Cam had fun!!. I havent used BLOGGER for two years!!!

Nice glasses!

Christian showed me the Lego glasses he built. Now he'll have to make an adjustable pair.

Me, get on the table??

She knows she's not supposed to get on the table. She's never sorry for being naughty ... just for getting caught.

Little Packing Peanut

Bob & Kathy - Cam gets bonus fun when you send back the suitcases I forget at your house!

Goofing off

Cuties - growin' up!

Madeline and her friends at her 12th birthday party ... in between goofing off.

Cam's big Smallmouth Bass

Cam and I took the boat out for one last trip before winter hits later this week. While the fishing was slow, we did hook into this nearly 4 pound Smallmouth Bass. This earned Cam a South Dakota "Trophy Angler" award from the Game and Fish. We had the fish officially weighed at Mobridge. The Crappie we caught was also huge, 1.75 pounds, not quite big enough for an award. Oh yeah, we also landed a nice 3 pound walleye and clipped a rooster pheasant with the truck. It was a true "Surf and Turf" day for me and Cam! MMmmm, Roadkill!

Birthday Bonfire & other snaps from my 40th

Jim & Brian

Mariah, Jessica (our sitter) and mom Crystal

Darika & Mom, 'relaxing'

Renee with Addison, who's taking a taste test

Birthday goodies in the back

My birthday

My birthday ... withe a gorgeous cake made by friend Lori! That's a hydrangea blossom on top, with limes. Jim and Lori threw a great party for my 40th - BBQ, all our friends & neighbors and some family. Maybe I couldn't have asked for more, but I did - I'm supposed to get window treatments for the dining room bay. Note the date of this post: I got right on that. THANK YOU TO JIM AND ALL OUR FABULOUS FAMILY and FRIENDS. YOU ARE IRREPLACEABLE!

The Funny Onion

The little black things are onion seeds & the big pouf is what they came from. An onion we overlooked last year went to seed between the rows of corn, and the kids and I had so much fun watching it put up a big fat 3-foot stalk. We called it "The Funny Onion." As in "Hey Mom, look how big The Funny Onion is now!" "Is The Funny Onion still there?" The pouf was covered with tiny brilliant white flowers all summer. This fall, they changed to these little pods, the stalk fell over and guess what, the seeds fell out onto the ground! Nature at work!! I harvested the pod & will save the seeds to plant next year, if I can figure out how to get them started. Maybe you just throw them in the ground -- I hope so. That would be really easy, and I'm all about easy in the garden.

I can't believe you did that.

Buddy is really tolerant. Punkin's manic phases last about an hour each, and Bud's her main focus. It's been like bringing a hyperactive, destructive but really cute 3-year-old to live with a middle-aged guy who was really OK with living "alone." I've been giving him lots of extra attention.

Literally falling asleep - just like a 2-year-old

Here's our new addition - Punkin! She was born June 16. We adopted her from a family near Bath (little community 6 miles away) who said they couldn't afford to have her spayed. They already have a cat (Punkin's Mom) and two big dogs to look after. They were sad to see her go, & called several times the first few days to see how she was doing ... I was afraid they'd turn up on our doorstep demanding her back!
But they didn't, and she's doing fine. Buddy's life is about 1,000 percent more interesting than before. She attacks him regularly: jumps on his head, bites his tail, comes shooting out at him from nowhere. He looks irritated & takes it for awhile, then he stretches out his paw and effortlessly rolls her. Madeline and I call it The Buddy & Punkin Show. We've caught them sleeping snuggled together. :) I hope to post a better photo later.

On to Middle School!

Madeline's in middle school at Holgate! She had a long list of things to be nervous about, but I can proudly say she seems to be handling the changes and challenges very well! She hasn't yet been late to class, and her locker has only jammed once. Dr. Aas (pronounced "Oz") is principal, and he ensures students are thoroughly informed about consequences for being late, rowdy, etc. - and how many chances you get: i.e., consequences get more severe with each infraction. Sounds good to me! Go Dr. Aas!! Madeline's in bed, so I won't ask her, but I think her favorite class is FACS (can't remember what it stands for, but it's Home Ec.)- they learned how to make grilled cheese last week.

Not too sure about this school thing

All Day, Every Day: Cameron's in Kindergarten

Here's Cameron at CC Lee Elementary on his first day of public school. Kindergarten goes all out here: 26 kids in his class, and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. M-F. It's really convenient to Jim's and my work schedules, but I can't yet say I like it. That is a very long day/week for five-year-olds, some of whom still nap. (Or need to). Luckily for him, Cam phased his naps out over the summer. He's been in school a few weeks with Mrs. Joachim, a younger teacher with her own little kids, with short hair and much enthusiasm. They're getting along great, and Cameron's definitely learning, and proud of it. He writes his name much better, can read "is" and add a little. He also sings cute little songs about the flag, etc., and was very excited to have been last Friday's "Special Person" in the class.