It's Wild Here

Ryan

 

Ryan, Kellen, and I were at my mom’s on Saturday. Ryan said, “I’m strong enough to crack open a 5 year olds head.”

“What?” I say. “How about talking about splitting a log with an axe?”

“That’s easy,” he said. “I bet I could chop down one of these walls.” (looking around the kitchen area)

Grammy said, “But you wouldn’t do that, right?”

“Why would I do that? Besides, you don’t have an axe,” he said.

“Actually, we do,” said Grammy.

“Well, its a good thing I don’t know where it is.”

Let's pause for a vocabulary check

R: I'm bored.
Me: Let's go read some books or put on a movie
R: I want to do something more fun.
Me: Well, it's an hour until bedtime, and you're sick, so we can't really go out and get rowdy.
R: Let's do something rowdy *inside*
pause
R: What's rowdy mean?

July

Fourth of July at Uncle Doug and Aunt Barb's house has been a tradition for several years. Before that, we had decades of Fourths at my grandma's.  Marshmallow topped brownies, balloon toss, cooking out. 

 

All summer, we've been attending the summer reading programs at the library. This one was really wonderful, engaging all the children completely.

Hanging out downtown at the first (annual?) Cirque Carnival

Ryan is finishing up a clay class - they are creating an under-the-sea scene.

 Ryan attended Bulldog Basketball Camp and had the best time.  They were long, hot days and he wanted to be there every minute. He says it's more fun than swimming or soccer.  I'm thinking, wait until he can get the ball into the net - how fun will it be then?

 

 

4-H Camp Clifton - Jeremiah's first week away from home. He did the high ropes course, a zip line at night, and a few activities that he described as "do it yourself..."  They weren't terribly prepared. Think ice cream eating contest with no bowls, spoons or cones.  Just kids and a tub of ice cream. 

June

- Jeremiah wins Brazilian Jiu-jitsu tournament in Walton, KY.  

 

Meanwhile, Jamie played music with Wh66ls on the streets of YS during street fair.  Yesterday, Jamie gave me a DVD of the boys, apparently made by our own local Oscar-nominated filmmaker, Steve Bognar.  It's really beautifully done! 

The weekend before Street Fair, I went to Knoxville, where Katie and I attended the funeral of dear Henry Granju.  On the way home, we visited Norris Dam.   More to come on Norris Dam, also known as paradise.

Ryan was better just in time for soccer camp, although he was definitely not fully recovered until the second day. During the first day of camp, he came walking over looking incredibly pale and flopped down into the grass.  It took some peanut butter and rest in the shade, but he was back at it before long.

Next week, he wants to try out swim team. 

He seems to be making some strides in reading and writing - practicing a little each day through summer.  He has one lost tooth and another couple of loose teeth.

He wants to play violin.  We're looking into it.

 

Jeremiah is teaching himself ukulele. Thank you, youtube.  I imagine we'll get some real lessons after fall soccer.  Right now, he's busy with Brasilian Jiu-jitsu and summer. 

 

Uncle Doug, Uncle Gavin, Dad.  Memorial Day/Dad's birthday.

  

 

 

Jamie and his band practiced for many hours yesterday in our kitchen.  I decided to do more cooking than I usually would... I love to hear them play.  

 

Ryan began his first Monday of summer with a huge ear infection and a lot of vomiting and fever.  He had been hoping to try the swim team but that will have to wait.  Poor fella.

 

library fun

We went to the library, just to get some books and movies, and stumbled into an improvisational dance performance, accompanied by Matt Minde and his cello.  It was unique and captivating. Matt shared the cello with the boys afterward.

 

 

avett brothers

Took the kids to Avett Brothers in Columbus last night.  Incredible performers!

 

Jamie and Kellen

We covered Ryan and Jeremiah in the last post.  

Jamie has had a fantastic first year of high school. His grades are excellent; he played varsity soccer; he started a band with two fabulous boys (Wh66ls); he has a wonderful girlfriend.  This summer, he's going to attend Friends Music Camp with several local kids, including his band-mates.  It's 4 weeks long!  I'm told they come home having learned so much and completely happy. 

Kellen started attending Yellow Springs Montessori in January.  The school is still getting oriented and determining its philosophy and routine.  He's loved his teacher, but hasn't been separating easily.  We've visited Antioch, where he seems a lot more at home and engaged.  We're hoping to get a little financial aid and send him there for his last year before kindergarten, so that he will be able to attend 5 days, and possibly even a few full days toward the end of the year before full-day kindergarten.

summertime!

It's been seven months since I've posted to this blog.  I'd like to get a little better, although I'll probably never be daily as I was for a while.

Ryan has had a fantastic year at school.  His class has visited Carillon Park, the Columbus Zoo, put on a beautiful kindergarten concert, and will soon be going to Shawnee Park for their end-of-year picnic.  He's learned a lot, is starting to read, and really seems to thrive in a traditional school classroom.  What a bizarre thing to hear myself say.  And a happy thing!

Jeremiah had a challenging start to middle school, spending half at McKinney at half enrolled in Ohio Virtual Academy.  He plans to return in 8th grade, next fall.  This year, he began training in Brazilian JiuJitsu and has won many medals in tournaments, even as a beginner.  He continues to improve in soccer and enjoys many good friendships with kids in town.  This summer, he has plans for soccer camp, swimming and socializing. 

Updates on the rest of us coming next...  (and pictures!)