Aliens All Over: MP Movie Productions

http://www.dvolver.com/live/movies-454229

Summer Round Up

The Labor Day Weekend is in the rearview so I figured it was time for a round up of what the Mud Puddle was up to and all about this summer.

First off, setting his summer schedule was almost as difficult as drafting a fantasy football team. Between Gymnastics Camp and Class, sojourns to Maine, mini vacations, cross country camp and days at daycare I was surprised I kept track of it all. I give myself an A for having him in the right place everyday but a C for overall organization. Some weeks I didn’t know whether I was coming or going.

Because Gymnastics Camp had been such a hit last year and he was selected for the Pre-Team Summer Training (what the hell is THAT you ask? That is the year before it gets serious to make sure you as parents and him as a gymnast can handle the seriousness that goes into being competitive and not just “for fun” about gymnastics. With much assistance from my parents and some tweaking of our schedules we learned that we could. He is more than proficient and always a good listener so he is all set) so two days a week he was at gymnastics. One day of those two were spent at camp. I made the tactical error of scheduling a couple of dental appointments on those days and he was not all impressed with being picked up early from his one glorious day a week at Gymnastics Camp (hence my C grade above).

Scott traveled for work so the MP and I took some time to hang out with my parents and hit the Fair and Camp for some fishing. Well he fished, I just mercilessly drowned worms. No matter, time together outdoors is always good. We saw the moon through his telescope and played some ugly croquet. I always know that camp is a relaxing, fun place but I forget to feel that once and awhile.

His cousins and Aunt came home from Japan and they are some of his favorite people. We spent a weekend at Funtown and showing them our favorite So. Maine spots (Governor’s, Cabella's) and just enjoyed their company. You know that relative (cousin, great aunt, etc) whom you could just be with all the time? I think that is what they are to him. He loves them so much and can’t get enough of them. We miss them already but are motivated to see them next summer.

He spent part of each week with his grandparents exploring local lakes, movie theaters and the wilds of his own toys (what a novel concept). They get the lion's share of credit for giving him a fun summer.

We ran some miles together and talked along the way. He is now offiically my Restrictor Plate (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Restrictor_plate) and I enjoy having him along as he is always funny on a run.

We made trips to DC and a couple to Canobie. We also didn’t sell a house and had to unload the Pod since it wasn’t going anywhere new. He had four bags of stuffed animals that came back into the house and have taken over his room. I try and get Cooper (the dog) to sit in the middle of them like “ET” but he won’t play my game. All I know is that four garbage bags is a lot of stinking stuffed animals.

On the bad news front: Cassidy (the dog) died. The sweetest little girl who was never out of trouble but always made me laugh. I still miss her as does the MP. It required cutting a trip to DC short but we went back over Labor Day and reset the clock on that one. We buried her ashes up at Camp so we will always be able to visit her and it was the first lesson in loss for the MP. I keep starting a blog entry about her and Cooper but haven’t been able to finish it. Maybe soon.

On the “I am ready for boring now” front: at his routine checkup the dentist suggested we go to the orthodontist for a consult (all I heard was ‘cha ching’) the ortho discovered an extra tooth to be removed which involves an oral surgeon (cha ching cha ching cha ching) and the need for 4 front teeth to be in braces for ‘six months’ which in ortho years is more like 12 I think.
So we get the tooth out this week, spacers in two weeks and braces the week after that. Good lord I want a week where I don’t have to DO anything or drive anywhere.

It is hard to believe he is 8 next week and a 3rd grader. It feels like just yesterday I was waddling around Boston waiting for him to show up but enjoying having someone along for the ride.

He continues to amuse and befuddle me. I can say with some certainty at the time of this typing his life’s work will involved a stint at either Michigan or Purdue to study arachnids. Just to get under his Notre Dame Football loving, spider hating mother’s skin. He made SURE I saw every spider that came within a 100 yards of us (either wild or tamed) this summer. And as the ND football season kicked off he was left muttering "how long will THIS go on for??"