Berry Picking Part II

The frozen berry stockpile is dwindling and the sad reality is that it would take a long time picking berries to amass the quantity I would need to get through the winter, but we did add to the supply today with the help of Spencer and Vivian!

A day in the life of the Martins

So what do we Martins do on an average Saturday in our natural habitats? Here is what was observed on this particular Saturday!

• Robert got up and read the paper/had coffee, made a waffle for Grant and for Spencer, drove to Christiansburg to get his circuit board for the Ellett Valley Group project (which works as well as it will he says), then he verified that it worked. Next he gathered the garbage and recycling, went to the collection center. Immediately he realized he forgot to take the broken chimenia and took that to back the collection center on the way to stop by his friends' house, Kim and Greg. Then he went to watch the Hokies spank Miami at the London Underground Pub. Now he is back home and about to walk the dog.
• Spencer had to be dragged out of bed at 7:15 for his "date" at 8:00. After a shower and waffle, we got him organized and he went with his friend Vivian and her mom to Fairy Stone Park. They went on a guided tour with a ranger and found these unique stones. On the way home they stopped at the Floyd general store for lunch and he and Vivian shared a banana split. He played at Vivian's until nearly 6:00. He came home and got in a quick run on the treadmill - part of his training for a 5K in a few weeks. Here it is 7:41 and he's been on the phone with her for half an hour!! It is so funny! She is coming over here for a few hours tomorrow to play. Vivian is an adorable, smart, mature, articulate, and well-mannered young lady so we are happy she is a treasured friend of Spencers!
• Grant played his DS and the Wii alot of the day. He played some piano too, something he has not done in a while, and he sounded great. It was rainy and gross and Grant has been happy to get some home time in. Tomorrow he is having a massage with my massage therapist. We scheduled it when he was having stomach and anxiety problems and we were at a loss for what to do. Now he's fine. Oh well, hopefully he'll enjoy it!
  
• Cortney got up and had the usual oatmeal breakfast and readied the supplies for the run - running watch, heart rate monitor, PowerAde, hydration belt with pepper spray (!), powergel, two iPod shuffles - one with music, one with podcasts. Then off for a 17 miler that was mostly a rural loop past cows, horses, cows, and did I mention cows? Finished up through the VT tailgaters, glad to be running and not sitting around at a tailgate that would prove to be boring in 15 minutes. Since then she has been sitting around, stretching, eating, and making feeble attempts to work before crashing at 9:30 pm.
  

Yesterday, VT's QB Tyrod Taylor came to the kids' school to read to them (major PR effort) and Grant gave Tyrod a high-five. Now I am convinced that Grant's high-five made the difference and garnered us the WIN!

Playdate!

Spencer and Grant enjoyed a playdate and swim party with Su, Vivian, and Joel! It was a busy day of swimming, moon bouncing, cookie decorating, Wii, air hockey, cello/piano, LEGOs, books, climbing, and laughing!

Spencer's Cello is coming along!

Notice the cat's entrance and departure!

Camping Trip at the New River

Had our now annual camping trip at the New River Junction in McCoy, setting up in the "River Room" right along the bank. The Martins, Ifjus, Cooleys, Cranwells gathered to show the next generation how to have a good time. Jake and Columbu joined us Saturday afternoon, and Trixie made a brief showing Saturday morning.

The highlight was of course the engineering project, building upon the foundation from last year. We improved upon the in-river "jacuzzi" to include a leveled top that accommodated not one but TWO fires to keep us warm and happy for after-dark swimming and marshmallow roasting.

The Golden Taco

Spencer wrapped up a four week Act and React camp in which a group of about 20 kids and the third-grade teacher wrote a 75 minute play (48 pages) complete with three original songs, sets, and costumers. Spencer plays Professor Taco Butler on Taco Island. He is quite the creative and confident actor, we were impressed!! He also had a short cello solo in which he put the cast to "sleep" with a slow soothing version of the Mexican Hat Dance. I can't do the plot justice, but the map below, which served as a program, should hint at the complexities of it all!

The Golden Taco

a.k.a. The Butlers vs the Flight Attendants

a.k.a. The Great Banana War

Spencer is a key actor in the final scene that ties all (OK, a few) of the loose ends together.

Spencer worked on the backdrop on the right that includes the scene from his laboratory. We ended up buying the canvas for $30 and it is proudly displayed in our basement!

Here is the song that Spencer had a bit of a duet performance in with his friend Levi (James Blonde).

Down, Down

Down, down, all you flight attendants

Down, down, down. We are very confident

We'll get the golden taco before you

Boo, hoo, hoo, hoo

You don't seem to understand the situation

When we find the gold we'll send you on vacation

Down, down, down,

We'll find the gold before you do

Boo, hoo, hoo, hoo

Down, down, all you flight attendants

When we get the gold

Don't be too expectant

We won't share, so why don't you just go home

Ho, ho, ho, home

Every butler type's

A talker and a strutter

We will melt you down like

Little chunks of butter

Down, down, down.

You know you're going down, down!

Swim Meets

Spencer's freestyle - check out that great entry!