Sunday Afternoon

Since Ron worked again today and couldn't leave to go get lunch, the boys and I packed lunch, went to his office and had a "picnic" in the conference room. Afterwards, since Ben hadn't been to play in a while and since Clay hadn't worked in a while, we headed to EdVenture for a fun afternoon. While Ben played and Clay worked, I alternated taking pictures and reading John Grisham's "The Innocent Man". Now, we're back home --- having worked out, folded laundry --- cooking supper and Ron just walked in! Yea!! We can finally celebrate with his key lime pie!

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The Johnson Brothers Band

I am not musical. The only thing I can play is the radio and my iPod --- and I don't even play the iPod very well. (A little "Melanie trivia" for you....I actually failed the orchestra and band entrance tests in elementary school.) And, singing? Only when I am in the car alone or its just the four of us around. Trust me, you should be happy that is the only time I sing. But, contrary to what my students believe (I HATE and I mean to use the word HATE "Solja Boy" so they think I have not musical taste at all...hmmm....who really doesn't have the musical taste???), I think I have pretty good musical tastes. I like all kinds of music and seldom do I not have music going in some form. So, when the Super Bowl was on I didn't watch the game, but I DID watch the half time show to see one of my many, many, many favorite bands - Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers - perform. I have always LOVED Tom Petty's music.

Clay and Ben have gotten hooked on Tom Petty now as well. And, Clay took it upon himself this past week to start learning "Free Falling" (he's been taking guitar for less than a month). When I left for the beach he had the first little bit down. Tonight, when I got back, he and Ben performed an "unplugged" version for me in the living room. Clay, interestingly enough, sounds slightly like a young Tom Petty and has done an AWESOME job of teaching himself the song and performing it. Ben does an awesome, but hilarious job. (I promise you will laugh until you cry if you watch him....you may have to watch twice. Once for the great laughs and once to actually listen to Clay sing!)

And, so I now present to you the very first video (I hope there will be MANY, MANY more with millions behind them...hint, hint, boys!) of the Johnson Brothers Band.......

Man, Do I Feel OLD!

Tonight we visited Richland Northeast HIGH SCHOOL with Clay as we begin thinking about next year. I felt like we were looking at colleges! These high schools are so much different than what we were used to in the upstate. We visited three programs at RNE (there are a total of four). The first was PCA (Palmetto Center for the Arts) as Clay was considering auditioning in theatre. It was amazing what they do with the students in visual, literary, and performance arts. The second was a double session with the CavPlex program -- an all media/journalism related program. The students are exposed to print, computer and TV media and have a state-of-the-art news studio (that as of yesterday includes a green screen set up!) If I'd had an opportunity like this one, I would definitely NOT be a teach today....I would have pursued my interest in journalism. The final was an academic magnet, Horizons, that is absolutely top-notch. The students we met in it are all applying, accepted and receiving big scholarships to the top schools in our country.

The whole thing was very impressive. I leaned over to Ron and whispered, "If we'd only had these kinds of opportunities in high school...." He totally agreed. Now, Clay has applications to fill out and interviews to do. Final decisions will be made and posted after April 1!

As for me, I can't believe I have a child going to high school in slightly over six months....when did I get so old?!??!

Adult Supervision Required

Clay went to help his friend and fellow scout, Grant, today with his Eagle project. They used power tools to make benches!

Grant's dad did a great job of supervising....Clay came home with all fingers intact! (It must have been because he held his mouth just right...like in the picture.)

Speakers, Banquets and Meeting

Yesterday I got up early to get Clay out the door for his trip to Camp Barstow for OA training and for me to leave out for the GFWC-SC (General Federation of Women's Clubs) Winter Board Meeting. The board meeting was very informative --I learned a lot about GFWC-SC and I am so glad that I joined a group affiliated (Junior Woman's Club of Columbia). I met many new women and was able to spend time getting to know Amye and Leslie from JWC better. After the meeting I headed home to rest before Ron's friend, Bill, came over and we all drove out to Barstow for the Order of the Arrow, Muskogee Lodge, Winter Banquet. Not that they all aren't important, but this one was really important because Clay was being installed to the Lodge Council as Vice Chief of Inductions....quite an honor for anyone, but especially at his age. We had a wonderful dinner, a great speaker ---Rudy Mancke, and awards. We were THRILLED that Clay received a certificate for having received his "brotherhood" during 2007. We didn't think he would get one since he did his at Skyuka and then transferred to Muskogee. The very last certificate they gave out was for Clay and I think Ron and I just about jumped out of our seats! The group also held a silet auction. Clay won two patches that he bid on and Ron won a "legend" for the OA sash. He gave it to Clay at the end of the night as a "we're proud of you" gift. It was a fun evening and even though we got home very late, it was well worth it. BubbleShare: Share photos - Safe Toys e

Warning: This is a little morbid....

....but I just had to share Clay's love and care of animals.

Clay wants to be a veterinarian and he LOVES animals, so he spent much of the night before Dobby died trying to nurse him back to health. The next day he told us he would "take care of" Dobby and get him ready. And, he did. Clay made him a little casket in his food bowl and got him ready. (Maybe Clay is prepping for a career as a mortician instead...yikes!) But, it was so sweet how much care he took of little dead Dobby.

We did ask him if he had changed his mind about being a vet and he gave us a firm "NO". He says that it made him more determined so that he could save other's pets and take care of them.

I Wanna Be a Rock Star.....

Clay had a costume party to go to last night. After weeks of deciding, he choose to be a "rock star"....we told him he looked like Joey Ramone more than Axl Rose!

Of course, he took off his wig as soon as he got there......

Congratulations, Clay! We Are Proud of You!

Clay just got home from his OA weekend. He is very excited because he got elected "Vice Chief of Inductions". He is on the "executive board" basically for the Muskogee OA Lodge and is the head guy for Ordeal and Brotherhood events. Way to go, Clay!!!

For a lot of people, Eagle is the end. For, Clay, it has merely been the beginning. We're very proud of Clay and all of his accomplishments...scouting and otherwise.

Clay's Back

Clay got home last night about 9:00 from his field trip to Washington, DC. For once he took a ton of pictures! He had a great time visiting the White House grounds, the Holocaust Museum, all of the monuments, the Capitol Buidling, Smithsonian, the National Archives, Arlington and Mount Vernon (there might be others, but I can't remember everything!)

The funniest story of all, Clay and some of his friends kept getting "yelled at" (his words...which means probably means they just spoke to them) by security guards for sitting on the floor while waiting in buildings. One of them finally explained that they couldn't sit on the floors of government buildings because it is a sign of protest!

The only picutre with Clay in it (he and his friend, Colin on the bus ride to DC)

The Korean War Memorial was one of Clay's favorite things.

He also loved Arlington and wants to go back.

George's House

Clay called about 9:30 last night and they had arrived/checked in at their DC hotel after an eight or so hour drive and dinner at the Golden Corrall. (He's on a week long field trip to Washington, DC and left yesterday.)

Ron: "Seen anything historical yet?"
Clay: "I saw where George Bush lives."
Ron: "The White House, huh? What are ya'll doing tomorrow?"
Clay: "I don't know."

That's my boy! Always on top of things....yep, he's along for the ride, I guess! :)

He didn't talk long as I think he was tired, ready to hang out with his friends (he's rooming with his friend, Nick and four other boys, but Clay won the toss for the single bed!), and get ready for today's busy day. We can't wait to hear his update tonight. Hopefully, he'll call.

Fun Sunday

Ron had to work today and Clay wanted to get in a few hours at EdVenture so we headed downtown this afternoon. The boys and I wanted lunch somewhere different and so, as we pulled onto Bull St. we remembered the Greek Festival was going on. Clay knew where the church was located and we, fortunately, found a parking space.

After gyros and Greek fries (chicken fingers for Ben) we wandered around a bit before heading on to EdVenture for the rest of the afternoon.

Ben loved playing at EdVenture. We spent some time at Bubbloosa.......and Timbuktu, since they will be closing soon,

...and attended a concert by Osrisi, an African drumming group.

Ben even got the opportunity to play with them. (I'm hoping to upload a video when I figure out how.) It was such a wonderful way to spend the afternoon together.

Ben does a little shopping at the "Pig Market".

Pretending to be a fireman ready to go.

On the Job

We finally got to see Clay "at work" today while we were at EdVenture. Doesn't he look thrilled to have his mom taking his picture?

My Boys Are Home

Technically they've been home since Sunday, but I'm just now getting around to posting and they came home really gross so I waited to take the picture on Monday night.

Clay and Ron were both gone all last weekend to Camp Barstow for Order of the Arrow Ordeal Weekend. Ron was tapped out over the summer (you might have read the post about this back in July) and he had to do a service project, spend the night roughing it, eat scant food, couldn't talk and participate in secret ceremonies that I can't know about. Clay got his "brotherhood" back in May so he was there as an OA member and participated in some of the rituals apparently.

All in all, they seemed to have a good weekend with one little (yes, it is physically little, but comfortably and financiall BIG) snafu....Mr. "always follows the directions" (that would be Ron) did what he was told and didn't take a flashlight for his "night". Well, if you know Ron, you know that he has to have his contacts to see. Without them, he's basically blind and because the problem is kerataconous, glasses don't help....it has to be contacts. He did get special permission to take his contact supplies, but had to take them out in the dark. After years of wearing them, Ron is really adept at doing this so it shouldn't be a problem (shouldn't being the key word there). What he didn't count on was the fact that in the dark he wouldn't be able to see in the dark to make sure the contact was in the container. His left one landed on the edge of the container and the lid broke it in half. So, he spent all day Saturday and Sunday with one eye.

Luckily for our bank account, he happened to have a spare left contact that he saved when he ordered his new pair and he's using it right now.

Way to go, Clay!

Clay is off to a terrific start at his new school this year (other than a nasty cold right now!). He's made new friends, getting invovled and doing well. He's still involved with scouting and just a couple of weeks ago received his second Eagle palm, he's taking band and musical keyboarding, which means he's also now learning to play the piano. (He's hoping to add guitar soon, too...what a musician!) He's gotten involved with the youth ministry at church and starts an in-depth discipleship program in two weeks, which he is looking very forward to. And, he's still volunteering at EdVenture (at least six hours, but usually more) each month. He has a lot going on, but he's turning into a very well rounded young man.

Yesterday he got back his first three tests of the year: 105 in Musical Keyboarding, 100 in Reading and 100 in Geometry! Way to go, Clay! Keep it up!

Clay Didn't Come Home....

....he stayed out ALL night!

Clay called about 11 ish and asked if he could "please, please" spend the night with Chase (the student whose mom, Julie, brought them over here last night). Now, normally we would probably go, "NO WAY! We just met them.....TONIGHT". But, Julie knew the guys who were visiting us, she's a youth volunteer -- SS teacher, etc. --, she knows my teaching partner, Chris, and Chase is a LIFE scout. So, we were thrilled Clay is making friends, felt really good about it, talked with Julie for a few minutes and said "YES"!

I just talked to him and they have just gotten up and she's cooking them breakfast. (as if making new friends isn't enough, Clay is super-excited that someone is cooking him breakfast). I'll be picking him up in an hour or so......I can't wait to hear all about it.

Maybe I'll be next to make some new friends and won't have to live vicariously for long :)

Clay's out of the house!

No we haven't gotten rid of the kids....at least not permanently! Tonight we got home from EdVenture and as we were going up the steps to our apartment, two gentlemen were coming down the steps. We went in, started a load of laundry and picked up a few things, before....knock! knock! I looked out to see the two men at our door. They were visiting us from the church we attended a few weeks ago....Shandon Baptist. They came in and about five minutes later....knock! knock! I went to the door (wondering "what?!!? we don't know anyone in Columbia to be knocking on our door this much in one night!") This time there were five kids and an adult, asking for Clay.....more visitors from Shandon! We ended up with a houseful! While we visited, Clay visited and hit it off very well.

They invited him to go for ice cream. He called about half an hour later, "I'm having an awesome time. The youth minister and a bunch more kids showed up. They're going back to one of the kids' house to hang out. Can I go?" Sure. He called again about an hour ago, "Is there a set time I need to be home? I'm having a whole lot of fun and we're about to play a game. It could be 11. Is that okay?" After ensuring he had a ride home, I agreed again (not that I minded going to pick him up, but I don't know my way around very well). I am THRILLED that he has somewhere to be tonight with church folks. He has not had much...okay almost NO interaction with kids his age since moving here. He needed this kind of fun.....and, it makes finding a church-home easier for the family if Clay has friends and wants to be a part of the youth.

Now if I can just find some adult interaction........

WHEW!!!!!

We just heard from the TWO director.......Clay can still attend!! Because it is a magnet program, it accepts students from across the district. The only issue is that we have to ensure his transportation. But, the director also let me know that they have TWO study hall each day until 5 for a minimal $$ and that several carpools can easily be arranged from most areas of the district. WHEW! What an answer to prayer!

Clay Finally Gets a Party!

Clay invited his four closest friends over last night for cake (well, cookie) and swimming to celebrate his 13th birthday/End of School/I'm moving to Columbia. They boys had a great time, while me, Ron, Kristie and Jenni had an even better time laughing and reminiscing! These for (Chris, Andrew, Clay and Levi) have been best buds for YEARS! Since kindergarten!

The four were joined by Clay's newest best bud, Ryan, before cake, well, cookie time.

Ben absolutely loves to swim.

Great look for you, Ryan!

Clay and Levi: These two might as well be brothers. Levi is like our other son!

New Brotherhood Boys

Clay and Ryan couldn't wait to go to Scouts on Monday night to show off their new OA Brotherhood sashes!

Afterwards Clay said good-bye to his friend, Pace. Pace is moving to Maine for the summer, possibly for the next year.

Clay Finally Gets Gifts!!

After Clay showered and had lunch, we were finally able to give him the gifts we picked out while shopping on Saturday. He seemed to like everything.

New flip flops from Ben

one of the new shirts and shorts

unfolding...can you guess what it is??!

A BEACH TOWEL!

Maggie gave a Clay some birthday love.