Time for some random observations...

 Summer programs have been going well so far...I have had a larger than average group every week...and we've been having fun. This past week we had stories about.....

DINOSAURS...and then some of the kids posed for me afterwards in their newly created masks. They were having a good time with those masks...there was lots of roaring going on.
We've also had great turnout for our afternoon programs. The first week we had over 100...second just a little smaller crowd...and last week we had every one's favorite "Jiggleman" so the room was packed.

Jiggleman tossing rings onto his "assistant"

Now...for my random observations....
Some of our parents make me scratch my head and wonder what they are thinking????
We have one mom who attends my Story time and also Toddler Time with Dianne. However...she is foreign and while she speaks English (probably better than some Americans...sad to say) I'm not sure if her two children do. I haven't ever heard them speak...and they don't seem to understand me when I ask them to sit down so everyone can see, scoot back, etc. Little girl (still not sure what her name is) appears to be 3 1/2-4 yrs old. Usually they come in (late) and she walks right up to the front of the room and stares at me...while I'm trying to read to the rest of the group. (here's where it would be great if Mom would call her back to sit down...unfortunately she's usually wrestling with her son( 2- 1/2 ? )When he doesn't get his way he pitches a fit...screams, kicks etc....which makes for an interesting time trying to keep everyone Else's attention. I have asked her to please take him out if he gets restless and then try again...so far the only thing she has done is come late...so at least when they come they don't disrupt the entire program...but she  really wants them to do the crafts we have prepared. (usually they come in and kids immediately head to the table and start grabbing things...) I understand she wants to participate, and I appreciate her tenacity...but it is frustrating for the rest of us! I am working out a new speech in my head for next time she comes...don't want to be mean...but come on! She tends to hang around for quite a while afterwards too...so her son has managed to annoy many of our patrons too. Don't get me wrong...our library is not QUIET by any means...but there are limits!
I think the mothers are used to a certain level of noise at home and they all sit down and chat and forget/don't realize how noisy their kids are getting. When they over stay their welcome...hahah the kids start running around and after one or more of the staff ask them to keep it down the moms are surprised. Huh? Oh they are too noisy??? Etc...it's crazy sometimes.
Next gripe...we ask parent to pre-register for some of our programs. some are very good about it...but it NEVER fails...the day of a craft program the phone is ringing off the hook 30-60 minutes before start time with people wanting to PRE register. Dianne usually lets them come...but every once in a while there are some very disappointed kids  who are left out because no one called ahead to sign up. Certain projects require specific materials. we also have a large number of pre schoolers who are ...as the Moms tell us "my child is very bright"....hahahah I am tempted to say "Oh another genius!"hahaha  You know...craft is for 1st grade and up...but "my 4 yr old is very bright". I'm sure she/he is...but I hope you will be able to help him/her because he/she might get frustrated trying to do this craft; which is intended for older children. On the other hand...we try to plan programs for teens (at boss's suggestion...we have learned in 12 yrs...teens in our area just don't seem interested) and guess who tries to sigh up...younger kids (they're very bright) or retirees...hahah just who teens want to spend their summer afternoons with! hahahah (that's a bad sentence...but you know what I mean)
 Lastly...I know the parentsmostly moms don't want to miss out on any of the fun...but sometimes the kids just really aren't interested. Mom might be really excited about the magician, puppets, performer,_________ but the little ones maybe not so much. Last week the room was packed full of people...all ages from grandparents to babies and that can be intimidating for shy children. Some parents know their kids well enough to figure this out...but it's hard to see parents insisting that the kids will have
fun, when the kids clearly are not! We had a few little ones crying at Jiggleman...it was too loud and there were  too many people...not because he was doing anything scary. Only one left...the others stayed...and while the little ones calmed down...they weren't really enjoying  themselves. It's like waiting in line at Disney World or some other park...I HATE when people take kids on roller coasters when they REALLY, REALLY don't want to go. I have been tempted to volunteer to sit out the ride with the kid...but since I am a complete stranger...I'm not sure that would help...hahah.  I must admit we did talk Meredith (I think) into going on Thunder Mountain Railroad once...she was scared...but I assured her I don't really like roller coasters...but that one wasn't too scary...She went on it...she cried...I (we all) felt badly...but we did get extra fast passes out of the deal. Park employee saw her tears and made sure we had passes to go on something else that we knew she would like. That helped. And it's true...that's about the only roller coaster I can handle any more...it's not that they make me sick...and I'm not sure scared is the right word...I think they just make me anxious and it's not a fun feeling!...so WHY GO ON IT...I have nothing to prove to anyone!
(like black diamond slopes when we ski...I might get down it...but it sure won't be fun!...and it will take a lot longer than it would if you know what you are doing!)

 So, as you can tell, we have a lot of fun, but sometimes it's a little frustrating! But I do love working with the kids...moms and all.   :)

Off to the race(s)

I'm not really a big horse racing fan...just never paid much attention to it....but when Gayle invited us to a party to watch the Belmont Stakes...I certainly wasn't going to pass it up!!! Food, friends and fun...why not???

some people wore hats...

Gayle had a few signature cocktail recipes and ingredients on hand...but I passed on them. Back in "the day" I drank my share of cocktails...but now they mostly just give me a headache. I stuck with my tried and true Mimosas.
We had fun playing corn hole....My team lost  our first match, but came back to win on the rematch. **Would have gone for the tie-breaker...but a light rain started...and it was almost race time anyway.

First we had to take turns posing for the fun pictures.

We all put in a few dollars and then picked numbers to determine which horse we were" betting" on. I knew California Chrome was racing and trying for the triple crown...but other than that I wasn't up to date on the horse's actual chances. As it turns out...John drew a number for me...and we lucked out and got the winner Tonalist!
I barely even watched the race...and had no idea "my" horse had won...but it was fun...hahah
 I did read the book  Seabiscuit  by Laura Hillenbrand a few years back. Learned a lot about horse racing that I never knew. It was a great book. Learned that it is a tough job to be a jockey; all the injuries etc...sounded miserable; but the whole book was quite interesting. By the way... It's a great book on CD if you're ever taking a road trip! You won't want to stop! hahaha even when you know the outcome of the race...listening to it being read is exciting!
After the race...we decided t have our own "race. We wrote out numbers 1 through 6 on the back of the drink stirrers that Gayle had on hand for the party. Similar to a game we played years ago on a cruise ship (although ours was definitely a low budget version...hahah) the "Announcer" either rolls dice...or in our case...picked a number. That horse advanced one spot. The game continued until one horse made it to the finish line. We played twice...(they all thought I was a little nuts slightly drunken former Recreation Major but we did laugh and have fun. The first "race" was a blow out...Joey was several lengths ahead of the rest of us...lucky number 5! One girl never got out of the "gate" hahaha. The second "race" had several lead changes...and it was a little closer...but the "lead" horse won.

On a completely different note....our summer programs are off to a great start. Last week I had a big crowd (20! plus parents and babies) for StoryTime and later that same day over 100 showed up for "The Great Gadzooks". This week we had a little smaller...but still nice crowd for "YeeHaw Bob"; and this morning I had 19 kids plus parents and babies for our Father's Day stories and craft. I got them all riled up when we acted out "We're Going on a Bear Hunt". The kids loved it....but they were loud and crazy. At least we had a craft and another story after that to calm them down a little...hahah I read them Crocodaddy, A Wild Father's Day, The Daddy Book, and Mister Seahorse. One little boy said afterwards..."Thanks for the awesome stories." Next week we have Jiggleman..who ALWAYS draws a BIG BIG crowd...so it will be interesting.............................................................................................................................................and fun!

Good-bye and Hello

Recently attended a good-bye party for my friend Patti P. We worked together at the Meadowlane Library back in 1980. Actually, when I first graduated from UF I worked for the Brevard County Recreation Dept. At one point I hired Patti's husband, Barry. We worked together for about a year or so; then I decided it was time for a change.when Barry asked me one day "How's it going" and I launched into a 1/2 hour complaint...I knew it was time to move on...hahah
I wasn't sure what I was going to do next...Barry told me to go talk to Patti at the library (also Brevard County) because she was hiring a Children's Librarian. Now you might wonder how a Recreation degree would get you a job at the library?????but actually I had taken classes in planning programs, organizing events, etc...so it wasn't as big a stretch as you'd think. I took his advice...she interviewed and hired me...and the rest is history............... I did leave after I had Brenna, but returned to work for Patti several more times over the years. Filled in for people on leave a couple of times, then ended up back at DeGroodt Library for about 1 1/2 yrs back in 2003-4; until a position opened up at Melbourne Beach. (MB 10 minutes away-DeGroodt-45 minutes depending on traffic). We always had fun working together. Patti was a good boss...organized, fair and firm when she needed to  be. She's retired now and off to another county to live closer to her family.
It was Hello! to Martha and Tony who were in Orlando last Friday for the day. ON their way to a meeting in Barbados...had one day/one night in Orlando. John and I drove over Friday morning. John got a room at the Shingle Creek Resort. We had been talking about going there with some friends...so John decided this was a good time to check it out. They had a great deal on a room that included golf for 4. Perfect! We drove over and picked up Martha and Tony at the airport Hyatt...and went to check out the Shingle Creek resort.

the place is huge!

The view from our room...three pools...this one

The lap pool and a "quiet" pool.

When we arrived they told us they had a lot of people checking in that day...we didn't see that many people in the morning...but when we came back from golf...they were all checking in.

I bet these Sandhill Cranes drive the maintenance guys crazy...hahah

We ended up behind a group of golfers...and the last team (ahead of us) was particularly bad....I'm no expert...but these guys & girl were pretty bad. The first guy took three swings before he connected on the first tee...I think it went downhill from there...hahah It was a little frustrating...we kept catching up to them...then teams behind us were getting backed up. Oh well...John was taking it kind of easy because of his shoulder...so maybe it worked out after all. Unfortunately when we finished the 7th hole...a storm was moving in and the radar detected lightning in the aera. We got a message on our computer screen (in the cart) saying the was a weather alert...return to the clubhouse...this was not optional. Interesting...we didn't see the lightning...but if they detect in within 15 miles...they stop play; wait 25 minutes and start again if it's clear. We waited a bit...then decided to call it quits. It was about 3:30 in the afternoon...so we John figured by the time we got Martha and Tony back to their hotel, etc...we would still be able to beat the Friday evening traffic. So...we didn't spend as much time with Martha and Tony as we had expected...but we did enjoy a little golf and a nice lunch. When we got back to our hotel ...we noticed an increase in the activity/noise level hahah. There apparently was a big Lacrosse tournament that weekend, somewhere nearby...because we saw several hundred kids with lacrosse nets, parents, etc, everywhere! In the pools, on the grounds, in the lobby...it was crazy! But they were having a blast. Later when we ate in the dining room down stairs...we saw more...hahah The parents all seemed to be out near the pool bar... and the kids were traveling around in packs of 10-15. No one really got out of hand...but it was fun to watch the goings on. Mostly the younger kids...14 and under is my guess. We figured the older kids (mostly boys) were" too cool" to be running around down by the pool with the parents and the younger kids...hahah It must've been a big tournament!

we sat outside that evening- in the kind of cool air (after a hot, humid day) and watched everyone. Lots of teams from Miami area, Jupiter, Palm Beach, Port St Lucie area.

posing for some cheesy shots...hahah

It was a nice day trip. The rates were very reasonable, golf course wasn't in great shape...but nice enough. (recent routine maintenance work...you've got to do it sometime) Definitely worth going back again.
Now it's back to reality...hahah.... after two weeks in a row with days off.

It was time for a party

This past weekend we decided it was about time that we got together with our friends and had a cookout. My friend heather and I have been talking about this for a couple of months now, but for a variety of reasons, we just never made a plan. I decided since we had a long weekend that I was going to get a few friends together one way or another. I casually mentioned it to a couple people who all sounded interested.
seems that no one had plans

John went fishing early in the week and I told him I was thinking about a cookout. He was tired from being up since 3am and fishing all day...he paused and said "I don't think I'm really up for a party"...
me - "Well guess what, that's  too bad because I've already got a plan in the works"...hahah  I told him he was too tired to think anything was a good idea...and I'd check back with him after he got a good nights sleep. Sure enough the next day he said...a party sounded like a good idea. And our little party got bigger and bigger as the week went on.

The funny thing was that every single person we talked to had no plans and was happy to have something to do. Everyone offered to bring something and we were on for Sunday afternoon/evening.

                                  and I kept buying more chicken...hahah

M was squirting us with these two little toys...She's a nice kid...I was happy she came over

Sunday evening we all enjoyed the slight breeze on a HOT day....and hopped in the pool which felt great.
we ate burgers, chicken, corn salad, quinoa salad, fruit salad, macaroni salad, tomato cucumber salad, humus, guacamole and a couple of other dips..... and of course cookies, etc for dessert. Heather brought all the things we needed to have "California Burgers"...sprouts, guacamole, provolone cheese, bacon, tomatoes and onions...and made a sign with instructions...hahaha. Everyone had plenty to eat and left with a doggie bag! hahah
Our new neighbors came over and met everyone. They enjoyed the collection of friends...and the food.
Last night we went over to their house for dinner...a Memorial Day Cookout. They like having holiday celebrations...once again Cathy had the porch decorated in red,white and blue. Brenna and Josh, John and I, the new neighbors who bought the house next door and another couple all came. The lady fixing up the house next door and the gal who sold Joe and Cathy their house had a bit of a power struggle going on that was interesting to watch. Brenna tried to chime  in and change the subject once or twice...but "Stacy" and "Anna Marie" kept at it.At one point Stacy walked over to me and muttered under her breath "That woman!"
Haha...John ducked into the next room to get out of the way...and the rest of us watched to see how it was going to play out. Both were nice enough...Stacy was a little much...but not terrible...Anna Marie was a little hard to take...talking about their various homes, her two daughters and their full scholarships, the wedding in Kennebunkport Maine...(you get the idea)...after a certain point you just wanted to say "yeah yeah we get it lady"...hahah  But, that said... I have seen her working on the house next door and you can see that she is not afraid to get in there and get dirty and sweat and work hard...so I have to give her that. If she lived next door I might get tired of all the "stories" bragging. hahaha Not sure what Joe and Cathy and Aunt Mary thought about the whole thing. Meanwhile Joe cooked up some delicious burgers, hotdogs and sausages, fresh corn on the cob, etc. It wasn't quite as hot as the night before and it was a nice evening in spite of the "competition" going on. It's kind of nice having neighbors who like to celebrate a holiday...no matter which one it is....because as Mike R and I discussed on Sunday night...he's been too busy to have all the parties like he  ( and Denise of course) used to....and we have our share...but  we miss the get togethers we used to have....because they didn't seem so few and far between....

A long weekend in DC

I made this for Megan and Marcus...we saw a similar item in a catalog for about $150.00...I'm no expert but I figured I could recreate something similar....fortunately the dog in the catalog picture looked a lot like Rupert...so I could "copy" it

Marcus had it framed for their anniversary

Megan and Marcus just celebrated their first anniversary and it was time for the annual Reston Art Festival so both of those reasons sounded like one good reason to head up to Virginia for the weekend. As it turns out...David opted out of the show...but since Bridget, Destin, John and I were already planning to be there...he got a last minute ticket and flew up too. We got to visit with Rob and Shane, Marcus's parents Tom and Laura, and my nephew Ryan  who drove up from Charlottesville. After some very heavy rains earlier in the week...the weather cleared up for a beautiful spring weekend! The highs were in the upper 60's-low 70's sunny with a few clouds...it was great!( I never got hot once! hahaha)
  We got to check out the new condo M &; M moved into after the wedding.They now have an extra room...so we stayed at their place. David and Ryan were at Rob's and Bridget and Destin had a room at the Westin  in Reston. (hahah how do you l like that tongue twister...) We were in Falls Church.

view from the balcony

trees out front

walked down the street for dinner on Friday evening

 

part of one course was flooded after the rains this was after one day

lots of standing water but it was receding

you can see where water was over the bridge

Saturday we booked a room at the Lansdowne Resort...just down the road from Rob's house. Nice resort with a nice golf course. They had a special going on...room included golf for two. John and Marcus golfed on Saturday. Megan and I headed to the art show... shopping in Reston. I did look at the art...but spent plenty of time in the various shops downtown. That night we had plans to all join up back at Rob and Shane's for a fish cookout...courtesy of the 58lb fish John and friends caught the previous week.

Looking down the hill from the back porch of the resort.

Marcus, Megan, Ryan and Tom in the background

Aunt Anne with Shane

out back--Shane, Bridget, Destin and John

inside after dark...David had us laughing with some of us wild tales about his friend Buddy....John must've looking for "legs" in the wine glass...Ryan is amused...

we met up with Jeni on Monday...got to meet Jia...and hold her...she's a cutie. M & M aren't in any hurry to have children...that's fine with me...never want my kids to think they need to have kids for ME...I love kids...but I can always find one...hahah

  Enjoyed seeing Jeni and the baby...on yet another beautiful day. We walked around a bit and then headed back to the condo. We had a late lunch/early dinner and then headed to the airport for our trip home. Megan was packing for San Fransisco...she had to leave the next day. The weekend was fun,and relaxing. We had a good time visiting with everyone.

Nothing can top last year...but this one was good

Last year we celebrated Megan and Marcus's wedding on Mother's Day. It was a great way to spend the day..even though some people questioned it... And I don't think any future Mother's Day will be able to top that...but this year was pretty good.

John, Brenna, Megan & Marcus surprised me with this KitchenAid Mixer. I have always wanted one...but never bought one for myself. Megan knew this and suggested to John and Brenna that they all pitch in and get one for me. Good idea! I will enjoy using this for a long, long time!

We decided to brave the crowds and go out to eat. We went  to brunch at Matt's Casbah. There was a line going in...but once everyone was seated, there was no problem getting through the line. They seem to have a pretty good system. Everything was pretty tasty and we enjoyed ourselves.

           Josh got a cake pop...it was stuck to his plate...Brenna insisted on a picture...hahah

Places have gotten smarter over the years...they offer lots of smaller sized dessert options...that way you can have several and not waste too much. I tried the Strawberry Bread pudding, Lemon-Raspberry shooter, and some of the Berry Spinach Salad.

After we ate we took a short walk down New Haven Ave

We had to go check out/show off John's handiwork in front of Meehan's Store. This tile work is about 35 years old...look at that perfectly centered pattern!

After that we went home and everyone but me ended up taking a nap! I read up on my new mixer, talked to Megan and took a bike ride.

 

                                                        Here I am posing with my girls.....hahah
That evening John and I rode our bikes down to LongDoggers for a light dinner. Ran in to the usual gang and enjoyed talking to everyone. All in all, it was a very nice, relaxing, fun day. And I ate well!!!!