THE END OF VACATION!!!!!

We are finally finished with a GREAT vacation! Three weeks of school for Dad, while we played around in Chattanooga. First thing we did when we got back was attend FEBC's Library Reading Party. Both Zachary & Elyse finished their books (Z - 600 pages, E - 300 pages). At the party they made hamburgers and hotdogs. The hamburger was made out of two vanilla wafers, thin mint cookies, green coconut for lettuce and red and yellow frosting for condiments. The hotdog was an orange peanut candy, caramel formed into a hotdog and the same condiments as the hamburger. Mrs. Weideman is so creative. It looks cute - but I am not sure I want to eat something played with before you put it together.

Next we traveled to Science Central in Ft. Wayne. This is Zachary coming out of the "sewer." The sewer begins by climbing down a ladder into a hole. Down in the "sewer" you follow a maze, on your hands and knees, in the dark. This is where you come out after crawling for about 25 feet.

Elyse made it too.

This is the illusion room. I think they played in this for over an hour. Zachary is climbing the walls (which is what he makes me do several times a day).

Elyse is pretending she is walking on the moon.

Mom decided that she was brave this day (stupid, Mom). The bike is three stories up. You ride on a 15 ft. diameter metal circle, suspended in the air. The bike has a weight on the bottom, but it still tips quite a bit. There is a net to catch you if you fall (yikes!).

Around I go...

We watched several science experiments. The leader didn't exactly know what she was doing most of the time. Elyse is being her assistant. The balloon was supposed to explode, but it took going through two duds before it worked.

This was sooo funny. You are supposed to get on your hands and knees. Then you put your hands behind your back and try to touch a button in front of you with your nose. A sign says: "Careful, you might fall on your nose." Dad was sure he could do it. Here he is smacking his nose HARD! It hurt for several days. The kids could both do it with no problems. I guess you have to be young and more flexible.

Now we head to Dan & Emily's new house. We spent the weekend cleaning. Soon the washer and dryer were delivered and hooked up. Emily, Elyse and I watched a whole cycle. You can only see Elyse here, but Emily is on the sink, and I am on the toilet watching. We let the guys think we were watching the washer work, but actually we were taking a well deserved 28 minute break.

Sunday we ended our cleaning with a picnic with most of our children. Luke, Lacey, Grace, Caleb, Ava, Dan, Emily, Tim, Zachary, Elyse and I. We missed Tobin, Erin and Betsey. Here is one gorgeous grandchild. Ava has such a good disposition. She was amazing! Everyone had a great time.

Now we are getting the school room organized. The books are in the desks, some prizes are bought and the supplies are put away. Now all we have to do is wait for August 20th to roll around.

Wednesday we took Elyse for an eye exam. You guessed it, she needs glasses. She will have them in about 10 days. The glasses are only for far away right now, not for close up work like reading or school work. Did you know that you aren't supposed to rub your eyes if you have an astigmatism. Didn't know that! Maybe that is why my eyes are so bad. Another $150 out the door!