June 30

Hello folks!!! This will be a quick post, for I am beat and off to sleep!!! Had a fabulous day at Zoom Flume with Alan. Loved every second!!! Treasuring this vacation. It has been wonderful!!! No plans for tomorrow except swimming lessons late in the day....what adventures lie ahead tomorrow??!!!

He's a creator not a consumer. Right? Well, that was the goal...such a creative young fellow with such musical abilities....Ah! But lets remember the genes folks. It was only a matter of time....We have a very very savvy entrepreneur on our hands who just discovered that he can actually make a business out of his talents!!

When Alan decided that he wanted to sell his arts and crafts, while playing his music to attract customers, I shared this news with both his father and my family. After looking at the pictures and the "cute factor", both sides of the family quickly took credit :) - mind you it skips a generation on my side....I will work for chocolate (LOL!) Which family member tried to sell old newspapers?? LOL

Well, I think this is all because of Abdul. Something regarding "the thrill of the sell" clicked while helping him out at his booth at the Old Songs fest. I am not sure if it was the helping of the customers, or what, but he enjoyed that experience. He doesn't quite get the idea of "making money" though....today, When the postman walked by to look, he sadly said he didn't bring any money, Alan said, "don't worry, I have some, and opened the register with a fist full of pennies. Maybe he takes after me after all :)

No sale with the postman, so Alan patiently waited for a paying customer for about two hours. He was a little sad that nobody was around...It's not like when we lived on Washington Avenue when we were the social hub of the neighborhood with Alan greeting passersby with a cute "hello!"....not many people walking down and up our hill on a hot June day.....Thank goodness that Paula, a fabulous friend from the UUCC, learned what Alan was up to via facebook. What a TRUE GEM of a person....a beautiful person inside and out, she made a visit just to see Alan, to buy something from his little store.....I will never forget the kindness of this woman!!! She bought one of Alan's egg carton caterpillars, and other trinkets... It so made his day that he was ready to swim right after she left!!! Now that is pretty damn special!! Thank you Paula!!! Then, to the Saugerties Beach for the duration :)

Old Songs wrap up - quick jotting of memories

Feeling a bit tired, but wanted to record some memories from the Old Songs Festival before I forgot them all!! LOL!


Memories:

- Alan invites a boy named Eli to join him in the bird cage. They play music together, attract attention from passersby.... At first they called their band "the birds", but someone else suggested "the bird brothers", which they both seemed to like that. They hung out a lot at the festival. Very cute. :)

- Alan meets Naomi and her two brothers. They jam under a street tent. Throughout the weekend, Alan spots Naomi "Hi Naomi!".

- Alan enjoyed hanging out with Abdul and when he went to his van for a moment, Alan minded the store, and helped out the customers. "May I help you?".

- Jug Band - we had 3 rehearsals and learned about 5 songs. Alan played his Uke and harmonica. This year, he is happy to be up front :) Even professional musicians praised this little boy...

- OMG, the "Music Tent!". This retired English teacher as a service to the community trecked about 200 musical instruments into a musical "petting zoo" with unfettered access!!! OMG, this is where we spent most of our time!! Everything from hammered dulcimers (next on the list!), banjos, violins, drums, pianos, accordians, flutes, guitars...you name it, he had it!!!

- PARADE!!! Alan played the Uke in the children's parade!!! lots of fun!!!

- Alan's picture was in the Old Songs magazine (page 5), a photo taken last year with him playing the guitar and the kazoo.

We only came home with one instrument - Bob purchased a new guitar....

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THEN, today, the fun continued!!! We made it to the beach by 11am, swam for an hour, out for lunch, then home again. Playdate with Julie and Jace at their house. Home by 3:30. Alan and I colored for an hour. Alan decided that he wanted to make a store for all of his "crafts", so tomorrow, you will see us on the side of our house with a cash register. LOL!!!

He is a creator, composer, and now an entreprenuer!!! Out of control....Absolutely!!! Loving every second of this boy!!!! :)

Here are song lyrics he wrote today"

"When I see a brown eyed girl, it reminds me of my mommy"

"I do something nice for you, you do something nice to me"

"Thank you mommy for all the nice things you do for me"

My heart is melting!!! :) Posting photos soon! :)

Friday!!!

Hello folks, I'll be taking a break from writing this blog until Monday-Tuesday. However, you can still be in touch via facebook. I'll be uploading photos there from my cell.... :) All is good....later, Michelle

Thursday, June 24

It's Moving Up Day today at Alan's school. You can count on me posting pictures later, though it will be a busy busy day. Check Facebook if you want instant updates....Krauses Chocolates for Alan's teachers, all 7 of them!!! What a most interesting, challenging, surprising, and gratifying year its been. I think we ALL learned a lot this year. Two of his teachers have requested his "autograph" as they are convinced he will actually be famous some day....He has spent significant time in the new summer classroom, the new teachers are awesome. They will be arranging for "special" lunches so Alan can visit his previous classroom...this school is AWESOME!! They have stepped up to the plate in every manner possible, helping us through rough patches with grace and skill....and have supported us all the way...I remember when we were exploring possible schools, and this one stood out...It was like being on a college search, trying to find the best fit for him....

Teachers, we love you!!!

Sun-burned....June 23

Some solitude after lunch by treating myself to the "walkway over the hudson" before picking up Alan. Enjoyed a quick visit to Alan's classroom and arrived home early enough for some significant swim time at the lake.

After dinner, baked homemade blueberry crisp for the Heritage folk music meeting....Alan was so cute. He wanted to greet everyone as they arrived, and gave them each a "Ticket" so that they knew that they had arrived at the right home.

I'm a litte sun-burned and there is sand in my shoes :) It's official....summer!

....for the birds

Snapped this using my cell phone this morning..it's a cardinal in our new bird feeder right outside my front window. So fascinating! Need to get a bird book to identify our visitors....have a great day folks! I am only working a half day!