Spencer got a new job at the YMCA working in the computer lab. It's a fantastic opportunity, he loves it, he's a valuable contributor, and he's learning a lot. He works with retired Maj. George McNeill (US Army) who directs the Highty Tighties, Virginia Tech's Regimental Marching Band. They take donated equipment, assess the functionality, make repairs and/or reinstall operating systems, and sell the computers. The money that the Y takes in goes directly to support community programs. Spencer is using his talents to give back! He put in over five hours in just the first week.
Do some work on the computer, eat breakfast, make coffee, have a cup of coffee
Program bike workout into Garmin (GPS) unit
7 - 8 am bike ride that includes 10 threshold intervals. Sweat butt off. Spot cat at end of ride that could be neighbor's missing cat
Come home call/email neighbor, wish that I had taken a picture
Have inspiration for blog post, write said blog post.
Make eggs and english muffins (2nd breakfast for me, 1st for kids)
Neighbor with cat calls, we chat
Change clothes
Weed and trim bushes for two hours
Take shower
Friend Juliet and her dog come over to visit
Schedule playdate for Spencer
Start laundry
Make grocery list
Take Spencer to Goodwill to buy shirt for his play
Drive Spencer to friend's house
Backtrack to take Coach's dog for a walk
Go to Target with two school supply lists. Get nearly nauseous shopping and going in circles
Go to Michaels to get EXACT colored pencils required by 4th grade
Stop in TJ Maxx because it's right next door (!)
Grocery shop at Kroger
Return to pick Spencer up
Unload all purchases at home
Organize the school supplies into Spencer and Grant piles. Double-check list. Get told I bought supplies for art but that Spencer is in band, remember? Oops.
Make dinner - tunafish sandwiches, corn on the cob, watermelon
Switch laundry
Make yellow cake per Spencer's request
Cut up veggies to roast since oven is on anyway
Make frosting, frost cake
Do dishes throughout
Switch laundry again
Write this post........... to be continued!
I don't stop moving much, but I love my family and know they are grateful. And they are understanding when I need a day off!!
Today the kids and I (Cortney) went to Wilderness Adventure at Eagle Landing in Craig County, VA. It was about an hour's drive from the house and what a place! I had no idea this gem existed. They offer a ropes course, zip line, canoeing, mountain biking, kayaking, hiking, cabins, assorted animals, and week-long backpacking trips. It was gorgeous, well-staffed, affordable, and fabulous!
We explored the site while waiting for our first adventure! Check out the strongmen!
The zipline was $20 and crazy fun. I captured some video and photos to the best of my ability. The kids thought it would be a good idea for me to video my descent. Good thing - my helmet tipped and blocked my view a bit! I think it's neat how we each had a little job at the bottom to help get the "zipper" unhooked.
camera was acting up, bad photo.
After the zip line, we ate lunch. Grant and I packed and Spencer opted for the camp lunch. The lodge was beautiful!
We were the only folks canoeing and had a nice ride up the road to put in for a 1:30+ ride down Craig Creek. It was a gorgeous creek and we saw a lot of fish, turtles, deer, and a family of young ducklings of some sort having swim practice with mom! It was mostly pretty shallow but with deep pools now and again. Spencer swam alongside the canoe for part of the journey. He's an open water swimmer, that's for sure!
The funny thing is, Spencer has suddenly become the stronger paddler! When we each took a side, we tended to turn toward my side and he'd have to switch sides and help me out a bit. All in all, we made a good team and enjoyed the paddle down the creek. We saw just a few cabins and only a few people, but otherwise we felt like the only people in the world. And what a glorious world we were a part of today.
Yes, I was there too!
We topped off the canoeing with some ice cream from the camp store and headed home!
Cute recent pics of the kitties who have been sighted sleeping only inches apart. They wouldn't admit to liking each other but they do tolerate each other!
Hannah disguised as a Zinnia
Goo disguised as mulch
Kids disguised as lounge chairs (post-swim practice!)
In keeping with the food theme, we present "Make Your Own Pizza" night with Spencer and Grant and their two friends William and Davis who came over to spend the night. Dinner was followed up with brownie sundaes....yummmmm.
Our friends Dave and Mary invited us to join them, their children, and another family at the beach house they had arranged for the week. We were there about 72 hours, but it's amazing how much we packed into that time!
Mary and Dave had arranged for the kids to take a surf lesson together. It was a big surprise and the kids did extremely well. Their instructors were terrific and it was a success by every measure! Check it out below!
The house was incredible, beautiful, and spacious. The pool and hot tub were enclosed by a glass fence so the view to the ocean was not obstructed. In addition to ocean time and fun in the waves, we enjoyed a BBQ, crab fest, the ice cream truck, and the pool and decks. It was an amazing trip and one that we will never forget! Cortney enjoyed some swim/bike/runs too, read about those here!
The only bummer was the 350 mile drive home in 94 degree weather with BROKEN non-functional air conditioning. Everyone dealt with it really well though. (That's because we hadn't gotten the repair estimate yet!!)
Spencer is very at home in the waves!
Lounging
We wondered how the driver could stand the non-stop music!
The ice cream was a hit (thanks, Alison!)
Dave showing the finer points of crab picking
The kitchen was incredible and better equipped than my own!
