July: The first 7 days

In Washington we had a garden. Here in NC this summer, we had a cement patio. We still wanted fresh-from-the-garden tomatoes, so we bought two plants and two pots and some soil. We started with one green tomato, and we ended with one red tomato-- an inedible tomato with a rotting hole in it. Apparently we are only proficient gardeners when we have raised beds, automatic sprinklers, and constant sun. Thankfully we have friends with green thumbs.


We kicked off this year's July celebrations with a trip to Old Salem. We spread out our Flyers blanket on the main lawn and listened to patriotic music provided by the Old Salem Moravian Band. We were definitely the youngest people in the crowd. Veterans from all branches of the military were honored with their specific songs. Although it was a late-evening concert, the girls needed some big leaf fans to keep cool.

The next day was July 4th, so we headed into Greensboro for the festivities. At the start of the parade, we were slightly homesick for the Tri-Cities since we'll never again be able to catch up with our favorite mullet or get an horchata pop from the paleta man. Happily, Greensboro pulled through with some interesting quirks to soften our withdrawal symptoms.

The parade began with the poet O. Henry ringing his bell (he's celebrating his 150th birthday this year), followed by some revolutionary war soldiers marching down the street (the colonists lost a battle to the British at the Guilford Courthouse). The Democrats rallied around a cardboard Obama and a real donkey that had a mind of his own. (The Republicans made the wise decision to leave their elephant at the zoo.) Uncle Sam made an appearance on a Segway. We saw firetrucks, army trucks, policemen, and local government officials. There were performances by a step team and some hula-hoopers. I'm sure there was a marching band or two, along with antique cars and small floats. We spotted two men with mullets, but their style choices were not noteworthy when compared to the gentlemen of the Beard and Moustache club of NC. We'll have to come back next year to track the progress of their amazing facial hair.

After the parade, we followed the masses of people over to Center City Park for a festival. The girls made two crafts (hand headbands and fans) and played impromptu percussion music on some recycled materials. Then, since it was scorching hot, we decided it was time to return to the A/C. Our disdain for high-humidity heat (and crowds) caused us to miss the big "HIGH FIVE" moment, but I think we'll live without regrets. News reports say that Greensboro's attempt at breaking the world record came up short by over 500 people.

After lunch and cooling off at home, we ventured out once more. We went to Zoltan's house for dinner, playing, conversation, and a Tiki pinata in honor of his daughter's birthday. It was a unique, enjoyable experience. Afterall, nothing says "Happy Birthday America" quite like a home-cooked Hungarian meal followed by backyard fireworks.

That weekend, with temperatures soaring even higher into the 100s, we drove out to Durham for the Festival for the Eno.

We didn't stay very long and we didn't get to hear much music, but we did manage to have some fun before sweating to near-death and calling it quits.

The girls learned to fish, made butterfly wings, painted tissue-paper butterflies, did a science experiment with starch and glue to make goo, drank lemonade, saw some bees, watched a fencing demonstration (as in the sport, not the building of barriers), pet some snakes, and used the port-a-potties. I'm happy to report that we successfully avoided the poison ivy! We also rode the bus from the parking lot, and that is always an exciting experience regardless of the destination.

A Jumble of June, part 2

Ally attended a 2 week camp put on by the Greensboro Police Department, the Rotary, and other local organizations. While at "Safety Town" she learned about street safety, playground safety, fire safety, bike safety, dog safety, and water safety (but not about food safety). She learned that police officers are your friends and that strangers come with dangers. The campers spent time on a fire truck and an ambulance, and got to pedal trikes down the street of a miniature town. Ally also learned about gun safety. (She didn't learn about permits and gun-handling laws, but that children are not permitted to handle guns. No NRA cards were given out.)

On playground day, Ally conquered a fear and realized she could safely slide down the fireman pole. Then she tripped on the ground. This picture of Ally babying her wrist while sitting next to one of her counselors was featured in the graduation slide show.

While Ally learned and played at camp, Cora and I hung out. We took advantage of our rare 1-on-1 time by running errands and scoping out potential neighborhoods for our upcoming move. We got some ice cream at McDonald's, tracked down some quinoa, enjoyed a playground, and visited the Science Center. Cora also had a few play dates with one of her little friends.

We attended Safety Town graduation on the last Friday of camp and, after eating a potluck lunch of chips and cookies, we headed over to the Science Center to celebrate this important step in Ally's life.

It was way too hot outside (over 100 degrees), but the girls managed to find a big frog with whom to take a pic before retreating to the air- conditioning inside.



Ally and Cora signed up for the summer reading "program" at the library. Basically, you set whatever goal you feel like (1 book or 1000 books for the summer; 1 minute or 1000 minutes a day) and come in twice during the summer to place your name in a lottery for a grand prize. You don't need to write the goal down anywhere, there's no motivation to stretch yourself, and there's no accountability. Since my children are book addicts, the fun of being in a summer reading program is thrill enough. That, and they each got to make a dream star that is now hanging in the library.

Ally has high aspirations of achieving the hardest profession and Cora dreams of drawing circles for the rest of her life.


We've been frequenting the farmer's market. One of the blueberry vendors has a pick-your-own option if you drive the additional 3 miles down the road to their property. Ally, Cora, and I took advantage of the opportunity one Saturday.

You pick berries and place them in the bucket, then they weigh your bucket to find out how much you owe. Ally was an expert picker; Cora was an expert eater. I had warned the owner that we should probably weigh Cora before and after for a more accurate accounting, but he laughed and said his top priority is that they enjoy the experience. When we went back in July with my parents, he recognized the girls and told Cora again that she could snack without inhibition. She happily hid under the bushes and shoveled berries into her mouth while Ally, Grandpa, and I worked to fill our buckets.

Thank you, Blueberry Hill!

Ally thinks she's so hilarious!

Chris had a conference to attend in Minneapolis, MN. He came home with presents for his girls-- large pens with floating sparkles. We are glad that the TSA decided they were not a threat to national air-traffic security and let him bring them on the plane.

And that, my friends, was our June.