End of School -Field Day & Camping

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To say that the end of the school year was unconventional would be the understatement of the year.  But as I type this May update in mid-July, it seems that this may only be the beginning of unconventional school.  

Matthew was so very much in love with his two teachers, whom he'd looped with for two years, that he was particularly hit by the sudden halt.  He already knew that one was moving to the DC and the other to the Philippines, so the idea that he might not even see them again was crushing and he asked me if he could be penpals with them.  So this response from them lifted his spirits:-)
  
"I would love to be penpals with Matthew, email or snail mail!  It was an abrupt ending and COVID continues to make normal goodbyes even harder, but trust that we will be back to visit and please reach out when this craziness dies down and you all are up in DC! Matthew will always hold a place in my heart. He has come SO far from his kindergarten shenanigans. From the first moment, he has been a delight, loving and excited to learn. This year in first grade he really grew into his voice and became a leader and regular advocate for good behavior and treating others well. We see that you raise your kids very thoughtfully and we are grateful for it!"

"Kindergarten shenanigans"?  What?!?!  "Advocate for good behavior" :-)

School ended two weeks early, no reason provided, so the job of fully entertaining and engaging them 24/7 (as opposed to 23/7) kicked in by Memorial Day.  First thing on the list?  Camping! 

A church friend told us about this spot in the Rapidan Wildlife Management Area.  The short 45-min drive to the private spot in the woods by the river was exactly what we hoped it would be. 

Somehow, little excites kids more than S'mores!

No flash...

Flash...same picture.  Fascinating difference.

Penny's first "real" camping.

What else happens at the end of the school?  Field Day!

Michael gets 100% credit for coming up with ALL of these adventures. 

Using an ice hockey stick to propel a dodge ball through football uprights.  

 Ring toss with sprinklers in your face.

The refs, equipped with timers and whistles, sheltering in place (i.e., the shade).

It's harder than you think to shoot a lax ball into a bball hoop. 

Running to fill the tennis ball sleeve with water.  Of course the milk jug has holes in it:-)

Shooting hoops from the deck - Bball hoop hanging from the lax goal

 Sprint.  Spray. Swing. Spray. Sprint.

The grande finale obstacle course!

 And...the deck flowers are showing signs of growth already.

 More time at the river...

....means more unwelcome sightings.

 

Phew.  We. Are. Tired.

The Final Countdown

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Another Mother's Day meant another dilemma - what to do about the front door wreath nest!  I rotated it daily to prevent Mom from nesting here, but she just worked harder and faster until one day - there was one egg:-(  And then four, but now back to three.  Oh, I pray there hasn't been a snake on my door!  And I pray the babes won't ruin this wreath... again.  We'll have to be even more vigilant next year:-(  

I patiently waited through beautiful March and April, so all I wanted for Mother's Day was help planting everything I'd gotten at my first venture to Millmont in Waynesboro.   

Hopefully these guys will grow into something like...

 ...the beautiful results of two years ago when Mom and Dad helped me plant!

The copper mop-head keeping watch over the neighbors.

How can laying in the tracks be comfortable?

Nope, not chewing.  Just passed out cold.  Weirdo.  But we love her.

Mid-May Bounty! 

Oh, the things these two come up with!

 Swinging on the footrest - why not?!?

Olivet beautifully present communion...very thoughtfully done.

Curbside pick-up, complete with hand sanitizer.

I don't know where this began, but they love to kiss their success.

Another decent one!

His front teeth are barely growing back in, but he won't let that stop him from a favorite meal.

Preddy Creek trails - our first visit since three bike upgrades (Michael, Andrew and Margaret).

The best part of a multi-use trail!

We found the bridge this time!

And the horses found the water!

Matthew and Jack with their frog; we did not capture the swimming snake:-(

My fisherman

The wallabIES finally arrived in the neighborhood.  A few years ago when the HOA approved the house pet and the single many built the HUGE fence in the back (which cannot be scene from the road, only from the Meadow), the adoption did not transpire because the mother killed the baby!  But now, there are two babies adopted from Florida.  His mom carries them around in the baby pouch, and the basement has been set up as their jumping area since they are too young to go outside??  And, no.  Apparently they cannot be house trained.  And, no. I am not kidding about any of this.

I have no idea.


The end of the school year looked nothing like usual, of course, but it was fun to have the teachers drive by, honking and waving with signs. 

Another year.  Another nest. The kids don't get why I don't appreciate them:-(

Andrew was invited to play in "safe" lax with 5 other kids for 2 weeks.  Their coaches were STAB seniors.  Their playground was the Lynch's house.  Yeah, as in William Lynch, the President of Peloton.  Lovely sport court in the side yard.  

And a back yard to drool over.  Nothing fancy. No landscaping. But there simply are not spaces in Charlottesville that are this FLAT and big, except for built school fields.  What a backyard for a lax family!  

 From the sport court down to the main backyard...makes for a perfect sprinting drill!

Penny was spayed...and told to be calm and quiet for 10 days.  Holy cow.  I have done few harder things in my life.

 AHS graduation for Daniel!  What a road this young man has traveled.  His parents are some of the most amazing people we know----hands down the most patient and God-centered folks.  What they have done and will continue to do for their son is admirable beyond words. 

Off to the mountains to escape the heat!

My early morning fishing buddies.  They would do it every single day!

Matthew was so desperate to play golf, he hit on the range by himself for who knows how long?!?

His first river fish (solo!) in the mountains!

 Happy 52nd anniversary - keep warm (it was freezing!)!

 We had champagne and cider...and a handmade dinner invitation:-)

 What a meal the kids created!  Complete with placecards:-)

The new mountain coaster!  

There's no wait when it's 48 degrees and raining (no exaggeration)...

...and yet, there are still smiles:-)