Ethan Update

He got furloughed from the Y. No money. Sad Ethan.

After numerous applications across town he practically walked into this job. Yay. Now there is money.

With money he could finally afford official driving privileges (and the increase to our insurance).

With another driver, we decided it might be time for a second vehicle. Meet our 1997 Ford Ranger with a little over 102,000 miles. She is Cecile, Ethan's love, although not his truck. It is a family vehicle. I make him say it out loud, daily. She is a manual transmission and it has been an interesting learning curve. No cars or children were injured in the making of this post. We hope that will continue.

Neowise Comet

Michael loves all celestial events. When the Neowise comet was first announced he was excited. For a few days we debated how best to see it. Eventually we decided we would drive out to Bruneau Dunes State Park and try our luck.

Saturday after dinner, and after CJ had been picked up, we loaded ourselves into the van and set out for a quick outing. Just over an hour later we pulled into the state park. After a quick potty break, we headed for the dunes. Alas, we forgot to bring cardboard boxes to slide down them. 

The climb up is always so much more difficult than it appears.

I managed to make it to the top, even though my knee has been making life difficult. I did hold onto Michael for support, and he was supportive by making fun of my granny knee. Once I got to the top, I stayed there. I wasn't sure I would make it again. The kids all enjoyed running up and down the dune. There was a competition to see how many giants leaping steps it took to get to the bottom of the other side. I just sat there watching them wondering when they are going to blow out their knees.

We made it in time for a pretty sunset. It wasn't spectacular due to a lack of clouds, but as we were after a comet, the lack of clouds was a benefit.

Ethan was with us, despite the photographic evidence. He climbed on the dunes until dusk came, at which point the the mosquitoes came out. Ethan has no patience for biting insects, so he sequestered himself in the van.

Ever notice how long it takes the sun to set when you are waiting for complete dark? It's a really long time. Definitely over an hour. At 10:00 we were able to start looking for the comet. By 10:30 (with some lingering light still on the horizon) we had given up. We had looked all over but still not seen the comet. As I gathered water bottles Michael glanced at the sky again, and saw a slight blur below the Big Dipper. We all paused as he used binoculars to focus on the blur. It became a bigger blur. A blur that was a comet!  It was easy to find when I wasn't looking for it, but the second I tried to focus my eyes on  it it would disappear. We spent another 20 minutes examining the blur and then decided it was time to head home.

We stopped for some ice cream, drove on home, and tried to leave the sand outside when we pulled in at 12:30am. We did not succeed. My laundry room now has its own dune ecosystem. The blur was almost worth it.

Double Digits

This kid. He was once my baby. 

Now he has entered double digits. He is taller than Grace. He has read all the Harry Potter novels and almost every book written by Rick Riordan (Percy Jackson and the Lighting Thief, etc.). He is getting ready to start the 5th grade, he can do basic cooking, and feels confident enough to be left home alone on occasion (but is not allowed to cook and be home alone). As much as I miss my baby, the ten year old version is pretty awesome.

This year he wanted a DJ Marshmallow cake, but happily settled on cupcakes. I know they look like I made a dead face on a marshmallow, but according to Sam and the internet, they are pretty close to the look of DJ Marshmello.

After much hemming and hawing over whether we should even throw Sam a party this year, due to the crazy rise in COVID-19 cases, we finally decided to have one at the park, as long as masks were worn by all. I appreciate that everyone tried to be a good sport about it.

Almost all of Michael's family was able to make it and Sam was very pleased. His favorite present was probably a remote control helicopter that he currently uses to annoy his siblings. He also got a ton of Amazon gift cards from his aunts and uncles. The UPS drivers have been making frequent stops to my house lately, and Sam is in heaven.

It's been a weird year, for sure, one that he will never forget. But it's been an amazing year as well.

I Want to Love the 4th

I really do try. I love cooking a summer meal, I love having a few friends over. I love ground blossom fireworks. 

I pretty much hate all the rest, though. I don't like loud noises, or gun powder smells. Kids running through smoke bombs makes me feel like gagging. As you can tell, they adore it. I'm grumpy about spending a lot of money on things we then light on fire. I am a 4th of July scrooge.

This year we had Izzy and her parents over and Libby's friend Kylie. They were all lovely and we had a nice dinner and visit. Then everyone trooped to the alley to light things on fire. Everyone was squealing and running around in pure joy. Things were exploding and popping. I lasted about ten minutes. I told Michael I was getting very stressed out, so he let off a bunch of ground blossoms for me, then graciously sent me inside. 

Everyone outside had a grand time and I didn't get snappy and cranky. It was a good solution. 

They did come and get me for the grand finale. We had a couple awesome fountains that were non photogenic. They were quite enjoyable. Then we ate some ice cream and everyone headed home.

It was a pretty fun evening, but I was happy to crawl into bed once it was all over. 

Girls' Weekend

Libby has been struggling this summer. She was furloughed from her brand new job before even working a shift, Girl's Camp was canceled, choir events were canceled, and vacations were cut short. All of this is very hard on my extrovert. 

She asked if she could take a friend to McCall for a few days, so she could have something to look forward to. When Idaho hit stage four in the middle of June, we packed up and headed away for a girls' weekend.

Libby took her friend Izzy, who had never been to McCall. Michael's sister and my one true love, Kristal, was gracious enough to join us so I didn't go completely nuts with only teenagers for company. 

McCall was very laid back. We rode the bus, ate ice cream, roasted hot dogs, and the girls swam in the very, very cold lake. Kristal and I were content to just watch the sunset from the beach. 

Our last day in McCall we introduced Kristal and Izzy to Charlie's Garden, where all these pictures were taken. It's such a pretty area, but no one seems to know about. If you are ever in McCall, it's totally worth searching out. Even if you turn into at least two wrong driveways before finding the correct one, as I do every....single...time.

There are old bridges, ponds, an insane amount of flowers, and rushing water. 

It is my happiest of happy places.

The weekend away didn't fix our pandemic problems, but it was a great break from the current chaos. I think we all came home a little more relaxed than when we left. And probably a little heavier as well. McCall has some awesome food! Stacie's Cakes is responsible for all of my weekend weight gain.