The Accidental Boilermaker

 Another hot day, but we did get out of the house today. In the morning we went blueberries picking. Evelyn and Jameson did an okay job but it was hot and sunny so we didn’t stay long.  In the afternoon we met Addie, Freddie and Lucas at the zoo. All the birds are still off exhibit due to cases of avian flu still being found in the county so it really does feel like you go to the zoo to take pictures with the statues. 

 Since gas has been more expensive lately, I’ve tried on the days we don’t have any plans and we don’t need to run any errands to simply stay home. Not make any plans or find things to do just because. And since today was one of those days, I asked Sarah if the girls wanted to come over.  We played basketball and roller skated and played in the sprinkler. 

 Jameson and I went bowling yesterday while Evelyn was at farm camp. The place we went to has a great summer deal where for $5 kids get shoe rental and 3 games. Our second game was our best. Plus there are $2 hot dogs. We had lots of fun. 

 Jameson and I went swimming at Metea today. It definitely made the day go by faster. Jameson also got a new float. Today after farm camp, families could stick around and see the animals and also visit the farmer’s market. 

Today started at sunrise. Jameson and I did a summer solstice running challenge where we had to run at both sunrise and sunset. Since it was so hot today, I debated whether it was a good idea for him to participate, but he really wanted to and woke up with no complaining. Evelyn is at farm day camp all week which she is just loving. After dropping her off, Jameson and I watched an aerialist performance at the library. It was super cool and the lady was very funny and interesting.  The rest of the afternoon kinda slogged on. We didn’t have much to do and I didn’t want to do much before our sunset run. The sunrise run caught up with Jameson on our drive to pick up Evelyn.  The “sunset” run was a group fun 5K at Fleet Feet at 6:30 because the true sunset is late and people have to go to work or take kids to farm camp the next morning. I tried to prepare Jameson for running in the heat and humidity but I don’t think he believed me until we started. We ran and walked but we finishe...

It was a nice, not overly busy weekend.  We celebrated with the cider mill at their 5th anniversary on Saturday. Nate and I got cider and Evelyn and Jameson got big pieces of cake. Then Nate and Jameson took a little nap in the hammock. Nate and I stayed up late watching hockey with Jameson who wasn’t tired because he had taken that nap.  This morning we all slept in and then went on a 5 mile bike ride. After lunch, Nate and I did some yard work while Evelyn and Jameson rescued small toys frozen in blocks of ice.  After dinner, Nate and Jameson went for a mile run.

 This is probably is the busiest week of our whole summer. VBS started Sunday night. I’m a leader for a group of 6 year old, incoming first graders.  It’s been a fun 4 nights and my group of kids were great but I’m also glad tonight is the last night. And it’s family night so I’m only in charge of my own kids.   So VBS run 6-830 in the evenings with us arriving a little early to be in place before all the kids get there. In the morning from 9-1, Evelyn and Jameson are at Mastodon basketball camp at Purdue Fort Wayne. It’s a lot; we are all tired. They both seem to be enjoying camp. It is run by the mens’ basketball head coach and several players from both the mens and womens team. It is more competitive than any sport activity they have done which I also think has been a little challenging. Evelyn is with the 3rd-5th graders so she is one of the younger kids and campers aren’t separated by gender.  That isn’t a bad thing, but the play is a little more aggressive than...

 Tuesday morning was very similar to Monday morning. Mimi and Oma came over for breakfast and then went back to the Inn to pack and check out. We drove back to the suspension bridge for a different hike. There were lots of crossing water and climbing over rocks.  Monday’s hike was fun, but I think everyone thought Tuesday’s was the best. After returning across the bridge, we went down to the Sugar Creek just to let Evelyn and Jameson play in the water for a minute.  We are currently not well set up to bring bikes camping so Nate and I thought it would be fun if Evelyn and Jameson had scooters which are much easier to bring along. So far, the scooters had been lots of fun.  My dad wanted to keep Tuesday simple and eat lunch after leaving the state park. I found a fun hamburger and ice cream stand about 20 minutes north and mostly on the way home for everyone that turned out to be prefect. 

 Only Evelyn and Jameson seemed to sleep well Sunday night.  Mimi and Oma drove to the campsite for breakfast and then the plan was they would go back to the Inn to shower and relax while everyone else went for a hike.  That’s mostly what happened but when we got in our car to drive to the trail, the Mazda wouldn’t start. We aren’t entirely sure why, maybe a door was left open too long or light was bumped on. Thankfully a nice gentleman had jumper cables and we jumped it with my dad’s car no problem. But we had a little bit of a later start than we hoped.  Several trails are on the other side of Sugar Creek, so you have to walk across the suspension bridge to get to them.  You hike through these canyons and hollows carved out by retreating glaciers. You completely forget you are in Indiana, the environment is more similar to forests up north.  Climbing up the ladders is the best part.  Took a little snack and rest break on a log.  We hiked down bo...