Butterfly Bush

We've had a flowering bush, which seems to have attracted many of the butterflies in our neighborhood. This is the first year they have been so plentiful in our yard. We find butterflies on our doorstep, porch, vehicles, and they surround us as we play or walk outside.



Ryan hasn't been able to catch one, until today...



He was very excited.





He wanted me to get a picture of him holding it, but it got away before I could snap a photo.

BoomBox and Basketball

Ryan: When I was in P.E. today they played Michael Jackson...and I did the moonwalk.
I need a ipod or and itouch, so that when I do this I can listen to music.
I don't always want to be my own boom box!

Silly Bandz Banned

If there is one thing Ryan has talked about each and every day after arriving home from school, it is how many Silly Bandz he's traded, what kind, and how many more he will get tomorrow. The Silly Bandz craze started last year, and shows no signs of slowing down any time soon. They are everywhere...elementary schools, middle schools, and the high schools. They are collected and traded. They come in all different shapes with various themes.
However, today was a sad day as Ryan announced, "Tomorrow is the LAST day for silly bandz at school." He has decided to wear them ALL tomorrow as a tribute...



I told him it might be a bit distracting. He said he would be fine, because he had one friend last year that had them(silly bandz) all up and down his arms and legs!



I guess we will see how many he comes home with tomorrow...if any!

Here's a fun article if you(grandma) have never heard of Silly Bandz...

Silly Bandz craze spreads with kids and teens: One principal bans them as Disco Bandz coming soon - Fort Lauderdale Parenting Teens | Examiner.com

School Days

We are now in our 2nd full week of school and finally posting 1st day pictures that I was told not to post, because they(Kaitlyn/Cody) didn't like them. I gave them the option of retakes, but I had no takers, so here they are...







We are off to a busy start and already having trouble keeping up with everyone's schedules. I'm sure it will continue to be a very busy and exciting year for all of us.

Anniversary

Happy Anniversary to the most kind, caring, compassionate, and devoted best friend(wow, we look so young)!

Scout Camp

Cody is at scout camp this week, and we miss him. Casey was lucky(well, maybe not so lucky in this heat) to be able to spend a night and a day with the boys this week.



They've had a week full of activities centered around earning their merit badges...

LIFESAVING

(Cody saving)



(Cody being saved)


ARCHERY


and a few other activities as well...

Cheeto toss



and Cheeto Burning



I'm sure he's had a fun and busy week but will be glad to get back to his own bed, shower and AC(oh, and summer reading assignments)!

82 years old today

Happy Birthday to my Grandma who is 82 years old today and is in the last stages of Alzheimers. I wish I could be there to visit with her, eat lunch with her, sit with her, nap with her or just watch her, even though she probably would not remember that I came.



I love her and miss her. There isn't a day goes by that I don't think about her.



she loved treating us to frozen yogurt before sleepovers
she loved church
she loved Neo-Life vitamins(which we loved teasing her about)
she loved her grandchildren
she loved her family
she loved helping her family
she loved walking
she loved teaching us(beehives in young women-church) to walk straight, talk proper, and sit like a lady.
she edited my college papers
she said she'd marry Casey if he was her age
she was funny
she liked to laugh
she was my friend


our last visit with her - 10 years ago

Happy Birthday Grandma, we love and miss you!