Friday, July 25, 2008
Photo Remix
I created this photo remix on Photobucket. It is another free, fun tool on the web. Check it out!
Thursday, July 24, 2008
New Discoveries
My sister has been telling me about a bird in her backyard for a few weeks now. This bird has decided to take up residence in her hanging pot. Each day when she waters the plant, the bird flutters about and scares her and she is killing the center of the plant. My mom told her to tear up the bird's nest so that she won't return. Well, that was my sister's plan until she discovered two eggs in the nest. So, each day she waters the plant - and the mama bird and her eggs - and gets scared by the mama bird.
Yesterday, when we went over to visit, I asked about the bird. The kids wanted to see the eggs so my sister took the hanging plant down from the hook - after we watered it a bit and scared the mama bird away. Instead of two eggs, we found two small and rather ugly black baby birds in the middle of the begonia plant. The kids all looked at the baby birds before we set off on our next adventure in the backyard. Click the pics below to see all of the pics in the stack.
You see, my sister had told me about a hole in her backyard that one of her dogs had been after. She was afraid that it was a snake hole. So, we set out with a hoe and a broom handle to investigate. The first task was locating the hole. My sister's backyard is very thick and lush, so finding the hole was a bit difficult but we finally managed. After locating it, we pulled the grass back slighly to expose the hole more clearly. We still could not see anything, so I stuck the end of the broom handle down into the whole a bit, and we heard a terrible squeeking noise. After pulling the grass back a bit further, we could see a small brown haired animal. The hole that Gracie the dog has been intrigued with is the home of a baby bunny. After showing all of the kids the tiny backside of the little bunny, we brushed the grass back over the hole and left him alone. I took a short video - you can't see much more than a small portion of the little bunnies body as he breathes - but I can't get it to upload. I'll try to add it again later.
Today, when I returned to my sister's house to help her work in her yard, we did not have any encounters with the bird or the rabbit. Instead, she edged and trimmed her bushes, and I mowed. It was extremely hot, but we got the job done and her yard looks great.
The boys played basketball and videogames while we worked in the yard, and Megan played Wii Fit. Megan was having so much fun with Wii Fitness that I decided to try it out. The first time I tried to do a balancing activity, I really did not understand what the game was asking me to do, so I did not do too well. But, on my second try, I did much better. I was not surprised by the results of the test, as it said pretty much what I thought it would, but I was encouraged by the fact that I don't have to lose as much weight as I thought I did in order to reach a healthier range. That was a little bit of good news and encouragement, and I think that a Wii Fitness purchase may be in our near future.
Yesterday, when we went over to visit, I asked about the bird. The kids wanted to see the eggs so my sister took the hanging plant down from the hook - after we watered it a bit and scared the mama bird away. Instead of two eggs, we found two small and rather ugly black baby birds in the middle of the begonia plant. The kids all looked at the baby birds before we set off on our next adventure in the backyard. Click the pics below to see all of the pics in the stack.
You see, my sister had told me about a hole in her backyard that one of her dogs had been after. She was afraid that it was a snake hole. So, we set out with a hoe and a broom handle to investigate. The first task was locating the hole. My sister's backyard is very thick and lush, so finding the hole was a bit difficult but we finally managed. After locating it, we pulled the grass back slighly to expose the hole more clearly. We still could not see anything, so I stuck the end of the broom handle down into the whole a bit, and we heard a terrible squeeking noise. After pulling the grass back a bit further, we could see a small brown haired animal. The hole that Gracie the dog has been intrigued with is the home of a baby bunny. After showing all of the kids the tiny backside of the little bunny, we brushed the grass back over the hole and left him alone. I took a short video - you can't see much more than a small portion of the little bunnies body as he breathes - but I can't get it to upload. I'll try to add it again later.
Today, when I returned to my sister's house to help her work in her yard, we did not have any encounters with the bird or the rabbit. Instead, she edged and trimmed her bushes, and I mowed. It was extremely hot, but we got the job done and her yard looks great.
The boys played basketball and videogames while we worked in the yard, and Megan played Wii Fit. Megan was having so much fun with Wii Fitness that I decided to try it out. The first time I tried to do a balancing activity, I really did not understand what the game was asking me to do, so I did not do too well. But, on my second try, I did much better. I was not surprised by the results of the test, as it said pretty much what I thought it would, but I was encouraged by the fact that I don't have to lose as much weight as I thought I did in order to reach a healthier range. That was a little bit of good news and encouragement, and I think that a Wii Fitness purchase may be in our near future.
My Second "Round" of Golf
I played my second round of golf today, and we made it through eleven holes before it got totally dark and they turned the sprinklers on us. You are probably thinking that we were grateful for the cool water of the sprinklers since it was so hot. But, if you are thinking that, you have not smelled the Plantation sprinklers, and believe me ... you don't want to.
Blake and I played golf with our neighbors: Duncan & Sherri, Janie & Chip, and Dan & Lisa. Because we started late and because the "girls" don't really play golf yet, we alternated shots with our spouses. So, Blake teed-off on the first hole, I hit the next shot, he hit the third, and so on until we got it in the cup. I did not hit the ball too well most of the night, but it was still fun being out there with Blake and our neighbors. After our round of golf, we returned to Duncan and Sherri's house for some appetizers, drinks, and birthday cake. Here are a few pics from our after golf festivities.
Blake and I played golf with our neighbors: Duncan & Sherri, Janie & Chip, and Dan & Lisa. Because we started late and because the "girls" don't really play golf yet, we alternated shots with our spouses. So, Blake teed-off on the first hole, I hit the next shot, he hit the third, and so on until we got it in the cup. I did not hit the ball too well most of the night, but it was still fun being out there with Blake and our neighbors. After our round of golf, we returned to Duncan and Sherri's house for some appetizers, drinks, and birthday cake. Here are a few pics from our after golf festivities.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Seven Holes of Golf
Tonight I played my first seven holes of golf at Plantation with Blake, Megan, and Connor. I started two over par for the first two holes, 3 or 4 over for the next hole because I hit it in the water, and then I am not sure what the count was on the next hole, as it was a creek over water, as well, and I just took some practice shots off of the side of the hill onto the green. It was a fun round (if you can call 7 holes a round) and some great family time. Megan and Connor played a little bit of each hole. They would drive, hit a few in the fairway, and then putt it out. Both of them were hitting the ball pretty well. Megan and I need to work on our putting. We both tend to hit the ball a little too hard on the green. For my first time out, I don't think that I did all that bad, but Blake may say otherwise.
I was scheduled to start a women's golf class at the PGA Superstore tomorrow night, but I am going to have to miss the first week and catch the putting lesson later in the session. Our neighbor, Duncan, is turning 42 tomorrow, so several of us are playing golf tomorrow night and then going to their house for a little birthday celebration. I think that it will be a fun evening.
By the way, the shoes pictured above are my new golf shoes.
Swimming with Friends & Good Life Lessons
The sun was out and the weather was hot. It was the perfect day for swimming. Megan went to the Rec Center's Water Park with her friend Maddie, and Connor and I hosted Kathy and Jacob at our swimming pool. Megan had a great time with Maddie, and Connor and I had a wonderful time catching up with Kathy and Jacob. The boys swam, jumped on the trampoline, and played in Connor's room a bit. They were really excited to see each other and played well together.
Today was also a learning day for Megan and Connor. This morning, Megan was very unhappy with me because I asked her to clean up her room. This evening, it was Connor's turn to be upset. Through both experiences, however, I had the opportunity of talking to them about the choices they make and the effects of those choices. They now both understand that their choices don't affect just themselves. After a little discussion, they were both quick to realize that their initial choices wasted a lot of their own time and the time of others and that others were disappointment, hurt, or without a playmate because of the choice they made.
All in all it turned out to be a great day. The kids apologized for their behavior and realized that their actions have consequences and that those consequences affect themselves and others. Hopefully today's lessons will help them stop and "think" before making the same/similar choices in the future.
Today was also a learning day for Megan and Connor. This morning, Megan was very unhappy with me because I asked her to clean up her room. This evening, it was Connor's turn to be upset. Through both experiences, however, I had the opportunity of talking to them about the choices they make and the effects of those choices. They now both understand that their choices don't affect just themselves. After a little discussion, they were both quick to realize that their initial choices wasted a lot of their own time and the time of others and that others were disappointment, hurt, or without a playmate because of the choice they made.
All in all it turned out to be a great day. The kids apologized for their behavior and realized that their actions have consequences and that those consequences affect themselves and others. Hopefully today's lessons will help them stop and "think" before making the same/similar choices in the future.
Monday, July 21, 2008
A Little Roast
I went grocery shopping this weekend, and I was trying to come up with something different to cook when I stumbled across a pot roast. I typically don't make pot roast in the summertime, as it is usually reserved for cold weather at our house, but it just sounded like a good, home-cooked option. So, I grabbed it and took it home. Today, the kids helped me salt & pepper the meat, peel and cut the potatoes, and slice the onion. Although they fought over who was going to do what, they both ended up peeling, slicing, and cutting before it was all over.
Saturday, July 19, 2008
A Movie and Some Golf
We saw the new Batman movie, The Dark Knight, this morning and then spent some time shopping at the mall. The movie was very good. Connor was afraid that it was going to be scary (because Blake had convinced him that it was scary), but when it was over, he frogged Blake in the arm and said, "That was not scary!" We all enjoyed it!
We went shopping at Dick's Sporting Goods after the movie. Connor wanted to rock climb, but we opted to just stick to golf today, so he hit a few balls while I tried on golf shoes. It ended up purchasing a white and taupe pair of Footjoy golf shoes and a golf glove.
After leaving Dick's, we ventured over to Golf Smith to look around and then finally on to the PGA Superstore. I hit some balls at the PGA Superstore and signed up for some free women's lessons on Wednesday evenings. I start the lessons this week. If anyone wants to join me, please let me know! I may also sign up for the golf package at our club house so that I can go to the driving range a few days a week and so that I can participate in the weekly clinics. One of my other neighbors is going to start going next week, so I may join her. I enjoyed hitting a few balls today at the PGA Superstore, I am looking forward to the lessons and to learning more about the wonderful game of golf!
Steph, can I still borrow your clubs?
We went shopping at Dick's Sporting Goods after the movie. Connor wanted to rock climb, but we opted to just stick to golf today, so he hit a few balls while I tried on golf shoes. It ended up purchasing a white and taupe pair of Footjoy golf shoes and a golf glove.
After leaving Dick's, we ventured over to Golf Smith to look around and then finally on to the PGA Superstore. I hit some balls at the PGA Superstore and signed up for some free women's lessons on Wednesday evenings. I start the lessons this week. If anyone wants to join me, please let me know! I may also sign up for the golf package at our club house so that I can go to the driving range a few days a week and so that I can participate in the weekly clinics. One of my other neighbors is going to start going next week, so I may join her. I enjoyed hitting a few balls today at the PGA Superstore, I am looking forward to the lessons and to learning more about the wonderful game of golf!
Steph, can I still borrow your clubs?
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