Lake for the Day

Elizabeth and Michael each invited 2 friends to spend the day with us at Cave Run Lake; Steven and I invited Mom, who brought great food.  The weather could not have been more perfect, and the trip was definitely a highlight of our year.  We rented the double decker pontoon with slide that we used last summer with Laura's family.  The kids entertained themselves all day, alternating between jumping off the boat (I noticed when we were pulling back in to the marina that the rules clearly stated not to jump off the top deck; enormous oops on that one; see video at the end of each child jumping off the top), playing duck-duck-duck goose [a creative game in

the boat (I was exhausted just watching them)], sliding off the slide solo or with another person; steering the boat; swatting horse flies (they enjoyed that); and having water blaster fights (the

adults were unintended? victims).  The biggest hit was when Steven would throw a soaker ball for a child to catch as the child jumped off the top deck (if you put your glasses on and squint, you'll be able to see the ball headed toward Michael's hand in the photo below). Over and over and over (Steven got lots of practice treading water). Everyone got off the boat only when Mom bought everyone ice cream - the rest of the time, we were

out in the water.  Although one of the noodles managed to get stuck under the boat, it eventually was discovered and saved.  The only casualties were my sunglasses and a big beach ball (just like last year's innertube, except this year, we couldn't catch it).  We're going next year, in case anyone wants to join us. 

EJM in NYC

After heading to the West Coast during June, Elizabeth spent 4 days on the East Coast in July.  My high school/college friend Kim Reeder, who lives in California, moderated a tax commissioners' panel at a conference in NYC; the trip coincided with her daughter Ansley's 8th birthday, so Kim told Ansley she could go to NYC with her and invite a friend.  E was the very lucky girl Ansley selected.  They were quite the busy trio during their days in The Big Apple: they went to a Harry Potter exhibit (E has read all the books and seen all the movies); built a bear at Build a Bear (naturally); shopped at FAO Schwartz (yes, they played music on the huge floor keyboard); attended The Lion King (E's very favorite part); toured Times Square; hung out in Battery Park to take in the Statue of Liberty view; enjoyed Tea with Eloise at The Plaza; and of course, got to hear Kim moderate the panel of state tax commissioners during the conference (the girls got a lot of reading done during the panel, but did recall snippets of "tax levy," "property assessment", and "IRS compliance").  Just listing the objective facts of their trip doesn't do justice to just how much fun Elizabeth had during her days with Kim and Ansley. I was thrilled that they stayed with us overnight before their flight as well as for a bit after they returned to
Kentucky.  As before, Elizabeth and Ansley staged a fashion show that included dancing, while modeling casual, funky, and party clothes (I believe those were the categories).  I can't believe I've been close friends with Kim for more than half of my life - a deep, enduring friendship for sure.

More cousins to play with!

We'd known they were coming for a few months and sort of patiently counted down the days.  Finally Bennett, Tiffany, Sam, and Elise were in town!  They made 2 visits to our house and resourceful Elizabeth is travelling to Morehead today to fit in one more during her overnight at Grandma's. 

We'd seen them earlier this year, but the children really had grown physically and developmentally during the past few months.  Sam is so happy all the time (can he teach me how to be that way?) and Elise is quite the athlete.  Everyone got along with everyone else; no troubles (although Michael wanted me to include that Elise did hurt her toe on the concrete and that made us all sad).  Sam and Michael had a lot of strategizing going on with the Nerf blasters (I refuse to write the word 'gun'); there was tag with rules that were made up as they went (see video

below); Elise loved building the puzzles of the Oh Rats! game, which was Elizabeth's favorite game when she was young (yes, that is the only reason we still have a game for 3 year olds); and we got to see Elise's amazing smile over and over again as she disappeared into the closet then came back out, shouting "Hello!".  Elise had fun with a doll house while Sam and Michael played with Michael's friend Riley - a little bit of wii, a little bit of DS, a lot more of the Nerf blasters.  And everyone played with my favorite toy - Fisher-Price!!  Both kids warmed up to Zoe by the end and liked petting her. 

We feel so lucky to have seen the whole family twice this year.  I love talking with Tiffany about all kinds of topics, and all of our fingers are crossed for seeing them at Christmas, too!

 

Go west, young girl!

Elizabeth boarded a plane last month and headed to California.  She had THE BEST TIME, oh, you have no idea!  She stayed with Mary and Mark first - they went to Santa Cruz, where E "accidentally" fell into the ocean and therefore needed her aunt to buy her a new outfit; San Francisco, where E was fascinated by the architecture; and a nearby water park ....  Then she spent the night at Kim Reeder's house to visit Ansley, her partner in fashion shows.  Then she was off to Tiffany and Bennett's house for more laughing, playing, shopping, and volcano erupting until her week in CA was over!

The Top 10 list of highlights from her trip pretty much all involved her cousins: Aaron, Kate, Sam, and Elise.  Elizabeth is completely enamored with all of them - she loved the way Aaron was always laughing (see video of him dancing below), how Kate took care of her fluffy dog (very appropriately) named Fluffy; how Sam always wanted to read and be read to; and how Elise made up clever games with her cars.  I don't think E experienced an iota of homesickness the entire 8 days.  :)  Zoe, however, did miss E - she whined by her empty bed each morning and burned 2000 calories jumping for joy when she returned. 

Super sister, super family, super fun

Mary's family visited - yay!!!!!!!!  Oh, how happy we were when that awesome family arrived, how sad we were when they left.  Elizabeth and Michael would have gladly given up their beds the rest of the month if their cousins could have stayed with us all that time.  Birthday Boy Aaron, who turned 5 during his trip immediately bonded with Zoe; each day he patiently, kindly played with her, talked with her, fed her, and chased her. Kate loved dragging Zoe around by her toy - see very cute video below. Both kids loved the water - at the water park, from the blaster fights,

and from the golf course's sprinkler system behind our house.  Last year Kate was just learning how to speak; this summer she was constantly spouting 10-word sentences: unbelievable.  Aaron had been talking about Michael's Gator since last summer, so he spent some of each day chauffeuring willing subjects (including Zoe) around the property. 

Kate was the perfect assistant when Mary and I went clothes shopping - Kate pushed the shopping cart, which was easily twice her size, while pointing out the "pretty" colored clothing that we should wear.  Mark's work station was waiting for him, where he steadily whittled his way through the list of computer problems I've had in the past year since his last visit - oh, how I wish I had his knowledge.  Mary was Mary - always beautiful, funny, supportive, and gracious.  I love my family!!!!  We miss you all already.

St. Louis Visitors

It's been several years - waaaay too long (four years?) - since we saw Uncle Al and Charlotte, who visited from St. Louis this week.  It was sooo good to see them again.  Zoe enjoyed Charlotte's toes, while Uncle Al provided a lot of scientific information about whatever topic of conversation we had.  I was quite relieved when he showed up without his slide projector (you know what I'm referring to, siblings!!). 

They really were the easiest guests, even taking us out to eat, after which we caught some real (?)country music downtown.  Mom stopped by to see her brother (that would be Uncle Al) on her way to Cousin Katie's wedding in Connecticut.  They're both so happy, funny, and kind.  The world needs more Uncle Als and Charlottes. 

Holiday World

For the third year in a row, we went to Holiday World in Santa Claus, Indiana.  We love that place - it's half amusement rides and half water park.  Michael headed straight for the bumper cars, while Elizabeth's first ride was the spider (officially called "Paul Revere's Midnight Ride" to make it fit with the area's nice and kitschy theme).  Lines were short, so life was good.  I actually went on 2 rides - the Liberty Launch, during which I screamed "I hate this!" the entire time, much to the operator's bemusement; and a log ride, which everyone in the family loved - we went on it together at least 8 times.  I tried to get a photo of the log ride but was scolded by an attendant for not putting my camera in a locker.  The next time I tried, they took the camera from me.  I may have embarrassed my children with my rule-breaking, but I didn't ask.  I was happy to be the photographer and hat holder the rest of the time. 

On the first day, Michael said he wanted to spend his allowance on one of those scam basketball hoop games, to try and win a basketball.  After watching a bunch of people miss and miss and miss, he went against my obviously-not-sage advice, walked right up, sunk a basket, and won a UK ball.  I was stunned (not that I don't believe in my son's basketball abilities; I just don't like the tiny little rims that you have to hit perfectly in order to make a basket.)  The next day, he told me he wanted to spend more of his allowance and try to win a jersey.  Against my vehement yet still-not-sage advice, he sunk 3 of 5 balls and won not only a jersey but also another UK basketball. 

All roller coasters were avoided (whew). Lots of blueberry ice cream was devoured.  Zoe spent her first night away from us since we got her, happy to be at Rosemary's in Shelbyville.