Summer's Last Blast!

Last weekend - Labor Day weekend
-- the official end of summer!
Boo hoo !

We had one of the best summers!
While I worked until about 1 or 2 pm every day, Maddy
slept late, took the pup for a walk, tidied up the house
and watched a movie or show on Netflix.
Add to that her zoo crew duties and some sports camps
and the summer flew by!

Mads and I spent a ton of time at the pool -- not during the heat
of the day getting all sunburned, but instead in the evenings,
and we often had the whole pool to ourselves or shared it with
only a few others.

The last couple weeks, the weather changed and it was a
little chilly for August, but we were determined
and continued to hit the pool, even
with its shorter hours after school started.
We became such regulars that if we were a little late, the lifeguards
started calling to make sure we were on our way! :)

Labor Day was the last day of pool-time fun
 and sadly, our pool (club) is closing forever.

On one of the last nights there, I was
able to get these silhouette photos
with my iPhone of some folks going off the high
diving board!

We will really miss that place!

Attempting to Beat the Heat!!

News alert . . . 

Big heat wave in the Heartland!

This week the temps have been in the high 90's -- as in a temp of 99 degrees

with high humidity making the heat index temp at 105 on Monday!

She kind of likes jumping into the pool!

Yes, Monday -- the day that Miss Maddy has her 

zoo crew job from 8 am to 5 pm.
The heat wave is continuing through the entire week.

So, we're doing all we can to beat the heat, 

including cranking the AC and

spending nearly evening at the pool!
Best place to go after a long and hot day at the zoo?
Definitely the pool --
especially on Mondays - walking taco night!

We also may have indulged in refreshing drinks occasionally
 over the last few weeks!

Care to join me in a Root Beer Float anyone?
Yes please! 

Going to the Zoo -- Zoo Crew!

Last summer, 

Maddy attempted to participate in our city's local Zoo Crew volunteer program.

However, toe surgeries on both great (big) toes 

prevented her from being able to wear closed-toes shoes - 

a must for Zoo Crew volunteers!

Getting ready for the first day on the job!
Please excuse my messy kitchen counters -- keeping it real!

This year those toes have mostly healed up, 

And when sign-up started,

 she was among the first to complete the form, send it in and become 

one of the 400 volunteer students in grades 7 through 12 in the program.

This volunteer gig provides jr. high and high school students the 

opportunity to  learn about animals, animal

care, service to community and gain important life and job skills 

at the same time.

The student volunteers help out all around the zoo, assisting 

with pony rides, picking up trash, cleaning areas and giving zoo guests close up 

animal experiences by showing animals in the Critter Encounter area and

other areas of our zoo.

Maddy works once or twice a week through September.  

This volunteer program is a good preview of the

work world as the assigned work hours are 8 AM - 5 PM

with 30 minutes for lunch! And no snack breaks!

A great first day!

She's a Monday worker and finished her first Monday this week!

It rained . . . on and off all day - sometimes heavy rain.

I worried all day wondering how it was going.

And yet, she was all smiles when I picked her up after 5 PM!

It was a fabulous day, she enjoyed it all - well, except

that her feet hurt a little bit!

She's already making plans to volunteer again next summer.

Fun Zoo Crew days ahead to be sure!

Hello Summer, Hello July!

Wow -- did June just zip by for you too?

Like I blinked and it was over!

So, Hellooooo July!

We've been having a bit of a chill summer since

we returned from Disney World -- which has been really nice.

Loads of time at the pool!

Yes, I've been working, but on my summer schedule of leaving by 1 or 2 pm,

so Maddy and I

have plenty of time for chores, errands, shopping, pool time and visiting Starbucks*!

Love the mini-frap's -- just the right size!

Ahhhh Summer -- I love you!