School, Birthdays, and Letterboxing (Oh My) (Photo Update)
In answer to the question, "What have you been up to lately?"
... the boys started school!
Seth is in 3rd grade, Eli is in 1st. That means both of them get on the bus at 8:15 and come home around 3:15. Julian is at Building Blocks -- the same preschool that Seth and Eli went to. I signed him up for "full day" (8:45 to 4) so that I can take the noon class for adults at ATA. Yes, that means that all our family members are doing taekwondo!
... I went boxing with Meg!
And, she took pretty photos of me and Julian. We got eaten alive by the mosquitoes, but we finished the whole series -- a limited-time series of 18 stamps, wow.
... we went to Canobie!
I still love this little park. I heard that it's been bought by Six Flags -- I hope they keep the friendly, family-sized atmosphere. I love that we go every year on my birthday. This year, they are having special Halloween hours with eight (8!) haunted houses. Anybody wanna go??
... Gromit and I have been going to a bunch of agility meets!
Gromit turned 15 months old this September, which makes him old enough to compete in AKC and CPE agility events. In another 3 months, he'll be old enough for USDAA and NADAC. I've been doing a lot of training with him -- he can do weaves (hoorah!) and all the contact obstacles except the teeter, although his "contact behavior" (putting his feet in the required zone when entering and exiting contact obstacles) needs work. My handling of him needs work too -- but when I do it right, he's about 90% with me. He jumps like a dream -- it's so beautiful.
We haven't competed yet, but I will probably sign up for the big 4-day event in Boston put on by Yankee Golden Retriever club in December. In the mean time, Gromit and I have been hanging out and watching other people compete -- good practice for him being calm and quiet, and good for me to watch expert handlers, like his breeder Deidre running Gromit's sire, Crash.
... my mom and the boys made me a birthday cake!
It was VERY minty. My mom also made goody bags with mini kaleidoscopes, which I used to take interesting photos.
... we played Arkham Horror in honor of Rob's birthday!
We forestalled the arrival of the Bad Thing. My first character (the student) was devoured -- the brave student defeated numerous monsters, but succumbed to the lure of "easy" clues. I rolled poorly, alas. My second character did less stuff, but at least survived to see the Bad Thing flee our many sealed gates.
... Seth had his birthday!
I'm still wildly amused that Seth's birthday is also "Talk Like a Pirate" Day. Although, he's less into pirates recently -- these days, it's all about the BakUGan. Hence, the cake! Seth asked for a sushi dinner, just like last year. The sushi guy at Hannaford's remembered us -- "Oh yes, Sept 19? Dragon roll, very good." His birthday party-with-friends took place at Chunky's Cinema & Pub -- we saw Igor, and twelve little boys behaved very well. (Shockingly well, actually.)
... the boys started school!
Seth is in 3rd grade, Eli is in 1st. That means both of them get on the bus at 8:15 and come home around 3:15. Julian is at Building Blocks -- the same preschool that Seth and Eli went to. I signed him up for "full day" (8:45 to 4) so that I can take the noon class for adults at ATA. Yes, that means that all our family members are doing taekwondo!
... I went boxing with Meg!
And, she took pretty photos of me and Julian. We got eaten alive by the mosquitoes, but we finished the whole series -- a limited-time series of 18 stamps, wow.
... we went to Canobie!
I still love this little park. I heard that it's been bought by Six Flags -- I hope they keep the friendly, family-sized atmosphere. I love that we go every year on my birthday. This year, they are having special Halloween hours with eight (8!) haunted houses. Anybody wanna go??
... Gromit and I have been going to a bunch of agility meets!
Gromit turned 15 months old this September, which makes him old enough to compete in AKC and CPE agility events. In another 3 months, he'll be old enough for USDAA and NADAC. I've been doing a lot of training with him -- he can do weaves (hoorah!) and all the contact obstacles except the teeter, although his "contact behavior" (putting his feet in the required zone when entering and exiting contact obstacles) needs work. My handling of him needs work too -- but when I do it right, he's about 90% with me. He jumps like a dream -- it's so beautiful.
We haven't competed yet, but I will probably sign up for the big 4-day event in Boston put on by Yankee Golden Retriever club in December. In the mean time, Gromit and I have been hanging out and watching other people compete -- good practice for him being calm and quiet, and good for me to watch expert handlers, like his breeder Deidre running Gromit's sire, Crash.
... my mom and the boys made me a birthday cake!
It was VERY minty. My mom also made goody bags with mini kaleidoscopes, which I used to take interesting photos.
... we played Arkham Horror in honor of Rob's birthday!
We forestalled the arrival of the Bad Thing. My first character (the student) was devoured -- the brave student defeated numerous monsters, but succumbed to the lure of "easy" clues. I rolled poorly, alas. My second character did less stuff, but at least survived to see the Bad Thing flee our many sealed gates.
... Seth had his birthday!
I'm still wildly amused that Seth's birthday is also "Talk Like a Pirate" Day. Although, he's less into pirates recently -- these days, it's all about the BakUGan. Hence, the cake! Seth asked for a sushi dinner, just like last year. The sushi guy at Hannaford's remembered us -- "Oh yes, Sept 19? Dragon roll, very good." His birthday party-with-friends took place at Chunky's Cinema & Pub -- we saw Igor, and twelve little boys behaved very well. (Shockingly well, actually.)