My snapchat story

With both kids away for the summer, I’ve learned to take really fast screenshots of their snapchats so I can see (and share) what they’ve been up to. Coincidentally, I’ve also learned to snapchat, in a middle-aged mom kind of way.

I’ll take any method of communicating and keeping in touch with the kids!
Via snapchat, I learned that the dining hall was serving breakfast foods for dinner…and that Paige and her friend were very excited about waffles!

And apparently, they had some free time…

I’ve also resorted to stalking Facebook and Twitter on occasion, which is how I found these photos of Clay…

All the camp counsellors


Clay has one more week of campers and then he’s home.

Paige had a friend visit her in Tallahassee last week, and also received an exciting letter in the mail..

And then she came home for the weekend and we went to the beach and talked and laughed and went shopping and had a Nashville (TV show) marathon and had a wonderful, girly visit.

And then she had to go back.

But only two more weeks of summer term!

Posted on July 27, 2015 by vkfamily 0

I’m on summer Time

Summer is flying by. I’m slowly pulling the house together – hanging pictures, and going through the few boxes that remain, and I continue to try to purge stuff. I’m just, for some reason, not in a great hurry to get things done this time around. Usually whenever we move, I’m frenzied about having the house all put together and everything in its place, pictures hung and everything where it belongs asap. This time…not so much. Maybe it’s because the kids aren’t here. I don’t know. But it’s all getting done at a slower pace…and I’m okay with that.

Paige is halfway through summer term at FSU. She had her first mid-term on Friday and has her second one Monday. She’s been exploring the campus and Has gone out to “the Rez” the past two weekends and had a blast.

Even though I miss her like crazy, I’m really proud of her for getting out there and doing stuff and making friends and (especially) studying! And I really look forward to hearing from her and getting texts and snapchats from her – the highlight of my day!

Clay has been working hard at camp all summer. His birthday was last weekend but he wasn’t able to come home…the camp staff had a break between campers and they all went up to the mountains for a 48 hour camping trip and went white water rafting. He loved it!

While he was gone, I got his birthday present…

Since he’s been missing his bird, Buddy (he had gotten Buddy for his birthday when he was 10, and Buddy died a couple of months ago), we got him a new, baby cockatiel. He named him Dexter.

I’ve been bonding with Dexter, just a bit. He’s kind of sweet.

Even the old curmudgeon, Tim, likes him…

Clay was able to get away for a quick visit home this weekend. I think he was more excited to meet Dexter than to see boring old mom and dad, but that’s OK.

We had a fun day at the beach before he had to head back to camp. I always love getting to spend time with my kids. They’re turning into pretty awesome people.

Posted on July 19, 2015July 20, 2015 by vkfamily 0

Surprise

Both kids caught rides with friends and surprised us by coming home this weekend. It was so great to see them and to have the whole family together under one roof for a couple of nights!

Paige and I took a walk on the beach Friday evening, before Clay got home…

…and we ran into Priscilla the pig. Tim and I saw her earlier in the week out on the beach in a Shamu costume. The evening Paige and I saw her she was strolling in the sand wearing a pearl collar and a jaunty little pink polka-dot bow. She’s, apparently, quite the well dressed beach pig!

Both the kids loved seeing the pets and catching up on some cuddling…

On the fourth, one of the other camp counsellors who lives nearby stopped by for a while. We hung out on the beach in between rainstorms and stopped by the neighborhood pool party/cookout for some burgers. Mostly we just relaxed and enjoyed this special gift of time together as a family.

Posted on July 6, 2015 by vkfamily 0

I’m getting too old for this…

We are, mostly, moved. There are still odds and ends and random lamps and pictures and a bike and a couple of plants – among other things – at the old house,but we are here. Along with lots and lots of cardboard boxes which now need to be unpacked. Saturday, the internet and cable was hooked up and the new couch was delivered and the new washer and dryer arrived. I have been making beds and trying to find places for all of our stuff and dismantling boxes and yelling at the cats because…oh yeah…they’re apparently not too thrilled about the move and have been quite vocal about expressing their displeasure.

Like I care.

It’s been stressful. Truly. But…we’ve been taking walks at the end of the day to soak up some peace and tranquility at the beach. And it helps. A lot.

Clay has been busily training during “staff week” at camp, getting ready for the campers to arrive in a few days. He’s now trained as a lifeguard and re-certified in CPR. From the pictures he’s sent, it appears that not only have the counsellors been having fun, but they’ve been practicing good oral hygiene as well!