Chores, chores and more chores

Solid Rock Academy is officially back in session. We started Tapestry (our literature, geography, history) last week but started everything else on Monday. A few years ago we started having an "open house." I know that seems crazy since they know what their "school" looks like and they know who their teacher will be. Whatever - it works for us. Anyway, we usually always go out to dinner and then come home and go over the "rules" and contracts. This summer has been very different than most. I don't exactly know why but different - it felt like it never even happened. Needless to say, it feels as though I am already weeks behind and we have only been in session 2 days. So, we go out to dinner - in separate cars because I needed a few more minutes to finish up their contracts. We have a list of undesired behaviors and each child comes up with their own consequence for what their punishment will be for breaking it. It is sort of a personalized "if then" chart. Then, Ryan and I go over their suggested punishment, tweak it as we see fit and then the next morning it is waiting on their desk for them to enter into our agreement. (Every year Owen trys to refuse to sign it!) We have really cracked down on the kids over not completing their chores. Sometimes we also have difficulty in completing school work as well. With the school work, sometimes it is their fault and sometimes it is my fault - I just couldn't get to them in time. So I was explaining to them that they would not recieve the said punishment for not completing their school work if it was my fault. Well, Monday morning comes and Ian takes a look at his chore chart and then takes a look at his school assignments for the day. He says (as earnestly as possible) "Mom, what happens if it is YOUR fault we don't get our chores done." I say, "Why would I stop you from doing your chores? To my knowledge, I have never stopped you from completing your chores." He picks his school list back up and waves it at me with one eyebrow slightly raised as if to say "this is going to take me YEARS!" It didn't, he got his work completed and his chores done and still had time to play outside but I don't think I will ever forget that look he gave me like "what in the world are you trying to do to me!" Brainpower, Ian, brainpower.

PDA

Tonight, on my 3rd trip to Wal-Mart (so much for having a list), I noticed this family while I was shopping. There was a mom, a dad, a little brother and a teenage girl. I noticed them because the girl was being loud and rude. Well, after about the 3rd pass, I noticed a young man had joined them. Obviously, the young man was the girl's significant other. She squealed when he approached like she had not seen him for at least 2 years. They continue to walk with the parents while holding hands. The girl got much quieter as she was wrapped up in a more private conversation. So, as I am waiting in line (you know, the 30 minutes it takes to check out at Wal-Mart) I see them in the candy aisle. Now there are no parents in sight and they are wrapped around one another in such a manner that it almost makes a person (even a happily married person) blush. I am standing there thinking "please get in line behind me." I had a few things I would have liked to have shared with them, of course they didn't. I am in the line with people's carts filled to the brim. They check out their candy in the self-checkout while continuing to make out. All of a sudden I wanted to go find that mother. I wanted to yell and scream! If they were behaving like that in a public place I can only imagine what goes on behind closed doors. While I was processing all of this, they skipped merrily on their way and out to the parking lot. So, I am making a proclamation: "If I EVER see ANY teenage person I know (boy or girl) engaged in such a Public Display of Affection it will not fare well and there will be a scene caused!" And I am putting it out there in blog-land that if ANYONE were to see a child with the last name NEMITZ engaged in such behavior, you would do exactly the same! (Promptly after calling me, of course)

Camp Fun Nemitz

The idea for camp fun Nemitz came last January when we signed Alexa up for her first year at New Life Camp. Emily and Owen have done overnight camp for the past several years and Alexa couldn't wait for her turn. Luckily, Alexa has two friends who also wanted to go to camp who happen to have brothers Ian's age.
The girls at camp:

On the first day we went to the Life and Science Museum in Durham. The new dinosaur trail had opened and we hadn't seen it yet. So, after dropping off Alexa, me, my dad, Ian and Isaac head to the museum. We got there at 10:00am and left at 4:00pm we really made a day of it! I couldn't post all of the pictures but it was a great time! Ian also learned he REALLY does not like grilled cheese.
Day 1



Day 2
The second day, we added another friend and decided to go bowling. Ian loves to bowl and it is something we don't do very often. The first picture is the ride into Raleigh in the car. We don't usually watch movies unless it is a long trip. This was a great treat. They were watching Droopy.


After bowling, we went to Burger King for lunch. They had a great time playing on the playground.

Day 3
We stayed at our house for day 3. We played Bingo (the old-timey one with the big ball), we made homemade pizza, and homemade playdough. They finished out the day with a swim. We named Isaac's pizza "Egg-head Fred."


Day 4
Day Four Camp fun Nemitz got moved to its satellite camp: The Campbells. They had a great time playing together and eating at "Christy's cafe."


Day 5
Our last and final day, we decided to go to the movies. We went to see Ice Age: The Dawn of the Dinosaurs. We thought it very fitting that we started our week with dinosaurs at the museum and finished our week with a dinosaur movie. It was actually better than I had expected.


Overall, it was a wonderful week. I cannot believe that my baby is going to be 7. It was the first time I have ever spent time with just him and his friends. I am sure next year he will opt for the cabin at New Life Camp but this is one camp year we will never forget!