Doggy Outing

Friday had a 60% chance of rain, but it was also the only day all the kids were home. So we decided to go on our doggy outing rain or shine. We headed to a county where dogs are allowed on the beach. When we got to the place we were going to kayak, it was raining pretty hard. So we drove on because we could see clear sky ahead. But the beaches weren't good for kayaking. So after driving what seemed like forever to find that out, we stopped at a park for the doggies to stretch their legs.

It was a nice little park.

The dogs weren't too sure about it.

We stopped along the road to take a few pictures on the rocks.

Look how narrow the road is. The bike trail is almost as wide as the road! I wish I had a way to transport seven bikes.

We turned around and headed back to the park where we were originally going to stop. The weather had cleared. It was overcast, but not raining. So we hurried and unloaded the kayaks.

The latest in beach wear--portable dogs! Really it's just Scrappy in his new life jacket. They have carrying handles! I guess that's to make it easy to lift them out of the water.

Off they go. You can see Scrappy in front of Tyler but can't see Travis.

Travis liked to swim. I'm sure it must be a doggy reflex, but when they've been swimming and you lift them out, their paws keep paddling as though they are still swimming.

Travis needs a bigger life jacket. They sent the wrong size, but I kept it because I wanted it for this trip. I ordered him a bigger one too.

Caspian, two-years-old.

Travis, four-months-old.

Scrappy, fourteen-years-old

We have to wash the salt water off of everything after being in the water.

We got three 12" subs at Subway and split them.

Fastening the kayaks on top.

We had rented a small pavilion at the bay for today to jet ski and grill. Neighbors were going to join us. At 10:00 this morning it was still drizzling and gray. It had been raining. So I canceled it. They came over and we grilled here, played Wii and watched a movie. It was nice, but of course it cleared outside about two hours later. But you never know, and I had to cancel by a certain time or lose my money. We plan to go the next day it shows less than 40 or 50% chance of rain in the forecast.

 So that's how we spent yesterday and today. How about you? Anyone else have constantly rainy weather this summer?

Out and About

We've been on a loose schedule this summer because the twins do better on a schedule than with unstructured time, although there is some of that in the day. Even so, I do put parameters on what they can do with the time by giving several choices--play outside, use the scooters, play Wii or get out a bin of toys.

As you know, Jasmine has band camp for an hour and 15 minutes in the morning four days a week.  Today was the last day of week 2. On Wednesdays, Jessica works a double so we drop Jasmine at band camp and then take Jessica to work. We stay at the mall for a bit  and then go back for Jasmine.

Yesterday the plan was to pick Jasmine up and then hang out at a park until time to go to a movie which they all earned by completing section one of their workbooks.

Thankfully the weather cooperated.

This was our first time at this little park. Some kids were in the water, but the water was yucky rusty-brown. They said it's because of all the rain lately. I guess all the bays are like that right now. Too bad because we have beautiful blue or emerald water most of the time.

This was a different park we stopped at very briefly on the way to the mall for the movie. There isn't as much to do at this park, but it is apparently used for summer concerts. It's quite a ways from our house so we probably wouldn't go to them. It's not so far from where Jasmine has band camp.

We went to Epic at the theater where Jessica works.

Jessica's two new bosses who suck the fun out of everything discontinued free soda and popcorn plus free movies for family members and even discontinued free food for employees. It was only free if you brought your own bucket and cup. They didn't just hand out bags of popcorn and cups of soda. They've cut all the perks of working there. It has not been much fun with the new bosses.

She is one of the hardest workers, but at times it seems she is targeted. We kind of know why but it's not something I can share on the blog.


Tyler and Jessica went to a drop in adult tumbling class tonight. They seemed to enjoy it. Jessica won't be able to go much as it's only Thursdays and that's going to be her long day next semester. I don't have any pictures because they got caught up in the class and didn't think about taking any. The twins are going to try a gymnastics class  next week and if all goes well, I am going to enroll them and see how it goes.

Some of the previous issues are not happening right now because they are with me all the time, and I know what to look for and how to end it before it starts. But we are getting some of the "I don't know how to do this" or "I forget" game. If you're an adoptive parent, you know what I mean. I don't play the game and neither do you. My solution for forgetting is lots of practice. I have one that suddenly forgot where dishes go when asked to help dry dishes and forgot how to turn on the vacuum cleaner when asked to clean up a mess. Uh huh. Guess what he's doing for five days to help him remember?

We are getting ready to go on an outing tomorrow. Can anyone guess where we are going?

Travis is pretty excited about it! Can you tell how much he's grown since we first met him? 

Not so excited, but he might be once we get there and he sees where we are.

I'm just hoping for really nice weather!

So that's it for now. I'll post pictures of the outing if the weather cooperates. We have a fun weekend coming up.

Next week is the last week of band camp, the twins have soccer camp at the same time and we have about a dozen appointments coming up.

Summer Time

 Now that we are home from all our trips--Disney/Sea World (one day each), cruise, St Louis and Indiana, life has settled into a routine.

Pretty much we get up and I make breakfast while the others sweep their rooms and make their beds. Then we all clean up the kitchen. (Rick and Tyler leave by 6, and the rest of us don't get up until 7:00-7:30) We have a quick devotion time, then do exercises and hopefully get to the nearby park that has a walking path. We see how far we can get in 30 minutes. That's as long as we have because Jasmine had/has band camp last week, this week and next week Monday-Thursdays in the morning.

While she's gone, the twins work on the Bridge book they are doing. It has activities especially for kids going from 2nd to 3rd grade. You can get them for each grade. If Kayla gets a spot in 3rd grade at the charter school, they will expect her to have done this book during the summer. So we are just going ahead and doing it. Kaleb is doing it also because he needs the review too.

Jasmine has assigned summer work too, and she does it after band camp. In the afternoon they do whatever their jobs are and finish up any work from the Bridge books. We are trying to go to the pool 3-4 times a week to work on swimming. Other than that, they have free time to play inside or outside.

In the evenings we play Wii or watch a movie. After the twins are in bed, Jasmine has started watching "Murder She Wrote" on DVD, and we watch it with her. She's pretty good at figuring things out. Anyone watch that?

I had my half-birthday July 7 so now I'm officially 51 1/2!

Max turned 14 the same day, and we celebrate Scrappy's the same day because we have no clue when his is. He is about 14 also. But Max we've had since six weeks old and Scrappy since he was about 2.

We had three girls in one room, Kaleb and Adam in one room, and Tyler has had his own room pretty much his whole life. The two younger girls moved to Adam and Kaleb's room, and Kaleb moved in with Tyler. That has been a big adjustment for Tyler because Kaleb does not always respect other people's belongings! Adam is a lot more easy going than Tyler, so Kaleb has found himself in trouble with Tyler several times. 

Jessica helps with the band run in the morning. She has summer classes. Caspian is helping her with her work.

He seems to be a bit bored.

Jayden brought Daddy an early birthday present. Tyler is red because he's trying not to laugh. I was having trouble getting a good photo and taking forever so Jessica yelled from the living room, "Why don't you just invite it in and throw it a party!" I think it's too late for this mouse. Party's over.

The girls have been playing Just Dance Disney together.

The BAB's are all dressed and watching the dancing.

Working on a term paper on Cocaine use.

On her way to band camp.

The twins are doing an activity from the Bridge book. They had to try and blow up a balloon that was inside a bottle.

They found out you can't do it unless you cut a hole to let out the air already trapped in the bottle.

We haven't had a cooking schedule. The kids have just helped or cooked as needed. We'll get back to it in August.

Jasmine helping Kayla read to the bears/cats/dogs/dolls.

I did Jasmine's hair in big, loose corn rows last night, and today several people have told her she looks like Jaden Smith from Karate Kid. What do you think?

Jasmine had skull surgery as a baby and as she's grown, so have the scars. They extend clear across her head. No hair grows over the scars so it looks like we've messed up the braids. I can't do them tightly because it hurts her. So I just did fast, loose ones in tow layers so she wouldn't have to comb out her hair after swimming every day.

We haven't heard from Adam yet. I'm sure they are keeping them busy.

What have you been doing so far this summer?

Pool Time 2

Today we had an 80% chance of rain, but it was actually a beautiful day. So we went to the pool. Jessica had to work, but Tyler is off on Fridays, so he went along. I only have photos of Tyler and Jasmine on the wall. The twins are not yet ready to pass the test to go in the deep end. I think they will be by the end of summer. The hardest thing will be treading water for a whole minute.

Tyler going off the diving board.

Tyler on the climbing wall. He easily makes it to the top.

Jasmine made it about the first cross bar.

Mid air. You just drop from where ever you want.

We finally got our passes but no credit for the two days we had to pay extra because the place with the passes wasn't open. We'll go as much as possible during the week to get our money's worth, but probably not on the weekend since it's usually quite crowded. It's closed on Mondays.

Hope you have a good weekend.

Give Away Time

Update: Yes, it was a rhubarb leaf. Megan was the first to guess correctly. Books will be on the way.

To take part in this give away, you cannot be related to me and you need a USA mailing address.

Here are the books I'm giving away. Some are pre releases. That means it's the whole story and cover, but it hasn't been line edited and the back cover tells how they are going to market it instead of having back cover copy. They cannot be sold on ebay or swapped on paperback swap. So just do this if you want to read the books or have a friend who could benefit from them.

The books will go to whoever tells me first what Tyler decided to put on his head. Okay, we all can see it's leaf. What kind?