How did that happen? It's June already. Can't be...

Things are still busy here. Our swim team season began on Saturday. At the pool by 7 AM. For a first meet, it went very smoothly and my boys swam very well.

While my dh handled the afternoon guitar lessons, I spent time running back and forth to Kohl's looking for clothing for my boys to wear to 6th grade graduation. I refuse to get dockers and nice shoes for my boys. They won't wear them again and it's very expensive with my boys big and wide feet (10.5 EEEE). So we're doing the Hawaiian shifts and shorts that my older son did. Can you imagine that my 12-year-old boys don't want to go clothes shopping? So I bought TEN shirts for them to try on, along with 2 pairs of shorts. Found a fit for them, then returned the unused stuff. But it's done! And everything was on sale 50% off, plus I had an extra 20% off coupon. I love a deal!

My older son is working today. It's his first official day as a lifeguard!

Went to Lake Tahoe with 2 other families on Memorial Day. Gosh, we had so much fun - boating, ziplining, movies, and just hanging out. The kids had a blast and the rental house wokred out great. Lots of good memories.

Off to do some laundry but here are some questions for the week.

1. What did you do on Memorial Day?

2. Do you give year-end Teacher Appreciation gifts to your child's teacher? How much is the typical gift (or contribution to a class gift)?

3. Are you doing a staycation this summer?

4. Are you a pedicure kind of gal? (Not you Vaughn ) What color polish do you like on your toes?

5. What's the last thing you purchased for yourself?

Have a great week.

Sharon
12 year old b/b/b + 15 year old son

1. What did you do on Memorial Day? Thought and prayed for my brother in Iraq

2. Do you give year-end Teacher Appreciation gifts to your child's teacher? How much is the typical gift (or contribution to a class gift)?
No, but we always bring back a gift from our trip to the States for the teacher

3. Are you doing a staycation this summer? Nope, been staying here long enough, it is time to zip back to the States for a long break

4. Are you a pedicure kind of gal? (Not you Vaughn ) What color polish do you like on your toes? 1. No, not really something done here. 2. Muted pinks

5. What's the last thing you purchased for yourself? Yummy coffee from the local roasters

Catherine (who cannot believe the trio will be 12 tomorrow)

"

Hello all! it is still Sunday here, but what the heck...

Just got done with the lawn work -- put the Boys to work also. We are having a party here next week to celebrate our first year in our "new" house...inviting friends over for a pot luck. I am trying to get the garage organized -- still got stuff in boxes out there from the move! I made some shelves and stashing things here and there. I should date all the boxes -- and toss out the whole box in another year in we do not even look inside them in that time!

But I want to have room in the garage to play ping pong and fossball during the party!

Big week-end of base ball games. The boys did great...Calder blasted a homerun over t he left-fielder's head and the other boys got infield singles. Calder did a great job at first base his whole game. Dw is at a conference down south and missed the games...and also her birthday.

1. Memorial Day? Camping down the coast...lots of exploring tide pools 9minue-tide!) and small coastal towns.

2. Do you give year-end Teacher Appreciation gifts to your child's teacher? Usually a card

3. Are you doing a staycation this summer? No -- major 5 week camping trip coast to coast with tours of NY City and DC...and National Parks in between. Anyone want the ABC Boys (and parents) to drop on by? We could camp in your backyard!

5. thing you purchased for yourself? Probably some photo stuff...

Vaughn and the ABC Boys
Alex, Bryce, & Calder
3-31-97 @ 28.5 weeks
http://s515.photobucket.com/albums/t356/vaughn3abc/

Your camping trip sounds awesome.


1. What did you do on Memorial Day? Hubby sick with poison ivy so we had a mild day. Kids swam and he and I sat in the shade and watched.

2. Do you give year-end Teacher Appreciation gifts to your child's teacher? How much is the typical gift (or contribution to a class gift)? One daughter gave her art teacher a homemade card and a candy bar called 1 grand but I don't force the issue if they give one to each teacher.

3. Are you doing a staycation this summer? Oh yes - we are five min from the lake and two blocks from the pool. I see no need to leave our home. We were gone all of last summer up north so this will be just the right speed.

4. Are you a pedicure kind of gal? (Not you Vaughn ) What color polish do you like on your toes? 1. they are a treat and fun when I get one 2. I go for red

5. What's the last thing you purchased for yourself? A crazy priced trash can my sweet hubby said go get it if you want it. It was a splurge and something only I care about.

http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product.asp?order_num=-1&SKU=14958371

And it is finger print proof....ewwwwww aaahhh oooooooh


It's been months since I posted. Life is moving at warp speed. My kids turn seven in just a few weeks. My house has been slowly getting put back together from last months sickness feast. DH and I have been busy in our backyard trying to do something with the ski slope so hubby doesn't have to mow it anymore. Other then that school actives have all but come to a halt which is nice break from running around.



www.thehomeschoolmagazine.com/How_To_Homeschool/tosbrochure.pdf
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I BELIEVE in miracles - g/g/g- June 2002
Married my best friend
Financial Peace is possible www.daveramsey.com
http://i151.photo

Vaughn..You are welcome to stop by here and camp...we have campers alot!SE Indiana may be off the path..but the offer is here if you want it.We are just outside Cincinnati.
Becky
Realtor in Ohio and Indiana
Emma,Amber,Ian 8/18/99
Olivia 9/29/00

Thank you for the invitation!

We have not worked out our route yet -- probably along the border going east, but might be heading back west further south (but not in the South). As things get settled, I'll let you know if we'll be passing thru!

Vaughn and the ABC Boys
Alex, Bryce, & Calder
3-31-97 @ 28.5 weeks
http://s515.photobucket.com/albums/t356/vaughn3abc/

Hi Vaughn,

We are up near the Canadian border in NY, and we'd be happy to have you. Sounds like a fun adventure. My husband hopes to do a similar trip in a few years.

best of luck!
Heather
mom to Grace, Madeline & Claire, 8
Noah, 5

Thanks, Heather!

We do plan on seeing Niagra Falls, which must be up there somewhere near you. We still need to pour over a map and figure out the timing. We'll get back to you when things firm up!

We figure we have 2 weeks to get to the East Coast, then 1.5 weeks there, and then 1.5 weeks to get back home. We have relatives in Cape Cod, New Jersey and Mass. And friends in DC.

It will be an adventure!

Vaughn and the ABC Boys
Alex, Bryce, & Calder
3-31-97 @ 28.5 weeks

1. What did you do on Memorial Day? The whole weekend was full of cook-outs, campfires and yardwork.

2. Do you give year-end Teacher Appreciation gifts to your child's teacher? How much is the typical gift (or contribution to a class gift)? No

3. Are you doing a staycation this summer? Nope. Since I only work Weds and Thurs and dh is on 40 hour work weeks, we plan on spending a lot of long weekends at dfil's lake house! Unless gas costs $3000 per gallon this summer!

4. Are you a pedicure kind of gal? (Not you Vaughn ) What color polish do you like on your toes? Ocassionally, I'll treat myself to a "real" one. Otherwise, I give myself mini-pedi's at home. I prefer the french tips, but usually wear pink-ish colors.

5. What's the last thing you purchased for yourself? Don't laugh...a Ped Egg. It really does work!

Oldest dd has been a real crab this week due to having to cram for finals. She has three today---algebra, science and Spanish. She spent all day Sunday, locked in her room, studying.

Katie and I head to Children's this Friday for an appointment w/the plastic surgeon. She will get a panoramic xray to see how things are healing and then, hopefully, we can schedule the removal of the retractor.

Last day of school is this Thursday! I'm going to miss those days of just Katie and I!

Have a great week everyone!

"Just remember, you can do anything you set your mind to, but it takes action, perseverance, and facing your fears."-- Gillian Anderson

1. What did you do on Memorial Day? Sat/Sun was camping with the Girl Scouts. Sun night - soccer team bonfire at our house. Mon was sleeping late, shopping with the girls for their birthday and another quick fire.

2. Do you give year-end Teacher Appreciation gifts to your child's teacher? How much is the typical gift (or contribution to a class gift)? Not usually, but we do send a gift during Teacher Appreciation week in early May.

3. Are you doing a staycation this summer? Not really, but we're planning on a short camping trip and have passes to the pool and Great America and are planning a trip to Niagara Falls in October.

4. Are you a pedicure kind of gal? (Not you Vaughn) What color polish do you like on your toes? On occasion and generally go with French manicure.

5. What's the last thing you purchased for yourself? capris and 2 summer tops.

Laura
Mom to M, N & C (5/8/99)

1. What did you do on Memorial Day?

I honestly cannot recall. I am guessing we didn't do much but we have been so busy lately the days all blend together.

2. Do you give year-end Teacher Appreciation gifts to your child's teacher? How much is the typical gift (or contribution to a class gift)?

We give gift certificates and little treats each day during teacher appreciation week.

3. Are you doing a staycation this summer?

No big vacation planned for the first time in a few years but we will be taking lots of small trips. We already did our first camping trip a few weeks ago. We live 20 min from the beach and will spend lots of time there.

4. Are you a pedicure kind of gal? (Not you Vaughn ) What color polish do you like on your toes?

Yes! I love pedis and try to treat myself every 4-6 weeks, if possible. Right now I am into the french with a small flower design on the big toe.

5. What's the last thing you purchased for yourself?

Probably the pedicure mentioned above. I rarely shop for myself.

Jenni
mom of triplets (10) plus one (5)

Sharon I had to laugh at your plight over dress shoes. My son graduated from 8th this year so needed a suit (Thank goodness for his older cousin). Luckily my son's shoes from confirmation last year still fit but many other mom's were searching Goodwill and Salvation Army for shoes their son's could wear this one time!

Sadly in 2 years when the girls graduate it will be tougher. They have 3 major events and the girls all think they need 3 different dresses. Add to that shoes to match all 9 dresses!


1. What did you do on Memorial Day?
I worked on Memorial Day while my husband and the kids went out to breakfast with Dzia (gramdfather) and to the Memorial Day parade.
We did hit a cookout with friends that evening.

2. Do you give year-end Teacher Appreciation gifts to your child's teacher? How much is the typical gift (or contribution to a class gift)? Our school encourages donations to HASA (Home and School Assoc). They divide up the money among all the teachers and aides. Each ends up with about $200. This helps aviod the "specials" (music, gym, library etc.) teachers being left out.

3. Are you doing a staycation this summer?
i keep telling my husband we are but he keeps bringing up trips.
We have always gone on at least one vacation every year. I feel like its time to put some money back into the house (I'd like to add a hot tub to the deck!)

4. Are you a pedicure kind of gal? (Not you Vaughn ) What color polish do you like on your toes?
Love them but gave them up after the girls were born ($$) and haven't gone back. Still give my feet special treatment during the summer and I always paint my nails bright red!

5. What's the last thing you purchased for yourself?
a pair of capris. I'll probably gt a summer shirt or two later this month. We had 1 college grad party, 3 high school grad parties and our son graduated from 8th grade. Seems "my" money gets zapped away too quickly.

Hi everyone!

Sounds like the year is wrapping up and everyone is off to a good start with summer plans. We still have 3 1/2 weeks of school, so summer still feels a little ways away (the freeze last night did not help!)

1. What did you do on Memorial Day?
Bball game, cookout at a friends house on the river - the boys went in tubes despite the cool weather!, yard work, cookout and a bonfire with just us!

2. Do you give year-end Teacher Appreciation gifts to your child's teacher? How much is the typical gift (or contribution to a class gift)?
I never know what to do here as we do not do a class thing. I end up giving gift certificates to either book store or local coffee shop/ cafe. I am never sure of amt either b/c of having 1-3 kids in the class. I usually do 20-30 but have no idea if this is adequate or cheap!

3. Are you doing a staycation this summer?
No major vacation - going to in laws - dh will be there 3 wks building a sunroom, I will be there a week and then the boys will stay with dh for his 3rd week. Otherwise boys will do soccer camp, beach time and my nephew may stay with us for a week. He lives in CA and we are in NY so it is a treat for them to be together. Also in-laws will rent the house in front of us for a week or 2 and we will see them at end of summer in Stowe for a few days (I am a bit stressed about amt of in-law time!!!)

4. Are you a pedicure kind of gal? (Not you Vaughn ) What color polish do you like on your toes?
Too rare - have thought recently I want to though. I do my own mini-pedi at home and do light pink or french (I love the french but can't do it well myself!)

5. What's the last thing you purchased for yourself?
A belt - my one from Target broke in half so I splurged and bought real leather at Eddie Bauer outlet - for only $5 more than Target one!

Over weekend dh was away so I made it a point to put responsibilities aside and focus on the boys. It was so nice (and too rare - I feel guilty about that) We went mini golfing, arcade, played wii, got new plants for their garden, had sleep out in their room, cooked together and ate fun food. It was so nice to just enjoy them!

Have a great week

Suzanne
BBB 4/00

Hi everyone and welcome to the end of the school year. We are winding down. I can't wait. But I did sign on to do summer school. Someone please slap me for doing it again this year.

1. My Memorial Day was really fun. A girlfriend of mine came over around noon and we sat and cross stitched until about 8:30 in the evening. I did stop and made dinner in there. Dh sat in the basement and watched TV that entire time. Gotta say, my girlfriend was a lot more fun!!!

2. Personally I don't think teachers need year end gifts. I have gotten some myself and I always feel funny accepting them.

3. I don't know what we are doing this summer. I am working until the end of July and then we have some wedding to attend. I hope we can go somewhere this year.

4. I am a pedi girl. Love the pampering. My toes are always the same color as my finger nails. The color varies as to the season.

5. I just bought a new bottle of nail polish. I have also been replacing all of my clothes since I lost 42 lbs. It is taking a while to rebuild my wardrobe.

mom to:
Ryan 32 The Lawyer
Jason 30 The Chief Meteorologist
Chris 30 The College Student
Tim 30 The college grad

I love hearing their versions of their childhood memories!!