Kroc Center

While at the Daddy Daughter Dance, Cam and I went to the The Salvation Army Kroc Center opening in Ashland. The Krocs (founders of McDonalds) left millions or billions to The Salvation Army, but earmarked it toward large Rec-type community centers. Kudos to John and Erin as I don't think they got enough credit for getting the grant in Ashland. There are currently 3 Kroc centers open- San Diego, San Francisco and ASHLAND,OHIO!!! I don't know how they did it! Check out San Diego:
http://www.kroccenter.org/


Impressive!!!! A Lot of energy during the day. nice facility.

Daddy Daughter Dance

McKenna was excited about the dance. She wanted to get her hair cut (The stylist did her bangs completely wrong, and they drive me nuts!) , new shoes, etc... So Kev and McKenna went shoes shopping together and I had him get her a little wrist corsage. They danced the macarena, chicken dance, and other favorites. I wish I had been there to take a slew of pics... but I will leave you with the commerative pic that was taken.

Ethnic Fair

Saturday we spent the day going around the world- At the Wayne County Fairgrounds. The kids got passports and each country had stamps (like Epcot). There was about 40 countries represented with games, food, and activities. It was a nice day. The kids both had their names calligraphied in China. Later we went to Jason and Shannon's for a nice evening at the fire and playing cards.

Easter

Due our little Canada trip, and the fact that it may have costed me a transmission (we haven't found out yet), the kids knew the E-Bunny would be skimpin this year! We went to church and then to Kev's mom's house. Traditionally she has an Easter egg (filled with change) hunt for the grandkids. Since our kids are use to geocaching and really hunting, and the other 2 grandkids are in their 20 's, Kev and I really hid them well! They did pretty good with only maybe 2 not found.

Good Friday

Kev took off today and we went to Great Lakes Science Center. We have been several times before but there was a robots exhibit and that is Kevin's field- so Cam has been really wanting to go. It was very crowded but the kids were able to make their own Robotic Jitterbugs! These were hooked up to a battery and had a little motor with a little propeller, and these "bugs" would bounce around. One of the pics shows McKenna on a hang glider similator. We went out to eat to the LagerHouse restaurant in Medina that had wonderful BBQ on the way home.

Where in the World is Kenna and Cam 2009- Adventure #1

I knew I had off yesterday, but was contemplating what to do with the kids. Because Kev really does not have a lot of vacation time because he started at Wilburt a year ago and he is a quarter layed off due to the lovely industry, we are staying low and not planning any big trips anytime soon. So I thought I would spontaneously do one tank trips with the kids without a lot of my anal agendicizing (as I usually do with trips) and not a lot of thought to it. So at about 10:30pm on Wednesday night, I thought- hmmmm.... Canada. When Kevin came home that night I basically said- Hope you don't mind- thought I'd take the kids to Canada tomorrow. He laughed and was the good husband and checked my oil and tires and said have fun. Figured I better get to bed. I woke up the kids at 5:00am the next day and said "You'd better get up... we are going to Canada!" They were a little in shock! Off with the kids to Niagara Falls where I have not been in 25 years.

I did some quick printouts and we did a couple of geocaches in PA, NY and in Canada. We ended up going to the Niagara Falls Aquarium, the Space Needle Observatory thing, Goat Island, Ripley's Believe it or not Museum, and walked around in scenic areas. We wanted to do the Maid of the Mist, and before we got on the Canadian side, someone said- none of the water stuff was opened till the end of may. I thought that sounded a little strange until we saw the falls- as you can see in the pics. Would not want to be in a boat next to the falls when things broke loose! It was off season still, but prices were cheaper, crowds were less, and starting in June, you will have to get a passport to get across the border :( We rolled in about midnight after 570 miles! If anyone has ideas for the next one tank trip let me know!

Where ya goin' Dog??

This is our dog. We estimate about 13yrs old. He doesn't really play, starting not to hear, double cataracts, he lays around and sleeps most of the time. Unless, he is following Kevin around. Anyway, I let him out Saturday morning. We never put him on a chain, cuz he is aware of boundaries and almost never goes farther than necessary (unless maybe it is trash night). He may visit the neighbor's back porches if their light is on. SO anyway, I let him out then checked on him. The last I saw he was laying on our deck in the sun. The next time- totally vanished. So we sprawled out and just casually started looking for him. When we come back in, there is a message from Orrville vet, that Rupert was seen prouncing around the loading docks at Buehlers. So Kev races in one car over there, and I take the other skirting the perimeter. No sign of him anywhere. An employee came out to talk to Kevin and was bringing a leash to tie him up so he stayed put, but in those couple of minutes- gone. We looked and looked then came back to the house. There was a message again from the vet that a Buehlers customer brought him into the office. So McKenna and I raced to save the dog and he returned safely home. We cannot believe that our old dog that sleeps 6 hours after a walk, made it to Buehlers that fast. I am thinking it was really bright that morning and with his cataracts he was blinded and got turned around and kept going. What a way to start the day.

Easter at Wendy's

We had Easter over at Wendy and Mike's House on Sunday. This is becoming a tradition as they have a lot of land (in comparison to the rest of us), that the kids can roam free. The guys were in charge of the logistics of the stuffing of the eggs with candy ritual. They were so funny (as I wish now I had gotten a pic). Lots of food- of course. We got to see Olivia in her prom dress. The guys went out and hid the eggs all over the property. We had brought camoflauge eggs, and they blended so well with the color and length of the grass, that Kev was just throwing them in the yard. I think the kids still could not find about 10 eggs- I am sure they will show up throughout the year. We were amused at the fact that Odis the dog went nuts for the ice dispenser in the refrigerator, thinking they were dog treats everytime someone used it. Our dog just sniffs and walks away when we drop ice. No excitement here. We left right after making plans for Gourmet Club- Cinco De Mayo Party in May- Ole!!

A Cricket on Grandma's Hearth

The latest installment of plays for the Orrville Theater Company. McKenna was Ariel and really enjoyed going to practices this time as she jad a bigger role than then past. I guess the summer will be drama free (well I am sure not at home), as the Company is doing Mamma Mia, and really there is no kid role in that!

Skater Party- Cam's 8th B-Day

Well, this was an interesting and high blood pressure event! We took 7 boys to an indoor skate park in Canton where they brought a variety of bikes, scooters, and boards with them. The ride over surely put me over the edge as one child (although I knew who he was, I have never been responsible for) was beyond out of control. I do not know how many times (seriously) I had to say "That is not a word we use" , "I do not want to hear that again", "We do not talk like that" , "If I have to tell you not to throw it again..."

Then we got to the restaurant. This was a typical thing as I tried to minimize the wasted food from the buffet by repetively saying "Only get a little- you can always go back for more." I also had to stay on top of the drink usage and keep saying "Whatever you create, you have to drink it all (Suicide drink)." Then of course they had an ice cream machine- yet another thing needing to be monitored very closely. Kevin was outside, and that would be the time all the younger boys disappeared loudly and with an "up to something" aura into the boys bathroom. I relied on the older Logan and Conner (Thanks), to go monitor and get them out. Onward to EVOLUTION SKATE PARK.

Would have been great if we had had the place to ourselves. I am sure the regulars were thrilled when we left!! Now the oldest of the boys were twelve, and the rest were pretty much in the same class as Cam (which for some, we found a little too young to get it). A couple kids just never caught on that there were very experienced and experimenting older youth hurdling their apparatices through the air and off ramps, and their equipment flying out from under them at times... And you really need to be FULLY aware of your environment AT ALL TIMES! You don't get bored or scared and decide that you are going to entertain yourself by sliding down the ramps on your butt, laying down on the ramps, or chasing by foot your other friends across the flattened speed zones in the opposite direction that everyone is coming off of the ramps. And it didn't seem as if those who got plowed into SEVERAL times picked up on the level of awareness afterward, nor did seeing people leaping off of their equipment in order to avoid direct hits wise them up. And because there were many different sections of this park, they were sprawled. One "regular" in particular I had to keep crisis intervention going with him cause I think he was about ready to kill one of the kids. We left a little earlier than planned and took them to a park to open presents and run around (not before one of the same as above kids about got flattened by a car running out into the road). They played a lttle tag and we wrapped up the day. Cam had a blast. But we now have a more elaborate list of who-not-tos.

80's Party

I missed it. I was so bummed! I had to work- which is highly unusual. I got there just as the last guests were leaving. Shannon was so dressed for it!! I didn't even get to talk to Janine and say Happy Birthday or talk geocache trash with her. Shannon was the only remnant left of the party I got to experience... I will leave a little something on the blog for you all to play to reminisce of the good old days!