Chautauqua Wildlife

Every year there is some exciting snake spotting at Chautauqua. Last year it was Maura's rattlesnake spotting. This year there was another rattlesnake spotting. This snake was shot and then driven around the grounds for everyone to take a look. There was also a nest of snakes in the creek this Summer. We've been told they are not poisoness but they still freak me out. Other not so freaky wildlife at Chautauqua are the deer, butterflies, frogs, etc...- I can handle them :)

Jersey County Tree

We've driven past this tree for years on our way to Walmart in Jersey County. I always notice it. This year I pulled over and got a picture. I'm not sure why it always draws my attention. Maybe it is because of the contrast with the blue sky and clouds or maybe it is just because it is dead.

Summer Job

1st paycheck!


Consulting with MaeMae about how to keep these weeds from coming back.



Ben got his first job this Summer at Chautauqua. He was in charge of watering the flowers and pulling weeds on the Roque Court. By the end of the Summer he was just watering because the Roque Court is sadly becoming a lost cause. No one utilizing it partly because no one can find the proper equipment to play with. Mae Mae worked with Ben at the beginning of the Summer to get it in shape- it was looking pretty good but the Roundup couldn't keep the weeds away. Ben saved all of his money through the Summer to buy an Itouch.

The 13 Year Cicada

Millions of "13 year cicadas" could be heard for weeks in STL this year. The trees were covered and the noise got so loud you could hear them over the air conditioner with the windows closed. The kids didn't want to go outside because they would dive bomb you. 13 years from now we are going to have to plan a month long vacation- maybe one of the kids will be studying in Europe and we can all go there for the month!

Max's Theater Classes

Anansi and the Moss Covered Rock

Max took a theater class this Spring through Stages. They met once a week and put on a play at the end. The play was Anansi and the Moss Covered Rock. His teacher was fabulous and did a great job balancing the high energy of some of the students. The students decided what props they needed and brought their costumes from home. Max was a mongoose and decided to use his tan snuggie as his costume.


At the beginning of Summer Max took another theater class through Rohan Woods. Their plays were The Big Bad Mouse and The Ugly Woodpecker. They created/painted all of their scenes and props. Max's comment after the first day of theater class was "Mom is was EPIC!"

Soccer Season Begins

Shakespeare Festival

In June we went to the Shakespeare Festival in Forest Park. We got there early to get a good spot to put our chairs and blankets. We spent the first hour playing cards and snacking. I realized quickly that for the kids it was all going to be about the food.



Maura was asked to be one of the cheer leaders to get the audience to come to the small stage for the 20min version of Taming of the Shrew. The actors wore traditional Shakespearean costumes in the condensed version. Watching the short version really helped the kids follow the play.
There was fire breather and sword juggler.

and belly dancers- Maura and I got up on the stage to learn how to belly dance- thankfully there are no pictures of that :)

Pae Pae, Uncle James, and Mae Mae enjoying the preshow.

more snacking...
and more snacking...

The play was fabulous. They made the setting the 1950's and played "Going to the Chapel"- that song was stuck in my head and the kids for weeks.