Weekend activities

We had a busy weekend, followed by a busy Monday.

On Saturday, we spent the day at the Cleveland Zoo with a few other host families in the area. Our group was large enough that we had to split up to keep things manageable, and I was sorry I didn't get to visit much with the host families in the "other" group; but I think everyone had a good time.
It was cooler than what it had been-- and I know we were ALL grateful for that.

Cleveland Zoo group, minus a few

I think Da&Di enjoyed the zoo, but they didn't last long- and that surprised me. After a couple of hours, they were complaining and ready to go home. We stopped at DQ on the way home-- that plus a nap on the way home perked them up a bit... which was good, because we had a birthday party to go to for Rick's nephew.... where they got more ice cream. :-)
They didn't care for the birthday cake, but man can they put away some home made ice cream!!

We had a couple of issues with Da at the zoo- both of them pretty big issues.
For the one incident, he had to sit with me and didn't get to continue playing on the playground. (He was NOT a happy camper!)
For the other... it's complicated. Regardless, he wasn't happy with the results of that one either.

We continued to have problems at the birthday party and we left early as a result.
A couple of the other parents at the party (who had interacted with our previous host kids and know a bit about the program) wanted to know how we kept from "smacking" him?

We can't.

It's a stipulation we agreed to as part of the New Horizons hosting program. And we will abide by it.

No matter where you stand on the corporal punishment debate- whether you agree with it or not, whether you "swatted" your down kids or not... we are not allowed to physically discipline our host kids.

There are a couple of reasons for this. One being that so many of these host kids have physical abuse as a big part of their past--- and physical discipline... no matter how small or how well deserved... has the potential to open a HUGE can of worms and bring up other issues and most host parents aren't trained to deal with.

So, no physical discipline.

Sunday we went to an antique tractor/car show where Joe and Kyle participated in a kiddie tractor pull. Joe placed 1st in his age group (again, LOL) and earned a spot in the "Grand National" pull in Columbus in January. Kyle was about 6" short of a 3rd place trophy.

It was a good experience for Da&Di. 

Not because they were SOOO interested in the tractors (though Da LOVED the cars), but because they learned something about family life. 

That is, when you're part of a family, sometimes you have to do things and go places you don't really want to.
Sometimes, you do things JUST BECAUSE someone else in the family wants to.
And you learn to do it cheerfully, because the next time it may be YOU wanting to go somewhere or do something that no one else wants to do.

Yesterday, we spent all day at home. Rick's family came over for the day and we "put up" the sweet corn. We freeze it, rather than can it; and though we did less than usual, it was still a long day.
The chaperone, Inga, was out yesterday as well, along with her "host mom".
I'm pretty sure she's the only chaperone in the history of NH that spent a good portion of the day elbow deep in corn husks and silks.
I hope she enjoyed herself. Not that "corn day" is a FUN day... but the experience was a new one for her.

It's supposed to be hot today... over 100. We were talking about going to the sprinkler park, but with that kind of heat, it's going to be PACKED. I think maybe we'll go see a movie instead.

Movie theater popcorn and everything!

And now, for a few photos...

His FAVORITE car.

Joe and his 1st place trophy.

Diana, helping with the corn.

Daniels' version of helping.

Everyone working on the corn.

Chaperone, Inga, took a ride in the tractor.