Summer for Sure

 

Memorial Day weekend is the unofficial start of Summer and the weather did not disapoint.  We packed a ton of fun into a three day staycation.  Friday night as we raced home from work and school to make sure that patio was safe, the kids protected my patio perch with bows and arrows so not a single balloon was able to invade.  The TR ladies made their way north and we started relaxing properly.  The kids took turns improving on the slack line and we built a fire for smores.  At some point it was decided that the kids should sleep outside in the tent, a motif that would continue for the next several evenings.  We hit the thrift sales early on Saturday morning and scored a couple of treasures (e.g. a 4 boot drier, some polyester batting, a basketball, a model of the solar system and even some gnomes dressed like bikers).  A quick snack after treasure hunting and donned our "hike School" shirts from Grandprize and headed north to break them in on a wonderful little hike.  The mosquitos were out in full force and we had to run back to town for some bug spray.  A great time in the woods, with trilliums blooming and plenty of dappled sunlight before heading back with a short stop at A&W for rootbeer floats.  We planted the garden after a little more sustanence.  Saturday evening was going to be low key, but then we hit the ball diamond for some wiffleball, adults vs. kids style.  By the time we got back there was still enough sun light for some casting practice.  Earlier in the day I had cut out 4 plywood fish and nailed them to stakes.  The kids spent a good amount of time casting at the silohettes.  Their casting skills appear to be great.  The kids again choosing to sleep in the tent.  Merrick and I hung back Sunday, while the girls headed back to TR, and cut the grass and stained the fence.  While I was cutting the fence he worked on his fire starting skills and was able to start a great fire with only flint and steel.  A task I haven't been able to accomplish.  We then headed south as well and joined the girls and some friends for a nice grill out in the cool summer air.  The oldest slept on the trampoline and awoke to a slight sprinkle but their laughter implied it was all worth it.  We headed over to a nearby park and played a little boy v. girl kickball, and after the kids played on the playground for awhile we took a walk along the river.  The redhorse were active enough that we had to get into the current, so off with the shoes and into the cool crisp water.  At some point one of the kids thought they saw two snakes, which turned out to be lamprey in the 12-14 inch range.  We tried to catch them, but they are slippery little ropes of muscle.  A short walk through the covered bridge and we were back on main street in time for a short parade and some ice cream.  The day was slipping past so we headed back for some lunch and the kids played around in the afternoon sun, which even included a little football toss.

A Banner Weekend

A little Sun on Sunday

Sophia at the 5K take off

Merrick Gets ready for the Power Run

Merrick and I celebrate as we come to the finish line

Early in the week, while Merrick was being coached by some imported British Soccer coaches, I was able to watch Sophia in her last concert of the year.  Her choir sang a half dozen songs in a half hour presentation including some with Mark Twain quotes and set to a jazzy rhythm. Friday was introduction to the whole weekend, races and crowds.  We hurried over to Lambeau for our Cell Com packet pick up and the traffic around the stadium was crazy.  Sophia did comment that she liked the way I didnt use bad language when people cut me off in traffic, which was seemingly happening often.  It is a big race and several distances, over five thousand runners for the 5K alone.  Grandma and Grandpa made the post work Friday drive over and we supplied them with mediocre tacos and a tiny futon to sleep on. Before the night was over however, the kids took turns telling me their favorite "Yo' Mama" jokes....until we reminded them that my mama was the kind lady that had just adorned them with gifts and car candy.  They were awake and eager come Saturday morning and all of us headed into the crisp air and bright sunshine of the race morning.  Grandpa had the signs made for his favorite runners and while Sophia and I completed the 5 K in personal record time (31:27) the other three waited for us to do a lap inside of Lambeau.  Sophia ran strong the whole way and honestly I wouldn't have run it much faster with out her.  It was such a great thing to do and run with such pride, a feeling that I would again feel when Merrick and I ran later in the day.  Merrick ran in the Power run, a 3/4 mile event with a loop inside of Lambeau field.  He ran the whole thing with a smile on his face and I even grabbed him once to hoist him onto the pads behind the end zone for his first Lambeau leap.  He spent much of the time giving high fives to everyone that was near the sidelines.  The event wrapped up in the early late morning and after a brief lunch of hotbeefs Grandprize and Grandma heading back home, and apparently, if Chiller is to be believed, to Princeton.  We napped a bit and cleaned up and then headed south to meet up with the rest of the pack of six to finish off the day with a big spaghetti meal and general relaxation.  The kids made tree fort until about dark and Sunday morning with the sun shining we headed back north to rest and get ready for one of the few remaining weeks before school ends for the year.