap: Audrey studied Norway for her entire fifth grade year. She turned her table into a viking ship and dressed up as St. Lucia (complete with crown of candles). She rocked it. Ava lost her first front tooth and took adorable to a new level. We bought a skiff and so far took it (as a family) on the Current and Eleven Point Rivers. Audrey is a natural when it comes to casting with a fly rod. Ava is taking singing lessons and gymnastics. She sang in the river and fish swarmed around her. She took that as a sign of her powers. Eric is a fishing machine and is currently on the North Fork for the third time this year. He encouraged me (quite severely) to sign up for a three day fly fishing workshop. I'll be going on that at the end of June. I spent five days helping Sam (MDC) with field trips at SNR. I learned a lot and had fun. I gave a tour of the prairie, glade, wildflower garden, and woodland. I captured a newt and spotted salamander for the kids. Super fun! I'm adopting a section of Rock Creek. We spent Earth Day doing water quality monitoring on three sections of the creek. Crane flys, hellgramites, may flys...oh my. Exciting stuff. Plus a huge snake sunning on a rock and during liter pick up, Ava found a syringe. Nice. One thing my non existent parenting manual failed to mention was the oh-so-important conversation of when doing liter pick up, leave the syringes alone. Luckily there was no needle, and I didn't have to have a heart attack, and we all had a discussion on syringes...Wow.
So, I'm going to try and write about the summer. My original plan was to make daily entries for the year. Nice idea...so here it is the middle of May and I'm going to write about the summer instead.
May 18th- drove through Jefferson Barracks Cemetery. Saw over 50 deer, two turkeys (a hen and a tom), and a woodchuck. Some of the does looked like they were about to pop. I think one was in labor.
May 19th- drove through Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery again. This time we counted 59 deer, two groundhogs, one rabbit, plus lots of birds and squirrels. Such fun!
May 20th- Eric came home from his fishing trip to the NFWR. He vowed never to go after April. Poor guy! All of the canoes!
- I forgot to mention that the girls and I spent the entire weekend at my parent's. No matter what I do, I just can't seem to sleep well while Eric is away. Not even with what I call the 3 L's-lock, lit, and loaded (house locked, house lit up, shotgun with shells next to it ready to be loaded). I'm a scardy cat and am not ashamed :) Truthfully, I am slightly embarrassed, but what can I do?
-I bought some herbs to plant as well. I got two varieties of lavender, lots of basil, curry, and oregano. I've had thyme in an old metal tub for years. Bunnies sometimes burrow in it and have babies. The thought of bunnies being born and raised beneath a bed of fragrant lemon thyme is so sweet.
May 21st- Ava opened her first saving's account. She insisted on bringing her money in a flowered tin that serves as her current piggy bank. It was so sweet.
-The girls and I bought more flowers and vegetables to plant.
-When Ava gets upset, she doesn't like to admit that she's upset so she says that her eyes have allergies. It is the sweetest thing. Well, while shopping, her eyes got allergies because she was hopelessly in love with a twenty dollar foxglove. Those allergies! She now has a gigantic, beautiful foxglove.
-While shopping, Lil called with a plant emergency. Ava and I met her at Henges to help with the gardens. My girl is my side kick in everything.
- Our first official day of summer was a success! My only summer rule is no t.v. before noon. Best rule ever! The girls will probably whine eventually, but today they played and barely watched t.v. at all. Yay!
May 22nd- We sent my dad off on "Run for the Wall". This is his fourth trip. Seeing him off is such a great experience. The ride starts in California and they travel across the country before ending in Washington D.C.. They meet up at Jefferson Barracks VA Hospital before heading to Illinois.
You can hear them coming before you see them. The riders visit with the patients at the hospital. It is such a great way to give back. They "Ride for those that can't". I saw a biker kneeling in the grass talking to a patient in a wheelchair. This is normal for this group. The fellowship among our veterans is so strong and touching. I am happy that my girls get to experience this. They stood and waved flags as the bikers arrived and then stood at the exit and waved their flags as they left. I can't count the number of people who saluted the flags that the girls were waving. They told the girls thank you over and over. One called Ava "angel" as he was driving in. They honked, waved, smiled, and gave the girls flag and POW MIA pins to wear. This is a total highlight of my year.
-Good news-dad called and had a good ride today. Also, he got the results from the biopsy of his prostate - benign. I am SO relieved!
-The girls went swimming at their grandparent's and at Tessa and Remy's house. Yay for pools!
-I had my monthly master naturalist meeting. Our secretary is moving so I'm taking over her position for the rest of the year. I'm excited, but am so bummed to lose her. She is such an amazing person. She really inspires me. I can't even properly describe her. My words just can't do her justice. I've met some incredible people in my chapter. She's at the top of the list.
-I also may interview to be a volunteer with MDC. THAT really excites me. What would excite my husband is an interview to work for MDC. I would have to go back to school for that though.
-I think about a job more frequently. Aud just completed her first year back in "regular" school after being homeschooled for three years. I don't know though. There really isn't anything more important than raising my children. I go on their many field trips, help out at school, drop them off and pick them up, and spend summers creating memories... Being their mom is such a privilege, such a huge responsibility, and a thrill. I love my lil' hammer gals!
May 23rd- A nice mellow day. Audrey went to a swimming/slumber party at Jenni's. She made her a duct tape purse and wallet. Both of the girls are so creative. Audrey's creativity is the number one thing her teacher and classmates mention about her. She is also great at sculpture. I buy baby belle cheese for her. Each little round of cheese is covered in wax. She will take that wax and created objects out of it for weeks. I'm not sure if I wrote about this or not, but I recently had to drop off something for Audrey at school. When I arrived, I learned they were out of the classroom, so I just had to drop the item off and leave it on her desk. I knew the general area of her desk. It was part of a group of four other desks. I walked in, looked in the general direction of where she sat, and just laughed. Three desks were void of everything except for water bottles. One desk had a huge monogramed duct tape pencil holder made from an empty box of kleenex. It was bursting full of markers and oversized pens. The rest of the desk had wax figurines and other art supplies strewn all over. She is exquisite.
-Ava draws and paints. She also is very interested in the culinary arts. She creates the prettiest and most colorful dishes. She uses fresh herbs and berries to dress up her creations. I love her enthusiasm. This summer, she wants to make her favorite pie-lemon meringue.
-Ava and I met Aimee and Bella at my in-law's to swim. Always fun.
- Gavin came over in the late afternoon and Ava and I walked to his house. I hung out with Sarah while they played wii.
- I mowed the back lawn and decided I need to expand the rain garden because mowing that area is super annoying. Less grass = less technical maneuvering of the lawn machine.
-We took Ava and Tessa out for ice-cream at Bob's. Those two alone, without their siblings, are hilarious and get along so well.
May 24th- Ava and I picked Audrey up from her slumber party. Despite lots of sunscreen, Audrey came home with more freckles. I love that she actually did inherit at least one thing from me! She is turning into quite a beauty. I am cautious about sleepovers, but Eric and I both felt okay about this one. I drove on a field trip with the mom during the school year and immediately liked her. Down to earth, laid back girls, rule :)
-I cleaned my parent's house for them. Audrey napped and Ava and Bella drew and watched cartoons.
-The girls had music lessons in the evening. Ava takes vocal and Audrey takes guitar. Ava loves to sing at the highest pitch possible. Audrey isn't super motivated, but really does have a natural talent. I hope they focus more on their music over the summer. I think if Aud had somebody to play with, she would get more out of it. She has played with people on a few occasions and really enjoyed it.
-When we got home, we found the garage door open and Eric sitting in the boat drinking a beer. We have "family time" in the boat in the garage. I'm sure it looks odd, but it is really fun. We discussed a Father's Day weekend float with the skiff and the two pontoons. I hope it rains and gets the water levels up.
-We hung out with our neighbors. The dad is a high school p.e. teacher and a coach. Over the past few years, he has really encouraged us to get Audrey into sports. He says that she has something that can't be taught-natural aggression. It was funny hearing it put that way, but it is true. The girl is super competitive and loves any challenge. I remember how for years she measured herself until finally she was tall enough to climb the wall at Dick's Sporing Goods. The girl has determination and focus on things that matter to her. Now we just need to channel that "natural aggression" into something. I can't help but think of a college scholarship. Her one true forever love is horses. I wish Eric would be more supportive. Horses are extremely expensive as are lessons... I just don't want to look back and regret not encouraging her more.
May 25th- Audrey went to work with Eric today. He sent me pictures of her from the Top of the Met. Ava was happy to hear she has me all to herself today.
-Ava and I went swimming! It was my first swim of the year. She is so funny. She makes up all sorts of different dives and each one has its own name.
- We heard from Dad. He made it safely to D.C.. I'm so happy he is there celebrating with his fellow veterans. I love him so much!
-Tonight we're spending the night with my mom. She (like me) doesn't like when her husband is gone. We're going to take another ride through Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery. It will be covered in flags soon.
-Saw three turkeys!, around 80 or so deer, three groundhogs, and a hawk. Some of the deer were so close, we could see their babies moving inside of them. Pretty amazing stuff to see and share with the girls. Eric made it to this outing, but got called away for work.
May 26th- Planting more! I need more! I actually may luck out and get some free natives next week. Shaw has plants left over from the plant sale for employees and volunteers. I hope some are left!
-My dad called me while I was at the grocery store. I could hear music in the background. He said, "Kim girl, this is dad. I'm at the Wall listening to some tunes." Love that man! He also went for a ride in something that goes 180 mph. What? He also went for a ride on a fire truck with sirens blaring and got to climb the ladder. Right before he hung up, he said, "Life is an adventure." Well said, pop.
May 27th- Dad got tired and stayed the night in Kentucky instead of coming home. So mom and Baby spent the night with us. Eric grilled up a small feast and BL came over. I don't think he has ever really been here except to pick up or drop off Eric. It was super fun and relaxing. He had the official welcome to our home-he sat in the boat and drank beer :)
May 28th- Memorial Day! Dad made it home. After spending the day at Eric's parent's house (dinner and non-stop swimming), we headed over to my parents. It is so nice they only live a few miles apart. Dad had an amazing time. He shaved parts of his beard, so now he has a mustache that goes straight down the sides of his mouth to his chin area. It looks great. He hung out with a bunch of vets from Australia and had the best time. He said they flew to California from Australia and rented bikes to ride to D.C. That is determination.
-Aud spent the night at Sydney's. It's nice she has a friend her age a few houses away.
May 29th- Pretty mellow day. Aud stayed at Syd's house most of the day. I folded laundry while watching Seven Brides for Seven Brothers with Ava.
-The girls and I did two laps through the neighborhood on our bikes. It was such a pretty evening for it.
May 30th-In progress... Girlies and I went to Shaw so I could get my official MOBOT volunteer badge. Tomorrow is volunteer night at MOBOT for the Chinese Lantern Festival. I have to have a badge to get in, so Besa made me one. I, along with three guests, get in free! I'm really looking forward to it. While at SNR, I also scored some free plants. Yay!
-I looked up my plants in my guides and planted them all in the rain garden. It is starting to take shape. The bald Cyprus is really taking off. The garden needs to be enlarged and I need to add a rock border (or something) to it. I'm going to enjoy it for now.
-Eric and I finished watching the Hatfield's and McCoy's on the History channel. It was pretty good.
-The girls had music lessons. Aud is learning Sweet Home Alabama. Ava's teacher is amused/surprised that Ava loves classical music so much.
-The girls swam with Tessa and Remy. Tessa spent the night.
May 31st- Lantern Festival at Missouri Botanical Garden! ...and wouldn't you know, they never asked to see my volunteer badge! It was amazing! In the morning, Ava sat on my lap and we looked at MOBOT's website so she could get an idea of what we were going to go do/see. She declared "Butterfly Lovers" to be her favorite.
-Entering the garden, we were greeted my an enormous "Welcome Dragon". We got there around 6 pm and were able to see everything before it was crowded and while it was still light out. Everything was lit at 8pm. Ava got to see her favorite piece and we fell in love with it all. I loved the porcelain dragons. The tying techniques used to attach the pieces were beautiful. At night, the dragons breathed smoke and their heads moved. Super Wow.
-The girls bought lots of tiny pandas to play with at the bazaar. Audrey ran around the garden yelling, "It's panda-moniam!! She also painstakingly arranged the pandas for every picture.
-Big thank you to my father-in-law who brought Eric and I jackets when we called him to tell him we were cold. At least the girls were dressed appropriately! It started to mist as we were leaving. What a perfect ending to the month of May.
June 1st- Best morning ever-waking up to rain is my absolute favorite.
-We went to Suson Park with my mom and nieces. It was a cool day for the park. Before we went there, we tried to get late morning donuts only to discover that it was National Donut Day and they were all out! My girl, Ava, was so disappointed, her eyes got allergies. Only my daughter would cry over no donuts :)
-Eric and I took the girls on a 5 mile bike ride at Cliff Cave Park. It was such a gorgeous evening for a ride. We had Oberweis (or as Eric calls it, Overpriced) afterward.
June 2nd- National Trails Day! We got up and headed to Bourbon, MO. My MN group has been working on a trail at Vilander Bluff and it was being dedicated with a sign. We got there a little late, and missed the official festivities. Aud and I had worked on the trail last year, so it was nice to return with Eric and Ava. We hiked to the bluff and Eric loved it. I think it's the tallest bluff along the Meramec River. It is a tiny little ledge which made us nervous. While we were there, we saw two deer cross the river. Aud and I worked on trail maintenance for a little while while Eric took Ava to the car for a snack.
-Our souvenir from the hike...an armadillo shell! I am always SO torn! "Take nothing except memories (and pictures), leave nothing but footprints." I'm good with the leaving nothing behind part, but the take nothing...so very hard! I am justifying my treasure in that I will use it for educational purposes. Just like I sent the macro-invertebrates that I preserved with Audrey to school. I will have to become a armadillo mini-expert I guess.
-We ate at the bar for dinner. On our way there, I looked over and saw a Mercedes with a Mizzou license plate...on it, "AFH"-Audrey's initials. My girl was originally set on attending Wash. U, but has since changed to Mizzou. Is this a sign? I told Eric that where she goes, I go.
- Ava unexpectedly lost a tooth to a candy bar that Grandma Lyn gave her. I went to fetch her from the upstairs deck, and found her walking down the steps with a bloody napkin in her mouth. Poor girl!
-Eric went out with friends so the girls and I went to JB Cemetery (again!). We saw 2 toms and 4 does with their fawns. We also went to the newly constructed wall overlooking the Mississippi River. It is quite lovely. It has marble tiles covering one side. I guess they could be engraved later.
-We all had a sleep over at my parents. It was nice to just not be home for a change.
June 3rd- With the past two days being "National" something day's, Ava announce that today would be National Hugging Day (after I nixed her original idea of it being National Kicking Day). Eric experience ExCop Donut Shop for the first time. He was impressed. That place is fantastic.
-Super chill of a day. Girls played with Remy and Tessa.
June 4th- Monday... and it was a Monday. Not too much happened except: laundry, dr's appointment (me), Riley came and played horses with Ava, Aud went to Sydneys. A sweet fledgling got scared and kind of stuck in our fence then a big fast storm scared it enough to let go and drop to the grass. Watching the baby bird and its parents was a highlight of the day. That and the chicken, spinach, mozzarella brats I grilled for dinner.
June 5th- Grandpa Hammer watched Ava in the morning while I took Audrey out to Wildwood to ride horses with Jesse. I never know what to do with myself while she is riding. Maybe next week I'll watch. Usually, I just want to interject too much with, "Pay attention" and, "Focus!". I think it's best to step away and let Jesse be completely in charge. I did my old standby- hit the antique place behind the paint store. I did score a treasure for under ten dollars. I found three vintage curtain tie backs. They are leaves with flowers. The leaves look like feathers. The paint is lovely and muted due to age.
- Girls played with Remy and Tessa. They rode bikes.
-Ava and I made whip cream. We put lots of vanilla and some powdered sugar in it-yum! We put it in my favorite vintage compotes (another find from the antique place in Eureka) and added fresh berries. It was so good!
June 6th- Audrey and I made (bittersweet) chocolate espresso shortbread cookies. I love shortbread, these were okay. I'll have to wait and get Eric's opinion.
-The girls made, Eric, Father's Day presents! He is getting two cement stepping stones, each decorated by one of his daughters. They turned out wonderful.
-Music lessons- practice, practice, practice! Ava is currently obsessed with the song "Buffalo Girls" which is a great song to be obsessed with. I fell in love with it a few years ago and "learned" how to play it on the guitar. There are so many great versions of the song.
-Tessa came over and had dinner with us. We went to Bee Tree Park and walked around the lake, played on the playground, and went to the Mississippi Overlook. Followed with ice-cream at Bob's.
June 7th- Gymnastics summer session started today. Ava has a new teacher and she really likes him (silly earns points with her).
-Audrey starts her bible study class tonight. Her fifth grade teacher decided to have a girl's bible study for her entire class (15 girls). I hope she enjoys this. Afterwards, she is spending the night with Chloe.
- I got my results back from the Dr.-I'm low in vitamin D? Weird. I'm poppin' a pill once a week. I hope I start feeling normal again and that my vitamin level returns to normal.
-I got randomly inspired and after walking around our subdivision following, Ava, on her bike, I came home, found Eric in the boat drinking a beer, and told him we should go spend the night at his parent's house as they are in Chicago for a funeral. He actually agreed. Then he said, "Race ya!". He won and Ava cried and told him she hated him. Goodness.
June 8th- Relaxing Friday. Ava and I celebrated donut Friday without Audrey. Since we had spent the night at her Grandparent's house, we were near our new favorite donut shop (ExCop). We love that place!
-I took Ava shopping for summer clothes. She came home with flip flops (white and sparkly gold), a gold sparkly purse, three swimsuits, and two dresses. She is officially on a gold kick. I'm on the look out for all things "gold and sparkly". I love my job!
-Tonight, Ava is going to her first slumber party. She is over the moon excited! She bought the birthday girl a barbie wearing a wedding dress. I know this gift would shock, madden, and disgust some of my friends... I just don't freak on the whole barbie thing. I loved barbies. I really loved them. I loved wedding dresses on barbies, too. I don't think it harmed me... I guess some people's hardcore feelings on that plastic doll makes me a little defensive. Ava had a friend over to play recently, and I actually asked the mom if it was okay if they played with barbies. She just smiled and said it was fine, she played with them too, and she enjoyed them. I was so apprehensive to even ask. It was like asking if it was okay if the girls could play with glass in the middle of the street-so, um, do you kinda allow it? If not, I totally understand and I'll put them away... Oh well. I'm sure I'll mess up my kids, but I don't think barbies will really be to blame (I tend to mess up on a much grander scale).
June 9th- Eric, Audrey, and I went to the Pint Size Bakery in South City. Eric knows the owner and is installing a dish machine there on Monday. It is aptly named-tiny and sweet. I have a major marshmallow thing going on right now, so I had to have the one thing boasting of my flavor- two oatmeal cookies with marshmallow buttercream in the middle. Yum!
- We picked Ava up from her slumber party (she called me at 12:02 a.m. to let me know that she forgot her toothbrush). I'm so glad she went and I'm so glad I didn't host it! The sweet mom said she was just going to pile the girls on the living room floor and throw a movie in at 10:30. Ha ha. Nope, that's not how it goes. Ava stayed up until 2:20 a.m. She is a wild one. I'm so happy she had a great time with her friends.
-The barbie was a huge hit. The mom played with them as a kid too.
- We went to Bass Pro and picked up a few things. Ava has a ritual everytime we go there. I grab a cart and walk to the back of the store to where the dog beds are. They fit the cart perfectly. Then Ava climbs in and takes a rest. It is going to be a sad day when she doesn't fit anymore.
- We took the girls and my nieces to my in-laws to swim in the evening. I love evening swims-no sunscreen needed!
June 10th- Oh, Sunday...on a weekend when Eric is on call. A trip to the warehouse took us to the city. Lunch was at the Bottleworks. Aud- blt, Ava- bacon pizza, Eric- turkey burger with brie, me-veggie frittata. The dang pretzel appetizers did us in. They filled our bellies, making lunch a minimal affair.
- Soap was delivered to Joannie's in Oakville, so we stopped off at my in-laws. The girls swam with Cory, and later in the day, they swam with Stephanie and Gunnar. Eric and I watched one of the Pirates of the Caribbean movies- the one with mermaids.
June 11th- Mega birthdays!! My dad, Cory, and our friend Michelle.
-The day started off early. The girls and I got up a bit after 7 and we headed to Bread Company where I spoiled them with frozen mango smoothies, breakfast, and a snack for later. We then shot down 141 to hop on 44 W to go to Jay Henges. We met up with Lil and Danny and planted lots of natives in both the upper and lower gardens. It poured rain (Hallelujah! for rain) while we worked. It has been an exceptionally dry spring. The girls got soaked and made mud/clay balls and had a great time. I came home with a flat of free yarrow (not my fav, but I can put it in an otherwise bare and neglected area of the side yard).
-In the evening, we all met up at my parent's house. We went out and grabbed sandwiches and took them to Cliff Cave Park. It was a beautiful evening. Viewing the Mississippi River always makes me feel nostalgic. It's a work of wonder and so full of history.
-Faith, unfortunately, got stung on the bottom by a wasp. Poor girl! We went back to my parent's house for cake. Ava and I made it this year. Ever since I can remember, my dad has always had the same birthday cake-white cake (from a dreaded box), with strawberry jello poured over it after it has baked, and then slathered in cool whip. Aud helped cover one of the cakes (we made extra!). The girls also decorated them. I couldn't pass up the opportunity to read the ingredients on the tub of cool whip. The girls gagged over the crap in it. I've done this before, but I thought a reminder in the evils of that dairy topping were well merited :) We discussed the yummy homemade whip cream we made with all of three ingredients just a week earlier. Hopefully, my girls will grow up and make good food choices for themselves and their families.
June 12th- I had my first official summer melt down. Yay! The girls cleaned up after themselves and I chilled out.
-Went to Target and the girls bought their daddy Father's Day cards and wrapping paper for his presents.
-My folks babysat in the evening while Eric and I met his family at Tavolo V to celebrate Cory's birthday. It was a crazy fun tipsy evening. Food was good and service okay. I like that part of the front wall is a garage door that was open creating a nice indoor outdoorsy space.
-The girls went to the cemetery and counted fawns-twins, nursing, sleeping... They counted 5 bucks as well. Oh, the fun!
June 13th-I spent some time working in my yard for a change. I'm usually volunteering in someone else's. I enlarged the rain garden a little, weeded, and also mowed the grass.
-Chloe came over and we all went swimming at my in-laws.
-Music lessons! Aud had a different teacher for once. I like mixing it up. I think it's good to have different instructors because they all have different ideas/techniques that they offer the student. Ava is still my little song bird. She is having fun and I love her enthusiasm.
-Eric went to the baseball game (we won!).
June 14th- Ava had gymnastics in the morning.
-Audrey went riding at Jesse's in the evening. Palomino's are so pretty. Aud had a good lesson and cantered a lot.
June 15th- Oh Friday, I've been waiting for you!
-Donut Friday! ExCop Donut Shop again. It was delish!
-The girlies and I went to Crate and Barrel so that I could buy Eric a Father's Day present. The girlies made him presents. I bought him the "table in a bag". His parents have one and Eric has admired it for years. It is compact and well constructed and will fit nicely in the boat.
-I did paper work at the bar for Eric while the girls watched cartoons on the big screen. It was a productive afternoon.
June 16th- Rie is up spending the weekend with my mom. They came over and picked me up and we went to the fabric store. I was looking for a few things in particular and couldn't find them. I did find a few things that I wasn't looking for and am excited about all of my new projects.
-We went to Crown Candy Kitchen (for the first time!), and the line went out the door and down the sidewalk. So we kept on drivin'. We ended up at Blues City Deli (another first that did happen!). A great little band was playing and we enjoyed our lunch on the sidewalk. Afterward, Eric wanted homemade ice-cream since we didn't get CCK. We went to Serendipity which was really good. Aud had toasted marshmallow, Ava had chocolate, and Eric and I both had salted caramel.
-Went to the Alpine Shop and I got a book on Ozark Wildflowers (for half off!) and a super cute pink Patagonia dress (on clearance).
-Eric went to help Jason on a trouble call and then hung out with Chris.
-The girls went to my sister's house and they got a chance to use her potter's wheel for the first time. They loved it so much. Ava said it was more fun than baking! I threw a pot and loved getting my hands in some clay. It has been too long!
-Finally some rain headed our way. My half full rain barrel and rain garden will be put to use. Yay!
June 17th- Father's Day!! I was so spoiled this past Mother's Day. I really wanted to plan something terrific for Eric because he wasn't on call and it was his very special day. We stayed in town and I was anxious that it would be an unremarkable weekend and I was afraid of Eric being disappointed. Didn't happen! Sometimes no plan is the best plan.
-We picked up my sis and dropped the girlies off with Eric's folks. I drove over to pick up my dad while Beth and Eric followed in my in-law's Corvette. Sweet!
-Dad and Eric went in the Vet while Beth and I rocked the wagon. We went to Slinger's (in High Ridge?) for a late breakfast. It was good and fun. Then we drove to Henges to shoot trap.
-Sooooo....I completely outshot everybody!!!! It was the first time I ever outshot Eric. It was my personal best 20/25. I was high off that success all day long :) I contribute my success to three things: 1. LUCK 2. Wearing a Cardinal's Sunday ball cap on Sunday 3. Four cups of coffee. I always thought caffeine would make me a jittery bad shooter, but it turns out that the caffeine makes me shoot well? While I'm quite pleased with myself, I have to remember the last time I shot trap (Decemberish), I got like 3-5 out of 25. That's me- Miss. Inconsistent. Don't know why I suck, don't know why I suddenly don't.
Afterwards, I drove Beth home while Eric and my dad apparently got the Corvette up to 120 mph on Hwy M. I've only had it up to 109 mph (with me driving) on Hwy 44. Luckily, I got a chance to drive it today when Eric's Aunt Becky and I took it out to buy Jager... We're a classy bunch.
-We spent the rest of the day at my in-law's. Cory, Jason, Becky, Stephanie, BJ, and Gunnar were there as well. There was baseball, horseshoes, swimming, and fireworks going on all day. The kids were so happy and content and barely left the pool. Eric was so relaxed. It was a pretty perfect day, and that, I couldn't have ever planned. Yay! for the best dads! My most supportive daddy, my outstanding husband, and my awesome father-in-law.
June 18th-Oh, Monday. Still okay. Laundry day (or rather, the beginning of many days of laundry as I spread out the fun for days).
-I weeded on the side of the house and planted 22 yarrow plants. We'll have to wait and see what happens. Yarrow is still better than weeds.
-The girls played with Tessa and Remy. First they went swimming at their house and then later, Horse Monopoly and dress up here.
-I did a little shopping. The grocery store was out of so much so I guess I get to shop some more tomorrow.
-We all went to Cabelas when Eric got home. He bought me shoes, socks, and clothes for my big fly-fishing bootcamp weekend that is in just a few days. I'm excited and kinda not. That is pretty normal for me :)
June 19th- Eric took a half day and took the girls to see Men in Black III. They met Cory and Deny at the theatre. They loved it.
-I ran lots of errands in half the normal time and felt super successful.
-The girls helped make smashed berry muffins for breakfast. Mashing strawberries is fun! Eating smushed berries in a muffin is even better.
June 20th- I went to "my" creek really early. I collected litter (another syringe-Yay fun!) No needle, so no major panicky moments for me. I also collected stream discharge data. Later today, I will be using that data and doing.....MATH!
-I weeded the gardens at Henges.
-Later (at Henges), I was trained using the bat monitoring equipment. The girlies and I will be collecting data (next week) that will be used in the first North American citizen bat survey. We will be recording bat calls. I can't wait to do it, and later get the results and learn what our monitoring picked up. Weird coincidence, Eric's friend found two dead bats in his yard the same day. Sybil, the research wildlife biologist that we're working with, said to throw them in the freezer-she would love to collect DNA samples. I think Eric is bringing the dead bats home with him tonight. He is such a sport!
June 21st- Ava had gymnastics. She is still loving her teacher. She is improving SO much! Her cartwheels are really getting better!
-I cleaned my folks' house. Then the girlies and I had Jimmy Johns for lunch.
-I took the girlies to get haircuts. I sat in the waiting area (I couldn't see the salon floor from there). They both appeared with MAJOR haircuts. Ava has a super cute short bob and Audrey got a stacked swing bob. Wow wow wow!
-Aud had bible study with her classmates and fifth grade teacher at FBCA.
-While she was doing that, Ava requested a trip to the park. She decided on Mastodon SP. The playground was roped off...? So we had an even better time hiking up the creek. We made friends with a super sweet pitbull (that made me miss mine). Female pits are just the sweetest. We watched minnows dart all around and enjoyed getting wet on a relaxing walk.
June 22nd-24th- I hope I can convince Eric to write for me. I'll be on a three day fly fishing workshop. I'm excited/ nervous. It will be great. I'm planning on taking the girlies to see Brave (it opens tomorrow!) in the morning before I leave. Can't wait!
July 2nd- A week or so has passed... Recapping what I can remember... while I was gone, Aud went to a sleepover at Hannah S' house. Ava spent the night with my folks. Mom took all four grandgirls out for pedicures. I think Eric took the girls and my parents swimming two nights in a row. I came home and it is hot as hell. Like 107 degrees and SOOO dry. Perfect Fourth of July weather.
-Aud made a banded chocolate dessert with coffee ice-cream. Eric renamed it "Oh my Ganache!" Perfect!
-Working against my impulse to cook things out of season (why can't I embrace what is in season? Why do I want what I "can't" have?). I opted for a "classic berry tart". I used my rectangle tart pan and chose blueberries and raspberries. Eric declared it to be terrific. It was.
- Saturday was so damn hot, we went to the mall (the Galleria). It was actually fun. We all got new Cardinal baseball hats for our August trip to Disney. Aud and Ava also spent an hour in Bath and Bodyworks buying all sorts of sweet smelly things. Eric took Aud to the Mizzou store and she left with shorts and a shirt. Is she really going to go to Mizzou? I'm already freaking out and she is only eleven years old. Watch her go and totally freak me out and go even further away to school. NOOOOO!
- Over the weekend my parents met us for a late night swim. We swam till about 11:30 p.m. It was so much fun! We also made sundaes before we swam. I am going through a completely unexplainable thing with marshmallow fluff. Help me!
-on Sunday (the first) Ava and Eric spent the ENTIRE day watching all of the Harry Potter movies. Aud had spent the night with my parents and was there all day. I went to the fabric store and bought backing for my new curtain. I can't wait to get started!
