First Day Report

Quinn told us the first day of school was "stupid."

Rachel shared with us the "Get to Know You" questionnaire that she had filled out for her honors English class. She wrote that her weaknesses include "staying organized and remembering important information." She wrote that her strengths include "having an opinion about everything."

That's my girl.

Stolen! Briefly.

Rachel called to tell me that she and her friend had their bicycles stolen while they were at the university campus. My first thought was that she might have simply misplaced them (She is an absent-minded professor.). But, "NO!" she said, "We actually saw the people riding away with them!"

A few minutes later, campus police had tracked down the perpetrators. It was almost too easy since the women were also pulling a little tykes wagon full of children.

True story.

I wonder if the ladies had said, "C'mon, kiddos! Let's go get us some bikes to ride!"

I wonder if the wagon was theirs.

I wonder if the kids were theirs.

El Fin

The last day of summer vacation for me here. I knew it was coming. I've received three letters from school administrators, emails, even a pre-recorded phone message. Yet still I wonder when I'll have time in my life for a job.

Perhaps I'll take a bit less time reading the morning paper. I will have to start folding clothes and watching the news at the same time. Time to dust off the crock pot & change my "Summer To Do List" to "Christmas Vacation To Do List."

But I have a Christmas Vacation (nevermind what the public school calls it now) and that makes all the difference!

Salty

I'm doing something salty this afternoon instead of just treading water with my life. Rachel joined me at the TEA Party booth at a local fair. The second person to approach the booth started cussing and accusing us of starving babies. Oh my!

Chandelier Dress

So ugly, it's charming, right? Rachel does not agree. So if my sister doesn't like it, I guess I'll dress up as a chandelier for Halloween. Any predictions?

Thoughts on the Debate

Romney: Slick. Charming, but I don't think he's showing us all his cards. Romneycare.

Pawlenty: Whiny.

Cain: Good ideas but limited knowledge of politics. Somewhat unfairly targeted with religious-based questions.

Gingrich: Strong knowledge of history & politics, but too abrasive.

Bachmann: Forced to defend herself. Tactfully answered outrageous question about submission to her husband.

Paul: Get the US outta world affairs!

Santorum: Like him, like him, like him as strong social conservative, proven ability to achieve welfare reform, take action against nations who threaten us. But, his absolute honesty actually hurts him with others who do not agree because he doesn't even pretend to pretend to agree (re: abortion, gay marriage, etc).

Your thoughts?

New Skirt

I was wearing my cute new skirt yesterday while back-to-school shopping with Rachel and my mom. Suddenly, things seemed more breezy than before. That's when I noticed the side zipper on the skirt was split from top to bottom and beyond repair. My solution to the wardrobe malfunction? I borrowed a stapler from a clerk at the store we were in and "closed the gap." It only took three staples. Who needs a needle and thread?

Evelyn

Some recent pictures of our niece who is five months old. Anyone got a good caption for the one with the dog? "Gracie is such a stinker!" "Learning Experience" Any others?

County Fair

Quinn showed two rabbits today (Albus - senior buck, and Bambi - senior doe). He scored an "A" rating, but did not place in the top two. Since he won the Showmanship award last year, he was not eligible to participate today, but we thought he did great. Rachel and her friends also approved.

Getting Ready

Quinn and Mike are in County Fair mode. Here Albus is getting his nails clipped for the show tomorrow.

Take it from a Founder

“(W)ith respect to future debt; would it not be wise and just for that nation to declare in the constitution they are forming that neither the legislature, nor the nation itself can validly contract more debt, than they may pay within their own age.”

— Thomas Jefferson, in a letter to James Madison (1789)

Thrifty

At a favorite resale shop on Wednesday, I spent $12.62. I saved $122.00. I saved $122.00 off the resale prices, mind you. Anyone need a personal shopper? Cuz I'm on a roll . . .

54

Quinn saw an allergist on Tuesday. He endured 54 "skin pric ks" dipped in various pollens or food allergens. Guess how many he did not react to? Four. Guess how many times he said mean words? More than four.

The allergist called him an IGG FACTORY. Quinn said, "I'll take that as a compliment."

Spiders

Interesting spider sights. The sculpture garden design is obvious, but did anyone point out that Michelle Obama's inauguration gown is covered with white, glittery spiders too? We were surprised to see them while viewing her dress at the Smithsonian. She said it was designed to "convey hope." And how about the election night dress that resembled the markings of a black-widow spider. Is this coincidence? Someone needs to investigate.

A Morning at the Beach

While Rachel slept in the hotel, Mike and Quinn enjoyed an early morning at Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. Highlights included throwing rocks at seagulls and cursing Neptune. I told you it was a male bonding adventure, right? I just tagged along to take pictures and shout directions. Oh yeah - and Quinn has obviously graduated from sand castle building. His sand art now includes sand boob. BTW, the water was cold, as Mike is exclaiming.

A Day at the Beach

Cape Henlopen State Park in Delaware. Who knew (besides the Wheeler fam)? After an early afternoon pop-up thunderstorm cleared the locals, we had the entire beach practically to ourselves. Not very many shells to be had, but the kids enjoyed riding the waves and digging for sand crabs. We saw a few dolphins too. These are only a few of the many great photos.

Always Following the Rules

Looking again for the car. Today we found a spot to park for FREE. Yesterday, we parked under the Reagan Building for $12, but wandered around in the basement for a while before a security guard helped us find our way. I suppose they didn't like us in the basement of a closed, empty building at 9:45 pm. The security guard who let us into the building to begin with probably got a demerit.

Changing of the Guard

Touching ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery. Nevermind the sweating buckets to get there.

Me and W

At the Museum of American History

Rachel's Favs

Rachel enjoyed the National Museum of Art and the Sculpture Garden, where she found a shady spot to text (some more).

Actually . . .

Actually, the Washington Monument is that big. I chickened out when it was time to take the elevator to the top. The kids told me I was wimpy, but I did get to meet a couple from Holland and listen to the stories of their travels.

And BTW - guess who was on the walking tour with us in the morning? None other than the Deputy Chief of Staff for Senator Michele Bachmann! We hit it off and she even offered her business card to me. I might have to give her a call sometime and see if she needs any help with anything in Illinois.

Monuments and Memorials

The Washington Monument ain't so big. The Lincoln Memorial is impressive. The new World War II Memorial is beautiful.

Hikes and Bikes

We wish the bike tour guide had not begun his welcome with this statement: "I'm really smart and I know lots of stuff and I live here and I've grown up here and I went to college here, so if I don't know an answer to your question, I will lie to you without remorse." Realize, I'm paraphrasing, but I couldn't help but question everything he told us the entire three hour tour. In hindsight, I wish we would have just rented the bikes per hour when we first came to town instead of waiting until the evening for the tour.

Center of the Universe

Here we are at the beginning of the day, looking fresh and happy. Our tour guide told us that this stone marks the site originally planned for the Washington Monument. Supposedly, it is the place from which measurements are taken - such as how far the earth is to the moon. That means for a few moments, our family was at the center of the universe.

Quickie

We made it to DC a few hours ahead of time, so we decided to head into the city for a quick "browsing tour" this evening. Tomorrow will be the long day. Rachel thought the Senate Building looked sort of like the Slytherin symbol.

It's Big

Did you know the Supreme Court Building was quite this immense? Can you see my kids standing in front of it?

Confusing

I'd say the most confusing and possibly dangerous part of our trip so far happened when we were at a rest stop in West Virginia. Quinn shouted to his sister, "Get out of my way, you REDNECK!"

So many people turned to see if they were blocking my son's path.

I Should Listen More

Quinn has been telling us for months that he is allergic to eggs. We told him that he definitely is not allergic to eggs - he eats them all the time for breakfast.

At his school physical, Quinn requested blood testing for the suspected allergen. I sort of rolled my eyes at the physician, but sighed an exasperated consent.

Guess what? The boy has a new high-end food allergy - eggs. We add that to the list of peanut, tree nuts, beans, peas, soy . . . and will be consulting with a new allergist in a couple weeks.

On the upside of the physical, he grew three-and-a-half inches and gained 20 pounds since last year.

VBS Lessons

I'm teaching the large group Bible story lessons at our church's Vacation Bible School. I really enjoy the kids - especially when they say things like this:

"So . . . Jesus was a sack of fries?" (sacrifice!)

"But when did the dinosaurs come?"

"God gave us the 10 Commandments, but the biggest rule in our house is DON'T FREAK OUT THE CAT."

When questions arose regarding the Commandment against adultery I said, "It's like this - once you're married, you get who you get and you don't throw a fit."

Framed

Sometimes Silence is not Golden

"Silence in the face of evil is itself evil: God will not hold us guiltless. Not to speak is to speak. Not to act is to act."

— Dietrich Bonhoeffer, theologian

Busy

The title of this book pretty much sums up my June. Try to figure out your teenage daughter. That will take you a while.

Freedom

Freedom is coming! Freedom from the deafening hum of the cicadas, that is. We believe the females are laying their eggs and soon the nymphs will hatch and fall from the tree branches (hopefully not in my hair!), to burrow underground and start the 13-year cycle again.

It's nice to have the windows open today!

Living the Interruptions

Sunday's sermon was talking to me. Life is about serving others - even when I think I having some "me" time. Jesus served others his entire life on earth. His walk was interrupted by the woman in the crowd who touched his cloak. He stopped to find her and heal her. Men lowered a paralytic friend through the roof of a home where Jesus was preaching. Jesus welcomed the interruption to heal the man's legs. The blind man sitting on the side of the road . . . the low wine supply at the wedding in Cana. . . .

It's a good thing no one asked me about getting some more wine. I would have said, "What?! Didn't you know how many people were coming to this party? You should have planned ahead! You should have been prepared!"

So, today I'm being more intentional about paying attention to others and cheerfully welcoming what I would typically label "distractions." So I guess if you want to stop in to visit unexpectedly, today would be a good day.

For Real

I'm not sure that I will remember in thirteen years that I'll want to get the heck out of dodge during the month of June. These pictures will help me to remember. I now have an inkling of how the Egyptians may have felt during the locust plague.

Birds and Bees

And cicadas, of course. Quinn told me that he and Rachel saw a cicada yesterday that had two heads - one on each end of its body. He stated that it must have been a freak of nature. I let him in on a secret: Those cicadas were mating. Gross!

Lauren Graduated

Congratulations to Lauren on her high school graduation. All the Rellim cousins were there to witness the ceremony.

Cicada plague continues

We tried to take a walk this morning before the cicadas awoke. I don't think the things are sleeping now. Even at 6:30 am before temperatures rose, the bugs were dive-bombing us. I'm sure I woke some neighbors with my shrieks.

Notice the gross amounts of discarded exoskeletons at the base of this tree. The dead carcasses are mixed in and give a putrid smell of wet dog.

I admit I was intrigued by them during the first couple days, but now they are the enemy.

Happy Belated Easter

Just found this picture on my camera of all the grandkids on my side of the family. Baby Evelyn was not impressed with the photo op.