The Bottle Rocket

On the 4th of July quite a few people in our neighborhood did fireworks. A lot of those people went to Wyoming to get their fireworks. We just went to the local fireworks stand. We didn't want no stinking tickets from the coppers.

The next morning Baby found an unlit bottle rocket in our backyard. He was in Illegal Fireworks Heaven. Every year he begs us to go to Wyoming and every year we tell him No.

So, the next day when we went to our friend's house we decided to light the Illegal Fireworks. That way we wouldn't get the ticket if the cops decided to hunt us down. We're smart thinkers like that, letting others take the fall for us.

First order of business was to find something to hold the rocket. Since we don't drink soda from glass bottles anymore I think they're going to have to rename Bottle Rockets to something more relevant to our times. Thank goodness for Mexico Coke or our children wouldn't know what Coke in a Bottle looks like.

Our friend's had this contraption for a legal rocket that they shoot off occasionally.

Baby attempted to light the Firework. He was having a little trouble though.

Olaf came to the rescue.

They finally got it lit! It was a successful Bottle Rocket. Baby was a Happy Illegal Fireworker.

Summer At Last

Glorious Summer is here! Finally! It's only June 15, within a month I'll be complaining about the heat. But in the meantime I love 80-degree weather. Perfect for lounging at the pool. Baby and I have been to the pool twice this summer! I don't love the pool so this is a big accomplishment for me. And I've been working on that sunburn. It's coming right along.

I have also noticed all the sports cars are out of storage. They are quite beautiful. My favorite so far? The Camaro with the license plate "B84RDR."

We played Lumberjack one weekend. Gone are the hideous bushes along the garage, replaced with snowball bushes. I'm excited for how nice they'll look in a few years.

Olaf has been busy planning for his annual Scout Camp. They are gone and having a lot of fun and eating all the good food he bought. Middle Child's cousin came and went to camp with them. Those two just keep growing! I'm afraid they'll be taller than me by next summer. Baby and I are enjoying pancakes for dinner every night. Best food ever!

Hope your summer is treating you right! Enjoy it cuz snow ALWAYS comes way too soon.

Time for Summer

Another summer is upon us. Glorious warm and sunny weather. Time to get out of school. Time to let the kids stay up late and sleep in. Time to run your fingers through the soil as you pull noxious weeds. Time for shorts and t-shirts. Time for parades. Time for walks. Time to watch roly polies crawl around in the dirt. Time for dining al fresco. Time for visits to amusement parks. Time to sit outside because you can without freezing. Time for swimming in the pool. Time for barbecues. Time for bike rides. Time for swinging. Time for local carnivals. Time for night games with the neighbors. Time for camping. Time for watermelon. Time for sleeping with the windows open. Time for vacations. Time for lawn mowing. Time for fireworks. Time for visiting as everyone wakes from winter hibernation. Time for the rodeo. Time for strawberries and angel food cake with real whipping cream. Time for hikes. Time for weenie roasts. Time for not wearing coats or even jackets. Time for car rides. Time for visitors. Time for picnics. Time for sleeping with just a sheet. Time for running through the sprinklers. Time for driving with the windows down. Time for boating (if that's your thing). Time for fishing. Time for fresh corn on the cob. Time for the sun to shine and me to relax!

Quiet

I have two out of three boys gone for several days. First Born had a leadership camp for the Boy Scouts of America and Middle Child is off to a 5th grade camp that is put on by the school district every year. It has been so nice having one child and Baby is loving every minute of it!

First Born should be having a ball. He discovered at a meeting that he knows a few of the kids at camp from school and that helped relieve his reservations about going away for a week. He will be camping and learning survival skills and learn leadership skills and again camping, his favoritist part. He adapts well to new situations and gets along with most people and I know he is having a ball!

Middle Child is at camp with friends from school and should hopefully be having fun. I'm sure he is but he always worries us parents a little. Until recently he was not so much of a social bug. He was more happy to stay home and do stuff here. Grounding for him resulted in kicking him out of the house to go and play with friends. At first he considered it serious punishment but, of course, once he got playing with his friends he was happy.

It's amazing how different all children are. First Born is outgoing while Middle Child is much more reserved and Baby is a little of both, although once comfortable in a situation he can be a little too outgoing.