I am slowly becoming my father....

Well it all started last summer when we were at a rented lake house.  The woman there had cacti / succulents growing out of a rail road tie.  It was beautiful, and I wish I had taken a picture.  I was amazed that these little delicate plants could make it through Michigan winters and come back every year.  So....I stole some, put them in a zip lock bag, and carted them home.  Now, this is funny because as a child my mother carried zip locks around for my father who would make his way through Disney, Busch Gardens, etc. taking clippings and making my mom carry them.  I was so embarrased!!!  Fast forward 30 years and I'm doing it now too.  The only plant that survived the transplanting from the lake house (and the winter) is the one with the pink flowers on it, but look how pretty it is!!  Her's didn't even have flowers.All of the rocks you see are taken from various trips to different lakes.  The majority are from Lake Huron.  The geography/topography/and land of the Great Lakes is absolutely beautiful, and if you've never been to a Great Lake...you should. 

Well, when that little succulent popped up this spring, I immediately ran out and started buying more.  I had some left over fire wood from last summer's pit, so I stuck them in cracks and under bark.  Soon I was collecting a new variety every time I went to Home Depot.  This too is weird, because when we went home for Spring Break this year, my dad had been making these elaborate cactus dish gardens for friends and family. 

Finally, here is a picture of the vegetable garden so far.  The brussel sprouts and broccoli are already gone, but we still have yellow squash, green peppers, sweet potatoes, zucchini, tomatoes, rasberries, strawberries, blackberries, basil, cilantro, thyme, and red cabbage.  As you can see, the spacing is really off!!!  I only have a small strip to work with, and I got a little over zealous this year.

                                                                                                         

Here are the beans growing up the green bean tee pee. The vines are supposed to reach the top, and the kids can step inside to pick the beans.

Well it's off to the vet's office.  Our foster, Scarlett, needs her clean bill of health check up so that she can attend the adoption event this Sat.  Tomorrow we leave for the lake over on the other west coast near Holland, MI.  Yes, Riley seems to have gotten her act together, and our girls' trip is on!!!!!!!!!!!

First Day of Summer Break....

So today started out pretty good.  I took the 2 crazy house cats outside with me and "penned them up" while I drank my coffee and read my Ireland tour books.  They are both only 1 and are not outdoors cats, so I like to play it safe.  Plus, Rhett's cat (Larry Bud Ferb Spillman - yes that's his name) has already climbed an enormous tree and it took 3 of us to get him down. 

Then the kids woke up and that was that.  We decided we would go strawberry picking to start the summer off.  We have missed the season every year we've lived here so far (8 summers / 9 winters).  I told the girls to get ready, and as usual, Riley ignored me.  I asked her to get off of the computer 3 times and she didn't.  I told her she couldn't come with us so she stormed off screaming how much she hates me, etc.  I told her I was cancelling the mother/daughter trip to the lake next week, and then, so that I couldn't whimp out of my threat, I emailed her best friend's mother (Francesca is supposed to go with us) to tell her the trip was up in the air.  I told Riley she had to stay in her room for the next 3 hours and clean it.  If it was clean when I got home, we would discuss the trip.

Maggie had a ball.  She loves picking anything.  Dylan sat in the car watching a video except to walk over to be hand fed the strawberries.  I swear that kid "works" his auism.  He was probably sitting in the car laughing at us woking so hard.  The weather was a typical "hot" Michigan summer day around 73degrees.  For you FL folks ( "hi pop Gallo!!"), If it reaches the 80's around here people shut down.  It's really funny.  I guess the reverse is true for FL.  If it goes into the 30's down there you think you're going to freeze to death. 

On our way out of the fields I always stop in the various other sections that aren't officially "open" yet.  We also got some snow peas and sweet cherries.

On our way home we stopped at the Crooked Creek Farm for some home made ice cream. 

 When I got home, Riley had indeed cleaned her room.  We'll see how the next few days with her go.  Well bye for now ....it's off to take Riley to gymnastics. 

Last Day of School....

Well!  It all went down exactly as I thought it would.  .....

I had to wait for the bus to bring Dylan home before I could walk up to school to get the girls.  It seemed to take forever.  Finally, at 11:16 he got off the bus with 4 mins. for us to get to school.  Dylan was wearing flip flops for the 1st time in his life (a physical therapy milestone!), so he was shuffling along VERY slowly.  The kids were already streaming into the streets and playground by the time we got there.  Immediately old friends started coming up to Dylan and saying hello (his program used to be in our home school).  I found Maggie right away (with that dress who could miss her), but Riley was nowhere in sight.  Her best friend, Francesca, ran by and said she was still in the classroom "in full blown crying mode" as she put it.  I slowly walked toward the building and then I saw her.  Yep, crying like crazy.  I knew it would be like this.  The little bugger is very emotional like her mom used to be (pre-prozac of course).  She just kept chanting, "I don't want to go , I don't want to go."  She had had all her friends sign her class shirt since she won't be in school with them next year.

Maggie had already run off with HER best friend, Ryan.  They were busy planning a playdate which she is still on 5 HOURS LATER as I wrote this!  I made them all stand there for our annual picture, told Maggie goodbye, and Riley, Dylan and I walked home.

I had a new summer tote bag waiting as a "graduation" gift for Riley as a surprise.  I put new summer clothes from Aeropostale, their perfume, and a new book for summer reading in the tote.  This was actually a big deal because up until now I wouldn't shop there.  Their clothes are for older kids.  Riley has been crabbing that "The Children's Place" is too babyish for her now, so I caved!

The 3 of us went to....wait for it....Target of course!  I had more returns to do , and I was trying to cheer Riley up with the bribe of new tennis shoes...We ate a quick snack at the snack bar, got a few things, and Riley finally found some shoes.  Seems converse are back in style.

Well, Maggie just walked in, so I have to go think about dinner....more later...

Well its far past my bedtime but i wanted to try out this mobile blogging thing..hope this works...

Friday night thoughts....

Well, here I am again...no followers and still not sure what I'm doing. 

Today was the last Friday of the school year...only 2 1/2 days left next week.  The girls haven't cracked yet, but I'm sure there will be lots of tears next week.  Not only is Riley graduating to middle school, but they are both leaving our home schools to go to Shrine Elem.   Yes, that's right folks...it's parochial school for my little chicks.  We went to the used uniform sale last week and bought lots of great stuff.  They put on their plaid and pleats and ran out in the street to play ball before bed.  I should have taken some pics.  If only they were as sweet and angelic as they looked.  Below is a picture of Riley (looking quite precious) when she sang for the Archbishop down at the cathedral.  She is front and center with the white headband.

Well today was yet another meeting with the Superintendant of Spec. Ed., speech path., ASD teacher, consultants, and even John came to this one.  We were given the news on Wed. that Dylan was not accepted into the other district we wanted him to go to.  It turns out it was a blessing in disguise.  After coming to observe him in his present school, they were puzzled as to why we would want him in their program.  It seems the kids in the age group he would be in are really bad behavioral problems.  Their own disricts couldn't handle them, so they were sent to that center based program.  I HAD NO IDEA.  The last thing I want is for Dylan to pick up old bad behaviors we have worked years to overcome.  Plus, how can anyone learn when there are students beating up the teacher.  We did alot of brainstorming and had a very productive meeting.  It looks like our district is open to most anything I want for his middle school years.  My jury is still out on his new teacher, but we will have to see.  Now I have to decide where I want him to go for his ESY (extended school year) in 2 weeks.  

Tonight, the girls went to "Sib Shop".  It's a support group for siblings of autistic kids.  They get to say anything they want there about their brother.  The girls LOVE going.  Tonight they even had a group for Dylan to attend.  So, I got 2 hours to myself.  What did I do you ask?  Went to Target, of course!  I had to pick up a bday gift for a party tomorrow and some staples to get us through the weekend.

Well, I'm going to go now and see if I can attach a few pictures to this post.  Goodnight to whoever....

Not Sure What I'm Doing

Ok..so today was a day full of annual Drs. appts....nothing too great.  I'm just writing this stuff down so I can practice "blogging".  I had my annual endocrinologist appt., complete with blood work, to find out how bad my thyroid is this year.  The kids all got flu shots in preparation for FEBRUARY school camp.  Who the heck goes camping in Feb. in Michigan?  Our school district that's who.  Riley and I had our daily blow up.  She is at gymnastics right now, so we are each getting a breather.  It will probably resume when she gets home in an hour. 

Ok..that was boring...I'm going to save it now and go see how this works....

This is a test...I am woman...hear me nag...