Summer of Flaherty, Update Four

I feel lately like I am doing all this stuff for the kids' summer because I want them to be able to compare with the kids they know with a lot more money. On the other hand, I am really enjoying it, and there have been just precious moments. My favorite was spinning around with two kids in my arms at Jordan Lake, singing "Motor Boat, Motor Boat" and laughing. Followed by sitting in the river with Girl and gathering shells while the leaves floated by and the water splashed over the rocks. Still have spent minimal moola on everything.

Activity 6, Part 2: Buck-Fifty Theater. Another week, another trip to the cheap theater. Actually, it was a good move for us since Girl had a couple teeth pulled in the morning and Boy was stuffy, so nothing too dramatic would have made sense. This week we didn't hit it on stimulus Tuesday--thank goodness--so we provided our own baggies of popcorn and water bottles. We went to see Rango, which was a bit of a mistake... not really a kids movie. I felt a little bit like all those parents who were caught in the theater with a five-year-old and flummoxed at Gremlins, since the advertising seemed to point strongly toward kids. In the end, I had counted four or five "hell"s and one "damn," not to mention general adult material. If it were just Kevin and I, however, I would have really enjoyed the original flick (except for the fluffy meaning of life stuff). Would recommend for teenagers or grown-ups.

Activity 11: Natural Science Museum. So there is another science museum besides the local one, and it is in Raleigh. We have been visiting for many years, and it is always free (except for special exhibits), open six days a week (but only until five unless you are attending a special event, which they have plenty of). It's just a different experience from the one in Durham. It is all in-doors, for one thing, and is chock full of stuffed, live, and fossilized animals. From a giant sloth skeleton (my fave) to a slew of North Carolina snakes in tanks, it's a nice trip for a few hours of stepping into a resource book (which is what museums are, right?). As of this fall, the museum will be doubled in size and involve more hands-on stuff. Already great, going to be better.

Activity 12: Sleepover. Girl has suffered a couple set-backs this summer when two of her three closest friends announced that they were no longer allowed to have sleepovers anywhere, with anyone. Thankfully, that left one friend. So Friday night we had that friend over. The night involved popcorn, a movie (or two), and lots of dress-up. After having trouble falling asleep together (they were so cute, they actually wanted to sleep), we had a couple things in the agenda the next day...

Activity 13: Botanical Gardens. So we all know I am in love with Duke Gardens, but finally, after several years of wanting to visit the Botanical Gardens in Chapel Hill (UNC-related; are completely free, even parking), Kevin and I checked them out on our anniversary trip. We couldn't stop thinking about the kids, who would want to come if just for the extensive carnivorous plant garden. (In case you didn't know, Venus Fly Traps are from North Carolina, and from this area exclusively.) So with Kevin back at work for the weekend, I took the two kids with Girl's friend to the Botanical Gardens. You never know with kids... I think their favorite part was reading books in the Garden library. I know a TON about the life-cycle about bees, thanks to Boy's insatiable obsession with bugs and therefore bug books.

Activity 14, Part 1: Jordan Lake. This is one of two giant lakes that are "close" to our home. I think because we stayed there when we came to visit NC way back in 2002, we have always gravitated toward Jordan Lake, and not Falls Lake. So when I planned some swimming for the summer, I penciled in "Jordan Lake." I also always head to the same of three beach options. No need to change, I guess... it's a nice beach with whatever you need, including shade and grills, a potty, a playground, or open sun and sand. We piled our stuff on the shore on a colorful blanket and went straight for the water. It was hot enough that we really never got back out. Unfortunately, it was just the kids and I as Kevin picked up a few overtime shifts this week to make up for our upcoming vacation. Fortunately, it was still a really beautiful day full of happy moments enjoying the world, the kids, and the water.

Activity 15: Art Musuem. Kevin again at work, pulling extra shifts. The weather shot to a heat index of 110. So I re-worked the schedule for the only indoor activity of the week; the North Carolina Art Museum. Actually, there are outdoor exhibits I like to see there, but the walk is long and open to the elements. so it's not really a Southern summer thing. And what was I thinking taking a three-year-old boy into a art museum? Don't know. It was a challenge. But once I--and a security guard--rassled him into a stroller, it was fun to see and hear the kids' reactions to the things they were seeing. Girl was really drawn to abstract painting, especially with a lot of color, and Boy was more into the African masks and the Greek and Roman nude sculptures. Of course. Yes, those are butts. I see them. Yes. Butts. Girl was so inspired that she took out paints and paintbrushes as soon as we got home and worked an abstract and Mount Vesuvius from memory.