IT'S ABOUT ME, MY BOYS AND A LITTLE CRAFTING THROWN INTO THE MIX!
You know when a post starts with Hmmm… it’s probably something the boys have done to make me say, “Hmmmm…”
This is the latest thing that makes me say Hmmmm… Jack’s Closet.
Me: Jack how do you get your hangers to do this?
Jack: I don’t know. I’m just getting a shirt.
Me: Impressive.
Today I am whispering, because Sam is actually taking a nap! What? Sam is SO NOT a napper, but he has been getting up at 5:15am to go to weightlifting, football practice and basketball practice. Weightlifting starts at 6:00 am and he is done with all three at 10:30. Yep, 4 1/2 hours of working out…no wonder he is tired!
So, when I go upstairs and see his door shut, I know he is napping!! It makes me so happy!!
Jack had the honor of representing his elementary school at the Iowa State Tech Fair on May 5.
He created a web site for young kids that has 10 stop motion Lego videos that he wrote, directed and shot. Five videos are how to learn the short vowel sounds. The other five videos are basic math fact tricks.
Judges visited each students booth. Jack explained his web site, the process of creating, what went well, what was challenging and answered any of the judges questions.
There were almost 300 students there from all over Iowa and ranged from grades k-12. It was amazing what these kids created…actually mind-blowing and the competition was tough!
Jack received a blue ribbon in his k-12 group “Web Presence.” Which meant that he was in the group to win the overall Purple Ribbon in k-5 Web Presence.
A purple ribbon was not in the cards today, but he was very proud, as were we, of how far he actually got with this project.
(Especially when he decided two days before it was due, to participate and I told him he should try next year because I just didn’t think he could complete the project to his own personal standards in two days. He looked at me and said, “I can do it.” And, boy did he!)
He loved participating and checking out the students projects, but I think the extra bonus was that he got to “hang out” a bit with one of Sam’s buddies, Sam W. which, I believe, Jack idolizes a bit!
Last weekend I had a garage sale. I haven’t done a garage sale in YEARS! People would tell me how much work they are, but I thought it can’t be that hard. Well, I am here to tell you that I was totally wrong! They are a lot of work!!
I must share that Jack was a BIG help! He went through the toys and books and priced them all. (after he read a few)
He tested out the Karaoke Machine and was excited to hear that it still worked! One item OFF the sale! 
He went through the Play Dough and Play Dough toys and put different sets together! I wold have never been able to do this task!
Jack was so motivated by money, that he was okay with going through some of his old tubs of toys!
The day of the Sale, Sam helped me put out signs. Until we had to walk to the round-about on a very busy street. He refused to get out of the car…teenagers.
I had the sale on Thursday night and had a great turn out. Friday was nice and steady and unloaded a lot of stuff!
Jack helped with change and keeping track of his earnings!
Sam directed traffic and visitors loved it! We heard several times they had not been to a garage sale with valet parking! 
I would say the sale was an overall success, but it is a lot of work! Even the “take down” part took half a day and had to be done in the heat wave. Was the money I made worth it? Yes. Would I do it again soon. No.
PS…Jack made a good chunk of money and has already bought…you guessed it. A new Nerf Gun!
We need some rain for the grass to turn green again..
And so Sam doesn’t feel as if he is mowing dirt, as his legs seem to show us after his last mowing of the lawn!
Jack has had a successful track season this year. It has been so fun to watch him. Last weekend, at the district meet, his 4×100 team scored the gold! So what do you do when your mom wants to take a picture of you with your medal…
So, Jack!
In a couple of weeks, we will head to Minneapolis for his 4×100 team to participate in the regional meet!
(Just hope the weather is a bit cooler!)
Sam got some new “slides” (AKA flip flops.)
I knew he had big feet, I just didn’t realize how much bigger his feet were than mine! And, boy do I need a pedicure!
Those are some mighty big shoes to fill!
The boys have one week of summer tucked under their belt. They are adjusting to sleeping in (Jack) staying up later (both) and free days (all of us!)
Forgot to share pictures of first day of school to last day of school! The picture on the left is the first day of ninth grade and the right is the last day of school!
I didn’t think Sam would grow that much this year, but he grew over a brick! WOW!! He is now almost 6’3″ tall.
And this guy!! OH MY! He, too, has almost frown a brick! But, he is looking more like a little man. *sniff* He is now done with elementary and off to middle school next year.
These two…
Now we are off to enjoy more summer!!
Last weekend, Sam headed to Chicago with a friend to enjoy the weekend attending Chicago Cubs games!
My only concern, “Sam. Did you put on your sunscreen and reapply?”
(If this picture is turned, you are viewing my blog on an i-device. If you view on the computer, the picture will be correct. Why? I have no idea.)
Jack has been busy with track season and this year has been successful for him. We have really enjoyed watching him!
He runs the 100, 200 and the 4×100.
This weekend he got first in his 100 m heat and placed fourth overall!
He also ran a personal best!! Yay!!
He also placed fifth in the 200! This is the first time he has placed in the 200…he was super excited!
He runs the second leg of the 4×100. At this time, their 4×100 is undefeated. Very exciting for the boys.
Here’s to Jack, his teammates and a month more of running..in this sweltering heat!