Happy Father's Day

For Father's Day this year, Brett said that he didn't want us to go and get/buy him anything. The best gift he could have would be money in the bank. Well, that would not suffice for me. I needed to do something special for the father of my children. The children and I decided that we would make a seven course meal for him. We were already planning to have some friends over, so the preparations began.

The place settings

Course the First - Appetizer:

Bruschetta on Rye

Course the Second - Appetizer

Shrimp with Cocktail Sauce

Course the Third - Salad:

Fruit Skewers

Course the Fourth - Soup:

Cold Cucumber

Course the Fifth - Entree:

Baked Dill Salmon on Rice

Course the Sixth - Entree:

Cashew Steak

Course the Seventh - Dessert:

Individual Cheesecake with Raspberry Topping

Then after dinner we played some games. After our friends left, the children gave Brett a little massage.

Claire rubbing Brett's feet

Eli rubbing Brett's back.

It ended up being a really nice afternoon/evening, even though it started like this:

Spilled soup

Thanks Brett for being a wonderful father. We all love and appreciate you.

Caleb helped with the preparation, however, he was only able to partake of 5 courses because he had to leave early to go to scout camp. (We fed him before everyone else because we knew he would miss the whole dinner.)

Running and Funning

Last night we were able to go to a track meet that the Kiwanis puts on. They do two of these a summer, and my children enjoy going and participating.

They get to do the long jump and a softball throw. There are also races - 50, 100, 200, 400, and 800 meter run, and then a 4x100 meter relay. It is a lot of fun. We have been there during nearly 100 degree temperatures, in wrap up in blanket weather, in rainstorms, and last night it was perfect - mid seventies with a slight "tail wind."

Emily in action

Claire jumping

Claire running (this is the only race she ran). She was there for the social aspect of it - to eat the treats and play with her friends.

Emily serious about running (I think she got first).

Eli running

Emily and her relay team.

It was a great evening to be outside. It is priceless to see the little 3 and 4 year-old children running, especially when it comes to the 200 meter. It was just fun to be with friends and have the children socialize and achieve.

p.s. thanks to Renee for the pictures.

Shades of Grey

Caleb was able to compose a piece at his music camp. It is here. His is titled Shades of Grey. He was recorded playing it.

(the picture is from his holiday concert)

Missing My Boy

On Sunday was the start of an adventure.

Caleb reading the information about camp.

We signed Caleb up for a music camp. At this camp Caleb has the opportunity to play his cello and sing in a choir. He is very excited about it.

He finished packing, we went to church, and then we hit the road.

We drove for about two hours to get to the college where he will be for the week. We saw plenty of fields.

We got there and registered him and then we went to get him checked into his room.

We got him unpacked, made his bed, and then we headed back over to the music hall for his audition.

Caleb outside his dorm room.

My little man on campus.

We left his dorm, went to the car to get his cello, drove back over to the music hall, and got ready for his audition.

Caleb a little nervous as he waits for his audition.

Brett standing outside the audition door.

Brett listening to his audition.

Caleb in his "home" for the next week.

Caleb and his roommate.

Sad mom leaving her son.

After the audition, we had him walk back to the dorms so that he would get a sense of the campus and the paths he would need to follow. When we got back to the dorm, his roommate was there (he had a much earlier audition, so his parents had left and he was there by himself) and we left Caleb with his roommate.

I am excited for Caleb to have this experience, however, I do miss my boy.