TToT – Goodbye, July!
It has been a long and crazy month.
But in a good and happy way. Most of our activity was centered on Kidzilla’s activity schedule and our little girl has been on the go! She has gained so much from these last few weeks and I think it’s safe to say that we have as well.
Let’s start with a can’t-do-it-justice shot of last’s night’s beautiful “blue moon” – this is a pretty good shot from out in the neighborhood, but in person it was…breathtaking.
![20150731_221130[1]](http://www.themeaningofme.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/20150731_2211301-e1438450814798.jpg)
I am behind in so many things today, so this will have to be a very short and unfocused TToT in which I dance and offer the SGV some refreshments…stay tuned for that at the end.
I am thankful that Zilla enjoyed all of her activities during the last several weeks and for all the things she’s learned – and not all of them academic or specific to the program material. There has been a summer dance program, Vacation Bible School, summer enrichment classes that included reading some of her favorite authors, oceanography, a seaside-themed art class, a study of ancient Egypt, volunteering at a local mother and baby shelter as well as an animal sanctuary, hikes at our favorite mountain, children’s theatre productions, summer reading at the library, reading to the therapy pups, and karate classes complete with passing her first belt test! In addition to all the obvious learning from those endeavors, she’s learned about responsibility, time management, decision-making, and a wide range of social skills. I am thankful for every moment of her.
The weekdays kept us on the go so most of our at-home time has been spent relaxing…watching movies, reading books, playing games, watching the baby robins who lived in our tree for a while, and enjoying homemade ice pops. It’s always good to enjoy simple time at home together and I’m thankful that we all enjoy that. It strikes a good balance between all of the out-in-the-world stuff and some quiet time at home.
![20150717_174313[1]](http://www.themeaningofme.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/20150717_1743131-e1437854843718.jpg)
The Hub is busy at work three days a week and we get to have him home the other four. Nice summer schedule. Always thankful for his job – how much he enjoys it, how much people appreciate the work he does, and the fact that he has a great future ahead of him. He’s gearing up for more classwork, which will further his skills and knowledge so that’s good, too.
I’ve been enjoying the days at home. Alone. As much as I love the Hub and Zilla and love spending time with them, the introvert in me still needs that by-myself time and while they’ve been away, I’ve been able to tackle some personal projects, some planning, some job-hunting and lead-chasing, some reading, and even making homemade pickles!
![20150720_123835[1]](http://www.themeaningofme.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/20150720_1238351.jpg)
I’m also thankful for the company and assistance of the Rotten Cats. They are the best office mates ever and do a great job of helping me get things done…when they’re not sleeping, that is. Here are two of the Rottens perched on the half-wall in front of my desk.
![20150723_085025[1]](http://www.themeaningofme.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/20150723_0850251.jpg)
I’m thankful for our families and all the ways they love and support us. Without them, a lot of what we’ve been working toward these last couple of years would not be possible.
And now since this is much more of a ramble than a true list of thankfulness, I’m going to wiggle my hips and shake my tushie at the SGV as I balance a bottle of their own special libation on top of the BoSR/SBoR. Savvy?
And with a little pirouette, I serve the SGV their drinks and I’m off…
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Your turn: What are you thankful for this week? How have you been spending your summer? You know the drill – share ’em or link ’em. It may take me a while, but I’ll be around to read and spread some comment love just as soon as I finish a few things this weekend. Have a beautiful week!
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Thanks for the refreshments, I can use them!
It is wonderful that Zilla had such an enriching month! Summer really is the time to try new things.
Isn’t it wonderful having the Hubby around more? I love the summer when Tony gets to be home more. Of course then we end up playing and avoiding things that should get done!
Oh we can SO be lifelong friends…we do that playing and avoiding actual chores thing a lot. One summer, long before parenthood, we spent much of our summer staying up way too late and sleeping in way too late…it was awesome. 🙂 Zilla is having a great time trying new things and I love that about her.
I’m glad you noticed the blue moon! It was amazing, and I couldn’t believe how much light it gave off! I’ve recently moved, so I’m thankful for my new home and the porch that lets me see the beautiful moon and sunrise.
Hello, Doug, and welcome! Kitchen Professor, huh? I’m definitely popping over to check out your blog later.
A blue moon, ice pops, and kittens.
🙂
Your daughter sounds like she had a busy summer, learning a whole lot, but glad family time happened for you all as well.
It’s been a great balance of busy and not busy, Kerry. One of the best summers we’ve had!
hey I did a moon at the Doctrine (no not that kind of moon, Dyanne!) better to say, I did a moon photo… kinda cool that it came out, seems like there’s something in cameras that automatically shrinks the size of objects….
(good move on the SGV… always better safe than sorry!)
Wait – you mooned the moon, Clark? What? 😀 And there was a photo? 😀 Hey, if there’s a camera that shrinks the size of my moon, I’d like to buy it!
Sorry. Had to. Couldn’t resist.
And yes, I figured some dancing and booze with a few extra jiggles might keep the SGV happy. And maybe burn off a calorie or two!
Eh…the blue moon was very pretty and all, but I’m still sore about all the troubles she caused for my people – so many have been affected by her, and I’m still the tiniest bit mad about it.
BUT. So happy for Zilla’s buzzing summer life, and how exciting you’re making her world. How wonderful.
I read (through a co-codamol induced haze) about baby robins and homemade ice-lollies and homemade pickles and Fab Hub helping out and you getting time alone – ALL GREAT! Yay.
I saw something go by about the troubles for some folks. I’m the opposite – the moon does very good things for me.
I’m so glad you got around to visit/comment a bit, but I’m very sorry that you’re stuck sitting very still with your shingles. What if we sing it? I’m thinking of an old Carpenters song…”every sha la la la, every whoa whoa whoa something something…every shingalingaling that they started to sing….” Better in the actual song. 😀
LOL. I’ve currently got ‘Goodnight Irene’ (Eric Clapton version) on, and it’s lovely and soothing.
I’m glad the moon does good things for you – you must be quite the exception! I won’t pretend I’m not a little envious!
I’ve always been affected greatly by the moon, but yes it is most definitely for the positive rather than negative.
Goodnight Irene is a great tune – Clapton’s good.
We stood out on our front porch to gaze at the moon last night. It was a marvelous sight. And I took no photos.
Zilla has been busy!! And congrats to her on the new belt.
I just made some pickles tonight. I’m ready to be done with pickles, but I don’t know if cucumbers are done with me. :/
The moon was awesome. I just read in passing that a blue moon signifies great change coming…I think I like that and I do hope so. As long as it’s GOOD great change.
We tried the B&B pickles – Zilla loved them and I think she loves the idea that I made them. She also quite liked the onions that were in there. She claims to hate onions…so much for that theory! Our CSA offered these cukes that I pickled for $1/pound because the first of three cucumber plantings is going crazy. So with two more plantings yet to come in, I think we’re in for a whole lot more of something…pickles, I guess! Cucumbers are definitely not done with us here…
na na na na, na na na na, hey, hey hey, gooood bye! July… so zilla has had quite the summer so far! GOOD STUFF! I have noticed you missing some but I just assumed you were busy and man you have been busy! Thank God the rottens help out soooo much… with the sitting and all…
I’ve been missing a lot and I do not like it. I mean, I love that we’re spending time together, but I miss my online gang, too.
Haha – that comment about the Rottens was funny! I’ll catch up with you one way or another soon.
I need a happy hour too! Have a great weekend, Lisa!
Well you can indulge in some of the SGV’s special vintage! Have a great weekend, too, Michelle!
I’m sure the SGV love quaffing the libations and clapping and tapping in time to the dance. I really didn’t get to see the blue moon on Friday, too busy. I went outside to look for it and I think I saw it through the trees but I couldn’t hang around until it rose over the tree line. It was still pretty cool on Saturday, too. Sounds like Zilla is having an action, fun-packed summer. When does she go back to school? Enjoy the rest of the best.
Back to school early this year, Val – August 31. Usually we go after Labor Day, but not this year. Sigh.
We were on the same wave length with our titles this week, I see! 🙂
Yes! 😀
As I was reading your list of thankful how you expressed all the wonderful things your Zilla got to be part of on summer activities, my heart was touched. There’s nothing better than children’s theatre and summer reading club. My oldest son got to experience that in two camps this July. It was so wonderful to see him so happy, creative, and expressing himself with his talent. 😊
I think that’s the best part – seeing them enjoying themselves, finding out who they are and what they’re good at. It’s very cool to watch kids becoming more of themselves.
I love summer theatre, especially children’s theatre. What better way to get them interested and hooked? We saw a really good one this summer about how all of our glowing devices rob us of truly living. Clever and smart – really entertaining, too.
And sorry my reply took so long – I’ve been dealing with scads of spam and yours got stuck in the middle of it!
As I was reading your post I was struck with how much your Zilla got to experience at her summer camps. My oldest son has an wonderful experience as well at his. There’s nothing better than children’s theatre and a summer reading club. I was so happy to see how my son was thrilled to be creative, joyful, and expressive in those fun activities. 😊
Ah, see the evils of unwanted spam? Here you are duplicated because my nasty blog probably made you think your comment disappeared. Never fear – it puts perfectly nice and respectable people in my spam place. 😀
I’d take some refreshments, too, puhleese!! This summer program sound wonderful. I bought summer passes for the girls that gives them free or reduced admission to many different places in the area. We’ve been taking advantage of the nice weather and the passes and spend some time at the local pool 🙂 Enjoy the summer break!!
Stephanie, sorry this was delayed – I’m having a spam issue. A big one. 🙁
Free and reduced summer programs are great. I found out our local art museum is free ALL SUMMER thanks to a grant of some sort. Now that our crazybusy July is over, I’m hoping to take Zilla over a few times and get her familiar with the wonder of the art museum.
Love your picture of the blue moon and sadly I missed it and don’t have a pic myself. And totally has been crazy here, too. Plus now we are heading to Disney for a week tomorrow, so even more crazy times ahead. Wishing you a wonderful weekend though ahead and most definitely so much to indeed be thankful for 😉
Ah, Disney – most definitely fun and crazy all wrapped up in one! Have a great time!
The blue moon was stunning – the picture does not do it justice. Gorgeous.
That balance between all of the out-in-the-world stuff and some quiet time at home. Yes, that’s why I’m trying to find! Wow, you daughter is involved in so many interesting activities. What a summer! Good job mama.
She’s had a good time, Julie Jo! I think we all have. Today we had some time at our favorite mountain for a light hike and now we have an open calendar for the rest of the day…relax time!