Pool Parties and Waterfalls (with a side order of Radishes and Jam)

A Big Pool Party

We needed a bigger pool, since there were 15 kids and 5 grown men in the pool.  Despite all the shenanigans that went on, no one was injured.  Kids played well together, whether it was croquet, soccer baseball, on the trampoline or in the pool.  The adults played nicely together, too! 

How did he tie up his shorts???

Lots of food, lots of laughs - and a weird question was asked to all of the guys present.  (That's fodder for another blog post!)  

Radishes

My wife is growing a vegetable garden up at our church property.  It's part of a community plot that they are calling The Garden of Hope.  We're hoping that the plants survive and she has something to show for all of her hard work.

Christine was able to bring home some radishes the other week.  Success!  Our boys had never had radishes before - at least in any large quantity.  They were all eager to try them.  LP has no problem with hot and spicy stuff, so he didn't concern me.  Brother KP can tolerate it pretty well, too.  Half-Pint was a different story.  Only pictures are needed to show his reaction to the new food experience.

Here they are:

Excited at the prospect of a new flavour

The heat is kicking in...

Yep, it tastes really good!

 

Falls Reserve Camping

We had the chance to spend a week camping up at Falls Reserve Conservation Area up near Goderich.  It was nice to spend time near the Maitland River then swing in to town and spend some time at the beach,

A bunch of kids locked up in the historic jail - where they belong!

At the Saturday morning fishing derby

A smug smile on the face of a chair theif! 

Bun-head caught a fish!

Grandpa caught a big one.

One story from the week:  We were all wading above the little 2-foot waterfalls and rapids and Brother KP stepped in a deep spot and got swept down the falls and towards the rapids below.  He was a bit stressed at that point so I jumped in and caught up to him where a woman had slowed his progress.  Just then I heard another kid shouting and looked up to see Half-Pint sliding down the falls, disappearing a couple of times underwater.  He was pushed by the current (with eyes WIDE open and a slightly concerned lookon his face) right to where Brother KP and I were standing.  He did a great job of holding his breath and trying to keep his head above water.  Both of them did, actually.  Swimming lessons paid off.  And somewhere in the river is a missing pair of Oakley sunglasses...

Brother KP suffered no ill affects from the incident.  Half-Pint scuffed his cheek and nose a bit, and put a little cut on his forehead - likely from bumping into a rock.  There is blood in the accompanying picture, but he's healing nicely.

The falls at Falls Reserve

The rapids above the falls

Immediately after coming out of the water.  It's amazing how much a little cut bleeds!

A few hours later...

A couple of days later!

When asked if he wanted to go to the doctor to get a stitch or two he thought for a second and said "Nah, I want to have a scar."

A Jam Session

Pearl Jam, that is.

We were again fortunate enough to get tickets to the sold out, standing room only show.  There was no opening act.  The band played for 21/2 hours, played about 25 or so songs and gave two encore performances.  They even moved to the back of the stage and played to the standing room and overflow seating crowd that was behind them.  They were very good.  Nothing to flashy as far as a stage show but lots of cool tunes.

Eddie Vedder - the lead singer - swinging back and forth from the dangling globe lights was a funny moment. 

Just a funny picture from a long drive home.

Using the seatbelt as a sling to support his head.

Oh, one more thing...

                  What is it with my friends and their pants????