Yeah - SUMMER

Well, Brittany has finished for the summer and today is Carissa's last day. It is her moving up day and she was so excited to find out who her new teacher will be for next year that she did not sleep well. She has a half day and is going to call me with the news when she is done.

It is my last day with the kids and then I have a day to clean up. It is always easier to clean up the room than it is to set it up in the fall. This year my room is going to be painted. Yeah.

My family and I are looking forward to spending the next week at camp. We will be there for the 4th of July and the weather looks great. John has not had a vacation for over a year and he is looking forward to the time off. We are going to be lazy by sleeping late, swimming and enjoying a few campfires. The water in the camp pool was only 68 degrees this last weekend. John and I did not get in but that did not stop our girls from enjoying the large pool. I am hoping the water will be warmer this week. However, at night it has been getting cool and we have had a little rain almost every day. The rain is what we need for some grass seed we planted on a bare spot at camp but not to warm up the pool.

Ok - Last night I laughed at the stupidest shows but it was funny. Carissa had the TV on and this new show called WipeOut came on. I was set to go read but stayed for a few minutes and got hooked. They had these 4 large, red bouncy balls that the contestants were suppose to jump across. No one was able to do it. They all fell in the water and it was hysterical. It never got old. It was so stupid but funny. Check it out.

Update on Balloon Festival

We had a great time on Saturday at the Balloon Festival. We had great weather, good music, and the balloons were able to launch. I am attaching only a few photos here. Be sure to check out my Facebook page. I added a couple of pictures that are funny. Carissa and I had a good time posting and attaching comments. Especially since John would not add pictures of himself to his page. In the above photo, John and I are trying to be "sick" (which means cool, I am told).

Balloon Festival, John's Birthday, and Father's Day

We have a busy weekend coming up. This weekend happens to be John's Birthday, Father's Day and one of our favorite balloon festivals. Tomorrow Brittany has to play at a concert for band, then we are going to go to Syracuse for a music and balloon festival. We have gone the last few years and enjoyed ourselves. Brittany has been looking forward to it for a while now. The cost is only $5 a person and we are going to pack a lunch this year. The bands range from local bands to some well known acts, and if the weather is good then the balloons will launch in the evening. Hot air balloons are a beautiful site to see.

I am also am looking forward to only a week and a half of school. I hate to say it but this year I am counting down the days.

Hot, Hot, Hot

It is hot and muggy here. My girls can not wait to get to camp this weekend. They are hoping that they have finally opened the pool. They originally said that they would open it over Memorial Day but they still had not opened it last weekend. The drive-in movie theater is also open and we are considering going this weekend. We will see.

Last night the girls and I had a good time looking through our old photos. I posted a few on Face book. They especially enjoyed the photos of when they were a baby and our animals were babies. It is fun to reminisce.

The girls are also looking forward to the Sryacuse Balloon Festival. We have gone the last few years. The weather is not always good for the balloons but the bands that are scheduled play regardless. Last year, we had a good time with Grandma and Grandpa, but this year we are going to pack a dinner and drinks. Anyone interested in going with us just give me a call. Brittany is trying to talk some of her friends into getting their parents to take them. It is a good time for a low cost.

I HATE INTERVIWING FOR A NEW JOB

I had an interview this afternoon for an English Teaching Position at Lyons High School. I think that it went well but I have felt that way before. I am not sure why I have not been able to land a job so far. I am considering subbing. I strongly feel it will add to my resume and give me the experience I needed to get a permanent position. So, in the fall I am going to try to make this happen.

Interviewing is an emotional roller coaster. I get so excited about interviewing and the possibility of a new job. Then I get nervous and worried. I want the job and I want to impress the interviewers. I know that I get nervous and do not always articulate or sell myself as best I would like to. Finally after it is all over, I am relieved it is over but the anticipation of whether I will be called back kills me.

Teaching has really become a competitive career for some states. Where I live things are tough. They interviewed 6 people for the one position. Those really are not good odds.

Well either way, I hope I am learning something and can do better at the next one. If I am ever in the position or on a committee to hire someone, I am going to be sure to be empathetic to their position and feelings.

Happy Birthday, Carissa

Happy Birthday, Carissa. I can not believe that she is 10 years old. She told me, "I am a double digit number now, so you do not need to wrap my presents. You can just give them to me right now." I told her that it was a nice try.

She is a lovely, young lady that is mature beyond her years. I often forget that she is years younger than Brittany. She is good with words and loves to debate topics. She also is a sensitive child who loves animals.

It was easy to buy her presents this year. She made a nice list and for her birthday cake she wanted strawberry shortcake. Carissa also requested that we go to the mall with Haley and then spend the night at our campsite. Carissa received some birthday money from both Grandparents and she is always eager to spend her money. She is also hoping that the pool will be open at camp and she is negotiating a time when we will come home on Sunday. I think that topic is still up for debate.

Memorial Day

We had a great Memorial Day. We were not able to go camping with our friends at the State Park because it is a 2 and 1/2 hour drive. Our budget and gas prices just did not allow it this year. Several others had to back out as well.

However, we had a great weekend at Hejamada. We started off the weekend by going shopping for bathing suits and with young teens that is no easy project. We did find some nice looking but modest suits and all were happy, except Dad who fell asleep on the mall bench after a 2 hour wait. The girls also had fun picking up a few summer outfits at Steve & Barry's (Brittany's new favorite store).

Everyone in our family is making new friends and meeting new people. The girls are making friends with girls and boys, which is hard to admit that my little girls are growing up.

It is also going to be an interesting summer because everyone lives so close to you at camp and often know what you are doing most of the time. For example, our beagle got upset with us because we went for a walk without him. So, he decide to tear the screen on the door of the camper. John did a great job of getting new screen and repairing it but I was surprised by how many people commented on the incident.