July and August

I'm saying that these two months are now my favorite. I love the warm weather, the relaxed, cool, comfortable clothing and the free time sitting outside. Things are really heating up around here and I'm fussing around trying to keep the lawn green. It is sort of brownish gray now.

Almost every day Lucas comes over to swim. He loves playing Ring around the Rosie and jumping from the sides after yelling, "One, Two, Three!"

Last week Brett and Anna Marie went to Vancouver to teach a Judo workshop for the School for the Blind. Lucas and I did well together as I had lots of treats stacked up, a few new toys and four DVD's checked out from the library. He didn't seem to miss his parents but the day after they returned his mom brought him by while she ran an errand. He was having no part of staying with me again and perhaps being abandoned by his parents. He cried uncontrollably but finally settled down and agreed to stay with me for a few minutes. This weekend he is not spending the night so I can bring back the thrill of coming to Grandma's house again.

I have six observations to make for each of my students so that means I need to cram several into one week as the summer session is so short. I finally have one school almost completed and just two more weeks at the other school. I love being in the classrooms with kids and adults and I enjoy watching the strategies they use to stay ahead of the kids' learning needs.

I really like just having someplace to go for a purpose. It fills my days and keeps me busy which is the best part. I still can work around mother's schedule at the Senior Center so only once have I needed Anna Marie to transport my mom.

Brett, Anna Marie and I spend a good deal of time trying to determine how the month of December will unfold. Anna Marie is due on the 7th and if Cydney has her twins at 32 weeks she could be delivering at the same time. I assume I will be with Cyd and then Lucas and Brett will be alone for three days followed by two weeks when Anna Marie can't drive due her repeat cesarean.

The most important thing is that both moms-to-be are feeling well and things are progressing nicely. Cyd is still very tired while Anna Marie is running 15-20 miles a week.

Last week 3 friends and myself biked on the Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes. Jeff Kolbe's brother has a bike shop near the trail but I couldn't find it in
Harrison. There was also a concert at Manito Park and a visit to a friend's cabin at Coeur d'Alene lake for our investment club meeting. I took a one day class to sew pajamas and I've skipped many exercise classes.

Now I need feedback regarding the huge playgrounds that grandparents buy their grandchildren. I know Hank put one up as well as Maia's grandfather in CA. I've been pricing them and they are comparable to four years of tuition at an ivy league university. That may be well and good but I'm concerned about how much time the grandchildren actually use this playground.

Any playground recommendations would be greatly appreciated.