Afternoon showers

After spending yesterday morning doing yardwork, we lounged in the pool as it was high 90's and very refreshing despite the darn bees that wouldn't leave us alone. Mark kept reminding me they were thirsty too...great! As we were picking up to come in, it started getting darker...much like it gets before an afternoon thunderstorm on the east coast. Within the hour there was thunder and rain - it was great! Despite the hot days, we are loving the warm nights which we don't get very often. Today and tomorrow are also to be in the high 90's and then back to 80's. We're working out the final details to the backyard's "remodel #4" so that work will start the first week of August. I"m looking forward to the new changes but it will seriously cramp my tanning program!

Hurricane Harbor

Yesterday we took the kids (and Connor's friend) to Hurricane Harbor. Was the perfect day for a water park as it was 97 degrees there! Today Grandma had to have an emergency root canal as she was in pain when we got home last night and had made an appointment for this morning. In a few minutes I will be joining my friend's 30th birthday lunch and then home for a little pool time as it's quite warm today too! Have a great day!

Today's visit

We all went up to see Ryan today and it was an interesting visit (yes, he loves his purple shirt!). Mark and I thought he was quieter than usual but we were able to visit with him some before the family meeting began. Connor and Kelleigh were happy to see him and it appeared to be mutual. Following the family meeting only the parents meet and the boys (and siblings) go out to prepare for lunch and visit. When I went to find them for lunch, Ryan was smoking with the kids right next to him. When I told C & K to go get lunch and gave him my "evil look" he so loves, he (and all the guys around him) knew he'd screwed up and that I was livid. I had explicitly asked him to respect how we felt about that and to not even have cigarettes with him during our visits; he has 6-1/2 days to do as he wishes but respect our time. The house manager and director both knew something was wrong so we talked and Mark was asked to join us. We had promised Connor and Kelleigh that we would go to Starbucks with him so stuck with that plan before heading home. To get across to him that we aren't kidding, Mike will tell him tonight that he will lose his allowance this week (and get only enough to do his laundry), has to call and ask us to visit again when he's ready to respect our wishes, and write C and K a letter apologizing for his choice. Ryan knew that I was upset and apologized when we were leaving. It will be a long road and we've only just begun...

July 4th Weekend

It was a beautiful weekend with pool time, fireworks, bbq, and s'mores! The kids worked very hard moving a pile of river rock we had delivered for the backyard too. Tonight also marked the first time that Blanche ate s'mores! Even at nearly 91 it's not too late to try new things! I saw Ryan on Saturday and he's doing great. He was proudly wearing his new shirt and had his hair spiked.