So far Summer hasn't felt much like summer. We've had a ton of rain, chilly temps, and too many gray and dismal skies.
Now I'm crossing my fingers that we have good weather this weekend and next week when we're on vacation. Please, oh please!
I've been wanting to get new family portraits for a while now. Our last ones were about two years ago when Joe still had the long hair and full on facial hair (he looked old!). Plus I've been wanting something I can put up over my tv instead of the Christmas wreath that's been living there. So on Father's Day I wrangled my two guys and took some pictures in front of a white sheet. I think they turned out awesome! Here are my faves:
So, Eli's neighbor just got some chickens and Eli and the kids are acting as their caretakers. Carlyn has picked one out of the flock (do you call chickens a flock?) and named it Baby Girl. This chicken follows her around, pecks at her blue nail polish, and doesn't mind being carried around. She was also the first of the flock (gaggle? pack?) to lay an egg.
Xander and I stopped by to see them and take some pictures yesterday. Xander was excited to get to hold one, though he didn't like when it flapped it's wings in his face. I even let Baby Girl peck at my toe nails. Me, the girl who used to be deathly afraid of birds. Go me!
I can only assume there might be some farm fresh eggs in my future!
Xander had his (maybe last) T-ball game on Saturday. The grownups in attendance - no coaches again this weekend - seemed divided about whether or not it was the last game. There's one more on the schedule for this coming Saturday, but I don't know if it's going to happen or not.
I asked Xander if he'd want to sign up for T-ball again next year. Right now his answer is pretty definite. No!As you may know, we've been having one heck of a year with Mr. Xander. He was getting into enough trouble at school to have me request that he start seeing the school counselor once a week. Now that school is out, he's been a terror back at daycare. Two days in a row he got in trouble for being physically aggressive with the other kids.
This has just been so upsetting for me. Obviously the Good Boy Buck thing isn't working like we hoped it would. On his two bad days he lost all TV priviledges and I made him write apologies. I told him he's going to start losing toys next. Luckily, he had a good day yesterday. No crying for Mom!
In the midst of the thunder storm we had Monday evening, I began noticing that the rain was hitting unusually hard on the windows. I looked outside and I couldn't believe it - we were having a hail storm!
I've never been in the middle of a hail storm like that before. It was crazy! I went outside afterwards with my camera to get a picture of my landlady's back deck - look at all that hail! It was pebble-sized, not the bigger stuff that slammed Oneonta Monday.
Xander went out after the rain stopped to gather up some hail stones. He now has a baggie full of water tacked to his bedroom wall - he says he's saving it for the first day of school. LOL! It sure was a storm to remember!
This year Xander and I got to actually be part of the parade, because he was marching with T-ball and I was marching with him. 15 of the 34 kids showed up to march, with four parents/grandparents to make sure we didn't lose anyone along the way. Xander seemed to enjoy it, though I had to constantly point out all the people along the side of the road that were waving at him. This kid knows a lot of people!
After our part was done, which was near the start of the parade, we sat down and watched the rest. That way Xander could get some candy (not that he'll eat any of it) and I could take a couple of parade pics. Next year if he marches with T-ball again, Xander says he wants to throw some candy. We'll see!
We walked around the wetlands first, all the kids looking for frogs and tadpoles. We also saw some little fish and dragonflies. Xander held my hand part of the way around, before he got distracted.
The PA also has a big barn full of learning stations. Lots about electricity and energy, plus the obligatory dead animal display. The kids loved being in there because they could touch everything. They liked the tour of Lansing Manor - a historical home - much less because they weren't allowed to touch ANYTHING! That's the only time when Joe had to use the big voice, and not even for our own kid.
We had a picnic lunch outside, then the kids raced around on the big lawn to work off some energy. Xander didn't do too much running because he's still got a big of a cough, especially when he exerts himself too much. After the kids watched a movie about electricity and electrical safety, Joe and I headed home.
Xander's last day is Monday, then he'll be done for the summer. Not sure I'm ready for that!!I was expecting to post some very cute pictures from Kindergarten graduation here today, maybe even some video. I was really, really looking forward to attending their little ceremony, seeing Xander in a cap and getting his certificate.
Alas, it was not to be. While the other kids were graduating, I was sitting in the doctor's office with Xander (for 2.5 hours!!). Turns out he has bronchitis. The night before he'd thrown up - a lot! - and was running a high fever. I cried my eyes out that night because I knew we'd be missing graduation.
Xander is at home today, recuperating. He slept all night last night and his fever is gone, so hopefully he's on the mend. Tomorrow he'll be back at school in time for his field trip. Well, I hope so anyway! And since I didn't want to leave you without a picture, here's one of Xander passed out on the couch last night.
After the parade we headed up through town to see what else was going on. It didn't take long to get separated, since Jean and Grandma Harrington were visiting lawn sales, Mike was talking to every person he passed, and Joe kept running into old friends. Xander bought some cotton candy, hit the bounce house, and then we wandered trying to hook up with the trolley.
When we finally did get on the trolley, we took a historic tour of Richmondville, which was actually pretty depressing. Everything over there is pretty much falling down. And Xander got bored. When it was finished we headed back to Jean and Mike's. Just like his grandma, Xander had to stop at a lawn sale and buy a toy castle that he saw.
Xander stayed overnight with Jean and Mike, and went with them Saturday night to see fireworks at the school. The coolest part of the day, though, was that Grandma Harrington surprised us with a visit (with help from Uncle Paul) and we were able to get a four-generation photo!
Xander is counting down to the last day of school, which is on June 15. He has Kindergarten graduation on the 9th and a field trip on the 11th. He's also counting down until his birthday next month, hoping he can earn enough Good Boy Bucks to get his DS. (Truthfully, it's highly doubtful at this point.) Tonight we're having Family Game Night with Eli & Krissy, and tomorrow Xander is having a sleepover at his grandma's house after we all enjoy Richmondville Day.
Joe is adding a motorcyle to his insurance today. He somehow made a deal (I don't want to know!) with a guy here in town who was selling one. I was hoping he'd get a project bike, because it would take him forever to get it ready to ride. Sadly, this one is rideable right now. Sigh. On a good note, Joe is doing awesome with his new eating plan and exercise! I think he's already thinner in the face and he's feeling better.
As for me, I'm getting back into my scrappy vibe. Turning out more layouts lately, and they've all been pretty decent. That's a nice change! I'm also doing well with the new eating plan. I've been using my exercise trampoline almost every day, walking during my work break, and yesterday I rode my bike when I got home. I don't know if I'm losing any weight, but I'm just feeling so proud of myself for being so good! And I'm looking forward to the parade tomorrow, because I do love a parade!
That's us right now! Before you go, check out the new video posted below of Xander singing a Barry Manilow classic. Hee hee! Have a great weekend! 
Do you need a laugh today? Check out this "vintage" picture of Xander in the tub. He was not quite two years old. I love his facial expression, and that hair! What a wackadoo!
I'll admit it - ask Xander if he likes T-ball and he'll tell you no. I know that there are some parts that drag on for him, like being on the field when the ball only ever seems to go towards first base. And waiting for your turn at bat.
But I have plenty of pictures of Xander with a big old smile on his face, and he seems to get plenty of horsing around in during the hour and a half that we're at the ball field. And of course he gets his chance at bat. At the end of June T-ball will be over. And I bet he'll miss it!
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