How I Spent My Summer Vacation-Grant's Edition

Here's is Grant's edition of "What I did on my summer vacation"! (in case you missed them: Emily's Edition and Olivia's Edition) If you ask, he'll probably say nothing. But that's simply not true! Grant was very busy all summer. He went to several day camps in town for various sports; soccer, lacrosse and tennis. He also played on a travel soccer team. I managed to snap a few photos of a game toward the end of the summer in the  Bristol/Bloomfield area. It's a bit of drive but the foliage is beautiful!

Running on the field

Dribbling the ball

Kick!

skilz

I love this picture!

The team-G in the back left corner

Summer was not just all play for Grant...he started working! Grant had TWO jobs this summer. He worked at the Park Program day camp that Olivia also worked at but he was more of a "park ranger"...working in the snack booth and general maintenance. He, like Olivia, also volunteered as a helper at the Vacation Bible School week long camp.

If you've been around Grant in the summer (or really any time of year!) then chances are you know that he loves ice cream. Specifically Perry's Piece of Cake ice cream.

Last summer he purchased so much Piece of Cake ice cream-usually in a "Brownie Barge" sundae-that the owners gave him the remaining 3 gallon tub at the end of the season. Since he was about 8 years old the owners of the local ice cream shop, Bee Tees, have been telling Grant he would have a job as soon as he turned 14. So, right after his 14th birthday he started work. Here he is on his first day at the ice cream shop!

First day of work!

I mentioned Grant's birthday in the previous paragraph...

At the end of July Grant turned 14. Mom and Dad gave him a big party last year for his 13th so this year was more low key. Part of his birthday was the lacrosse camp (see below). We also went out to a Japanese steakhouse for his birthday dinner. He brought along his buddy Zach. We had lots of fun catching rice balls (I have an amazing photo of Mom doing this but she expressly forbade me from posting it!), watching the chef's cooking tricks, and eating the stir fry. Here are a few pictures from Grant's birthday...

Grant and his friend since Pre-K, Zach

ready to eat!

trying to catch rice!

onion flames

Happy Birthday!

Grant-taller than me and maybe even Olivia by now!

Also in July, Grant attended a LAX camp at LeMoyne College in Syracuse. Three other guys from Newark went too. It was a week long overnight camp and Grant was excited to stay in a dorm room. He picked out new maroon and gray sheets and towels (Newark colors) and stocked up on some new lacrosse jerseys. He stayed in a room with Teddy and his other friends Zach and Eric, shared a room in the same suite. They woke up bright and early (I'm still not quite sure how he managed to do this!), ate breakfast, and headed out to the fields for drills. They played scrimmages and had skill training all day and into the evening. I think they had some free time at night...I'm guessing there was lots of devouring of snacks, soda, and obnoxious 14 year old boy humor. Mom and Dad went out to see the final tournament and to pick Grant up. He had a really great time and came back feeling more confident about the sport. He spent most of the rest of his free time this summer outside, throwing with neighbor friends or against his lacrosse pitch back.

at his bed

another picture of the room-please note that the sneakers (black, white and purple) must match the shorts and t-shirt...gotta keep it fresh.

Grant and Teddy-roomies!

The dudes from Newark-Ted, Grant, Zach, and Eric

I should add that Grant has a bunch of friends right in our neighborhood that he spends quite a bit of time with during the summer. We have a basketball court that was frequented day and night as well as a trampoline. The tree house still stands but I don't know how much "Fort Wars" they played this summer! It's nice to live close to the park as well. The boys were often riding bikes to the park, down to fast food, or around to each other's houses.

As I look out my window, it's still not snowing here in Rochester...and I am NOT complaining! The lack of snow makes me think that it is still autumn and makes me feel like I might actually catch up this blog up one of these days! Until my next report...

Happy Birthday Tug!

Today is the youngest member of the Howard Family's 9th birthday...Rum Tum Tugger (ala T.S. Eliot).

Here he is the day we adopted him from the Wayne County Humane Society. He was a very special birthday gift for Olivia. Check out his gorgeous tail even as a kitten:



We like to call him Tug, Tuggie, Tugg McNugg, Tuggie Nuggets, Pony (it sounds like he is galloping through the hallway upstairs!). Sometimes I just call him Cat but Mom doesn't like that too much!

He enjoys meowing loudly to wake me up (especially on days I don't have to at 5:30 AM), playing with his favorite toys-"Sparkle Pom" (glittery sparkle craft pom poms), chasing bugs (he's very fierce), eating popcorn and relaxing with some good old fashioned Nip.

Happy Birthday Tug! He certainly lives up to his namesake!


The Rum Tum Tugger

The Rum Tum Tugger is a Curious Cat:
If you offer him pheasant he would rather have grouse.
If you put him in a house he would much prefer a flat,
If you put him in a flat then he'd rather have a house.
If you set him on a mouse then he only wants a rat,
If you set him on a rat then he'd rather chase a mouse.
Yes the Rum Tum Tugger is a Curious Cat--
And there isn't any call for me to shout it:
For he will do
As he do do
And there's no doing anything about it!

The Rum Tum Tugger is a terrible bore:
When you let him in, then he wants to be out;
He's always on the wrong side of every door,
And as soon as he's at home, then he'd like to get about.
He likes to lie in the bureau drawer,
But he makes such a fuss if he can't get out.

Yes the Rum Tum Tugger is a Curious Cat--
And there isn't any use for you to doubt it:
For he will do
As he do do
And there's no doing anything about it!

The Rum Tum Tugger is a curious beast:
His disobliging ways are a matter of habit.
If you offer him fish then he always wants a feast;
When there isn't any fish then he won't eat rabbit.
If you offer him cream then he sniffs and sneers,
For he only likes what he finds for himself;

So you'll catch him in it right up to the ears,
If you put it away on the larder shelf.
The Rum Tum Tugger is artful and knowing,
The Rum Tum Tugger doesn't care for a cuddle;
But he'll leap on your lap in the middle of your sewing,
For there's nothing he enjoys like a horrible muddle.
Yes the Rum Tum Tugger is a Curious Cat--
And there isn't any need for me to spout it:
For he will do
As he do do
And there's no doing anything about it!

T. S. Elliot