Reading!

I finished reading a popular set of books that were originally written as Teen Fiction but they turned out to be really good!  The trilogy by Suzanne Collins includes Hunger Games, Catching Fire, and Mockingjay, Both kids are now VERY into the series, as evidenced by Grant, totally immersed in the conclusion of the first book yesterday:

2011 New River Camping Trip

Welcome to our camp, the "River Room"

In front of the Ifju's Airstream

Savages!  They just finished playing "manhunt"

Me on the swing that my dad and I envisioned when we pre-scouted the area

Gorgeous view downriver

View Upriver, work continues on the "whirlpool"

All the Martin boys

Grant on "Grant Island"

I was invited to come to "Grant Island"

Snow White and the Seven Doors

Here's a cobbled together video of some scenes from the summer theater production that Spencer and Grant were involved in!!

Karate Demo at Steppin' Out

Grant earned his brown belt this week at Karate and did a demo of his form, applications, and board breaking on the community stage at Steppin' Out! Great job, Grant!!

Spencer's new "job" at the Y

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. 

A Day in the Life of Mom

Note that this is a Saturday. In summer.

• Wake up at 4 am
• 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!!

Hey, where'd these come from?

These seemingly popped up all at once over night!