Place in the world Part 2

So summer, like life, is speeding past us. I've been trying to organize some activities for the kids and dodge my daughter's I can't believe you thought I'd like that looks. (in her nice, polite way)

Her place in the world

Here is a picture of Raeley taken a year or two ago (just kidding for my not irl friends)

Here Raeley and I are reading a book together, taken just a few days before the picture above.

I feel like I am at a weird place right now, and it -time- has snuck up on me.
My daughter, my youngest child, will be starting first grade. She's frustrated because she doesn't know how to read (except that she does, mostly) and she is so much more self sufficient than even three months ago. My daughter, my oldest child, has grown up.

Today I went to the library to pick up some books for the kids to take on a trip - by myself, browsing through library shelves. That's enough to make anyone reminisce. I rarely go to the library by myself, and would you believe it, I totally forgot to get a book for me! Raeley, my oldest who is trying to find her place in the world (and yes, Michael W Smith's song should be stirring your heart at this moment), is struggling with boredom. She likes to read, but can't find books lately that interest her. I have to watch what books I suggest because I'm still stuck on Strawberry Girl, The Little Princess, and Mandy. I don't even know if she made it through all the Little House on the Prarie books, and I totally missed The Happy Holisters with her. She's taking a break from Nancy Drew and I'm hoping she likes Madeline L'engle's books as much as I did.

I need to wrap my mind around where she is now - growing. up. fast.

Part 1 concluded.

Comments are welcome, however, for books a teenager might like. By the way, Anita, she carries the book Do Hard Things around with her.

Wordless Wednesday with poems of City Museum

Not quite Wordless Wednesday
A few poems:
Creative crawling cages, mangled metal morphing into magic spaces, speedy slides of spare parts, spare parts and pottery pieces patterned into insects, into every inch an imagination feast! Scaling up slippery slopes, holding knotted ropes,

only to slide down again and start it all over.
Are vertical slides really slides?
Shouldn't we call them drops?

Here is a poem the kids put together:
Exciting enchanting exploring
Historic happy heights
Jumping Jabbering Junk
Springing Slides
Pip pop pipe
Tree to trash

Happy Father's Day!

This is the first Father's day we were in town and able to heap attention on Mark. Usually we are at my family reunion, which was last week. The nice thing about that is I get to be with MY dad on Father's day. My wonderful husband has never complained that he has to hob nob all weekend with perfect strangers, strange family, remote relatives, but I am very happy that we are at our house on Father's Day this year. His wish? To clean out the garage again and organize the house. For those of you who know me, organization just isn't my strong point. Remember this post, or this one?

The kids fixed him blueberry pancakes and sausage for breakfast. I was up at chuch early teaching Sunday School, so they took a picture for me. We aren't taking him out to eat because a few days ago we had gone up to see his parents for the day, and before we left, one of the kids (who is purposefully to remain nameless since stuff like this can happen to the best of us) left the freezer door ajar. Mark stayed up late into the night cooking partially thawed meat. We have plenty of meat in the fridge we are hurrying to eat! Plus, going out to eat would divert our attention from cleaning!

Happy Father's Day to my dad, Mitchell, my father in law, Mark, and all you dads!

Robert made a blog post!

Robert, my oldest son, made my sister's blog - a whole post to himself! Check it out at lollipopsandlipgloss.blogspot.com

Family Bonds

My family

My nephew Mike, his wife Sara, and my great niece Mackenzie

We have a place I go that has hardly changed as long as I can remember. The first time I can really remember coming to this place, I think I was 12. What do I remember? Skating around the hot skating rink at breakneck speed, the speed only to be explained by the old wooden floor. What else do I remember? Meeting my great aunts in the old cabins, with food offered everywhere. And the heat.

It is our family reunion, held at the illustrious Holmes County State Park near Jackson, MS. We stay in cabins and eat lots of great food all weekend. This year my uncle celebrated both his 80th birthday and 50th wedding anniversary. What a legacy! Spending the whole weekend with family every year, I have gotten to know my 2nd and 3rd cousins better than I would have otherwise thought. I'm even remembering names and towns of 4th and 5th cousins! The family reunion is held in honor of my great grandparents. They had 9 children, all of whom who have passed away, and yet we still meet every year. Another legacy.

This weekend we had a special treat. My cousin, Bill Abel, gave us a mini concert. He is a blues player from the Delta, and he looks every bit the blues player that he is.

It just wouldn't be the family reunion if we didn't walk to the cemetery. It used to be so spooky! We used to go skating on Saturday nights, but they have permanently closed the skating rink. As my sons kept saying all weekend, that is a bummer! It reminds me that time changes things.

Our new activity? Geocaching! My brother in law, Bob, planned it all and brought a few gps units. We divided up into teams and started the hunt! My team won, probably because through the sweltering heat, they guys would not stop! Next year, time limit please! I think Mark has a new hobby.

And let's not forget the fishing! Saturday morning is a good time for fishing.

This year was a good year. Lots of cousins made it in honor of my uncle's 80th birthday, and my nieces and nephews who normally don't come were able to make it.

Wordless Wednesday - Shark Teeth

The cousins, what a crew! Robert (11), Angela(6), Evelyn(8), Amber(10), Raeley(13), Jonathan(9), Emily(11), Cameron(6)

Cameron, Angela, and Kimberly

Who would've thought that there were shark teeth NOT along the coast? Come to find out, there's some not to far from where we live! Due to proximity and anonymity, I won't mention where that is. My sister and her kids are visiting this week. Here's her blog! We had a great time! For more Wordless Wednesday posts, you can find them at Five Minutes for Mom.com