Wild Animal Expo

 After the beach, the adventures just kept rolling in...there was the botanical garden trip that ended up in a downpour of rain

and the horses in the forest that got away from their owners and they met us in the park, but that didn't deter us from wanting to experience--I mean what is life if you're just couching it? So when we heard that a Wild Animal Expo was happening in town, we were sure to pack up early and head out to attend.  Though a storm was brewing, we had decided that some was better than none and we would just go and stay until the event was rained out.  However, much to our delight, the storm skirted us and never rained on our parade so we spent the entire day meeting animals and learning new things about them.  

The day began with a dog show, but not like a "who's the best looking dog" show, it was more of a demonstration of skill. The handler was showing us what her flushing and retrieving dogs could do.  She even used a real pigeon for her dog to catch and retrieve (that offended a lot of audience members but it was really a great display of skill in both dog and trainer).  We were able to have some Q & A time with the trainer, which seemed to inspire us al to do more with our hounds.  We also were able to visit each of her eight dogs present--they were all so cute and sweet!  

After the dog show was a reptile show filled with snakes, turtles, and toads.  After presenting facts about the animals from stage, the presenters invited the kids and families to go inside and have some close up visits with creatures they had on hand.  We saw armadillos, hedgehogs, a macaw, ducks, spiders, snakes--just to name a few. Then we cruised by the mobile bass tank and took in fishing lessons.   Riley was delighted! 

The bird show was next--actually is was more of a raptor display.  The handler had owls, falcons, eagles, vultures even to educate us on and show off.  At the end of the show, we even had the opportunity to hold an Eurasian Eagle Owl--such a thrill! 

One of my favorite shows was the Dock Dog trials.  Dogs came to see who could jump the highest and the farthest over a pool of water.  The stunts these dogs could pull was impressive!  The record for vertical height, we learned, is eight feet ten inches.  While we were there, the best jump we saw was four feet 10 inches by a Whippet--whoo doggie! 

In between shows we took time to rest from the heat, rehydrate, play a little corn hole, and tour RVs and Jeeps, and enjoy fair type foods (think funnel cake).  

Pretty soon, the day was closing in on dinner time and it was time to load up and head home.  Though there was a medical emergency while we were there, we had no part in it and the police and EMTs were quick to assist.  Happily, we just got to have fun.  :-) 

Discovering Adventure

 

Summer is for fun and relaxation, so with the days of summer quickly streaking by, we decided that we needed to practice some carpe diem and make the most of every opportunity we could catch.  So when the rain let up (it's been an unusually wet summer) we packed up to spend the day at the beach.  The weather was perfect and the beach was lightly attended (it helps that we went after school started in the public sector).  

We had a great time catching sun with great tunes, food (we packed a lunch), metal detecting (we had minimal finds), swimming, castle building, and general sand play.  

But time flies when you're having fun and Hannah was beginning to look red so I announced that it was time to pack up and head home.  With all of our belongings in the car, we began to take turns getting out of our wet clothes before the drive home.  While I was waiting on the kids, that's when the real adventure began.  Now, generally speaking, when someone excitedly recruits for an adventure, the reference is in regard to great fun.  What Connor aptly discovered in his dictionary perusing is that adventure has less to do with fun and more to do with danger. 

ad·ven·ture

/adˈven(t)SHər,ədˈven(t)SHər/

Learn to pronounce

noun

1. an unusual and exciting, typically hazardous, experience or activity.

With that definition in mind, the kids determined that our plain beach day turned into a true adventure when an elderly lady haphazardly drove (and I use the term drove lightly) into the parking lot and was obviously distressed.  The next two and a half hours found us in the parking lot under the blazing sun, assisting this woman (and her dog) in receiving medical help. 

I must say, the kids were stellar in patience and pitching in where they could while I rounded up adequate assistance from the police and  EMTs as well as a couple of locals (they graciously chose to foster the dog while it's owner spent time in the hospital).  Thankfully, Miss Francis was attended to just in time (she had been living in her car and was not taking her meds for days so she was in rather serious condition by the time we met her) and though I received a sun burn unlike I've ever experienced, I would not have passed up the opportunity to be the hands and feet of God to her.  We will not soon forget Miss Francis though we'll probably never know any more of her story that what we took part in that day.  

God appointments.  They always seem to surprise me, and they always put tears in my eyes--happy and/or sad.  How great He is to let us be part of His work.  Though we probably won't make it back to the beach this summer, we are happy to have had that day kick off our adventures.  :-) 

A Birthday in Stages

Sonja's birthday was celebrated in stages this year due to schedules and events that could not be rearranged.  

Just before her birthday, she received an early gift--a second piercing.  Sonja has been asking for a second ear piercing for the last year.  Without a real reason to say no, we decided that it would make a great birthday gift.  One afternoon, just days before her birthday, Nikolas and I got her into the car to "run errands", and took her to get her ear pierced.  Sonja was thrilled.  :-) 

On her birthday proper, she and I spent half of the day serving at a church event--by her choice.  We worked hard and had a good time connecting with our community.  After the event, she and I went out for a wing lunch--so satisfying!  Sonja loves books--especially vintage books--so we went on a short book hunt after lunch.  We didn't find anything good, this time, but it was fun.  On the way home, we visited the boys at work and picked up a birthday milkshake.  :-)

Upon our return home, she took a nap, we grilled out for dinner, and then enjoyed cake and gift opening. 

Charlotte, our MonKitty, was intrigued by the gifts and she tried to help unwrap them.   :-)

 Our celebration spilled over into the next day.  After church we went out to enjoy Sonja's choice birthday activity--roller skating.  The kids took to the rink quite well--Sonja even got fancy!  

John tested his limits on the skating floor and quickly decided that his ankle was not ready for such action.  Nikolas and I chose to be seat warmers as we both already had injuries to nurse and didn't want to take our chances.  

Still, Sonja had a blast and we made good memories,  :-) 

Welcome to 12 Sonja!  We love you!  <3

Celebrating Freedom

 

Independence Day felt a little extra weighty this year seen as cancel culture has stifled so much of the freedoms that America was built on.   We enjoyed a fireworks festival and display in a neighboring town the weekend before the fourth of July.  We ran into plenty of friends and met up with others.  We enjoyed food and games and a great display of pyrotechnics.  

Card games were great for passing time while we waited for the firework display

We enjoyed drinks at our favorite bourbon barrel coffee house--the kids got the drink special of the day--The Firework :-)

Sonja was happy to help out with our friend Austin's dog--dog siting while Austin played games :-) 

On the fourth proper, we started the day with a church service and transitioned into a great time of fellowship with friends.  Not only were we able to enjoy hours of conversation and games, but we had the privilege of introducing them to the hands on fun of fireworks of all kinds.  We had a literal blast!  

The Bartok and Cuneio kids

Hours of fun--Corn Hole, Throw Throw Burrito Extreme, Bocce Ball--to name a few 

Introducing friends to fireworks made fireworks extra fun!

What a great celebration of the freedoms so hard won for our country.  God bless America!