La-De-Da-De-Da!

I came waltzing home today--leaving at 4:15. I was going to spend time with the family and then work for a couple of hours from home. I shut down my computer, packed up my files, checked to make sure I had them all, and then proudly walked out the front door of the office, down the steps, and to my car. After fighting traffic for 2 1/2 hours (of course I hit rush hour--ALL THE WAY HOME!), I had dinner, corrected the kids' homework, devised a new lesson plan for the kids to go back and relearn the concepts they didn't have down, and just now sat down to work. I opened my bag and I had my files. I had my Blackberry. I had the very important project that had to be reviewed tonight. At least the paperwork supporting the very important file. But there was no computer. Hmmm--might be an issue there.

Of course, I'm not the only one. Madi had a very suspicious bruise on her arm. I asked DJ how she got it and he said she didn't know. When I asked her how she got it, she said, "I put my arm in my mouth and then sucked. Is that how I got it?" Like mother, like daughter.

Great Big Globs of Greasy Grimy Gopher.....and Other Camp Melodies

Van Gogh had his self-portrait, and here's Madi's. After 6 days at camp, I'm surprised that she's as clean as she was. Given the fact that she took the picture in the shade, without the flash, I suppose its a surprise that we can see her at all.


The kids had a glorious time (almost as good as DJ had, since they were gone, and I was away at work as well!). They could choose their activities, so of course Madi pushed as much horse riding in as possible. On the way home we got to hear about Trigger (the horse she WANTED to ride) and how much she enjoyed the trails, etc. She also made friends with everyone but two girls in her cabin--am I the only one, but the whole Parent Trap scene with the chocolate sauce, honey, etc. thing came to mind. I guess we'll have to wait a couple of years, but....

Tre's activity of choice was archery. He won the "arrow" at the camp awards ceremony for the best archer--and his counselor told us that he was the best archer in two years (of course, they may say that on a weekly basis, but I'll believe it). He had to draw a target of what scared him the most, and he chose a T-Rex egg. Guess he'll have to keep his eyes open to not get jumped by that. Note the two arrow holes right next to it.

There's no pictures of Reagan, but that's because her pictures were pretty dark. Let's just say that photography was not a taught class. However, she was a favorite of all the camp counselors--there's only one little Reagan in the world! DJ wants me to tell everyone that camp counselors told him that the entire Risk family was the most well behaved, best blah-blah-blah. They also got rocks; the rock award was for the best campers--and our three were the only 3 to get them. (I know this sounds like those Christmas letters where parents describe how their kids invented cold fusion in their spare time after curing cancer and playing with the Boston Philharmonic.)They also told us that they'd like Reagan to be a junior camp counselor when she's 15. Can you imagine Reagan leading a group of impressionable youngsters in camp songs? Speaking of camp songs, Tre' came back singing a bunch of disgusting songs. I guess that's to be expected. DJ said they were the same songs he sang when he went to camp.

Are the kids going to camp next year? You bet!

Everybody Poops

Well, not everybody. At least not until today. But JOSH FINALLY POOPED!

Actually, I got an email from DJ which I've included:


----- Original Message -----
From: D.J. Risk Jr. [mailto:riskdj@earthlink.net]
Sent: Tuesday, June 17, 2008 2:25 PM
To: Heidi RiskSubject: Vac Belt

Where did you put the new Bissell Steamer Belts. Joshua had a very big "accident?"

DJ

From: Heidi Risk
To: D.J. Risk Jr.
Sent: Tuesday, June 17, 2008 2:53 PM
Subject: RE: Vac Belt
Laundry room; I think it’s on the left side above the washer. Do I want to know what TYPE of accident?

Heidi




Lets just say it is 25 locations from Reagan's room around her bed over stuffed animals, rugs, books through the hall into her bathroom. He will be sitting on the toilet until you come home or he decides to poop in the toilet.

D.J.


DJ left to clean up with Oxi-Clean, the carpet cleaner, and then Lysol. And yes, Josh "decided" to poop. He's now promising to use "the facilities" from now on.

The other 3 kids are up a camp. Sunday night, DJ and I were up late labeling every item (other than socks--I had to draw the line somewhere) with names. It's amazing how much stuff it takes to send the kids up there. I've been sending a letter a day, so hopefully they'll have mail. Madi's my biggest concern, because she tends to be a little more timid. I know you've all seen the "horse" in action, but when she first gets around new people, she retreats. I've no fear for Reagan, but we'll see. We even sent the kids up with disposible cameras; I wonder if we'll ever print the prints....

Blog what?

Here we go. I hear new terms (even though blogging's been around for a while) and start hyperventilating. However, since we spent the day shopping for a Blackberry or something similar, I guess I can do this. YOU try standing at various kiosks with four children milling around. Actually, DJ did the shopping, and he had four children AND a wife milling. I'm now at a point where I just want the thing in my hand. Plus lots and lots of minutes. With a four hour daily commute, I've discovered how much I need to talk.

I think the Ancestral Pueblo Native Americans (or Anasazi Indians as everyone else but Park Rangers call them) home would have looked like after making Father's Day presents. Just imagine Tre' with a hammer and Madi with a paintbrush, and that's what my garage would have looked like. Actually, I just wanted to include this picture, because it's one of my favorites.