Not for the Squeamish

I'm not really sure about the title but my skin is still crawling. I was getting some laundry out of the dryer in our garage when I heard a strange rustling sound. Thinking the dog may have followed me, I looked around. When I didn't see him, knowing the kids were next door playing and still hearing the noise I began to search out the source. And what did I see but THIS...

It looked like a weird plastic tube until I realized that it was noisily munching away on a plastic bag. This thing is ENORMOUS!!! Here he is posing next to a quarter so you can appreciate his size. I'd say no shorter than 3 inches fully extended but at upon first glance I thought he had to be about 6!

I quickly scooped it up and put it in a jar (NO, I didn't even come close to touching it) because you know he'll come in handy since we are studying insects.

As soon as I started taking pictures he excreted that brown liquid you see. I haven't looked him up yet but I'll be sure to post what he is as soon as I find out. I flip-flop from being grossed out to being fascinated. Honestly, I lean toward mostly grossed out.

When I showed him to Nathan exclaiming, "What is that thing?." He calmly says, "Mom, you know it's some type of caterpillar." Oh yeah!


***update**** Not a caterpillar but a grub. After researching, I'm far more fascinated and far less grossed out. We've found this guy to be a type of scarab grub. Now I have designs to put him in a jar, half filled with dirt, in the closet and watch the metamorphosis.

!!!???!!!SEVEN!!!???!!!

Happy Birthday, Nathan! To my charming, inquisitive, beautiful boy. I'm so glad you are here!

Aside from being Nathan's birthday, today was quite a busy day. We would have designated it an official school holiday even if it hadn't been an election day. After Nathan and I dropped Sully off for his workshop, we drove down to pick up milk. Sully finished up his leather working merit badge and completed one moccasin while Nathan and I ran errands. It wasn't my day to make the long drive for milk so we got to pick up locally. Then I voted and Nathan and I both got a sticker. I know it's silly but I love to see people walking around with a voting sticker on their shirt.

Maybe it stems from my fond childhood memories of the polls. My mom used to volunteer and she'd always bring me one of those ice cream cups from the school cafeteria. You know the kind with the little wooden paddle/spoon? I LOVED those things! I'd get to ride out to the polls with my dad or my grandparents and we'd go into the voting booth, pull the handle and the curtain would close. I also remember being able to borrow a small voting machine once for show and tell. And if I remember correctly, that was the same week that I'd gotten a terrible nose bleed and had to have my nose packed for several days but that's another story.

Between today and yesterday, I've baked 4 dozen cupcakes to take to Kids Klub. Despite our busy day, the only mishap was when Sully dropped my large Pyrex dish FULL of cupcakes in our driveway just as we were leaving. Luckily I had over-baked and after icing the 12 cupcakes remaining in the house, we were on our way.

Our dinner, chosen by Nathan, consisted of mac and cheese, chicken fingers and peas and now it's almost time for birthday boys to be in bed. We've all enjoyed the day and I don't know about anyone else but I, for one, am tired!

Saturday Night Pick Me Up

I just got a fun call from a friend whom I haven't spoken to in several years. An old friend... not that she's old, I've just known her forever. We went to Jr. High together- and yes it was Jr. High NOT Middle School. When did the name change anyway? We were also in dance together in our younger years but didn't really start to hang out until we were old enough to cause trouble (not that we ever did cause trouble, mind you)- I should see if I can find a recital photo to scan and post. The one I remember best had us in pink and white checkered costumes with a heart shaped head piece that stood up like a crazy pink-checked peacock. Truly a sight to be seen!
My friend was on her way home from dinner and having a good time and decided to call. Boy did that make my weekend!
I love old friends and I love new friends but what I think I love most are those rare friends who can call you, out of the blue, after having not talked in 3 or 4 years and have it feel like you just saw them yesterday. I hope it doesn't sound like bragging to say that I am fortunate to have several of these precious friends ...and I just got to talk to one tonight.

Noises

Why are boys so fascinated and so amused with "those" noises? You know the ones I'm talking about. "Armpit" noises... whether they're made with an armpit or not. Nathan just ran up to me on his way to bed and proudly displayed his ability to make that noise behind his knee. He was excited to know that he didn't even have to use his armpit.

Backyard Feast

I'm relaxing in our family room, the football game going, finding myself thankful. Thankful for the smell of campfire on my clothes, thankful that it's not -9 outside. We are, however, having a bit out a cold snap for us.

Since it's a balmy 50 degrees in our area of the sunshine state, Kevin decided it was a good time to christen our fire pit.

We've had this fire pit for a few years. My mom purchased it for us right before the move to VA and it didn't make it out of the box until our return almost a year later.

We decided a campfire dinner was called for because there's nothing quite like hot dogs roasted over an open fire... (except maybe chestnuts)

...followed, of course, by roasted marshmallows.

We are so fortunate to enjoy this view from our backyard.

We watched the sun set and the almost full moon come out.

So we enjoyed a backyard feast, almost like camping at home, but without having to sleep in a tent... that's my kind of camping! And I am thankful.

An Evening at the Races

Pinewood Derby races!!!!

Set it up and

here it comes.

A close-up of Nathan's Santa Mobile.

It wasn't super fast but it was super cool.

Back in the Saddle

Of regular life, that is. We took several days to get settled in after returning from New York, which was an awesome trip by the way. We flew with Jet Blue, which I would recommend to everyone. After entering the plane and seeing the seats that I thought were part of the first class section, then realizing that those seats were present throughout, I knew we were in for a pleasant flight. Of course the personal TVs were a huge hit with the boys.

We've finally started our regular activities and school schedule again after enjoying the Christmas season and our vacation. Although we made a slight adjustment to accommodate Kevin's new work schedule... did I mention that he started a new job? It's actually with his old company and this job, while in the same field, really fits his personality much better than the one he left it for.

I've also been busy reorganizing the school room and simplifying. My goal for our bookshelf is to have only those books and curriculum that we are currently using. My other goal is to cut back on buying new (or new to us) books... to be more discerning on what comes into the house. This is one area with which I have a terrible time because there are so many great books out there. Especially difficult is if we go to thrift or to a yard sale, I cannot resist that great book -only a dime!! ... or more likely, the $3 worth of books that were only a dime each! Oh well, a work in progress.

We had a surprise visit last night from Kevin's uncle who was in town on business. He stopped by for a while and treated us to pizza and great conversation.

The decorations are down and for the most part put away and while it's a slightly melancholy feeling to have the house so empty, it's also refreshing. I'm looking forward to the next few weeks, where we can savor the dailiness of our routine and relax a little after all the excitement of December and early January. That is if you call school work, house work, running around to scouts, chorus, kids klub, park days, visits to the nursing home, and field trips relaxing... luckily I do!

Accurate Assessment

You Are Likely an Only Child

At your darkest moments, you feel frustrated. At work and school, you do best when you're organizing. When you love someone, you tend to worry about them. In friendship, you are emotional and sympathetic. Your ideal careers are: radio announcer, finance, teaching, ministry, and management. You will leave your mark on the world with organizational leadership, maybe as the author of self-help books.

The Birth Order Predictor

(except maybe the last sentence)

HT to Alexandra

A Day Late

!!!!!!!!!HAPPY BIRTHDAY KEVIN!!!!!!!!

Boys of Winter

I couldn't resist a few more snow pictures.

Checklist for Winter Fun

Snow Angel...




Sledding...




Snowball fight...




Snowman...

Feels Like Spring

We just returned from western NY to some very springy feeling weather. We really had a great time visiting family and enjoyed the cold weather and snow, which had almost melted before we left. We were even able to check off all the "must do's" on Nathan's list.

• Snow Angel- check
• Snowball Fight- check
• Snowman- check
• Sledding- BONUS!!!

I'll have pictures posted soon.

Snow Flurries in FL???

And we aren't even there to enjoy them. We are, however, enjoying a great deal more snow and all the fun that goes with it. It warmed up to 26 today!!! These Florida folks are in winter wonderland. Pictures and story soon.

Happy 2008!!!

Was my grandmother right? Will the years start to go by even faster? It sure seems like it. As the old year has now passed into the new, it's hard not to reflect, at least a little, on the changes that have taken place. This time last year we were still in Virginia, waiting on our pending move back to Florida, back to our old house, back... Jesse was still gracing our yard and Nancy was still playing golf. 2007 brought change and loss but it also brought blessing. We are thankful for the move back to Florida, thankful for the experience of Virginia, but thankful that we were here and able to spend precious time with Nancy last year. We are thankful for friends and family here and there who have offered love and support through trials and through happy times. Today, as I try to count my blessings, I find that they are uncountable. On this New Year's Day we'll have our traditional meal with greens and black-eyed peas (for luck, of course), watch the Rose Bowl Parade and enjoy the company of family and perhaps reflect together on years past. I pray the new year finds you well and holds uncountable blessings of it's own.