Around the Lakes

The yard work was done in early May. The back yard was dug up, filled in, packed, and finished off with sod. I'm sure there was more to it than that but that's my summary.

These pictures are from a long weekend around the 'hood.

 

 

 

 

 

We always brake for lemonade stands!

 

 

The neighbor kids were excited to come over and check out our snapping turtle! From a distance, of course.

 

 

Almost ready for the sod.

 

 

In the middle of May I heard that the Blaine teens were having Nerf wars at the nearby park. I was annoyed that some of the uppity neighbors were complaining about the kids having some harmless (loud) fun. The kids were warned by the local police and resumed their wars. I knew James would be interested so I took him to watch from a distance.

 

I was angry and disappointed that they took out the Confederate flag. I got out of the car and made my presence known. It was taken down pretty quickly, but I don't think because of me. I had to get James out of there and sadly tell him that they made a bad choice. Support withdrawn. Stupid move, kids.

 

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Finishing up December 2014

A new Nerf weapon was purchased. Probably with Christmas cash!

 

A play date with a school friend Evan and neighbor buddy Sawyer. Playing Minecraft, of course!

 

Snuggling with Mom.

 

 

Fun stuff!

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Tauer Christmas

We celebrated with the Tauers a few days late because Grandma Laura was under the weather. Later in the week she, Uncle Joe and Lisa came over for dinner and presents!

From Uncle Joe- a Nerf drone! Yikes!

 

First thing James does is try and shoot his uncle!

 

 

And then Uncle Joe decides to play.

 

And then the boxing.

What you don't see is the rough housing and the crying later. James always thinks he can handle it but then it goes too far :(

 

Jim and James had a surprise for Grandma Laura. James practiced reading his book and then read it to his Grandma.

 

 

 

 

 

 

It's a favorite of ours! The Sweet Smell of Christmas. What a lovely Christmas!

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Halloween 2014

Our neighbors had a Halloween party for the kids. Those fabulous, maybe crazy people invited 40+ kids and pretty much all of them accepted the invitation! The party was two weeks before Halloween, so how great that all of the kids got to wear their costumes more than once!

 

I found James' costume at TJ Maxx. I wasn't sure if he'd like it but I kept the receipt in case a return was needed. Nope, he liked it! It gave him a reason to carry Nerf and handcuffs :)

 

The friendliest SWAT officer you'll ever see!

 

The party--

They had a lot of food, several creepy stations of games set up, and just room for the kids to run around and be wild.

 

 

 

 

James with his friends Sawyer and Gunnar, both from the neighborhood summer gang.

 

On the actual Halloween day James did NOT want to wear the helmet or carry a Nerf gun. What the??!?

 

 

We started before dark because we heard kids running around already.

 

We soon found Dane and his Dad in our neighborhood travels.

 

I ended up wimping out a bit early, after a few blocks around the neighborhood, because it was so cold. The boys continued on just fine without me. Someone needed to pass out the candy at home, no?

We didn't end up with many trick or treaters. We put a bowl of candy on the steps while we were gone and it was empty when I returned. So we had many trick or treaters or just one very hungry one!

 

James always gets more candy than he know what to do with! And kinds he doesn't even like- like Snickers, Twix, Reese's cups, etc.

 

Piling up the candy- for James and then for the parents :)

 

At my work we always have a group costume. I did participate with my subtle striped shirt. There are a few people missing from this group picture.

 

Where's Waldo?

 

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End of Fall

In mid October I was admiring our fall and thinking already that snow would soon come. Sigh.

 

School release days equal play date! With his good buddy George! George's Dad is also a teacher, and had the day off, but he seemed kind of relieved to drop George off for the day!

They got right to Nerf play!

 

I love love love this picture. The reds, the oranges!

 

 

Neighborhood friends came to greet George. They all played well with each other. I hardly a worry.

 

 

 

 

Inside, for a little Minecraft play.

 

After George left James went over to the far neighbor's house to play. I don't like him that far, especially when they play on the side and front of that house, but the kids seem nice enough. The family has several (6-8??) foster kids ranging in ages 3 to 16, I think.

 

It was a pretty fun day for James!

 

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