10:43 PM Betty's Monthly Summary: I thought this would be the summer of cicadas but apparently contrary to reports, they are regional and in the span of seven years will be upon us. Notice the bird's chirping and squawking as I may, I have yet to learn the song of one additional bird this summer. (Although I am reading the biography of John Audubon and The Bird Study Book.) The children and I have been working on preparations for a raised bed garden. This year we planted four cherry tomato plants which turned out to be a source of enormous joy for Breeanna as she delights in picking them as they get ripe. Bryan, in his third year at Wegerzen Metro Park's Garden Club has finally found the farmer within under the tutorledge of Tim Pritchard, who has a masters degree in botany. Bryan attended cub scout camp and survivor camp over the summer. He just completed reading Hatchet when school got out so using knives, starting fires, and building shelters are all very much in the forefront of his interest right now. Bryan collected action heroes for his 4-h entry to the Greene County State Fair. 4-h has been an enriching part of our lives. (Contrary to my ex-husband's puzzlement and snickering when I brought up the possibility of Bryan joining 4-h three years ago. Chris, my ex-husband, pretty much said, "We can't do 4-h because we're not farmers.") Our summer has been blessed with amazing friends that share our live's journey. Our lives are blessed with an incredible community of happy, loving and helpful people everywhere we go. Although I often complain of Ohio's weather, our lives here are so blessed by the kindness of others. Betty

We at Yellow Springs for storytime and to redeem our coupons for free books for Summer Reading Club. Bryan read 75 hours and Breeanna got 26 hours.

Momtopia at the Mall. Breeanna dancing.

Breeanna made friends with the girl with Great American Cookies.

Dayton Area Shark with Cody at the Helm. Carl described me as a fair weather swimmer.

Bryan showed Chris the camp store where Bryan bought a flint fire starter, then we did archery and watched different skits at campfire.

Diane and Nicholas Simpson at Weeblos Camp.

Betty and Diane Simpson at Camp Birch

Breeanna and Bryan at the Camp Birch Cafeteria.

In between helping the staff load and dock kayakers, Breeanna practices flipping in the the water (with a little assistance).

Another really fun game is swirling.

Summer days kayaking with Five Rivers Metro Parks. It doesn't get any better than this.

Breeanna kayaking with Erik Dahlstrom.

Breeanna doing Try Kayaking program with Erik Dahlstrom

Breeanna is helping to put the kayak in the water. She then helps it navigate out of the shallow end. Then she gives a thumbs up to the kayaker and says, " Have a nice day!"

Breeanna caught a ride on a kayak.

Five Rivers Metro Park's Try Kayaking at Wright Patt Prairies Pool

Breeanna was "helping" the staff dock and launch the kayaks.

Bryan is off to Weeblos Camp for 5 days with John Simpson, his den leader and other kids from his Boy Scout Troop 85. We packed: 1. Folding knife $1 2. Whistle/compass $4 3. Watch 4. Aluminum water bottle $2.50 5. Off Deep Woods insect repellent 6. Hand fan $2.50 7. Flashlight 8. Chocolate Chip Cookies 9. Socks, no underwear 10. Swim Suit, Goggles 11. Other equipment and supplies. It rained fiercely this evening about the time everyone was supposed to set up their tents at the campsite. I can imagine Bryan and Nick, John Simpson's son sloshing in the mud. The boys will have a hand at shooting, archery, swimming, crafts and nature hikes. Bryan will share a tent with Nick Simpson. This will be perfect as Bryan just finished reading Hatchet, a survivalist type book about a boy whose airplane crashed in the woods.

Breeanna got to assist with the CPR demonstration to her delight (Our stuffed animals are often having ailments so emergency rescue knowledge will be very handy).

This guy with troop 375 was amazing. He withstood the smoke and heat to cook our food for us on an already sweltering hot day.

Breeanna caked in mud. She had a morning of Nature Play at Hills and Dale Metro Park and now, a day with Troop 375 (1pm-7pm) at Sugarcreek Metro Park.

Bryan did scavenger hunting, learned to tie knots, start a fire, and cook hamburger meat in foil over an open fire.

Bryan had a day with the Boy Scouts of Troop 375 of Bellbrook Presbyterian Church at Sugarcreek Metro Park because Bryan is enrolled in the Big Brother Big Sister Program of Dayton.

Sam on left with Big Brother Big Sister. Two men on right with Boy Scout Troop 375 of Bellbrook.

Breeanna had a play date with Sarah, Tina Jordan's adorable little girl.

Breeanna is giving the stuffed animal a fashion makeover at Build a Bear.

Bryan was very amused with the different sounds that could be inserted inside a stuffed animal.

Bryan and Breeanna is getting into Pipe Cleaner creations this summer. The black guy is the bad guy.

This is the good Pipe Cleaner guy. Bryan got done listening to The Adventures of Buster Bear this morning from www.livrivox.org.

As we were leaving Young's Dairy, we saw the most amazing sunset. The sky was gray except a tiny patch of brilliance that illuminated the trees in hues of red and orange.

The price for goat pellets went up from 10 cents to 25 cents.

Yum. Ice cream at Young's Dairy.

I don't know another person with perpetual untied shoe laces. I don't know how Bryan's shoe laces get unknotted five times a day...everyday?

Breeanna is modeling an original fashion design by Bryan Bassett. (I bought some fabric for a quarter and the children are enjoying cutting it up.)

This is Bryan's outfit that he designed.

Breeanna fell in love with the cutest French Lop Harlquin bunny. He had brown fur and brown eyes. He was so cuddly and calm. Who knew rabbits had such a sweet disposition.

Greene County Fair 4-h Pre-judging. Bryan is submitting his first ever individual project, Collecting (Action Figures).

Breeanna is busy petting dogs and rabbits as we wait for Bryan's turn to be judged.

These folks did scrapbooking for their projects.