Haircuts, Volunteering, and a Party

I think I might be ready to give up Our Week.  This is the second week in a row that I haven't managed to post until Tuesday of the following week.

So what have I been so busy doing?  Well, I spent some time at the SPCA, learning how to socialize cats.  Which kind of makes me giggle, since homeschoolers get the whole, "What about socialization?" question.

Again, I feel like I learned a lot.  Did you know that there are more black cats in shelters than any other color cat?

The main 3 cats I interacted with were all black.  The volunteer I was working with said it's not unheard of for a dozen out of 15 cats in care to be black.  I didn't take any pictures in the multi cat habitat, but I think it's going to be one of my favorite places to hang out.

Brianna and Boy washed my van and his truck this week.  The quality wasn't great, but at least they knocked the dust and bugs from our Nevada trip off.

Here's how I know school is getting close.  Back to school haircuts.  Eli wanted something different, which was outside my comfort zone, so I took him in.  Looks an awful lot like what I usually do, except now he has no sideburns.

And in the interest of giving Hannah the ability to do her own hair, she got bangs and we "trimmed" about 5" off the length.  (It's in a ponytail in the "after" picture.)  We're still figuring out what's going to work in terms of barrettes, but the goal is that she will be able to do it herself.  She's 10.

So, I've talked before about being the "snack lady" at BloodSource.  These are some of the yummy treats available to you when you come in and donate blood, platelets, or plasma.  If you are able to donate, and you haven't in the last 8 weeks, I hope you'll consider making an appointment at your local facility to donate.

When I was volunteering this week, Brianna came in after a Future Soldier event with her recruiting station (and other local stations).  She is not eligible to donate blood again until September, but it was fun to have her hang out with me while I did my thing.

I got a nice boo boo when something fell on my foot.  I've always been squeamish about injuries to the top of my feet.

We went on a long drive recently, and we saw oodles of windmills.  Being the interactive mom, when I noticed them in the distance, I said, "Hey guys, do you see the windmills?"  The older kids pretty much ignore me, but Hannah and Katie are still interested, so they looked.  Katie spotted them.  Hannah did not.  For miles.  Note to self:  get her in for an eye exam.  It must be time for new glasses.  I called this morning, and she's scheduled for October.

Brayden had a birthday!  We went to his party, which was held at the little community center/park on base.

Always fun to check out a new playground!

Zach and Brayden.  I love watching him parent.

Right before the pinata, "Hey Brayden, gimme your grr face!"

Katie and pinata.

Hannah and pinata.

After all the children had gone through, I asked if Jack could take a crack at it, and he knocked it open.

Brianna and Eli fighting with the pinata whackers.

Brayden blows out his candle.

Katie and Grammy with party blowers.

Brianna with the photo props.

Heather making balloon animals for the kids.  She's so talented!  I'm bummed her face isn't showing.

The teens are ready to go.  They wandered away from the main room because it was too people-y.

Chillin' on the playground.

I guess he's not my little boy any more, eh?  Love my boy.  So proud of him and his little family.

The next day, the girls were still playing with all their party loot.

And Jack still had candy from the party the next day.  Yeesh, won't be long until this one is taller than me, too.

Paul took me out to lunch, and my fortune cookie said, "Your boundless heart will make room for one more."  Made me smile.  I usually toss fortunes, but I'm using this one as a bookmark right now.


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