Melancholy

Yes our time is coming to an end here in Ohio. We are enjoying ourselves very much. Lots of activity mixed with the right amount of relaxation.

Coming back is sooooo bittersweet. It reminds me over and over again how much we really do like it here and our desires for staying here heighten 10 fold. I keep reminding the kids, and myself, that once we get a home in NJ we will be able to grow our roots and all will feel like "home" in that part of the world.

Great weather today allowed us to go to the park and meet with our friends. The kids really enjoyed playing together that when asked how long they thought we had been there, they were off by about an hour!! The families blend pretty well together. There are some "wholes" in the ages and sexes so sometimes there are some disagreements but all-in-all a good day. Of course, it makes it all that much harder to depart Tuesday.

Surprise at the Park

My sneaky friends.  We were meeting at the park this afternoon for some lunch and fun.  Well when I arrived they had some cute decorations and such for an early birthday celebration for me.  (Wait I just found out my favorite 6th grade girls decided to plan this for me.)

A frog that Abigail and Kyle caught.  He now lives in 

our pond!!!

Dee Dee found this man playing at the park and

asked him to come and play happy birthday for me.

Burt was funny.  He tried several times to play but

was getting messed up by the singing.  He only just

started playing about a year ago.  He was an interesting

part of this day.  Not what I went to the park for but 

definitely will not be forgotten.

My daughter loving the dessert.

Best Buddies

Older kids hanging out by the river.

Favorite Tree at park.

Happy Birthday Me!

Enjoying some watermelon at our house.

It was another great day that felt so much like old times!!!  8 hours of together time was just not enough.  How can that be?!  Lots of chattin, eatin, talkin, and laughin done by all who participated.   My thanks for a great day especially as it was to celebrate my birthday!!  

My eldest got to sleep over Ryan's house and I fear the repercussions tomorrow.  He was eager to get there but just as eager to spend time with the friends we were with.  Oh, he was torn.  He commented yet again about why we had to move.  As I stated in a previous blog my kids shine here.  I tell them that NJ will bring good into our lives too.  It will just take a little time.  

BTW - Carla had forgotten her memory card for her camera, so she decided to use mine.  She took most of the pictures you see above.  I only shot a handful!!

Sayen Gardens

Barb and I are so much alike that we decided we needed to see more of each other.  This week we met at a really nice park called Sayen Gardens.  Just beautiful.  We met for lunch and had a picnic on the lawn.  Then we walked around all the different paths.   We were allowing the children to lead as we were deep in conversation and before we knew it we were off the beaten path and going through some thickets and pricker bushes.  What were we thinking.  When we finally made it back to the correct path, we did the leading and they did the following.  (They were actually still in front of us, we just told them which paths to take.)  It was a great 1 1/2 hours together.  Thanks again my dear friend. 

Today Stephen asked to use the camera and capture some pictures.  Unfortunately my battery died in the camera, so there are not too many pics.  I remembered that my phone takes photos and used that as well.  So I do hope you enjoy looking at what we captured and that they can depict the beauty that we enjoyed this afternoon.

Walking (not barefoot) and the Park

Today was the first day in a long time I was able to get a walk in.  I really enjoy walking by myself as I am able to pray and listen to some of my music without any distractions.   I was able to get in a 35 minute walk.  

In the late afternoon we met The Seidle's at a park for some play time.  This park was new to us.  Very very nice.  Lots of cool areas.  We did not even get to see a tenth of the park but we were all very happy to be there.  The rain held off and we were able to enjoy 2 1/2 hours outside today!!!  I was shocked that no one fell into the Lake but relieved of course.  We did have one injury and yes, it was my Abigail.   She slipped on some leaves by the lake and was able to catch herself on the rocks hence the wound on her wrist.  But she was a trooper.  No tears at all.  I think she was shocked that she did NOT go into the water because she was heading there.  

The only trouble with talking to Barb is that she gave me more curriculum choices for next year.  I am looking forward to the Homeschool Convention in order to check these out in person.  I am such a hands-on person!   Just about a month away now!!!

Abigail on a bridge at the park.

Abigail again!

Dead but still cool.

Abs making a fishing pole - it did not work!

The Seidles and The Sheas

Mac is bac(k)!

Yes, the iMac has returned home.  However, while I was out with Abs this afternoon the boys said they heard the dreaded noise.  I am still waiting to hear it myself.  Our new idea is to record the noise so when we bring it in they can hear what we always hear.  Let's hope that works.  Wait better yet, let's hope it doesn't make the noise anymore!!!!   We had to travel over to the mall to pick it up 30 minutes each way!  Hold on, let me back up my  day began with having to drop off Bill's car for maintenance, new tires, and a recall.   That appointment was for 8:30 am.  We did set up a rental as I knew it would take all day and I did not want to hang out there waiting.    When I returned home I had the kids get to work so that when we were leaving to go get the computer they would only have one or two things for the car ride.   It was very exciting being in a different car.  We used it all day!!   Here are some photos:

Remember how I mentioned that the mall has a carousel well the younger two desperately wanted to ride.  Here are some photos of that:

View of Carousel from parking lot.

Eager and excited Abigail

Equally as excited Joshua

Tried to capture the full scope of this double decker carousel.

I must admit it really is very cool.  The way it is situated in the window overlooking the outside.  Great idea.  The name of the mall is called Raceway Mall.  So it is only befitting to have a carousel.  The racetrack is down the road.    We ate lunch at the foodcourt and then walked around this mall for a little bit.  They have this cool store called Robot Galaxy.  Kinda like a build-a-bear but with Robots!!!  Picked up the computer and headed home as today is piano class for Abigail.  After class we picked up Bill's car and then decided to go to the little park here because we had another sunny day!!!   (A note about the park so you can all understand why I want to leave this complex sooner rather than later.  Okay so sitting there watching my kids and there were this group of boys that were playing some game where you hit a nerf football with a bat.  Okay so it goes that whoever catches ball can be the pitcher.  Two boys run, one clearly wins the other wrestles him to get the ball.  When 1st boy would not give up ball the second boy began punching him, yes, I said punching him!  Well the old boys will be boys thing wasn't working for me as he was punching him in THE FACE!!  I had seen enough,  Yup you guessed it I intervened and made boy number 2 apologize to boy number 1.  It was "unacceptable!!!"   And yes, I told that boy so!!!!)   Just a little glimpse into why I put such a short leash on my children here.    

On a separate note somehow Bill sprained his ankle!! I'll blog more on that later!