Back at It! My Summer

Ok, so again, I haven't blogged for about two months, sorry 'bout that..... But now we are back at it with school, so I should be back at blogging regularly too. My summer was one of the busiest (and hardest) I've had in a long time, so now I shall inform you of it.

My summer

So I last blogged before JCPA (Junior Citizen Police Academy). Well, that was the most fun camp I went to all summer. We had so much fun! Our schedule had quite an assortment of things to do during the two weeks. They included: Touring the SWAT team van, CSI and fingerprinting, mock traffic stops, mock crime scenes, and much more.

On the first day it was a little awkward, getting all figured out and started up. But by the second day, I knew it would be my favorite camp EVER. It was so awesome as we toured the SWAT van, learning, getting to hold the less lethal weapon. It was so awesome!

During mock traffic stops, we had a lot of interesting fun. What happens is: Two officers (us kids) go up to a vehicle that we have pulled over. The officer goes up to one window and the back up officer to the other. Then we ask some questions, and it's the next pair's turn. Also, the people in the car are allowed to make it as funny or serious as they want, and they as well, are us cadets. So the first time I was a person in it, I was a back up officer. Neither I nor the person that I was questioning knew what we were doing, so that one kinda failed. The next time, I was the officer, and Mustang was in the car.. supposedly on crack (a drug). She was doing a good job of cracking ME up whilst sitting in the back making weird noises. The last time, EVERYONE except the two officers piled in the little Honda Accord. When the police officers approached, everyone jumped out of the car and took off running as fast as we could.

The only other day really mentionable was the second to last day, Thursday. Instead of what was scheduled, we took a little.... field trip. Lemme 'splain. There was a camp going on at a local university. They were kids in training to be locate and rescue people, and they needed some... help, shall we call it. We came out there to be people after a tornado hit that they had to locate, rescue, and take care of. Well, Mustang and I matched in every possible way, including our head injuries. We were hidden in a closet along with another boy. He had to be dragged out first, then they stood there looking at me, trying to figure out how to help me. They pulled me to my feet and took me out into the parking lot. Oh yeah, you heard me. The parking lot. And had us lay down. LAY DOWN. ON THE GRAVEL. But oh well. I laid there for a while till someone came and wrapped my head. IF you think I laid there QUIETLY, you are so very mistaken. I laid there yelling at everyone passing by, complaining that they absolutely must find my platypus!

The last day was sad, I didn't wanna leave! But I'm going back next year!

In the afternoon of camp days, we went to Mustang's house. We made exactly 27 days of seeing each other in a row. No stop between them.  Those were some of the last times I would go, because... their property got auctioned out from under them. They had to move to a place four hours away, and for how long they don't know. Right now, they are driving back to there from another state. I haven't seen her in two weeks. I  miss her.

But most of my summer was good! I also went to some art camps (also with her) and made some very interesting works of art. That was pretty fun, but JCPA was WAY awesomer (I don't care if that's not a word). I also helped out with VBS for three days. That was also fun, but again, JCPA was better. I only had two little girls in the tribe I was helping with, though they made up for it in the fact that neither of them were very good listeners, and one of them was all but impossible to keep under control.

The only thing that rivaled JCPA  in epicness was going to Six Flags/Fiesta Texas. I went with Mustang and Fearless (one of my other friends). Mustang wouldn't ride some of the rides because she doesn't like big drops (smart child!).  Fearless and I actually rode the evilly epic ride called Superman. That thing is scary! But I love it so much! We rode another ride that was a boat ride where you go up in a boat, and then you splash down at the bottom, soaking everyone. It's pretty fun. Then Mustang, Fearless and I went to ride Pandemonium. It's a roller coaster where you go up a hill, but instead of a big drop, it has all sorts of curves that take you down, but not a drop. The only big drop, you're going fast enough to not notice. The thing is, you're spinning wildly the entire time.

We weren't scared, not really, but we were screaming our lungs out! We made ourselves a title. We called ourselves the Scream Team! It was awesome. We also rode a thing that has a pole in the middle, three poles branching out, and little capsules on them. That was awesome, and called Wave Runner.

We rode another ride called Frisbee. Man, I can't explain that one to well, but....  it's a circular ride that rotates while swinging. It goes up SO HIGH. Almost upside down. But not quite.. We rode that one twice, and screamed at the top of our lungs the entire time. It was SO AWESOME!!! How high was it going? My mom was standing on the side, under the Farris Wheel. She took several pictures straight up, with us standing VERTICALLY over her.

We also went to the water park and did the water slides and the wave pool. That was fun, their water slides are EPIC.

 I hope to get back to blogging as we get more in a rhythm and pattern with school.

Summer!!!!

So, I know I haven't blogged in a long time. But I have one good reason: IT"S SUMMER!!!!!!!! Yup, we got out of school on the 21st of May. I have been super busy, and I haven't even gone to a camp yet! I have had a lot of time with Mustang, and we hope to find even more next week, I have been swimming (also a lot), CP is having an epic superhero party in a week, and  I have been to a rodeo!

CP's epic superhero party starts next week, the 14th. This party is inspired by the making of the Avengers (BEST SUPERHERO MOVIE EVER!!!!!!), and we will actually get Marvel superhero costumes. It is really going to be awesome. My brother can't wait!!!

The rodeo was awesome. There was a horse there that I saw last year, who's name is Haywire. He is incredibly sweet, and you'll never guess what role he takes in the rodeo. Bucking saddle bronc. He performed on the first night, and finally on the third night, he tied for first! He won! Well, ok, his rider won. But the horse is part of the score, so....

On the last night of the rodeo, we were VIPs and got to park up near the gate. We already sat in box seats, so we couldn't get closer unless we were in the arena.When some of the horses galloped by (right in front of us), they were so close the actually showered dirt on me.

The act in the intermission was the Wild Child act. That was supremely awesome. I have a video, but it wouldn't download so I can't share with it with you at the moment. All I'll tell you is that he *ahem* entertained us on a motorcycle.

In two weeks, I am going to the Junior Police Academy at the police station. Mustang will also be there, and we can't wait for it to start. We will be doing fingerprinting, mock car stops, and other things that police officers do.

So, as you can see, I am having a very busy summer. Woo hoo!

Smooth Criminals in Accapella

Last night was my tap recital. Ah, the fun. That finishes my 7th year doing tap, and I love it!

This year, we had six in our group. We had awesome costumes, you've seen mine if you have read my post titled "Interesting Days". Also, we had no music. No, it was not sound guy Bob's fault. We actually danced without music, like ON PURPOSE. Our taps were the music. It was so fun!

This makes me think back to when I started tap. I was 3 at the time, and I wanted to be a ballerina. Mom thought that I was too bouncy to be a ballerina, so she put me in tap. Well, if I was to be a ballerina, I might as well start with tap. I practiced my first routine, "The ABC Song", every day, waiting for the time to show everyone what I could do. Before that, however, I had to do rating. Well, all that practicing paid off as I, solo, did the entire dance.  Pretty soon, it was all over and thoughts of being a ballerina went out the window. I was a tap dancer.

The next year was the year I did "Little Sally One Shoe". Another year, another rating, another recital.

This pattern continued for 4 years. I was happy, and by this time, 7. Then my entire dance world changed. Mrs. Peggy Anne took a health turn for the worse, and wasn't able to teach my aged tap groups. At least it was the end of that season and she didn't have to put someone in to teach our group. The next year, someone new taught our group, and we did a rating and a recital. All the hard work practicing my routine paid off every year for rating.  

My 5 rating trophies. We haven't had rating the past 2 years.

Then my dance world took another turn. For the better or for the worse, I wasn't at the time sure. I was moved from the group with middle schoolers up to the group with high schoolers. I was petrified that Wednesday evening, sitting in the room waiting for class to start. But that year, I was taught many things, and by the end of the year, my decision was made. This turn in my dance world was for the better.

That was last year. We danced to "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy" last year, and I was settled in with the high schoolers. This year, we didn't have music. The taps were our music. Ah, the joy of tapping. And I'm not sorry that I never became a ballerina.

Guineas....

Guineas are birds. They are black with white spots. They are about the size of chickens, but much more stupid. Oh yes, more stupid than a chicken. No such thing! You might say. That was my reaction too, until I met a guinea.

This is a flock of guineas. Don't they look stupid?

You know, Mustang, the guinea is REALLY beginning to tick me off.

They waggle their heads around like the idiots they are, all the while squawking their all too annoying ba-GOCK ba-GOCK ba-GOCK. Their squawk usually lasts longer than just three ba-gocks. More like, thirty minutes at the shortest.  They are supremely stupid indeed.

When they run, they sway their heads managing a nice shaking of their entire body whilst they make their running noise, their own version of a turkey's gobble. It doesn't sound much a turkey, however...

You might be wondering if I have an opinion about this. The answer? *innocent face* What makes you think that? 

My family knows a song called "Indescribable" by Chris Tomlin. If you ever decide to go find it on YouTube, you should listen for the part near the beginning  where he sings, "Every creature unique in the song that it sings, all exclaiming..." One day my parents were singing it in church and Mom had to try not to bust out laughing. She thought of that dumb guinea as they sang that line. 

So, another thing you might be wondering is: How do I even know what a guinea is? A simple  answer: When we moved to this house, there were seven guineas. One by one, they got picked off, and now there is one. When we move back to the Ranch, my grandfather has a guinea. He has said that when they start out as a flock, all but one of 'em dies. That one becomes the Lone Ranger. His is their attack guinea. The guinea walks beside the car until they are safely in the driveway. It is a hilarious sight to behold indeed!
 

More Books... Heh heh heh

Ok, so if you have been keeping up with my blog, you remember my posts about the Wingfeather Saga. I said I wouldn't post anymore till Mustang and her mom finished reading the series. You also might have noticed, if you are the type to read comments, that Mustang and her mom finished the last book the day I posted the fact that I wouldn't say anymore until they finished it.

Now that it is later,and I haven't read them in a while, I have even more opinions about these books.  *Clears throat*  Here we go!

 First of all, I don't think they should ever let someone with a British accent read  "The Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness" aloud ever again. Not that he did a bad job, it was, however, rather weird to hear Nia, Leeli, Janner, and Tink with British accents. He did things differently and said character or animal names, hmmm, quite differently..

Second, I have currently read all three books at least 7 times and I STILL can't believe that ___________ was a ______________, or that _______________ betrayed them, or that he did end up ___________ _________ off.

Third, and you had to know it was coming: Andrew Peterson, you better get on to writing the fourth book!!! I am headed quickly towards the end off my patience, and yet it is only May. I have to wait all summer, and all winter before you can even publish the thing! Then, there is no telling how quickly we will get the book even after you publish it. HURRY IT UP, please? Oh yes and, with the first book blueish purple, the second book maroon, and the third book green, what color will the fourth book be?

 Fourth, I have now spread this series to yet another family! Whoo!
 ****************
So, now I have finished griping about the Wingfeather Saga, I have another new series! It is called the Door Within series, and it is SO awesome. It follows several different people, starting with Aidan, then Antoinette, and finally Robby comes more into play.   But he is the only person , besides Andrew Peterson, that I know off that actually _____ his ____ _________ off! The books are awesome, but unfortunately, they are only a trilogy. I have read them all (twice) and they are amazing. But the third book is best. I can't tell you more about it because my mom and brother are both still reading them. My brother just started book 3 and mom, book 2.


You know, one of these days, I will fill in the blanks about the Wingfeather Saga, unless someone I know that is reading my blog doesn't know this already.

Blessings,
Firefly

Saying Goodbye

Saying goodbye is hard. I mean, all of us probably know a person or two that they would have NO problem saying a final goodbye to, but we also probably know at least two or three people that we would do anything to get out of saying that final bye to.

Saying goodbye to a family that I have known pretty much for as long as I can remember is really, really hard. It was almost unreal to think that it was the last time to see them. But I know that these friends will remain with me always, whether they live in Texas or not.

On the other hand, yesterday was my last orchestra concert of the season, so I had to say more goodbyes. It wasn't as hard to let go of my orchestra friends, because I know without a doubt that I will see them again in August, during String Camp.

I know that I should believe I will see my other friends again, without a doubt, but it is hard to do that while I know it could be years before I see them, or it could be months. No one will know before hand, but as they always say, hindsight is 20/20.

I know that things will be different without them, and that they will leave a hole. But it is not the end of the world. That will be on December 12, according to some. They will certainly be missed, and missed a lot.

Saying that final goodbye is hard, but this may be a better place to be for them. Adventures ARE funny things, it is true. It is also true that they come in unexpected ways.

May you find many adventures in your new home and state, my friends at GFG!
Firefly

Really, people??

We went to San Antonio yesterday, and we went to a number of different places, but we hit a Half Price Books first. There, I got two books, and my brother got several, but one especially caught his eye titled: More of the World's Stupidest Signs.

Looking through the book I found a bunch of REALLY stupid ones.
Like:These were adjacent signs outside a shopping mall : Archery Tournament- Ears Pierced.
WARNING: Footpaths unsuitable for pedestrians.
Ushers will eat latecomers.
The vicar will preach his farewell message after which the choir will sing ' Break Forth Into Joy'.

Really, people??

 After Half Price Books, we went to get Dad's oil in his Vue changed. (Boring!)

Finally, we left and went on to a Toys R Us. They had the worst selection EVER! Just big puffles and regular penguins. In a Toys R Us? Really, people??

After being disappointed at Toys R Us, I was hoping for something at Target. They had something all right! A BUNCH OF FLUFFY PENGUINS!!!! Really, people???

Starvation led us to Freddy's. Yum! They had a bunch of WEIRD music.

Then we went to the Target right next to Freddy's, and I was really hoping but trying not to. We got to the corner where I thought they would be and.............. PUFFLES!!!!!!!!!!!I dropped to my knees and started digging through them. After a moment, I sighed. I had all the puffles they were selling. Really, people??

After a long day, we went to Costco and walked the entire store (on my very tired feet). Oh well.... At least I got a movie.... A movie called Courageous.

Time for more idiotic signs!

Don't let your worries kill you. Let the church help.
Bridge out Open to local traffic.
If this sign is under water, the road is impassable.
This sign not in use.
In interest of safety, it is advisable to keep your children away from fire and flames.
Do not pour liquids in your TV set.
On a container of lighter fluid: WARNING: Contents flammable
On a box of matches: CAUTION: Contents may catch fire
BOTTOMLESS PIT: 65 ft deep.
At a petting zoo: Caution: Goats may nibble at your clothes and butt.
Caution tree in center of road
Rare, out-of-print, and non-existent books!
On a bottle of carpet cleaner: Safe for the carpet, too!
A computer error message: No keyboard detected. Press any key to continue.
This floodlight capable of illuminating large areas, even in the dark.

Really, people???

Blessings!
Firefly