We have been getting out as much as possible, as weather permits. There is so much we want to do outside, but so many projects need to get done around the house. It's difficult to balance between the two with such a short summer season. We already have so many fun things planned this summer, between Yellowstone, Idaho, and Utah.
Yesterday, we helped out with the Bangor Stake service project. We were cleaning up the carriage roads in Acadia. The kids (even Madie) mentioned a few times how much fun they were having. Even Petya was wielding a rake and getting into the action. It's a good experience for the kids to get involved in activities like these.
When I came home Friday night, the kids had constructed a fort out of lava lavas on the front deck and were eager to show it to me. Obviously, very proud of their engineering. Madie asked to sleep in it with Elvis. I considered it, but then wasn't feeling so warm and fuzzy about it. Mal suggested doing it in the back deck. Easier for everyone to access, hear if there are issues in the middle of the night, etc. The kids were so excited about the idea, they immediately began moving everything back there! I decided to help them create a new fort with a large tarp, which would offer better protection. We also set up Mary Poppins in there for them. Petya and Finn both fell asleep before the end of the movie, but Madie was awake the whole time. I decided to sleep out there with them just in-case they needed one of us for something. Madie was pretty insistent on keeping the fort up for the rest of the weekend. She loved reading out there Saturday afternoon, enjoying some fresh air. I'm sure we will do some more of that this summer.
Thursday of last week was about 85 degrees, and neither of us felt like cooking dinner. That's right, we start to become dysfunctional after 85 degrees. So, we went to The Thirsty Whale for dinner, and ran around Agamont Park.
Finn is doing T-ball again this year. Let me just say, I couldn't be happier with the way it's going. Last years T-ball was a big boring disaster that made Finn dislike T-ball. It involved a lot of games that were geared toward teaching a few fundamentals with baseball. But Finn is already at the stage of hitting my overhand throws, and can occasionally catch the ball with his mitt. He is more interested in actually playing the game of baseball, and not all of those "...stupid..." games used to teach you the game of baseball. This year, it's very simple. Roll out to the field, set up a T, take turns at the T, have a few kids field the hits and throw it to first base, and a few kids off to the side playing catch. And parents are involved all over the field. This is such an improvement, and Finn actually likes it. He is doing so well too. He really has a great arm and outstanding hand-eye coordination.
Madie did excellent at her piano recital. She always impresses me with her ability to read music. She is comfortable playing in front of an audience, even though she appears to be embarrassed afterward.
Finn's first performance. He is also coming along nicely! Just some simple, basic songs. I am proud of him and Madie for their performances. Mal does a great job teaching them.
Did I mention all of that rain we were getting? After a few days of significant rain, we went hiking to a few places that would offer some interesting falls. This one was the bridge at the trailhead of Deer Creek. And can I say, this photo pretty much captures the personality of each kid. Madie appearing bored (she loves hiking and running, but you would never guess it from this photo...not into having her photo taken still), Finn looking distracted (...squirrel!), and Petya happy we didn't leave her at home (anytime we are getting ready to go somewhere, she always asks "Can I go?" She is a happy girl always wants to be included in whatever is going on.)
I thought Mal would do a post on her Shrek performance, but time got away...yada yada yada, we haven't blogged for over a month. She started working on the show back in January, and stuck with it through the end. The show was hilarious, captivating, and entertaining. Mal did a great job as the wicked witch. The kids loved the show. Bravo!
On a personal note, I passed my Certified Safety Professional (CSP) exam. I had studied for that off and on for the past couple of years. After a training I went to in November, I resoled to buckle down and get it done. Every morning, I went to work to study for an extra 30-60 minutes. On Saturdays, I would go in to work early to get in an extra hour, and periodically studied in the evenings as time permitted. Having this will open up a lot of professional possibilities in the next few years, and of course offer extra job security should anything happen with my current job. I'm not done yet, though. Still have one more certification I'm already working toward. I'll really buckle down for that in October/November. Summer is approaching fast, and I live in Maine. Time to enjoy it while it's here!
