Looks like we all survived the End of the World day! The kids were hoping they would not have to study. They still had to study, but we managed to have some fun too! And it was nice to finally see the sun! We have had non stop rain, tstorms and tornadoes all week!

We spent Saturday afternoon in the sunshine at the Wine in the Woods festival with our neighbors. The festival certainly has grown since we were there last. The festival brings together all the wineries in Maryland for us to sample and purchase their wines. And there are certainly a lot more wineries in Maryland now! It made it a lot harder to squeeze up to the tasting tables under the tents. But it was a beautiful day to sit out and have a picnic and get caught up with our neighbors activities. The kids mostly read their books and played video games. So Tom decided to take us all to the Drive IN Saturday night. They were playing the Big Cats Disney movie that Allison and I wanted to see, along with the new Pirates movie and Thor if we wanted to stay up all night and see it again. I think we all really enjoyed the new Pirates movie and the Cats movie was fine even though we missed the first 15 mins or so waiting in line to get in.

Scott's school had an outdoor movie night on Friday, Despicable Me, but we opted out. The outdoor drive in movie theatre is a whole new experience and we even got to bring the dog! She kept me warm sleeping on my lap while we sat outside the back of the van eating popcorn.

Fortunately Allison had Saturday off from work. She still has to go in on Sunday, but I think she enjoyed the break. She has been working very hard studying for her High School Assessment tests. She finished the computerized English and Biology tests and will take the Government test next week. Besides the exams, she has also had to keep up with tests and lots of homework in the rest of her classes. Especially since she missed a few classes while taking the 1.5hr long assessments. She just finished another novel in English, The Catcher in the Rye. She actually enjoyed the story and is finishing up the quizzes and vocab tests this week.

We were also trying to get her application together for the National Honor Society. Allison was busy passing out the recommendation forms to her 6 teachers and her Field Hockey coach. I went out and delivered forms to our GS coleader and two church representatives for her Altar Server position and work as a Peer minister for the confirmation program. Now we have to fill out her application and write an essay! All this so she can pick up more volunteer work if she is chosen as a member! Oi Vay!

On top of all that, we managed to come across a Gold Award project for her for Girl Scouts. (More volunteer work). The Gold Award is equal to the Eagle Scout position. A local horse stable was looking for someone to rebuild their therapeutic horseback riding ramp to mount handicapped riders onto the horses. Their ramp is 20 yrs old and needs updated. So Allison and I headed out to the stable on Thursday night in a tstorm after her field hockey practice to get an idea of the amount of work we have ahead of us. We just missed the instructor, but we will catch up with her. Allison has to have the project pre approved by GS council before we can start. And of course we need to ask for donations for building supplies. Tom said he would be happy to help her with the project. It would be nice to get it done this summer since her schedule will probably only get busier towards the end of high school. Allison is excited to be around the horses again. She is hoping if she has any free time to volunteer at the stable. It is nice that it is so close. (It will be even more convenient when she can drive herself!)

And if you heard, Maryland's horses have been quite popular lately with Saturday's Preakness horse race. Sadly, the Maryland horse, Animal Kingdom who won the Kentucky Derby came in 2nd place. Still not bad since the horse was rated 20th to win the Kentucky Derby. Now on to the Belmont in New York.

Scott is busy winding down the end of his school year. He performed in the choir on Monday night with the school band in their end of the year concert. The kids all did a terrific job, and we really enjoyed the music selections. Scott mainly enjoyed the cupcakes afterwards. I enjoyed catching up with all the parents. On Thursday he just had a 1/2 day of school as the kids participated in Sports Day. Friday he also had a break when the room parents organized a 5th grade picnic. Since it was my day off I went up to help pass out hamburgers and hot dogs. A few Dads rented a massive grill and cooked for us while all the parents donated the food. I even brought a few hula hoops and they put out footballs and basketballs. It was still a bit wet and chilly on Friday, and the kids only had about an hour to get their food, eat and run around. But it was a nice break for them I think. Scott unfortunately was running slow with a cold he picked up on the rafting weekend. He mostly leaned on my shoulder the whole time.

So I am on my own with the kids this week. Tom is off to Reno Nevada this week where he is the Keynote Speaker for a conference. His big day is Monday morning. Then he was trying to figure out what he is going to do the rest of the week in Reno(maybe a drive over to Tahoe). The way the weather has been he could probably go snow skiing!

So I will be on my own to run the kids to scout meetings, field hockey, piano lessons and the dentist. Allison had her turn this past week with her first real cavity. She did great and even made it through the novacaine injection without too much fanfare. Next week is SCott's turn. He actually enjoys the experience! And of course he can't stop losing his teeth! He brought another one home last week! I can't keep up with the growth spurts!

And speaking of growing, another Big Happy Birthday goes out to niece Stacey!

We are also waiting to hear how her brother is doing on his trip to India.

A few more vacation photos at Sea World. Allison loves feeding the dolphins(and so do I!)

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