Band Camp...HOT HOT HOT

Summer is winding down.  I hate that.  I hate the idea of going back to work.  It is funny because we really have not done much this summer.  The kids attended summer school and I worked summer school.  We have gone to the movies, gone bowling, hung out and have gone swimming.  I have refinished an entire kitchen, made curtains and window treatments.  I am almost finished stripping and refinishing a kitchen table. Lots of outside work has been completed.  But that is about it.

It is hard when your kids get older and are not so interested in the zoo or the Magic house or Grant's farm.
We are a pale family, so we are not sun worshipers...we don't hang out by the pool (or we would all be lobsters).   I guess that is just what happens when you do so much when they are little.... it looses it's charm.

BUT now school is right around the corner.  Emily has started Band Camp.  I am the band mom... so I have been busy, busy, busy helping with camp and beginning of the year band stuff.  People laugh or tease about "band camp"... but let me tell you what.  These kids are amazing . And they are athletes in their own right.  Emily has been at the high school every day at 7am and is outside in the sun and heat for SIX hours straight.

These kids march, learn their music as well as their "marks on the field". They march to a set routine, reset and do it all over again.   Over and over again. tweeking it, fixing things and moving on.  

I have a lot of respect for these kids.  I know they don't get recognized as athletes.... but they should. They put in just as much time and effort as any other sport.   I applaud them.

Jake has been....hanging out.  Isn't that what 14 year old boys do?  He sleeps .,.... A LOT.   He is a sleepy kid.  I think he is growing again.   He also plays VIDEO Games and watches tv and you tube.
I would share a photo... but honestly I have not taken pictures of him sleeping or watching tv.  HAHAHA.


That is it for now.  That is all I have to share.  Nothing exciting, nothing else.  

Been a LONG time.....

To be precise it has been FOUR months since my last blog post.  I am not certain why I never take the time to blog any more.  I like to blog, even if it is just for myself.  I honestly can say I am not sure what my reasoning may be.   We are a busy family, and there are always things I want to share... or at least remember.    Well.  I will try to cover the things I missed.

Emily and Jake finished out the school year with a BANG.  Both kids finished out the school year with multiple awards and accomplishments.  Rowdy and I are always so proud of their hard work and dedication to schoolwork.

Emily was invited to join National Honor Society.
She is also a member of Mu Alpha Theta.
She was awarded IPA (important person awards) at NWHS.
Emily received the "Glory of Missouri Award" from the House of Representatives for representing
           HONOR for the Northwest High School.
Emily also finished out the school year earning a spot in the TOP TEN SOPHOMORES at NHS.
          (that is top ten out of 526).
Em also found her place as Best Sophomore Wood Wind, and Best Sophomore Musician.

Yea Emily... Way to GO !!!

Jacob left Eighth Grade with honors and accomplishments of his own.  Although the intermediate school does not have the same accolades as the high school.... he walked away with his share of awards as well.
Jake was inducted into the National Junior Honor Society.
He was a strong and active member of TREND.
Jake earned advanced recognition on the Mathematics test for the Missouri Aptitude Test.
Jacob was published in  "The Writer's Showcase".
Jake received the "Glory of Missouri Award" from the House of  Representatives for representing VIRTUE at Woodridge Middle School.
He also received several "Awards of Excellence" for his academic achievements .

Yea Jake... Way to GO !!!


I am sure I missed or forgot something that they did.... but you get the idea.


I know I am totally Bragging!!!   But... WOULDN'T  YOU ??????
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Jake had another birthday !!!

 Jake's birthday cake was made of 24 ice cream sandwiches and a quart of ice cream covered in magic shell.
It didn't look that pretty...but it sure was good!

Jake and his best buddies spent his birthday at the indoor trampoline park.  Three and a half hours of trampoline dodge ball followed by an all you can eat pizza buffet and "the claw machine"....  he was one happy teenager.

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School was out and now SUMMER fun has begun.  Well.  Not really.  Jake and Emily went to summer school to get AHEAD on credits....and I worked summer school.  It was not so bad...but I am glad it is over.

Now that summer break is half over.... it is time to get down to business.  As always I get crazy when I have time on my hands, and I always tackle a project for summer.  Usually I regret the project half way though it...and this summer is NO DIFFERENT.

THE KITCHEN.  The ugly, outdated, 1970's kitchen.   The Dark brown wood laminate cabinets, the "harvest gold" counter tops, the bland back splash , the tired paint and wallpaper border....  IT HAD TO GO.... and it had to go...on a budget.

So... off to Lowe's I went.  I walked the aisles.I looked, I spoke with Lowe's specialists....  I bought paint and hardware and tile and......

The lighting in the photo is off... but the outcome is EXCITING!.. I love it. I am proud of all the hard work.
I also got rid of the ugly fan, and replaced it with a cool new fixture. The chairs are being redone now... and the window treatments are now up too.  I made Roman shades for the window treatments.   yea!

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Now we have about a month of Summer vacation left....   not sure what is in store....but I will TRY to keep my blog up to date.....

Thanks for hanging in there with this really long post.  Chat soon :)