It's rare for me to do two posts in a day.  But I was talking to Mom the other day and she was going to the cemetary with the family to put flowers on the graves of our ancestors.  We used to do that every year when we were kids. One year, we'd do my Mom's side of the family, next year we'd do my Dad's.  I remember as a kid being so bored, listening to all the stories the older generation would tell about those who had died.  I didn't understand how these people were related to me.  We'd go from cemetary to cemetary in the heat and my grandparents always found people to talk and talk and talk to. I wish I hadn't been so impatient.  Now that I live 2,000 miles from my family I wish I could go to the cemetaries, see the names, and remember those who went before and hear the interesting things about their lives.

Instead, today I wanted to post about someone I honor on Memorial Day who is still alive:

This is my grandpa.  He served our country in World War II.  For that and many other things, I honor him.  He doesn't talk about the war much.  Doesn't like to remember those things.  I have some histories he has written of things he experienced and I'm amazed.  As a 19-year-old he saw and experienced enough and more for a lifetime in his 2 years of military service.

He says "These two years were tough and ugly to say the least.  I've reflected on the atrocities of war--no food, no shelter, destruction and death everywhere, included my witnessing the death of some of my dear friends and the tender memories I had of home and family.  How could life ever be normal again?  Though I walked 'through the valley of the shadow of death', I feared no evil, for the Lord was with me.  I felt his presence in times of need." "I would not take a million dollars for the experiences and growth of these two war years, but I'd not give a nickel to repeat any of it.  We have been referred to as 'The Greatest Generation'. After all, we were just doing our duty."

I'm grateful the Lord watched over him, because through him came 8 children and many, many grandchildren and great grandchildren to whom he is a hero and an inspiration.

I hope with all the picnics and fun on memorial day that you take a little time out to think of the members of your family (and I have many, many more!) who have inspired and helped you to become who you are.  

Remember.

More phone photos . . .

 Yesterday was Primitive Pursuits Day. It's a wilderness program offered through the County Cooperative extension, and they offer classes and camps for kids to learn all kinds of things about nature.  This was to introduce people to all the kinds of things they offer, and it was so much fun.  We got learn the process for tanning animal hides, make necklaces out of dried day lily leaves, and more.  Here James is learning how to make baskets out of bark.

 Here Jake and Jackson are hand "drilling" holes in flat rocks to string them on our homemade necklaces.

 Playgroup last week was at Buttermilk Falls and Jack wanted to hike afterwards, so we climbed partially up the falls.  Jack wanted to bring his stuffed bear.

 I actually saw a guy doing these rock sculptures a few days before playgroup when I was taking James to baseball.  It was so cool to come back and see sculptures on every rock.  They are amazing--balanced perfectly, using only rocks.

 Last week was also fire truck day at preschool. The kids got to learn about firefighting and climb aboard a firetruck. And make funny faces in your photo by the fire engine with your friend.

 The joys of preschool: mud, mud, and oh yeah, more mud.  Good thing they let him play like this at preschool because I probably wouldn't let him get this dirty at home.  I literally had to take off all his clothes except his underpants to put him in the car, he was so wet and covered in mud.

 Jack made this hat at preschool and it's a prized possession.  He says that when he wears it, he can be the captain of anything.

 Love Ithaca summers.  This was a picnic we had not too long ago at Taughannock Park.  Jude just loves being outside!

Jack and his friend Mia built this tower and were so sad when the teachers said it needed to be cleaned up that I took a picture so it would be memorialized for all time.  Love preschool!

Testing mobile blogger app

New Picture Book . .

Found a new picture book I had to have.  It's illustrated by one of my favorite children's book illustrators, Howard McWilliam.  The pictures in this book are brilliant, and be sure to pay attention because they add a little more depth to the story for those who understand them.  The story is cute and entertaining.

Just had to add another plug for this book, one of my VERY favorite children's books, also illustrated by Howard McWilliam. Confession: my children love this book because I do different voices for the monsters in the book.  The first time I read it that way they were laughing hysterically.  I guess I'm just not silly often enough!

Try both of these out!  You won't regret it!

Simply silly . . .

 So I thought it was time for a new post, but these are the only pictures we've taken lately.  Silly ones.  This one is Jack dressed up for an adventure of his own creation.  I just thought it was funny ALL the stuff he chose to wear altogether.

 If you can't be silly with your brother, who can you be silly with?

 Yikes.

 Double yikes.

And, Jude looking just cute. Just so you don't have nightmares about this post.