The Skipped Week

I know I posted for RJ's birthday, but I wanted to post a little tidbit about the rest of the week, before we went on vacation.

RJ had a great time at his Minecraft Designers class.  Now that we're back home, we're going to install the Java Edition of Minecraft (sarcasm font--thank you, Mojang, for needing yet another version of Minecraft to let our boy do what he needs to do--end of sarcasm font) and import all of the stuff he learned while in the class.

RJ is really looking forward to his Roblox camp in a couple weeks.  And, we're hopeful that he can take another class or two this fall.  Yay for finding something for our screen-loving boy!

Happy 10th Birthday, RJ!

Today (and yesterday) we celebrated  RJ's 10th birthday.

The festivities started on Monday evening because Jip's Tuesday morning was jam packed.  So, we decided to let RJ open his gifts early.  Once again, everyone spoiled him rotten.  We are proud of him for doing enough chores, and doing so graciously, to earn a little bit of money to put toward a Nintendo Switch.  Mom and Dad picked up the rest of the tab for the device plus the necessary accessories, and family provided the games and protection.  Add in some Legos and Transformers, and he was a very happy boy!

His birthday day was pretty normal.  We set up his Switch.  RJ went to his Minecraft Designers class.  And Audrey came over to play.  Jip was able to bail on work earlier than normal, so we met him for dinner at RJ's restaurant choice--Chili's.  Our favorite server saw us walk in and told the hostess to put us in her section.  She had our drink order and chips and salsa ready as we sat down.  She knows the kids' usuals, but Jip and I keep her on her toes by mixing it up.  She overhead us talking about RJ's birthday and brought him some ice cream.  She asked RJ if he wanted them to sing, but he declined--that still isn't his thing.  But, he loved that she doted on him.  ;)

When we got home, we ate the ombré birthday cake that RJ asked me to make.  My cake decorating skills aren't getting better as he gets older, but thankfully, he just likes that I make it fun and that it tastes pretty good.

We'll have RJ's party with his friends on August 3, with go-karting and a sleepover.  Hopefully the weather will cooperate for the go-karting.  As always, pics to come.

Happy 10th Birthday, My Best Boy!!

Schlepping

We had lots of schlepping last week.  I schlepped the kids an hour and 20 minutes--each way--to Williamsburg Monday-Friday so they could attend their Summer Enrichment Program classes.  They both had a great time, despite the exorbitant amount of time in the car.  Ryleigh's Fun with Math course was centered around geometry, and it must have sunk in, because she got all of the "test" questions correct.  RJ had another good class Robotics class with Mr. Brown.  If Mr. Brown stops teaching the Lego-based courses, we could be in real trouble!

Jip schlepped himself to work all week and then he schlepped all of us to the Navy Exchange on Saturday to pick up RJ's new glasses.  Poor RJ--he's going through so many changes this summer with getting glasses and perhaps starting orthodontic treatment right before school starts.  He was so worried that kids were going to make fun of him and think he was a nerd.  But, he got the seal of approval from Audrey and a couple of his buddies at gymnastics when they told him they liked his glasses.  And, his parents think he looks pretty handsome.

One of the reasons Jip schlepped all of us to the Exchange was so that we would all be in the car for a milestone.  The Volvo hit 100,000 miles on Saturday.  The car and its driver still look pretty good for being 13 and 44, respectively.

This week there is still schlepping, but not as far for this mama.  RJ's Minecraft Designers camp is only 20 minutes away, so Ryleigh and I can come home or shop or whatever needs to be done.  Jip is still busy as the acting CO through Wednesday.  And, we are steadily prepping for our VACATION that starts Friday.  Oh, yeah--and a certain boy turns 10.  As always, pics to come.

Until next time, cheers!

4th (Weekend) Fun

We did our best to pack in some fun for the long July 4th weekend.  We started out with a Tides game on Wednesday night.  We had seats behind home plate, which was a new, fun experience.  Jip was up and down the stairs multiple times, fetching food and and drinks for us.  The worst part was it was sooooo hot.  Like at-10pm-it-still-felt-in-the-90’s hot.  The humidity was high, which made the game feel looooooong.  And the Tides lost, so the energy was flat.  Still, the fireworks were nice and we were home by 11.

On the 4th, we headed to John and Patti’a house for their neighborhood block party.  I had spent all afternoon baking soft pretzels and came home with none.  I’d say that was a successful cooking venture!  Again it was so hot that we ate inside, but it started to be pleasant by about 8:00, so we went out to watch the kids hit some birdies around on the lawn.  Then, our hosts broke out the long tables and lined them up in the driveway for a game of Left, Right, and Center.  $3 gets you a place at the table and rolls of dice determine how quickly you get rid of your money to those around you or to the center (pot).  Twenty-four people played and Ryleigh Jo, who was playing for Jip while he cleaned up our chairs and such, won the game and the pot of $84.  The final player to go out of the game, Lester, posed with Ryleigh for the cute picture below.  The kids each bought a cheap game for the Xbox and the rest went into their CDs at the bank.

Saturday afternoon, the kids were invited to Greer and Gavin’s house to play in the pool.  We managed to find the 2ish hours without rain, and they had a great time--even in slo-mo.

On Sunday, we decided to head to the bowling alley at the Shipyard.  The bowling was fun.  Lunch was delicious. Good times were had by all.  We may have even convinced RJ that he should join one of the Navy bases’ junior bowling leagues.  We’ll keep you posted on that!

This week, the kids are at their Gifted and Talented workshops at William and Mary each morning.  The round trip driving time is almost as much as the time in class, but they are loving it so far.  Jip is continuing his acting CO gig that started last week. And I’m doing my best to be the best Uber driver for the kiddos all week--I'm hoping they rate their driver 5 stars.

Until next time, cheers!

Summer Helpers

The kiddos were helpful in week 2 of summer break.  RJ worked hard toward his goal of doing $50-worth of chores in order to contribute to the Nintendo Switch he wants for his birthday.  They both helped take care of two kitties next door while the owners were out of town.  And they both helped me tackle some paper.  They went through all of the papers I had saved for the 2018-19 school year and helped determine what was worth keeping.  And they went through the previous years' papers, too.  We filled the recycling bin!

Ryleigh had a great second week of gymnastics clinic.  She was given the Level 3 (First Year) Hardest Worker award.  She was so tickled.  And she had every right to be so pleased with herself.  She worked so hard and kept such a positive attitude all week.

This week Ryleigh has her first week of regular gymnastics, so it's back to only 9 hours per week.  Tomorrow evening we will see fireworks after the Norfolk Tides baseball game. And, we'll be joining our friends John and Patti and nearly their entire neighborhood at their house for the 4th.  It should be a grand time!

As always, pics to come.  Until next time, cheers!