A Challenge, But FUN!!

Matt was awarded a trip to Cancun by his employer for meeting his sales goal in the past year.  He and Dawn spent three days in Cancun, plus two days traveling there and back.  And I watched Brandon and Sophia while they were gone.  I'll admit it:  I was unsure of my ability to oversee them for five days.  If they listened, if they obeyed, it would be no problem for me.  If our views of how things should be done conflicted, the days would seem to be unending. 

Matt had given each of the kids a gift card and their choice of activity Sunday was to go shopping!  They wanted to end up at the mall, but had stops to be made on the way.  We alternated:  a stop here for Brandon, the next stop for Sophia.  They were good shoppers.  If they couldn't find what they wanted, we moved on.  Eventually both were satisfied.  Sophia found nail polish, fake nails and bear-faced cushy slippers.   Brandon added to his football card collection.  I guess one can never have too many.

Dawn and Matt were hosting a Halloween party when they returned, so I thought I'd help get ready by vacuuming.  However, I couldn't get into Brandon's and Sophia's bedrooms because of all their toys scattered about.  While I helped Sophia move things to their proper places, I asked Brandon to move his to his bed.  I expected an argument but for some reason, both regarded this chore as more of a game.  Once Sophia's floor was clear and she was free to go play, I moved to Brandon's room. 

He was still working diligently.  He'd begun to fill the waste basket beside him with broken crayons, old school papers, and other trash.  Before the session was completed, he'd filled and emptied the container three times.  And he was still on a roll. 

I had dusted the bedside table and chest and said I was too tired to do more but would finish in the morning.  He wanted it done now, and went to find the step stool and then climbed it so he could dust and rearrange the items on his highboy.  Next he moved to the closet where he straightened his shoes and hanging clothes.  Finally the sports card notebooks and boxes containing those that hadn't been assigned a place were neatly stacked in the closet.  He'd worked steadily for over two hours and was pleased by his accomplishment.  I was flabbergasted that he'd stayed with the task and done it right!  He was so proud and said that he intended to keep his room tidy. 

It turned out to be a great week.  They ate what I fixed (and asked for the leftovers the next night!).  We also went out to eat at their favorite restaurant and brought home ice cream to eat while relaxing before bedtime.  And they kept their rooms neat, although Sophia doesn't seem to be bothered by clutter and had to be encouraged to put toys away rather than just toss them into the room!

Happily, I'm looking forward to doing it again.  But there's no need to rush to it.

A New Four-Letter Word, and It's Not Fall

But fall is here. There was frost on the roof earlier this week, but it didn't reach the ground. Summer flowers are still blooming. Instead of posting a note, I should be outdoors clearing them out of the garden. My excuse is that there will be a warmer day, perhaps as early as tomorrow, in which to tackle the task. Some preparatory work has been done, however. I had the carpets cleaned after postponing the job until the kids were back in school and not here as much to drop crumbs or spill drinks. That job completed, I wheeled in the large plant container that houses the ten-year-old hibiscus. It was a prolific bloomer throughout the summer and I didn't want to lose it to freezing temperatures. In addition, the screen in the front door has been replaced by the glass panels, but I still need to remove other screens before the snow arrives.

Brandon's football season is finished. Their record shows fewer wins than losses, but I'm proud of the skills he has learned and the teamwork exhibited by all the boys on the Panthers team. The weather yesterday was mostly sunny as opposed to the rain at last week's game. There was nothing fun about sitting in four layers of clothes covered by a Niagara Falls Maid of the Mist blue plastic poncho. Brandon had told Dawn earlier in the season that he wanted to play a game in the rain. He didn't look so enthused when he came off the field coated in mud and dripping water from his fingertips.

As a hospital volunteer, I was able to get a seasonal flu shot Tuesday at no charge. In and out in less than three minutes. Glad I didn't delay. Brandon went to school on Tuesday and the school called 30 minutes after his arrival to ask Dawn to come get him. She took him to the doctor on Wednesday. The practice had already diagnosed several cases of flu and Brandon was sent home with a prescription for Tamiflu and instructions to rest. His fever broke on Thursday, and he stayed home from school Friday to obey the 24-hours fever-free before rejoining society. Saturday morning he was back to being his normal self, so was able to play in his last football game for the season. As quarterback, he ran in one play for a touchdown. It was hard to tell who was more excited -- him or his family.

Sophia's finally losing her primary teeth. The two bottom teeth came out early this year. One of her top teeth came out as she ate an apple a few weeks ago. The other, the central incisor that she knocked loose when she fell against the bedside table while jumping on the bed a couple years ago, has been resistant to letting go. And the lateral incisor next to it, instead of loosening, seems to be climbing up her gum. Dawn is taking her to the dentist tomorrow for examination and anticipated removal of both teeth. Sophia seems nonchalant about the visit.

While we watched Brandon's game yesterday, a woman walked through the crowd carrying a large box with FREE KITTENS printed in red poster paint on it. There were three adorable fluffy, soon-to-be long-haired kittens inside. I've already made up my mind to get two kittens when it's time. For thirty seconds I thought about getting a small dog, but taking care of cats is much easier than tending dogs. Still, I'm pushing adoption day away. I want to wait until after the visit to California to see Brett and Michelle in November, because I don't want to have to board them. I am also enjoying the peaceful mornings I've had since the end of August when Kitty died. No animal with an internal alarm clock announcing that it's time for breakfast. No need for me to be quiet so I don't rouse sleeping (and therefore still) pets. I have really enjoyed that aspect of being without pets. (Photo source: icanhascheezburger.com)

The new four-letter word? Snow. It's just a matter of days.........

September Song

The past few weeks have been the type that we in the area live for: sunny, low humidity, and temperatures in the mid 70's during the day and mid 50's overnight. I actually looked forward to sunrise and getting in the car to drive over to the walking track to make a circuit. In fact, one day, I did two laps. It's unusual to have weather as consistently pretty as September has been, and I don't hear anyone complaining!

As fall approaches, it's the season for craft festivals. Dawn, Sophia and I attended a new arts event at the nearby park a few Saturdays ago. Lots of paintings and graphic art. And lots of hand-crafted jewelry. And entertainment. I admire the organizers for attempting this first-time event, especially when there are so many other already-established venues. If there is a second annual Arts in the Park, I hope the organizers allow the exhibitors more space. Or more room for the visitors to examine the artists' work. One person stopping to admire work or make a purchase stopped others' progress through the tented segments. Several times we passed an exhibit because there was no way to see the work unless we stood in line. No thank you.

The grandparent of fall craft fairs in the area started last weekend. This is the thirty-seventh year of the Yankee Peddler Festival, a celebration of Ohio history, food, crafts, and art that runs three consecutive weekends in September. The smell of wood smoke permeates the grounds since electricity and other modern-day conveniences may not be used during the event. Exhibitors are required to dress in period costumes. Tents are commonly seen since many exhibitors camp on the grounds during the festival.

This year a new area called Yankee Peddler Today has been set aside where craftsmen (and women) may dress in current styles. The Festival is a popular destination of tour buses from nearby areas. Dawn and I have noted in the past few annual visits that each year there are fewer exhibitors than the year before. Still, there's a lot to see regardless of whether a visitor is keen to purchase hand-crafted goods. Dawn and I are interested in stopping by the food booths where a variety of foods such as meats cooked over wood fires, fresh lemonade, batter-fried veggies, apple fritters, and funnel cake tempt us. We don't leave hungry!

We've had a beautiful September and can now look forward to a colorful autumn as October approaches. I'd like to put off winter's arrival as long as possible.

'tis the Season - for Football

Last fall Brandon played football for the first time. Boys his age, second and third graders 7 and 8 years old, played flag football: no pads, no helmets and no tackling. Instead each player wore a belt with a ribbon attached to each side. When an opposing player pulled a "flag" off your belt, you were out of the play. Most of the boys wanted to participate in the game, but some were not interested in learning and appeared to regard this as an escape from doing their homework.

This year at 9 years old, Brandon moved up to the B League where the boys are fourth and fifth graders. Over one hundred boys are participating. This year they're wearing helmets and pads and they're tackling. One of the first things the boys learned was how to hit and not be hurt yourself doing it. Another was how to tackle properly to avoid injuring that player. They have also had it emphasized that they must work together as a team.

Most of the boys have their heads in the game this year. Brandon's dad used to play football, and Matt has encouraged Brandon and worked with him so that he knows the importance of learning the plays and then practicing their execution. The other night Brandon was going through the drill for his position as quarterback, and since Matt was not home yet, Brandon asked Dawn to work with him. He'd tell her what the play was and where she should run. After a couple tries, he asked her to stop running in slow motion. She replied that she's a little older and bigger than his teammates and she was going as fast as she could.

After three weeks of two-hour three-nights-a-week practices, the youth football Kick-Off Classic was held at the community's football stadium under the lights Saturday evening. Opposing teams were paired and, as each came on the field in uniform, first the cheerleaders and their coaches then the players and their coaches, all were introduced. Then play began. Each team was allowed to execute ten plays against their opponent.

It was great to see the boys actually concentrating and working together. Of course there were fumbles and missed plays, but there were some well executed endeavors as well. Brandon passed off the ball without dropping it and the ball carrier held tight and gained some yardage. Brandon kept the ball in one play and managed to gain several yards before he was tackled. He also threw a pass (that was caught!) and the runner made more than first down yardage. They also seemed to understand their assignments when they were on defense.

In less than 20 minutes I made myself hoarse yelling in excitement. Brandon doesn't give any indication that he may tire of playing, so I'm going to have to invest in an air horn or cowbell if I'm going to have any voice after a real game.

Countdown

On Monday it was three days and counting. Three days in Grandma's care until the schools are back in session.

I walked my mile at the track early, before the temperature succeeded in its march to make this another 90° day. Then it was over to pick up Brandon and Sophia.

Sophia can play by herself. But she's just discovered the cash register in the toy box and likes to "sell" items using the register's scanner. I got to be the customer: first, as her grandmother; then, a teacher; eventually someone else's mom. Each time I bought a bag full of books and puzzles which I then returned so that they could be put on display for the next "customer" to purchase.

Although Christian and Kelsi's mom is on vacation this week, Christian wanted to come to Grandma Sherry's to play with Brandon. The boys played quietly all morning with the Tech Decks. When they got bored, they asked if they could go out for lunch. Grandma Sherry told them to ask Grandpa Terry to take them. Evidently it wasn't a problem because minutes later their car zipped out the driveway. That meant I needed to take Sophia out for lunch. Three days and counting.

At two days and counting, Dawn took the day off so that she and I could do something special with Brandon and Sophia. I suggested another visit to the zoo, a drive down the interstate to a wild animal conservation preserve or perhaps a train ride. None of these ideas appealed to them. Believe it or not, they wanted to go shopping!

They needed school shoes and we visited numerous stores to find each the perfect pair. I gave Brandon and Sophia some cash with which to buy themselves something. I love watching their minds work -- how much can they buy or what must they return to the shelf in order to have some other item. Sophia visited Build A Bear and it took her an eternity to pick her animal, a snow leopard she named Sparkles. Brandon was quicker. He headed to Game Stop, a store that sells new and used video games. In five minutes he'd made his selection and we were headed out into the mall again. Four hours of shopping was time well spent, because they both had a good time.

Friday. Down to one day and counting. Brandon, Sophia and I spent some time straightening up the garage where miscellaneous toys cluttered the floor. Some were boxed up to carry to Goodwill and those beyond repair/usefulness were put in the trash. The girls' kitchen, beauty center, and washing machine will be recycled soon since the girls have lost interest in playing with them. The garage will be all mine again.

The countdown has been completed. Over the weekend bedtimes will be earlier as Brandon and Sophia prepare for Monday morning. When they arrive here after school that afternoon, the countdown to the next holiday will have begun.

Hot Hot HOT

Hot Hot HOT!! Summer is finally here.

Matt and Dawn headed to West Virginia Friday afternoon for a grown-ups get-together. The plan was that Brandon and Sophia would spend Friday night until Sunday midday with Nana and Pap, Matt's parents, at their campsite. However, Sophia had been invited to spend Saturday afternoon at a pool party with some schoolmates. Allowed to decide whether it would be friends or family, she chose friends. So she stayed with me.

Saturday's weather yielded cloudless skies and a temperature topping 90°. I had to work, and the parents of the party hostess congenially offered to let me drop off Sophia early. When I returned to pick her up, she showed me some new water skills and then, without repeated requests from me, Sophia thanked her hosts, gathered her belongings and we headed home. The high outdoor temperature had warmed the inside air. Thank heaven for ceiling fans. As long as we didn't exert ourselves, we were comfortable.

I had prepared fresh corn-on-the-cob for Friday's dinner and Sophia ate her share and half of mine. On the way from from the gift shop Saturday, I picked up more corn. Dinner was light -- corn, cantaloupe and grapes -- and early -- 5:30. After playing hard through the hot afternoon, I expected Sophia to crash before dark. I was wrong. She was in bed at 8:00, but unable to go to sleep. An hour later, I sent her in to try again and she was successful.

I woke up this morning to find her in my bed. Kitty (the cat) routinely wakes up and demands breakfast (meowing incessantly) about 7:00. In order to let Sophia sleep, I had to get up to feed her. While Sophia slept, I sat on the porch and read the newspaper until 9:00 when she appeared beside me, tossle-headed and sleepy-eyed.

And so another day had begun. I anticipated a physically lazy day to recuperate from Saturday's activities. For me, that is. I think Sophia will be back in the water at home this afternoon.

Give Me a Soft Chair and a Stiff Drink

There are less than two weeks until Brandon and Sophia are back to school. In the past three months there were days I thought would never end. But looking back, the summer has flown by. Today was the cream between the chocolate cookies. It was steamy earlier this week and will hit the high 80's over the weekend. But today the high was only 80 degrees -- perfect.

I'd told Brandon and Sophia we would do something special today and it was their decision to go to the Akron Zoo. It has interesting exhibits, is clean, easily navigated and only 45 minutes from home. A good choice.

The kids get crazy when they are excited, but eventually they got into the car with their bottles of water and snacks. This is a drive I should make more often, because even with directions off the computer, I managed to make at least one navigational error. Brandon was co-pilot, but he was reading waay too slow or I was driving waay to fast and we missed a critical turn. Fortunately I was familiar enough with the area from past trips that eventually we found our way to the entrance.

I thought that going midweek would ensure no crowds. Huh. When we arrived thirty minutes after the zoo opened, we were directed to the distant parking lot. But in spite of the high attendance, we were able to see the lions and tigers and bears (oh my!). And because it was not a hot day, the animals were active rather than displaying their usual lethargy of midsummer. After two hours both Brandon and Sophia were hot and ready to head back to the car. I'd promised lunch and they were ready to move on.

The rest of the afternoon was orchestrated by Brandon and Sophia. Our fast food lunch was followed by a visit to one of the national chain stores. I'd given each some pocket money and they were anxious to see what they could spend it on. Brandon had his eye on more Teck Decks; Sophia, on clothes. The first store didn't have what Brandon wanted, so we stopped at another.

Finally we plopped our tired bones in the car and headed home. Brandon sat down to play with his new apparatus and Sophia put on her new apparel. I sat down to read e-mail and watched the clock, waiting for Dawn to arrive and take the kids away. Now they're gone and I finally have my soft chair but I'm too tired to go fix that stiff drink!