It's Friday night and John is unexpectedly out at a concert he was asked to review for The Gazette after his good friend who was supposed to write it came down with shingles today. So it's only fitting that I take the opportunity of this quiet evening to share a bit of our last two Friday evenings.

Last week we tried our hands at archery when the university's Recreational Services department, which runs an outdoor education center that includes some of Edward's favorite summer camps, offered a family activity night. We didn't tell the boys about it until we were on the way to the site. Once there, they thought they should be allowed to pick up the bows and start shooting. They tried to be patient with the instruction, but it was difficult. Also, there was a glitch in the registration that allowed more people to sign up than they intended, so there were long waits for turns. But once they learned the rules and got the gear, they were eager archers.

 It turned out to be more difficult than they expected, but after about three or four arrows they were getting them all the way to the target. Not in the target, mind you. You see, the range is set up for taller people (local archery club for adults) so they were basically eye level with the wood frame. We tried to say that hitting the wood was the same as hitting the target, but Mr. Competitive Daniel was not fully appeased. Still, they both had a good time and Edward was excited to find out which one of the summer camp sessions included archery as an activity.

(The matching tie-dye shirts were made in camp that afternoon.)

The Friday before that ended with a brilliant fireworks display that we got to enjoy with my parents, as they had arrived for a weekend visit. Yes, it was July 5, not the 4th, but we were actually happy to have the late night followed by a lazy Saturday.

This Friday, I'm pretty sure both boys were sound asleep within minutes of turning out their lights. Daniel may have even fallen asleep as his head was dropping toward his pillow. He was yawning audibly from the time I picked him up from camp at 4. These last two weeks, both boys have been in daily swim lessons from 11:15 to noon followed by afternoon camp. Most of the rest of the summer, the camps are half days in the morning, ending by noon-ish. I guess it just takes a lot out of them. I know I'm more tired working in the afternoons and will be glad to return to our regular hours next week.

P.S. The swim session ended with Daniel passing to Level 3--ice cream for all!