A very merry Unbirthday

Vigorous swimming didn't dampen the enthusiasm for our traditional Unbirthday Party. The Vacationeers were ready to celebrate. We had two cakes - he wanted chocolate, she wanted lemon. Auntie attempted not one but two new frostings: cream cheese and butter cream. Hoosier Kitty and Mimi joined us.
There were presents, of course.

Each of the Junior Vacationeers helped their Auntie pick out something the other one would love.
There were presents for the Senior Vacationeer as well, but he had to share a cake - he didn't mind. It was the ice cream he really wanted. Mama Vacationeer captured it all on her brand-new camera. Hopefully she got some better shots than I did!
Then, after the excited and cake-fed kids careened off to bed, some of us sat around the citronella candles and watched the last of the fireflies blink and listened to the chorus of late summer insects.

Travels to see Tut

We travelled to see the King Tut exhibit at the Children's Museum.
An exhibit that had travelled quite a way to be shown to us.

We soon discovered that there was lots more of the museum to explore.
We loved the dinosaurs and dragons, enjoyed watching the water clock and the trains- and the Vacationeers shared their recent Egyptian experiences when we wandered through the modern Egypt gallery.

We hung out with some familiar characters.

but the folks who traveled to see the museum with us were my favorite part.

Sunday, Week six

So where do you take a jet-lagged travel-weary Senior Vacationeer?

Why to an active science museum, of course!

Where brother and sister Vacationeer found lots to explore and encounter.

Eventually the Daddy Vacationeer was drawn into the activity.

Once you get started on a project it's hard to stop....

the constructions could have gone on all day!

But more adventure called....

Week six begins

The Junior Vacationeers are back from camp -after saying farewell to friends and showing us highlights of the week (like sleeping all night outside in the hammock).

We saw that he did in fact change his shirt. He also went on a three day hike and did 12 miles in one day of it, found three arrowheads, and won a bike rodeo. Wow!

We checked the forlorn left-behinds in lost and found, but the stuff-sacks, visor, and other missing pieces did not show up.

This did not concern the Jr. Vacationeers, who talked all the way home about their adventures.

At home, a surprise waited - Daddy Vacationeer!

More adventures to follow...

Another week flown by

The Junior Vacationeers are coming home tomorrow. We have a second-week-of-camp postcard from the counselors. The message is still "Having a blast!"
We notice that Brother Vacationeer is still wearing the exact same shirt he had on when delivered to camp. It appears to be slightly less pristine.
We wonder if the counselor will suggest he change his shirt before we come to pick them up tomorrow morning.

Updates to follow.

Art across the Americas Picnic

It started with a mural. Last year a group of kids from Btown went to a small village in Guatemala to paint a mural with kids there.

This year the kids from Guatemala came here.

The two groups of kids spent two weeks painting a mural on the city's new "B-line trail".
They invited community members to add their own touches to the mural - the little singing bird is made from my thumbprint.

The kids worked really hard through some hot and humid weather, and finally finished the mural on Friday.

Just in time to come over for a swim and a farewell picnic.

The pool was full!

Good thing we had a lifeguard!

There was plenty of watermelon.

Socks was delighted to find people willing to share their slice with her.

She'd take a lick, then he'd take a bite, then she'd take a lick...

The evening ended with some great storytelling down by the pond.

Postcards from Camp

"Having a blast" say the postcards.

Then the note from Loving Daughter: "Could you send some money?"

Mama Vacationeer is bracing for their college years already.

Week four: Camp

What could be more traditional than summer camp? A rustic place in the woods
The kids can be active - swim in the lake, hike in the woods, ride the horses, shoot arrows, play ball, slide down the zip line or swing on the longest rope swing ever.

Or they can relax under the trees or around a campfire.

The Junior Vacationeers arrive at camp with a trunk full of gear.

We hike up the hill to find the cabins they'll live in.

It's a big decision, picking the right bunk.

Brother Vacationeer opts for a top bunk in his cabin.

They are curious about the little houses set out in the woods.

They express a certain amount of disbelief when they discover what these little houses are for.

The kids are off to unknown adventures.

And Mama Vacationeer's real vacation begins.

Happy 4th

Sure it was raining - just a little - we were prepared for downpours.

A little rain didn't dampen the enthusiasm we had for the parade.

While three of us watched the parade, Sister Vacationeer got to ride on a float and be IN the parade. It was extremely exciting.


There she is! We yelled and cheered.

We were so excited we went on cheering for all the entries.

We even cheered the traditional end of the parade - the street sweeper.