Friday, July 23, 2010
Summer Garden
Well, once again we began the year with great hopes (OK, modest hopes) of an improved garden this year. We had near drought conditions for weeks on end, and since I subscribe to the "survival of the fittest" philosophy out there, well, we ended up with a bunch of zucchini, squash, and so far one cantelope. The rest either got nibbled by the critters or is severely stunted or at the least, depressed! So here is the star of the show...the perfectly round, perfectly healthy and happy CANTELOPE!
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Cleveland Trip
This morning we are packing up to leave Cleveland and head back to Blacksburg after a fun-filled whirlwind 2-1/2 day visit to the Walter household in Avon Lake to see my sister Kristen and Kendall (18), Olivia (nearly 14) and Ana (11). Evan was in DC finishing up a summer job. Here are all the pictures from the trip: http://picasaweb.google.com/cortneyvmartin/ClevelandTrip?feat=directlink
We arrived Thursday and Grant spent much of his time switching between trampoline time and riding his bike around and around the block, enjoying the freedom of pedaling without hills. Spencer did the same, plus spent time exploring who had what in terms of electronics. We played with the cats Fluffy and Oreo and held the chinchilla, Sushi.
Friday morning, Cortney was up at the usual early time and set out on a 10-mile run up near the lake on a course recommended by Evan. Unfortunately we missed Evan by just a week and he'll be back in Ohio next Sunday. Later that morning, we headed to Crocker Park and the Apple Store to let the kids drool over all the options there.
They had a giant outdoor chess set and lots of fun little things to check out in this "lifestyle center". The kids got pretzels and each got a book at Barnes and Noble. We returned to the car to realize someone left the back door wide open, but fortunately it's not a high-crime area!
Later we went to the new Avon Lake pool/water park where Spencer and Grant wore themselves out sliding, climbing, jumping and swimming. I can tell they have been spoiled at our pool though as they complained about the "crowds" which were not so bad.
After a nice dinner together, we headed out to the Lake Erie Crusher's baseball game. This is a regional league and they had a beautiful stadium. I really enjoyed it but the kid's attention span could only be stretched to about 90 minutes.
Saturday morning started with another run for Cortney who returned to the house to find only Grant awake. He was anxious to get his bike out and get to work, but he said that the sticker next to the garage door opener said "Children should not operate" so he felt he could not open the door! So I opened the door and he was on his way, around and around the block again.
Olivia and Ana had the idea to soap down the trampoline which makes it super slippery and that occupied everyone for some time. That kept folks happy for a long time until Grant reached stimulation overload and whacked his face with his knee.
Spencer and I headed off on bikes toward the lake and discovered a tiny public beach and swim area. Fortunately, Spencer still had his swim trunks on and he was SOO happy to frolic in the lake. I walked out on the jetty, and not being one to waste time, figured it was a good time to stretch out the legs from the runs. In one inverted stretch, the $7 I had shoved down my top (I had no pockets) fell out into the lake, with Spencer only able to retrieve $2 of it. We told the lifeguard we left him a tip! We ended up logging 10 miles on the bike and Spencer had his first "brick" workout (swim/bike)!
We finished up our night with dinner at the local Japanese restaurant, heading out on tandem bike rides, and watching some of our favorite comedians on Netflix.
This morning we'll enjoy a nice breakfast together then head out of the flatlands for our mountain home in Blacksburg, looking forward to the next visit!!
We arrived Thursday and Grant spent much of his time switching between trampoline time and riding his bike around and around the block, enjoying the freedom of pedaling without hills. Spencer did the same, plus spent time exploring who had what in terms of electronics. We played with the cats Fluffy and Oreo and held the chinchilla, Sushi.
Friday morning, Cortney was up at the usual early time and set out on a 10-mile run up near the lake on a course recommended by Evan. Unfortunately we missed Evan by just a week and he'll be back in Ohio next Sunday. Later that morning, we headed to Crocker Park and the Apple Store to let the kids drool over all the options there.
They had a giant outdoor chess set and lots of fun little things to check out in this "lifestyle center". The kids got pretzels and each got a book at Barnes and Noble. We returned to the car to realize someone left the back door wide open, but fortunately it's not a high-crime area!
Later we went to the new Avon Lake pool/water park where Spencer and Grant wore themselves out sliding, climbing, jumping and swimming. I can tell they have been spoiled at our pool though as they complained about the "crowds" which were not so bad.
Grant crossing the lilly pad
Spencer the fearless leaper!
Grant coming down the slide
my turn for fun!
Grant coming down the slide
my turn for fun!After a nice dinner together, we headed out to the Lake Erie Crusher's baseball game. This is a regional league and they had a beautiful stadium. I really enjoyed it but the kid's attention span could only be stretched to about 90 minutes.
Saturday morning started with another run for Cortney who returned to the house to find only Grant awake. He was anxious to get his bike out and get to work, but he said that the sticker next to the garage door opener said "Children should not operate" so he felt he could not open the door! So I opened the door and he was on his way, around and around the block again.
Olivia and Ana had the idea to soap down the trampoline which makes it super slippery and that occupied everyone for some time. That kept folks happy for a long time until Grant reached stimulation overload and whacked his face with his knee.
Spencer and I headed off on bikes toward the lake and discovered a tiny public beach and swim area. Fortunately, Spencer still had his swim trunks on and he was SOO happy to frolic in the lake. I walked out on the jetty, and not being one to waste time, figured it was a good time to stretch out the legs from the runs. In one inverted stretch, the $7 I had shoved down my top (I had no pockets) fell out into the lake, with Spencer only able to retrieve $2 of it. We told the lifeguard we left him a tip! We ended up logging 10 miles on the bike and Spencer had his first "brick" workout (swim/bike)!
We finished up our night with dinner at the local Japanese restaurant, heading out on tandem bike rides, and watching some of our favorite comedians on Netflix.
This morning we'll enjoy a nice breakfast together then head out of the flatlands for our mountain home in Blacksburg, looking forward to the next visit!!
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Park Day for 2nd Grade
Here are some pictures Grant took at the 2nd Grade Park Day at the Hand-in-Hand playground using his Nintendo DSi game system and managed to email to me. He and Spencer are becoming quite adept with technology!!
Colonial Day for 4th Grade
The fourth grade hosted "Colonial Day" at school. They did short powerpoint presentations on their chose colonial occupation, which was a blacksmith for Spencer. I might point out that when you add up enough "short" presentations, the total can get quite "long".
Then we were treated to performances of the Virginia Reel. Spencer started off strong with the first song, but when it extended to two, then three songs, he quickly lost patience. He was partnered with his good friend Vivian who tried gamely to get Spencer to come around!
The Virginia Reel!
A much happier Spencer in front of his Blacksmith poster with Vivian
Then we were treated to performances of the Virginia Reel. Spencer started off strong with the first song, but when it extended to two, then three songs, he quickly lost patience. He was partnered with his good friend Vivian who tried gamely to get Spencer to come around!
Spencer looking uninspired...
The Virginia Reel!
A much happier Spencer in front of his Blacksmith poster with Vivian
Friday, May 14, 2010
Slip and Slide
Celebrating the end of MY semester with some good old homemade slip-and-slide action with friend Vivian!
Friday, May 7, 2010
Spencer's Spring Concert
Spencer and Chris
Spencer with Alan Weinstein and two student teachers.
Whales
Monday, May 3, 2010
Smith Mountain Lake
This weekend we got a cabin at Smith Mountain Lake. I was racing in a sprint triathlon on Saturday but we also just very much needed a change of scenery and getaway. You can read the race report here and check out all the photos here, but I've pulled a few of the favorites out to post. The weekend was spent relaxing in or by the water, and with a bike ride through the state park.
This may well go down as one of my favorite photos of the year. The softness of Grant's face and silliness of Spencer just captures their essence!
The weekend came with its share of injuries. Grant fell off of one of the trees that was overhanging the water's edge and scraped his back pretty good. Then ignoring my pleas to "cease and desist" a game of catch with rocks, Spencer got whacked above the eyebrow which left a small, but nicely bleeding gash.
Smores make everything better!
On Sunday morning, Grant joined me for an early breakfast lake-side and we were joined by a very tamed duck that Grant named "Jiffy." Jiffy and Grant enjoyed a vacation treat of froot loops!
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