Playing in the Pool

After several leaks were noted in our inflatable pool we decided it was time for a one that would be easier for us to manage. And still have tons of fun!

June Update

I know it's been a while since I posted so here's an update.

 Jarod went to Baltimore Woods Nature Center with Mark's 2nd grade class.  Mark doesn't look like he's  having a very good time- because unknown to us he had been suffering from Lyme disease for the last 3 weeks.

 After this picture was taken, Jarod brought him home and Mark went to sleep.  He awoke 4 hours later with a  sore neck and a fever.  Noticing signs of meningitis we decided to take him to urgent care.  The dr there was concerned, but no spinal tap was ordered and we were told to monitor his temp.  The next day he went to the pediatrician of a follow up where a blood test was ordered.  Six long days later we were informed that he tested positive for Lyme.  21 days of antibiotics.  I never saw a tick, never saw a bullseye- the most common signs of Lyme.  Now that I know the other symptoms to look for I want to inform others so they and their children do not needlessly suffer.  Prompt treatment is best.

 In the meantime we had a beaver lodge in our house...

Guitar lessons... 

Having fun in spite of the illness and the RAIN.........

A Tribute to our TiTi

Beloved Rat, Playmate, Companion

8 1 14  -  6 21 15

Thank you for every minute of joy you brought our family

 

 

 

2015 Spring Reading

Hello From the Gillespie's- McInerney

Girls of August- Siddons

Left Neglected- Genova

Chasing Sunsets- Kingsbury

How to Raise a Wild Child- Sampson

Department of Specuation- Offill

Beach Days

 Mirror Lake, Lake Placid 

 Mirror Lake, Lake Placid, the sand

Gillie Lake, Camillus NY

Summer Passport

These are pictures of the Daily Missions.  Each day Mark must complete 1 math assignment, 1 reading assignment, 1 writing assignment, and a bonus.  Thanks to teacherspayteachers.com I've been able to print off most of these for free and stock up for the majority of the summer.

The passport I had to do in 3 different word documents, really for my own sanity.  The first was the inside with all the places for activities and stamps to go.

Next I did the cover page and justified right to be able to fold it correctly.

2015

Last I did an identification page, which I printed separately and secured it to the cover page to make a sturdy binding.

This Passport hereby permits the child named herein to enjoy the Summer of 2015 by going on many adventures and having as much fun as possible.

Here is a link to the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archeology and Anthropology: 

http://www.penn.museum

Lake Placid Marathon

 Andy made these scrumptious minions for Mark's 8th birthday, which we celebrated at our rental cottage.

 Pretending to blow out the candles on the cupcakes as we sung happy birthday outside

Mugging and modeling the new bathrobe I made him!

 The whole crew wight before the race- kilts all around!

 post-marathon fam-selfie

My Niece!!!!!

Josephine Ada Krahl, coming soon!

Last Day/ Birthday

 It's official:  Last day of preschool means this guy is a kindergartener on Summer Vacation! But first... bring on the cake

 Mummy cake- it looks more like a frosted mini wheat but he's happy with it and it's peanut free!

The piZap collage for the birthday boy

See-Saw Sequence

The Ultimate Summer Quest

So we were crossing around the wide open plain of the Internet when the boys and I came across an intriguing advertisement:  Brain Chase- Summer Learning Challenge.  Looked cool. Sounded cool.   We clicked it.

In a nutshell this web-based program has students doing math, reading, writing, and other critical thinking activities in order to solve a puzzle every day.  Each puzzle leads up to a clue at the end of each week.  Each weekly clue leads to the location of a ancient treasure, which one hard-working young person will attain.

Yes! I thought finally something motivating and engaging for Mark to do all summer!  So how much is it?  Oh, $250 (the program comes with Rosetta Stone for those studying foreign languages, Rosetta Stone alone is almost the same price).

No. Too big of an investment for something that would tie him to a screen every single day of the summer...with a small chance of winning the ultimate prize.  True, the prize is not the reason for the program and he would still be getting all the benefits of summer learning.  The solution?

I did it myself.  Here's the synopsis of my Ultimate Summer Quest:

Daily Mission File contains:
1 math assignment
1 reading assignment
1 writing assignment
1 bonus activity (map, maze, crossword, riddle, etc.)

Summer Activity Passport:
32 spaces for different activities/ locations
"Stamps" will be clue words to the ultimate prize

The Ultimate Prize:
I asked him what he would like to achieve as his quest and he told me that  he wanted to go to Egypt and see the pyramids.  Well I can't do that so we will be going to the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archeology and Anthropology in Philadelphia!
 * * * * * * N O   T E L L I N G ! ! ! * * * * *

Last day at Soccer

 Tis the time of year for "lasts."  Saturday was the last soccer practice for Miles (there's one next week but we'll be in Lake Placid.)  Here are the kids playing "Sleeping Giants" with their coaches

 Running... always running.

Gooooooooooooal!

Marcellus "Olde Home Days"

 Waiting for the parade to start, Miles tries a breath mint.

 Still waiting...

 Here they come!

 Maddie Butchko in the B'Ville Colorguard

Miles and his ride

Running it In

 The last stretch of the race is most meaningful when you run it in with someone else.  Here is Mark running to the 25 miles point with Peter....

And both boys running to the finish line with Daddy.