FSM

Well it isn't quite Father's Day but since I am traveling again on Sunday and I have plans with my Father on Saturday...I thought it was a good idea to take the boys out for a Father Son Moment. Nothing fancy, nothing expensive, just some good old fun at the driving range. There is a driving range about 4 miles from the house (Oak Marr Rec Center & Golf Course).

We had fun just swinging the clubs and the boys wanted to go on the 'upper level'...I think it makes them feel like thier golf ball goes further. We had a good time and enjoyed the weather. Just having a quality time with the boys...who are growing up way to fast (10 and 8 now). Colin will be in 5th grade next year...YIKES (I have a 5th grader) and Connor will be in 2nd grade.

For the record...we did not dig tunnels in the sand trap at the golf course. These are photos from of the tunnel I helped the boys build while we were in Myrtle beach several weeks ago during another FSM.

Powdered Donuts

This morning, Sybella proved how creative she can be with even just a minute of unsupervised time.

This is what an 18-month-old looks like when she is tall enough to get out powdered mini-donuts from the pantry and isn't afraid to put a whole one in her mouth! LOL!!!

Field Day and Cub Scouts

FIELD DAY

This week the kids had Field Day. It was a total family affair. David and I volunteered, as did Sybella.

The boys had tons of fun, got very wet, & soaked up the sun. They also both volunteered to be at the school at 7am on Tuesday and Wednesday to set up the equipment-- Colin and Connor are GREAT kids with Serving Hearts!




CUB SCOUTS

Tuesday Night, we also had Colin's End of the Year Picnic for Cub Scouts.

The boys finished up their requirements for the Showmanship Badge- by singing and making puppets. The den has completed the first year of Webelos! At the picnic, the food was good, the company was awesome, and we finished just before the Thunderstorms moved in.

HOT!

Things are heating up in DC!

By Tuesday, June 10th at 11am...I am officially overheating. Not the car...me! WOW, I have lived in the California Desert and Southern Arizona but when you add that Northern Virginia Humidity, there is nothing like it. Way to hot and praying for cooler weather.

This week I want to celebrate Willis Haviland Carrier...the Father of 'AC'. Did you know that he invented the air conditioner in 1902 and that AC for non-industrial use (aka your home) did not come around until 1928? They called it the residential "Weathermaker". If his name looks and sounds familiar, it is because his family is still making Air Conditioner's today.

While digging into history I actually found an discrepancy. David Crosthwait lived at the same time and may have actually been the first two 'invent' AC...but Willis filed the patent earlier and so the Carrier family gets the credit.

Either way, they are heros in my book!

I also like Carrier's quote, "I fish only for edible fish, and hunt only for edible game even in the laboratory." I had to think about it but I frequently see people just doing a job, or building technology for technology's sake, or just plain old being busy (esspecially in DC). I think Carrier was trying to remind us that we are here for a purpose and we need to engage in productive activities while we are here. It is not enough to be busy...so to are the ants. We need to find things of passion that stir us and pour our energy into those things.

~David

~David

Service Project Update

Here is a reminder and update to our service project:

Instead of getting David a gift for Father’s Day, the kids have decided to honor their dad by collecting FOOD and FUNDS for those in need.

We are inviting you, to help us, help others.We all know that the economy is tough right now and food prices are UP--- unfortunately that has created many empty shelves and pantries at Food Banks and Services.

We are raising money and food for S.H.A.R.E. of Virginia via the Chesterbrook United Methodist Church's drop site.*****If you are not familiar with S.H.A.R.E, they partner with approximately 350 churches and community organizations to collect food. The individuals who participate in S.H.A.R.E volunteer 2 hours of their time and then are able to pay $18 for bags of groceries worth $40-$50. The participants get to bless and help others and are then blessed themselves with low-cost groceries.

Over the last 2 weeks, we have collected 8 bags of food and $70 in donations. However, we still have a ways to go;
we have set a goal to collect 20 bags of groceries (approximately $400-$500) to give on Father’s Day, June 15th!

How can you help?

Before June 13, Bring a bag(s) of food to our house OR, if you live far away,
send a check made out to S.H.A.R.E. of Virginia (NO amount is too small or large, send $1 and UP ^^- We need EVERYONE's help!)

Thanks again for helping!!!

NOTE: 100% of your donation is Tax deductible and will go to S.H.A.R.E. of Virginia. If you would like a receipt for tax purposes, let our mom know- she will make sure that you receive one.

Colin's Spring Concert

I have been meaning to post this and I had just not gotten around to it.

Just before we went on vacation (the same day actually), Colin's "Strings" Group had their Spring Concert. The Strings Group is lead by Mrs. Shah and consists of 4th-6th graders. It is an optional offering for the older elementary school kids. It is not required---- Colin WANTS to play violin. :) The concert was fantastic! The kids played 6 pieces. All the violinists played from memory- no music. It is awesome for the kids to be able to showcase what they have learned both to the parents and in the school assembly seen here.


Colin is on the right-hand side, in the second row of risers, close to the end.

National Candy Month

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Child Nutrition Events Calendar, June is National Candy Month.


As a side note, I am not sure why the USDA who also puts out the Food Pyramid would want to emphasize National Candy Month but, since they did, I have decided to do a candy making project with the kids. We might as well start our summer fun a little early and who can pass up candy? [If it goes well, we'll keep the recipe handy for possible use with a future science fair project--always have to be on the lookout for an academic relevance!]


We could melt chocolate and make chocolate lollipops, I have at least done that before; unfortunately, Connor does not like chocolate. Really!
Instead, we are going to make Rock Candy.


I found the recipe that we will be using on-line; has anyone used this or a similar recipe? How did it turn out?

We'll let you know how it goes! Note: It takes 7-14 days for the Rock Candy to 'grow.' You'll have to be patient for the follow-up post.

Bicycle Adventures

We have wanted to cycle as a family but we have just not made gettting all the 'stuff' a priority. But now, having become a 1-car family, our priorities have shifted a bit. :)

It will certainly be easier to be out and about town if the kids and I can cycle (vs. walking or running).

So, the family hit the trail tonight (yes, ALL of us) David managed to get a picture of Sybella and I enjoying the new trailer: