Busy Busy Busy

Christina and Ben went camping this past weekend.

They rummaged thru our vast supplies of camping equipment

and had a little adventure.

They had no problem setting up the tent and preparing the campsite.

Ben chopped up firewood beforehand.

Then they learned we had a ton of firewood on our back patio.

They had some trouble starting the fire, so they sprayed bug spray on it and used test papers to get it going.

Mmmm! Hotdogs and marshmallow time.

Everything tastes so good when cooked over a campfire.

They had a really great time, 

and are looking forward to doing it again.

After they got back, Mike had to work in Stuart. 

Its several hours south of us.

We had Christina babysit the boys,

 so Mike and I could enjoy a romantic 2 night trip.

We didn't want to stay at a hotel that 

we stayed at with the kids,

so Mike found this one.

Its on Hutchinson Island.  Our room is on the top floor right side.

Since Mike is a platinum member of Marriott Hotels, 

every time he checks in, they upgrade him to a suite

 and offer him either extra reward points or a snack from their cafe. 

We usually get the points. 

But this time we were hungry and didn't know where to eat yet,

 so we said a snack.

This is what they brought us.

Chardonnay, Brie Cheese and Crackers.

Later we found a beach side cafe to eat oysters, crab cakes, and stuffed grouper.

We took long evening strolls on the beach.

It must be Blue Crab season because

 there were dozens of these guys 

all along the shore.

We found this raccoon eating out of the garbage can.

He just sat and stared at us like,
"Ok, your disturbing my dinner here, get your picture and leave."

We had a very nice time just us.

He worked during the day,
and I hung out at the beach,
 reading my book, 

playing my DSi and just enjoying
the peacefulness of the sound of the waves.

Christina started College this week!

She is officially a College Freshman!

So proud of her!

Mike laughs at the boys and I.

I can't imagine why he thinks this is funny.

I mean we ARE in the technology age right?

Our lives are getting very busy.

Monday nights are Zacharys Boy Scout meetings. 

He has 2 Den meetings a month, and 1 Pack meeting.

Then on several Saturdays a month are the

fun things the den leader has planned. 

Food drives, water parks, hikes, campouts (even one at Disneys Wilderness Camp)

Tuesdays Caleb has Golf classes.

Wednesdays are Calebs Cub Scout meetings.

Our calendar is filling up.

The boys are doing good in school.  Caleb's teacher has already called us to say how wonderful he is doing. He loves that he has homework now. In fact, the teacher sends home all the homework for the following week on Friday, and Caleb sits down and does it as soon as he walks in the door Friday afternoons.

In fact, several nights now, he complains because he doesn't have more homework, 

so I got out the book he did during the summer and he does several more pages a night.

He also loves reading.  He brings home a new book every night 

and then reads it once to Daddy, then once to me.

Zachary still doesn't like homework. And he has a ton this year. 

His teacher actually told us that she LOVES to give out homework,

and even gives it on the weekends.

I bet Caleb hopes he gets her in 4th grade.

Zachary has a new friend in his class. His name is Zachary Block.

If you drive to his house it takes 11 mins to get there.

But if you go out our backyard and walk down the fence line past one house,

turn right, walk past 3 houses, your at their house.

He came over and spent the night with the boys this weekend. 

They had a great time.

So what are Mike and I doing while the kids are in school?

Chasing away the vultures from our garbage.

Amongst other things.  *wink