First Day of School

Last night proved to be more of a challenge for Libby than Maison. The kids and I ran a few errands and got home around 8:30pm. I got Libby into the shower first, but yet she somehow managed to be the last into her jammies. Maison wouldn't admit to his excitedness, but brushed his teeth 3 times and gargled twice. (He wanted to make sure his teeth were nice and clean!)

Maison hopped into bed without much fuss before 9pm, while his sister was in and out of our room what seemed like a half dozen times! Finally sometime around 10:30pm things were quiet.

I got up around 5am and headed to the gym, came home around 6am, made banana bread, played with the dogs, woke Jason up, and was in the shower around 7am. Maison was up before 7:15am, when his alarm was set to go off, and had his first banana bread loaf. Time I was dressed and had Libby up, I think he brushed his teeth another couple of times. Libby on the other hand was her usual slow poke self. Despite her slowness, we had plenty of time for a couple of pictures before Daddy met us at the house.

We got to Maison's school and it was a whirlwind. There were kids, adults, and school supplies all over the place. Maison picked out his locker and we got him unpacked and somewhat situated. There was absolutely no fuss and when we tried to say goodbye, he just pretended we weren't there. I was okay with that because I was expecting a tearful goodbye from Libby later this morning.

Not realizing the time, we left in a flash because we had 5 minutes to get Libby to her first day of school. Not a great way to start off the year. We made the 5 mile trip back to North Liberty with 0 minutes to spare. Got her out of the van and into the school. She picks a great spot to hang her backpack, turns to look at us, and says "can I go play with my friends now?" I didn't know what to say, other than yes, but I was so let down. I didn't want major theatrics, but a little heartfelt whine would have been appreciated. Off she went and back to the van for us. As we were driving away I said to Jason, "can't believe neither one of the kids are going to miss me!?" In between work calls, he says "I miss you already." It just wasn't the same.

Raingutter Regatta

Click play, but hold on to your hats, it's windy!

Maison raced in his first Raingutter Regatta for Cub scouts today. It was a double elimination, and needless to say, he was eliminated twice rather quickly. It was a great race and a great experience. He and Daddy worked hard on the boat and it looked great! It was of course red, white, and blue, and numbered 44. Maison asked why number 44 and I replied that number 44 was Daddy's favorite number. Maison responds, "that's too bad, because I like number 45." Just had to be one higher. Daddy had to clear the air by saying his favorite number was actually 43. I guess I can't say I have a favorite number. What does a number actually do for you anyway? All in all, it was a great race!

Libby's 4th Birthday

Click play for some birthday party fun.

Libby had quite a busy birthday weekend. On Saturday, we went to Maison's school for a clean-up day, then headed over to watch him race his boat, back to the school for more cleaning, over to Grama Shari's and Papa Ed's, then to the Texas Road House for dinner, finally home for birthday cake and presents.

Hard to believe she is 4 already! On Saturday when she woke up, she says "am I still four?" My reply was yes and she was sad for a minute because "I won't ever be three again?" I said, "no, but in a year you'll be five." That seemed to cheer her up rather quickly! Thanks for all the great gifts and cards. Everything was so perfect for her...sparkly, girly, or princessy!

Cedar Rapids Kernels Game

The district that Maison's Cub Scout Pack belongs to had the opportunity to attend a Cedar Rapids Kernels baseball game. We have never taken the kids to a baseball game and I haven't attended a game since high school, so it was pretty exciting. All the scouts from the district were invited onto the field before the game for a parade around the bases.

The kids had a great time eating cotton candy, learning "hey batter, batter, batter" and "we want a pitcher", and dancing during the 7th inning stretch. I really don't know how much of the game they watched, but they, including B, really seemed to enjoy it. Papa Ed even managed to squeeze in a nap. (How anyone could sleep with all of the noise is beyond me!)

The kids enjoyed the fireworks the most! As we entered the stadium, we were handed special glasses to make the fireworks more enjoyable. I managed to get a video clip of the more enjoyable fireworks. I have to admit, the glasses were pretty cool!

Click the play button for some summer baseball fun.

Digital Photography

Double click the play button to enjoy some photo's of the kids

We used our "bonus" money from the government to buy a new computer as well as some digital photography editing software. I have been toying with the idea of starting up an at home business that would include photography, but I haven't really sat down and put the whole thing together yet. Lots of ideas, but I need to narrow it down.

The kid's pictures have been my first attempt. I learned lots from just this attempt. First important point, sunny days are not ideal! Too much squinting and shadows. All in all, not to shabby.

Swimming Lessons

Double Click the Play Button to See the Fishies in Action

This was Maison's second round of swimming lessons for the summer. He advanced to Level II. This was Libby's first class, Tadpoles, and she passed with flying colors. The kids are looking forward to the fall to continue their swimming adventures!

Get Grossed Out @ Your Library

Maison and Libby were involved in the summer reading program at our library. Every Tuesday Maison met in the Rec. Center for a story and activity. This summer's theme was gross. They read books like Walter the Farting Dog, The Gas We Pass, Guts, etc. They loved it.

Libby was supposed to be read to for 20min. each day and Maison was encouraged to read 30 books at his reading level. For each 5 books (Maison) or for 100 min (Libby) they received a raffle ticket for a prize drawing when the program was over.

Maison ended up reading 50 books this summer and Libby heard 600 min worth of stories! At the finale each received a t-shirt and a mug full of goodies. Neither one won anything from the raffle, but Libby won a door prize in her age group! Before they finished calling her name, her hand was up in the air and she says "that's me!" She won a scooter and a helmet. Unfortunately, she has a helmet and a scooter just like the one she won. We opted to return them to the store where she picked out a backpack for school and decided it would be a great reward for Maison to get a new L-Max game for all his hard work. All in all, everyone was a winner!

RAGBRAI XXXVI

RAGBRAI

Register's Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa

August 26-31, 1973

The Register's bicycling tradition began with an idea (a kind of a challenge) between Des Moines Register feature writer/copy editor John Karras, an avid bicyclist, and Don Kaul, author of The Des Moines Register's "Over The Coffee" column. Karras suggested to Kaul that he ride his bicycle across Iowa and write columns about what he saw from that perspective. Kaul, also an accomplished rider, lived in Washington, D.C., and wrote his column from The Register's Washington Bureau.

Kaul liked the idea but issued the challenge that he would ride across Iowa if Karras rode with him. Karras agreed and the plan was approved by the managing editor. Coordination of the ride was assigned to Don Benson, public relations director, and the RAGBRAI trio was formed. Benson served as coordinator of the ride until his retirement in 1991, when Jim Green took over the duties.

Kaul and Karras then invited 'a few friends' (the public) to ride along. The route was laid out on maps and readers were told that the ride would start in Sioux City on August 26 and end on August 31 in Davenport. Overnight stops were scheduled in Storm Lake, Fort Dodge, Ames, Des Moines and Williamsburg. (Year One's overnight towns had the largest average population of any RAGBRAI through RAGBRAI XXIV.) The ride was informally referred to as ' The Great Six-Day Bicycle Ride' and was scheduled to tie in with a Register and Tribune circulation sales meeting in Des Moines.

An estimated 300 people showed up for the start of the ride in Sioux City. By actual count, 114 riders made the entire distance that first year. The number swelled to 500 riders on the stretch of the route between Ames and Des Moines. In fact, the ride has become so popular that RAGBRAI officials now limit the number of week-long riders to 8,500 in order to maintain a sense of control and insure fewer injuries. And so it began and continues.

This year's route:

Our Part:

We invited Jason's Uncle Danny and his team to stay at our place on Thursday for the overnight. Tuesday the kids and I spent the day preparing food (Spring Salad & Watermelon), picking up dog doo, mowing, and cleaning up the garage. (I don't recall the garage looking so great!) Wednesday we spent the day cleaning the house, upstairs and downstairs, and making a banner in the driveway out of chalk. Thursday morning I hit Wal-Mart around 4:30am to pick up some final things, headed to the gym, and came home to make signs. The kids and I got our signs out around 10am and just in time, because shortly after Team Pump's bus arrived.

We had around 20 riders, 1 school bus, two trucks, and about 8 tents in the yard. The kids had a blast and the weather was great. It didn't get much over 70 degrees and we were able to have a fire!

Pack Picnic

Maison's pack had a picnic today in the park. Complete with hotdogs, other delicious sides, and a water fight. Our kids must have been the driest! Maison was also able to pick up his boat for the Raingutter Regatta coming up in August.

Maison: Level 1 Completed

The past week, Maison started and completed his first swimming lessons at our pool. He was the best in his class! On the last day of class Maison received a certificate, a certified Red Cross card, and a sucker. Not too bad. He will begin Level II next week.

VBS: Power Lab

Day 1: This is Fizz

Jesus gives us the power to be Thankful.

Bible Story: WOW! Jesus heals 10 lepers. (Luke 17:11-19)

Power Verse: Always be thankful. (Colossians 3:15)

Activity: The kids made shrinky dinks of each day's bible buddy.


Day 2: This is Sparki

Jesus gives us the power to Help others.

Bible Story: ZAP! Jesus gives sight to a blind man. (John 9:1-41)

Power Verse: When God's people are in need, be ready to help them. (Romans 12:13)

Activity: The kids made bouncy balls.

Day 3: This is Dewd

Jesus give us the power to be Brave.

Bible Story: BAM! Jesus gives Peter the courage to walk on water. (Matthew 14:22-33)


Power Verse: I will not be afraid for you are close beside me. (Psalm 23:4)

Activity: The kids made headbands today.

Day 4: This is Max

Jesus gives us the power to Live Forever.

Bible Story: POW! Jesus dies and comes back to life.
(Luke 23:26-24:53)

Power Verse: Since I live, you also will live. (John 14:19)

Activity: The kids made goo today.

Day 5: This is Electra

Jesus gives us the power to Tell Others About God.

Bible Story: ZING! The Holy Spirit comes at Pentecost. (Acts 2:1-47)

Power Verse: Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone. (Mark 16-15)

Activity: Today the kids decorated balls that could be given to their friends to help start a conversation about Jesus.

Double Click the play button to see the finale.

Cub Scout Camping Trip

Maison had his first Cub Scout Camping trip this Saturday. I think the boys really had a great time!

It's A ...

I had my doctor's appointments today. All went well. Jason and the kids joined me for my ultra-sound. I don't know if the kids fully understood what they were looking at, but they had a good time. Hard to believe how things have changed in 4 short years. They now can do a 4D image, which if you ask me is kind of creepy looking.

90% to 95% IT'S A GIRL

(Jason is holding out for his 5% to 10% for a boy)

The Heritage Center

We took a trip to the Heritage Center by the capital. Some of the displays are unbelievable!

During the Grand Forks flood of 1997, Anheuser-Busch donated canned drinking water from their brewery in Fort Collins, Colorado, to aid in relief efforts. Floodwater contaminated the public water system, making the usual sources of water undrinkable. University of North Dakota students, among others, came to call the canned water “Floodweiser”.

Mosasaurs were huge marine lizards, up to 40 feet in length, that inhabited the world's oceans during the cretaceous. This skeleton is one of the mosasaurs called Plioplatecarpus that inhabited the Pierre Sea about 75 million years ago. It was discovered in 1995 by Mike Hanson and Dennis Halvorson on Orville and Beverly Tranby's farm in the Sheyenne River Valley near Cooperstown, in Griggs County, ND.

The Mastodon lived in North America during the last part of the Ice Age, 10,000 to 20,000 years ago. This well preserved mastodon skeleton was excavated at Highgate, Ontario in 1890. This skeleton actually has a history being in the circus.

The Bison Latifrons was the largest of all North American Bison, about 25% larger. It has been radio-carbon dated, its age is estimated at being over 47,500 years old. This is the only skull found in ND.

This is the oldest house ever excavated in North Dakota, 550-410 B.C. Its was occupied during the fall and winter. Clay pots, food, weapons, and tools were found during the excavation in and near the house

The Greatest Show in the West

Saturday night we headed to Medora as it looked to be the only evening without rain for the remainder of our stay. We headed out a little early so the kids would have time to play and we could hit the gift shop as well.

The kids absolutely loved the musical. Last year on our trip the show was cut short due to rain, but we were fortunate to see the entire show this year! This year marks the 50th year for the show! I remember the amphitheater when it was a dirt floor, railroad ties, and portapotties. Now it's concrete, metal chairs, an escalator, and actual bathrooms. Quite an improvement!

The Dakota Zoo

The kids and I headed to North Dakota to visit Great Grama Terry while Jason took some R & R in Canada with his dad, uncle, brother, and cousins. Unfortunately the cold rainy weather followed us all the way there. Hard to believe the kids are wearing jeans and fleece shirts at the end of May!

The rain let up enough for us to enjoy a day at the zoo. We rode the train to get a quick glance at the zoo. The kids enjoyed howling at the wolves, however I don't know that the wolves enjoyed it as much.

The prairie dog exhibit is always a favorite. They love to climb up to get a dog's eye view of what is happening. Man can those things dig! There were quite a few new babies there basking in the sun.

We enjoyed some hot dogs and watching the kids climb a big tree. The reason for the hoods? Tic helmets silly! Maison and Libby were quite concerned with tics falling into their hair while tree climbing. Leave it to our kids to be worried about tics!

http://www.dakotazoo.org/

Tiny Kix Finale

Libby's dance class had their big finale tonight! Each class performed all of their dances throughout the year. We watched this a couple of times just because Libby's facial expressions during some of the dances are absolutely priceless! She is looking forward to participating in the North Liberty Fun Days parade with her class as well as starting up in the fall again. Hard to tell if she likes singing or dancing better!

Den Graduation

Maison and his den graduated tonight from Tiger Cub to Wolf Cubs. It was a great ceremony! Maison will be attending a couple of Scout Camps this summer as well as participating in monthly Pack events. He really enjoys scouts, especially since it's just him and Jason.

African American Museum

The kids to a trip to the African American Museum in Cedar Rapids to learn more about George Washington Carver. We learned important things like the fact he went to Iowa State University. Our tour guide was absolutely amazing!

The kids were able to participate in their own science experiements. They made icecream and tried to burn a dollar bill. Way Cool!