It's the Final Countdown!!

As of today, only three weeks left. Then it's BACK TO SCHOOL!!!! And this being August first, the song (and aptly the title of this post) came rushing to mind. And it's been in my head since then.



We (as in Dad and I) are in the homestretch. Been a long, hot, but fun summer overall. But I will indeed be happy that they are going to be in school soon. The kids miss their friends. They miss the teachers (two do, as the oldest is in Middle School this year).

We had our annual family vacation trek (which may change next year) to Kings Dominion theme park. Here's a few pictures...

We had a blast! But it was pretty hot and muggy. Still, the kids wore us out. Between the rides (including the Shockwave where my oldest caught me and Dad going through the loop, picture above) and the water park the next day, I think the kids nearly killed us this year.

As for Gobi, our Bearded Dragon, he is still growing like a weed.

So, with all that said, the next three weeks will be pretty busy. I still have another child going in for an annual exam, and having to get the Physical forms to let the oldest play sports this year, need to school shop for supplies. Thankfully, my husband's mom has helped me get clothes for ALL THREE kids throughout the summer at the thrift store she volunteers at. Including uniform items for the two younger ones. All I need to buy are some new shoes, clothing-wise. And of course, the oldest and I need to go to Middle School Orientation.

After the school year starts, I'm going to be blogging much more often. But it felt good to take a break from it for the summer (for the most part). Have a great week, and I'll be back soon!

Thought I'd Update

Hello, Readers! Thought I'd pop in for a few moments and let you all know that I am always thinking of you guys and I hope that the Summertime is treating you and your family all well.

Any plans this year? Or have you already taken trips that you decided on?

Well, so far, so good here in my world. Summer days are bit muggy lately, so it makes for awful hot days. My son is enjoying his Day Treatment Camp time (goes Monday through Thursday, during the day, only).

My oldest who is going in to Middle School this Fall has made ALL Advanced courses, and was accepted/invited to attend a "gifted program" school for her grade range, where they have science labs such as a Lazerarium, Terrariums with different exotic pets (including an iguana and a couple of bearded dragons) and a "hands on" petting fish tank.

My youngest is starting first grade and is pretty apprehensive. But I know she will adjust quickly once she really gets to know her teacher (who is a LOVELY lady who LOVES her job and her students).

Here's a few pictures of some recent past adventures of Summer... And of how big our Bearded Dragon, Gobi is getting since I last posted about him.

Well, soon, we will have LOTS more pictures coming, thanks to our annual trek to King's Dominion coming up. Talk to you all again soon. I can't wait to be back on here more regularly. I'm still on my "hiatus", but wanted to let you all know that I'm still alive and am enjoying myself. Have a great rest of the Summer and I'll "read" you all again very soon.

Tuesdays From The Terrarium

A "plog" (pic blog) light-hearted look in to the world of reptilian ownership, love and companionship.

Our Bearded Dragon can be a real character at times. Now, Gobi has come to "know" his meal times and knows what certain food containers look like. Especially the "margarita" shaker I use to coat the crickets with D3 Calcium Supplement Powder.

Gobi goes NUTS! Yesterday, the dude actually JUMPED (more like flew) off his perch under his basking light, and hit face-first in to the tank glass to get to the crickets. All the while, pacing back and forth in longing wait to get his grub on.

As of yesterday, Gobi now is getting collard greens in his veggie mix. We have yet to see how he likes it, being the little bugger skipped his veggie meal last night.

As promised last week, I'll have pictures below of what Gobi eats and of his new living quarters.

Ready? Here we go...

                        (Setting up to fix Gobi's veggies mixture.)

       (He loves sweet potatoes. And carrots. He's also big on the leafy greens.)

          (This looks so good, there are times that I want to eat the stuff!)

And here is Gobi's new penthouse suite. Believe me, he has really gotten more personality and more of a liveliness about him since moving him from his cramped little ten gallon tank, in to his massive 40 gallon.

    (This is Gobi's old tank. He was getting so cramped up. And he wasn't very happy.)

        (Gobi's new palace. He can live in this one for the rest of his days.)

                                          (He's one happy dragon!)

Tuesdays From The Terrarium

Today is Tuesday. So, it's time for another installment of "Tuesdays From The Terrarium". It's the day for Gobi, our family's Bearded Dragon, to shine, be seen and talked about.

It's what I call a "plog", or a post full of pictures of our beloved Gobi, with at times, a funny caption of what he may have said (if he could speak, of course). All in all, it's just a light-hearted look in to the world of reptilian ownership, love and companionship.

                                  ("What you lookin' at, bub?!?!")

                   (Gobi's now-cramped terrarium cage. He's growing fast!)

            (Gobi's taken a big liking to my nephew, who is still a bit timid about him. Mainly when he walks fast or jumps.)

                             (Snack time! Mealworms. YUMMY!!)

                                      ("Now you see me.")

                                   ("Let's play 'Find The Gobi.")

Next week, you will get to see Gobi's new digs (40 gal. terrarium tank), what kinds of foods he likes to munch on and whatever other things I can catch him doing on camera.

Gobi says have a great week!

Tuesdays From The Terrarium

I think I'm going to make Tuesday's a day for Gobi, our family's Bearded Dragon, to shine, be seen and talked about. And so hence the name for today's post, Tuesdays From The Terrarium". Postings of pictures of our beloved Gobi, with at times, a funny caption of what he may have said (if he could speak, of course). Just a light-hearted look in to the world of reptilian ownership, love and companionship.

And believe me, Gobi's personality is really starting to flourish. As are his funny antics.

             (Skyler and Gobi decided playtime was too hard of a job.)

            (They crashed hardcore. Gobi loves being under a blanket.)

            (He (or she, have yet to figure it out) is doing the model/security check thing.)

           ("Did you brush your teeth, Hayley? Dentist Gobi needs to inspect...Good job!")

        (Gobi's becoming accustomed to riding on our shoulders. He LOVES it. Though, we aren't loving the claws digging in to our skin if we have on sleeveless shirts.)

                          ("So....Jump or not to jump? I think not!")

                         ("Hey, Ma! Get to blogging already!!")

                     ("My turn! Hmmm...What secrets can I spill on my blog?)

Wordless Wednesday..Gobi (The Bearded Dragon) Edition