A Reminder

Here it is, almost August, and it seems wherever I look, there are reminders about school....

This past Saturday, my husband and I spent the day at his family reunion. He has four siblings and they all have kids and most of the kids have kids, so even though not everyone could make it, that's a lot of people.

And dogs, did I mention dogs?

Anyway,

Our youngest son was able to make it for awhile with his youngest son, Max. Max is two and a half and since he could move, he's been a climber.

Max loved the playground at the park. It was one of those all in ones with three slides, a bridge, ladders, and steps. Perfect for a boy who loves to climb. 

And of course, Max wanted to try everything the big kids did, quickly learning which things he could climb and which gave him "owies" when he fell ( three times!). The rope ladder seemed to be his favorite, although at first he needed a little support. So side by side they went up the ladder, as he watched what his cousin was doing. And don't all of us need a little support when we learn something new? Isn't it nice to have someone at our side to show us how to do something and encourage us as we go through the process?

The top step was a little long, especially the first few times, so a helping hand at the top was a great thing. I loved that the girls clapped and said, "Good job, Max!" when he got to the top. And we need that too, don't we? We need someone who appreciates our efforts and knows how hard we worked to learn that new thing.

Soon, Max was racing up that ladder all by himself. And then the prize for making it up the ladder....

The Twisty Slide! The end goal. The end must be worth the climb! Because who's going to put in all that effort in learning if the end result isn't worth it? 

So, as I begin planning lessons, I need to remember to give those new students lots of support as they start a new school year, and write and read alongside them to show them how it's done. I need to give them a helping hand when they need it and celebrate when they accomplish their goals. And, above all, it's got to be worth the effort!

Chloe Writes: I am a Rock-Star

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Slice of Life posts!

I'm pretty famous you know. Here at the lake I can't go anywhere without people wanting to talk to me and pet me. There are other dogs around, but I'm pretty much the favorite.

I love it.

Mom and Dad have been taking me with them this summer when they go visit our friends. I even get to stay for awhile!  Everyone says what a good dog I am. I could have told them that, of course, but I think they should figure it out for themselves. Mom sometimes wants to take me home, but they make her let me stay. It's kind of boring 'cause they just talk about golf and stuff, but at least I get to be outside.

One of my favorite things, though, is every week there are new kids to play with. Sometimes they get a little scared of me. I have to remember not to bark and not to jump. It's hard 'cause I'm just so excited to make new friends and see some old ones. There are some cute babies here this week, so I have to practice being really good and maybe they will get to come and pet me. I love babies, they smell so good....well, most of the time.

This week there are some old friends here too. They were pretty happy to see me Sunday night. Dad was taking me for a "walk and talk" (That's what Mom calls them. She says we don't get much walking done). All of sudden, my friends came running to us yelling, "Chloe! There's Chloe!" Dad was kind of surprised because he isn't here all the time, but he was OK with it and let them pet me for awhile.

Well, it's time for me and Mom to go for a walk. I hope we go past the beach today, so I can see my friends!

See you next time!

Love,
Chloe

It All Started With Fresh Peaches...

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Sundays at the lake....
laid back,
no-rules,
restful.
Often, Sundays are pajama days.

But sometimes, impromptu get togethers happen...

Chloe jumped up, gave a couple of barks and wagged her butt (really. When she's really happy to see someone, her whole butt wags) and from behind the tree came our neighbor, Sam, carrying two big cantaloupes.

"I was out toolin' around with Coach. Found these at Pioneer Beach. They had peaches and corn too."

Peaches. Fresh Peaches. My husband's favorite.

"I may have to check those out," he things aloud.

We eat lunch. He disappears for a bit. When he comes back...

"Coach says those peaches are great. Really juicy. I think I'm going to go and get some. Want to come along?"

What the heck! I grab my purse and off we go.

But first I had to stop and tell a friend I wouldn't be down to her place for awhile.

We find her and others playing ladder golf and lazing around in the shade.

"We're going to buy peaches," we answer their unasked question. "Sam says there are some at Pioneer Beach. Wanna go along?" Kris loves peaches as much as Greg.
"Sure," she says.

"Bring me six," says Robin.

We wait for Kris to grab her purse, when I hear Robin, "Wait! I'm coming too."

The smell of peaches fill the air as we walk into the store. Heaven. And, as they begin to sort through the peaches, the talk about supper begins and it's decided that it's silly for all of to cook separately. And, oh, wouldn't these peaches go great with ice cream and, oh!

Sangria! (Here's the link for the recipe and the blog. While you check out the recipe, you should check the blog too. I love this one!)

And so plans and Sangria and peaches are readied for a night of friendship and fun. We talk, we eat, we watch sunset.

"I think this was my favorite day ever at the lake," Greg tells me as we get ready for bed.

Sundays at the lake....
laid back,
no-rules,
restful.
Time for friends

Notes from a Concert

Perfect spot. Right in front of the stage, a couple of feet back. Little kids in front of us. We are ready for  The Nadas, our traditional 4th of July weekend concert. I was ready for fun music, dancing and singing along with my husband and our friends, enjoying the end of a long week.

The crowd is rowdier than most years. As The Nadas take the stage, the area in front of the stage fills with groups of people. Many have obviously been overindulging in adult beverages, but they are behind us and shouldn't last long.

I didn't notice the young woman in the orange sundress standing a little to the left of us and leaning on the stage. Not at first anyway...

But soon, a couple of other young women joined her. Lots of squeals and hugs and they pushed their way in front of us (take your high school reunion to the back of the crowd). And with cute young women inevitably come several young men, who also pushed their way in front of us.

But there's a space beside them, so I take a couple of steps and move up (Don't get between me and The Nadas). My husband joins me and the others move behind us.

The music is awesome and fun and I just want to dance and sing along.

The girl in the orange dress leaves, but her high school reunion stays.

And they are really rather rude. They keep taking over. I keep adjusting.

The Amazon Girl who ended up in front of me is wildly dancing--and I do mean wildly. Arms swinging, backing up into us, dancing side to side ( there's an art to dancing in a large crowd. She obviously doesn't know how to dance in one spot). I begin to think she's just trying to get us to leave, that this dancing thing is a game.

I decide to play along (I've been going to concerts longer than you've been alive. Just try to get rid of me).

I side-step, edge forward and get on her left. She turns to look at me. She now decides on a new approach. We'll be friends...

"How long have you been a Nadas fan?"
"Oh, 10 or 12 years."
"WooHoo!" And she raises her hand for a high five.

Really. A high five.

I roll my eyes and give her what she wants.

A couple of more questions and more high fives. Each time I try to position myself in front of her.

"Here," she says as she pats the stage, "Here's a spot with your name on it."

Oh, don't be condescending with me. I teach high school. I can go toe to toe with your attitude.

"I 'm fine. I'm just trying to get out of your dancing zone. You keep stepping on my feet."

During this time, the guys have gone for more beer and chase down another girl, so we have some peace.

It doesn't last long.

The guy comes back. Hallalujah! He is now friends on Facebook with the girl's sister! (Note to drunk boy--friending her sister on Facebook doesn't mean love is in the air!)

She again pats the stage and tries to get me to move and I again assure her that I am just fine where I am as long as she doesn't stand in front of me.

I'm getting tired of the game. This could get ugly.

Luckily, it doesn't.

They leave. I dance and enjoy myself with my friends.