The Rock

Where do I begin?  I guess this is what you would call an ah-ha moment.  Mom and I were several blocks away from the Bewitched statue, where the lovely photo of me was snapped, when Mom decided to tell me about a rock.  She asked me if we could stop at the Bewitched statue on the way out of town because there was a perfect rock on the ground that she wanted to take home to remember her trip.  I decided that we weren't walking back to get it and thought maybe we could pull over on our way out of town.  I asked about the size of the rock, thinking that it was more of a pebble than rock.  She formed her hands into the shape of the rock and I asked her how we were suppose to take a rock the size of a small melon from the center of town without anyone noticing.  While we were having this conversation it came to me:  the reason my picture sucks is because she was more focused on the rock than taking the photo.

Stealing a rock from the center of town didn't seem like a good option.  I suggested she take one from the cemetary we were walking past. Clearly not understanding me, she informed me she couldn't possibly take a headstone.  I just gave her the look that she captured in the photo.  REALLY?  We came to the Salem Witch Memorial and decided to walk through the garden.  There were two men doing mason work to repair the memorial.  Across the lawn were two white five gallon buckets filled with debris the men had cleaned up.  Mom asked me if the rocks were free, I once again gave her the look and moved along.  She walked past me and I saw her pants.  She looked like a Canadian mountie.  She had stuffed a rather large rock in her pocket.  I was dying!  She realized the pocket was probably not the best place to hide the rock, so she decided to try and shove it in her purse which is the size of Chinese take out container.  I finally grab the rock and put it into my purse. Great, now I have to lug a rock around Salem.  Then it came to her, "I should have taken a rock from Boston."  To which I replied, "Thank God we're not going to Plymouth."

Road Trip

I took mom on an overnight trip to Boston and then to Salem. I think the photos speak for themselves. I debated on the title of this post, I almost called it The Many Faces of Sharon. I guess I should mention the one photo of me that mom took after standing there for a bit she finally snapped the picture. I started out with a smile.

Boston-Old Statehouse

Site of the Boston Massacre

Statue of Samuel Adams infront of Faneunil Hall

Paul Revere

Paul Revere's home.

One of the many cemetarys we walked through.

Paul Revere

Our hotel in Salem.

No words for this shot.

The only photo of me on the trip.

House of Seven Gables in Salem.

Finally

I have been trying to upload this video for three days!!!!!  Here it is!

Ballerina

Abigail danced in her first recital today.  We are so proud of her performance. She looked liked a little angel on the stage. Nanny won the 50/50 raffle and gave the money back to the dance school although Donny was a bit confused by her generosity.  Donny managed to sit through the entire recital and even picked up a few dance moves.  His favorite dancer will be heading to Broadway to play the part of young Simba in The Lion King.  Donny asked if we could get tickets to see him, so I guess we will be going to a Broadway show soon. I have posted the video of Abigail's dress rehearsal from last week.  Sorry about the quality of the video.  Her performance today was much improved.

School's Out

Today was Donny's last day of kindergarten.  The kids had friends over for a play date.  The weather was very, very hot so we filled the little pool and set up the sprinklers.  The kids had a blast and i know my two were wiped out.  Just before the parents came for pick up, we went for a ride on the fire engine.  What a wonderful way to kick off the summer. 

Donny's last bus walk for kindergarten.

Let the play date begin!  School is out for the summer.

Abigail had her own sprinkler to play.

A ride on the fire engine.

I tried to take a photo of Abigail and her friend Liam.  Abigail's hair had other ideas.

There he is!  I can see the top of his head.

I love this photo with the mountain in the background.

The end of the day.

Nanny

Abigail and Donny running into the train station to find Nanny.  Nanny will be here for two weeks.  I think she will need another two weeks vacation to recover from the kids.  Donny couldn't wait to see what was on Nanny's toothbrush because his is a Star Wars toothbrush that lights up.  He thinks Nanny's might have flowers. 

Busy, Busy

What a week! Donny had his field day at school which was rescheduled because of rain.  We left the field day and went to Abigail's last ballet class.  When we returned from ballet, I went into the house and the kids stayed outside to play.  I peaked out the window to see if they we okay and Donny was completely naked playing with the hose.  Abigail flew into the house and as she ran past me said, "Donny's got an idea."  A few moments later she ran out the door carrying a bar of soap.  I convinced Donny to put his shorts on because he certainly didn't want a sunburn on his tinkler. They used the bar of soap to wash Donny's clothes they way "Laura Ingalls did."

Friday was Abigail's last day of school.  She was very sad when she realized that she wouldn't have the same teachers when she returned in the fall.  She was so proud of herself when she gave the teachers her gift.  Abigail wrote her name on each of the name tags and I have to say, she did a very good job.  Abigail's ballet dress rehearsals was held on Saturday.  I know I'm her mother, she was so darn cute!  I just wanted to kiss her all over. I can't wait for the recital to see Donny's reaction.  She refuses to show him her dance because he will be at the show and she doesn't want to ruin the surprise.

We spent Father's Day at home with the family.  The weather was beautiful and the kids had a blast with their cousin.  A great day!

Song and Dance

Weekend

 We had a very nice weekend and I am a bit slow with the photos.  Donny had his last t-ball game of the season and I think we were all thrilled to see it end for the year.  For some reason Scooby-Doo made an appearance at the park.  Donny couldn't believe how big he was and Abigail was upset that we could see his sneakers through his costume.

 After the game, the kids spent a large part of the day in Donny's room playing.  Abigail loves that Donny can now read books to him.  The clouds and rain cleared by the end of the day so we threw them in the pool.  We ended the evening with a badminton game and two very tired children











The weather was beautiful on Sunday so we packed a lunch and drove up to Copake.  I couldn't have asked for a better day.  Donny and I fished while Abigail played doctor and fixed Big Daddy's leg.  The kids played in the pond and Big Daddy and I relaxed.  My only complaint was the three families from the city who all have country houses.  We were the only people at the part when the city folk arrived.  An entire park and they practically sit on top of us.  Their blanket was actually touching ours.  Thank heavens they had to leave early to drive back to the city.  I will be avoiding the park on the weekends now since they plan to come up every weekend this summer. (I am aware of this information because of our proximity to the weekenders.  I can also tell you their allergies, doctors they use and the problem with the niece who is just having a hard time with life, but I won't put you through that hell.)

Pains

Yesterday afternoon I was suffering from a painful stomach ache.  The pain would come in waves and would the subside for awhile.  On the way home from Donny's t-ball game, I mentioned that I had eaten a few almonds in the morning.  Donny was certain I was having an allergic reaction. He told me he would mind if I wasted one of his Epi-pens.  I tried to explain that I was not having a reaction and everything was fine.  He was very persistent and had a plan of action.  Even Abigail was telling him I just had a small stomach ache. 

Donny grabbed my purse and hid behind the couch when we got home.  I thought for a minute and then I realized what he was thinking.  I almost jumped over the couch to stop him.  He was going to stick me with his Epi-pen.  How would I explain that one to Big Daddy?

Zoo

On Monday I opened  the front door to find a little deceased chipmunk thanks to Kitty.  On Tuesday, we were greeted by this little guy who has been snacking on Kitty's food and bathing in her drinking water.

And finally this morning, Big Daddy was surprised to find this newborn fawn next to the garden shed.

Smile

I received Abigail's class photos and her ballet photos in the same day. I saw her class photo first. The other children in her class had a full package of photos to choose from, I was handed a tiny photo in plastic with the word PROOF stamped across the front.  Apparently, the photographer didn't care for her outfit.  I loved it and have since ordered a package.

Later that day I received her ballet photos in the mail.  The single shot is so sweet, but it is the group shot that made me laugh out loud in the driveway.   The look on her face tells the entire story.  When she was taken into the room with the other girls all hell broke loose.  As soon as the door shut, the crying and screaming began.  I could see through a crack in the blinds and I knew Abigail was okay and not one of the crying children.  All of the other mothers were called into the room to sooth their child so they could get the group shot.  Abigail clearly wasn't in the mood to deal with the other girls.