Starting Father's Day weekend . . . . . . went boating and picnicing with in-laws at Centerville Lake, where older son became ill with fever and stayed that way for 2 days. Made plans to visit my family for weekend while husband fished. Picked up youngest daughter late from soccer camp every day last week! Drove 1 1/2 hours to pick teen up from cousin's house in Coon Rapids(really, what is the deal with construction and traffic in the northern burbs?!). Fed 5 teens dinner and didn't realize that girls eat as much as boys. Talked with my brother EVERY DAY!! His wife is scheduled to be induced to deliver the first boy in their house (cross your fingers) on July 2. Cancelled trip to see family, then rescheduled when I learned next door neighbors were having a wedding party in yard - with 2 port-a-potties that I could see out me bedroom window! (this girl needs sleep and the dog needs more peace). Researched spring bread vacations through time share and sod for our yard. Watched kids swim, started a water gun fight, bought a racing slip n slide with 3 lanes, started watering lawn to fix burn marks from slip n slide. STILL haven't caught up on laundry! Re-finishing back deck. Watched end of teen's acting class. Talked with 2 cousins and BFF. Screened facebook pages of teen and cousins ; ) Planning trip to beach! Started to walk again in preparation for MS Challenge Walk. Watched dance by younger daughter and neighbor that teen choreographed. Played Killer Bunnies 3 times and never won. Got flooring in kids bedrooms done and pulled carpeting off dining room floor and steps!

This past Friday, Judy Blume was interviewed by Kerri Miller from MPR at the Fitzgerald theater. I was there, bringing 4 wonderful women with me on a girlfriend blind date! None of them had ever met, with me being their only connection. FUN!

Judy Blume is an icon. She epitomizes what I was reading as a preteen. She was the only adult I was ever aware of that actually understood what I was going through in life, and I totally didn't understand how she could remember if nobody else around me could. I literally had chills when we sat down and they began to introduce her! I am a nerd. :)

Judy seemed to understand me more than even my family & friends did. Her writing made me feel as though I wasn't this weird kid, I was as normal as the kids in her books! It made me believe that maybe even the other kids in my school had the same stuff going on, they were just better at hiding it.

I really enjoyed hearing Judy talk. Never would I have guessed that all of her writing is semi-autobiographical. She was Margaret from "Are You There God . . . "; she was afraid of everything that Sheila the Great was petrified of; she was most likely the Fudge of the sibling relationship in "Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing." These are books that helped me when I was growing up. They are books that bring me a comfort similar to thoughts of my family - cousins, aunts, and uncles - during that time period give me. Peace. A circle of love and understanding.

I was not impressed with the interview questions. But the audience question/answer session was awesome with all of the new Judy Blume readers (children) asking her questions and having her interact with them - not just give an answer and move on! MPR has played their edited version of our evening and I am sorry to say that it did not do the experience justice. Too much was edited away!

Saddest part of the evening: A little girl, MAYBE 4 years old, was waiting to ask a question. They ran out of time and ended the Q&A. Her mom picked her up and she clung on, burying her head in her mom's shoulder and wrapping her arms and legs around her body! Remember when you became so devestated by something as a child that you just needed a parent or loved one to wrap yourself around so you could let go of those emotions and let the disappointment flow freely? We all agreed that if her mom brought her up onstage for an autograph and told Judy what had happened, she would take the time to chat briefly with the little girl. Regardless of what the manager said. She just loves kids and understands where they are coming from. Always.

HA!!! My brother just emailed this to me - from about 1983ish. I used to LOVE this song and the video always made me laugh. He just brought another smile to my face today and I wanted to share it with you. So corny - it still makes me laugh and sing along!

Last day of school!!! I still get excited when summer gets here. I am a summer baby!

Had an hour long walk & talk with the teen last night. How nice! I am definitely glad to be past the HS years. Do you remember when EVERYTHING was just so dramatic?! Too much for me, but I am glad that she feels comfortable looking to me sometimes when life gets too heavy.

Today, my 9 year old son stood in front of his ENTIRE school and told jokes with his best friend in the all-school talent show! I was so happy for him. The jokes got HUGE laughs and you could just see the little look of pride on his face each time it happened. He has never been somebody that enjoys the spotlight, so it was a big step. I totally cannot get any of my videos to load onto gabster - so y'all are just gonna have to believe me when I say he was great!

Tonight, I get to see Judy Blume at the Fitzgerald! Her books were a wonderful place to escape when I was a preteen. Blubber was a life saver for me - she seemed to know exactly what had been going on in my class at that time. For an adult, she had amazing comprehension of my childhood world. I am totally excited to hear her speak!

Tomorrow, the family is off to the Star Wars exhibit at the Science Museum! I am so geeked about this it iz krazy!! HUZZAHH!

So, what are you doing for your summer?