Summer in the neighborhood . . .

Even though it is hotter than heck in Boise, there are two things that make me happy to see the sun every morning . . . watching our garden grow and watching Emma at the Natatorium!  Without that big ball of fire looming large in the sky, summer would not be as enjoyable . . .

Loving our garden, even the ridiculously large patch of zucchini--I believe Eric planted four starts.  They have now taken over . . . 

View from the other end . . . check out that garlic . . . it is fabulous!   I never want to use the dry bulbs from the store again!!  If you ever have the chance to watch garlic grow, do it.  Maybe next year I will take a picture of each stage and post it for you.  Someone out there will need to remind me.

Emma has mastered the "swim test!"  This would be the test you have to take every time you go to the pool if you want  to use the diving boards.  Kids are required to swim the width and back of the Olympic sized pool.  Not too bad if you are a confident swimmer.  Emma is not.  She is an over-confident swimmer.  After an attempt gone bad-she did not really swim as much as she kind of paddled/thrashed her way across and was denied access -she has pushed herself to try the test on every visit.  Her pride and determination motivated her and she has passed each test since . . . Now she spends her time perfecting her jumps!!! 

 As easy as taking a walk . . .

Good splash!  I gave it a 10!!!!

Band pics . . .

Just a few shots from Katy's year-end Pops Concert at North Junior High and Emma's band camp performance. 

The students love the Pops Concert because they do not have to dress up in the "black and whites" for this performance.   It also takes place on the lawn outside at the school instead of in the gym.  The weather is often iffy, so the clothespins keep the music from flying away.  The biggest bonus--the students are able to play pop/rock songs.  No classical music at this one.  

This was also the band awards night and one of the "honors" was being voted as "looking most like your instrument." Before the concert, Katy was horrified to find out several of her bandmates chose her for that particular award.  She was quite relieved when a young man won for looking most like his Baritone.  Poor guy.  One would think Katy was a shoo-in, but there were more boys than girls in the band, so the boys' choice won again.  I was surprised that Katy did not the see the "obviousness"of it all!  I asked about her choice--she voted for the tall girl who played the clarinet!!!  

Such serious work!!

They played Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody", Katy Perry's "Firework", and LMFAO's "Party Rock Anthem."  The 8th/9th grade band performed a medley of Rolling Stones tunes.  Can you tell her instructor is over the age of 50?  He made jokes about the Katy Perry/LMFAO songs being his favorites!  I guess he had to give the kids a few "modern" choices!!  

Emma was involved in a three week long Beginning Band/Orchestra day camp that was offered by the Boise School District.  It gives the incoming 5th graders a chance to see if they might like to learn an instrument before the classes begin in the fall.  Such a good idea.  Emma gave it a go with the clarinet!  She took to it pretty well and really enjoyed the camp.  Over 150 kids throughout the district participated!!  In three weeks,  Emma learned three songs that she was able to play with all of the other participants at the camp-ending concert.  I was amazed at her level of improvement in such a short amount of time.  She is now looking forward to participating in 5th grade band!  

In her first "black and whites."  Looks a bit like her instrument . . .

Peeking out before the show starts.  Emma played the "Mickey Mouse March", "Old MacDonald had a Band", and a tune called "Black Magic."  

Oops . . . I did not mean to do that!

This is what happens when you have a mother who has some slightly obsessive behaviors when it comes to cleaning certain things . . . 

Pee Wee, enjoying the great outdoors in McCall.  He is sporting a band-aid, as that was my quick fix for the gaping hole that had developed due to his propensity for following Emma everywhere, including a camping trip, where he was bound to get very, very dirty.  He thought nothing of cavorting through the wilderness, sitting on large rocks overlooking a very smoky campfire, and generally ignoring the pleas to stay in the cabin!!!  To make matters worse, his BFF insisted on tucking him in to her cozy, clean-as-can-be-expected-when-camping sleeping bag!  Arghhhh!!!!  Unbeknownst to Pee Wee, he earned the first appointment at the Kenmore Spa upon our return to Boise.
When we returned home, I tried to take the band-aid off to sew him up in preparation for his spa treatment.  It would not peel off.  At all.  Stuck like superglue!!  After picking at it for way too long, I made a quick baste stitch at the wound site and hoped the band-aid would fall off in the water.    

Funny thing . . . when I was placing Pee Wee in the Kenmore Spa, I thought to myself, "What if there is another spot where the stitching has come undone and I just don't see it . . .  imagine the mess?!"  I threw him in.  I "cleansed" Pee Wee on the gentle cycle.  The result was not so gentle.  Another side note--Emma had a friend over for a visit when I was doing all of this.  When I opened the machine, this was what I saw.  (Okay--it is kind of hard to see it, but there was green foamy fluff everywhere.  I had to shake each item out over a basket to retrieve Pee Wee's "insides.")  I began to laugh.  You know, that uncomfortable laugh you sometimes get when you see someone hurt themselves, but you just can't help it.   Then I thought of Emma.  I knew I would have to frame this in a better light.  But I could not talk to her with a straight face.  She was mad.  Her friend started to giggle when she looked in the washer.  Kind of diffused the situation until I could get a grip.  

The" insides" outside drying in the sun.

Just hangin' around in the backyard, tanning in the afternoon sun, having lost a little weight at the spa.   

Back to fighting weight, Pee Wee is now re-stuffed and ready for his next adventure.  (I think he is scheduled to go to Seattle in late July. )   Clearly, Emma is happy with me again!!!

Eric thinks this incident should have taught me a lesson.  I have been known to ruin a stuffed animal or two while in the process of cleaning.  The last time something tragic happened, it was due to the fact I received a late night phone call warning me that a student in Katy's class had lice.  I immediately ran into her room, checked Katy's head (no lice!!!), took all of the stuffed animals off the bed, threw them into the dryer and started them all on a lengthy, high heat cycle.  I did not notice the Bounce softener sheet in with the stuffies.  One or two animals come out of the experience with very matted fur.  It was kind of weird.  But, hey, none had lice!!!!