Week of Surprises

As the month of June came to a close, we enjoyed a busy week with a few surprises along the way.  We operated each day with less than full attendance, as it's that time of year when families enjoy traveling time together.  And while we missed a few of our friends, we carried on...here's our week in review:

On Tuesday we visited Paint on Pottery where we painted  cute animal figurines.  This outing was a chance for our associates to persevere with a somewhat challenging task (surprise!), as each figurine needed three coats of paint.  It took them a while, and we were so proud of how they stuck with it!  Look at the focus on these faces!

Everyone worked patiently, and encouraged each other with compliments and sharing of paint colors.  We were very thankful to have  Lise Kline and Teri Collins on "hand" to help.  👐

We had to leave our masterpieces behind to be fired in the kiln, but here is what they looked like before the firing with (hopefully) all three coats of paint.

Thank you, Kline Family, for this fun experience!

After painting, it was on to Cookout for lunch.  Our gang had been asking to "go out" for lunch, so this was a test for us.  We had 13 in attendance on Tuesday, and Cookout is a hopping place at lunchtime.  Once again, our guys persevered and showed patience and good humor as we had to wait several minutes for our orders.  They enjoyed sitting and chatting with each other, and we all agreed we would try "going out" for lunch again...and that we would do just fine at a "real" restaurant!  

Tuesday was also National Sunglasses Day and we were happily surprised when Teri Collins brought us a box of sunglasses!  When we stopped at the Rec Center to take a walk, everyone donned a pair and we represented as very, very cool walkers!  Thanks, Teri!

Actually, our first surprise of the week was finding out we would have to spend a couple of days in the cafeteria again this week, due to the fact that the floors in the Rec Center were being redone.  When we were in there last week, due to no AC, we were able to see video on the big screen, but had no audio.  This week, we were pleasantly surprised when Soup and Mr. Howard set us up with a huge speaker.  They take such good care of us!

We got a big surprise on Wednesday morning when Michael came for Tai Chi and brought us our own jackets!  Look how sharp we are now!

These jackets are obviously comfortable, as we are able to bend and stretch easily while wearing them. 

We decided to keep the jackets at the center for now, but we will send them home in time to be laundered.  (Cold water and line dry!)  Thanks to Michael and Parks and Rec for providing these for us!

Another surprise on Wednesday was the gorgeous weather, so we got outside a few times.  Some of the guys enjoyed shooting hoops.

 We are reading a story in which the main character considers her garden to be a sanctuary...and Kacie feels that way about the Grove Community Garden.

This group enjoyed lunch outside!

Later in the afternoon we walked around the entire campus!  Can you tell Xavier is rocking his sunglasses from Teri?  (He wore them all week!)

Still walking!  And Patrick is rocking his sunglasses, too!

On Thursday the floors were done and we moved back to our room.  And what a surprise it was when we arrived to find a big, red sofa right in front of the television screen!  Hmmm...it's too big to move out of the way, so we will adapt to having it there and just move our tables back a little when we set up, because as far as the associates are concerned, Big Red stays! 😀

We had a delicious baked potato bar with fresh fruit for lunch on Thursday.  Not everyone loved the broccoli, but Bo did!

Check out our Fourth of July table decorations...we were too busy making them to take pictures of ourselves making them!

Our Friday surprise came when we set a record...for most associates absent at the same time!  We began the day with 9, but Laura had to leave at lunch time...so we finished the day with 8! 

But, undeterred, we had our morning dance party, spent some time visiting with Tracy Newsom and her new partner, Ellie, studied the solar system, and even made Planet Pops!

Here, Meghan, Josie, and Kate mix up the prepared cake with a little bit of frosting to get the right consistency for making the pops. 

After chilling the pops for a couple of hours, we dipped them in candy coating of various colors...and...ta-da, Planet Pops!

Then, in order to outwit the sugar high, we set our minds to some afternoon thinking work!

Finally, our week ended with this sweet shot of Devin and Soup...Soup loved the Planet Pop and Devin loves Soup!  (We all do!)

Here's what's coming up:

Sunday:  The Women of the Moose are sponsoring a picnic from 12-4 and all proceeds benefit our day support program.  Associates are free but everyone else is $10.  Burgers, hot dogs, sides, music, Corn Hole tournament, and a chance to share our story with others!  Lisa, Carol, and Nan will be at 1:00.  Hope some of you can join us! 

Tuesday:  Happy Fourth of July...the AoA is on holiday!

Wednesday:  We'll celebrate Apple Turnover Day by trying a recipe for "Skinny Apple Turnovers" (very little sugar and filo dough instead of pastry dough).  Lunch on your own!

Thursday:  It's Fried Chicken Day but we're saving that for a special (and secret) surprise on Friday.  Lunch on your own! After lunch we will head to the Art Museums of CW for our monthly visit!  Please wear Arc shirts.  (Actually, please wear them for all outings...even when we forget to remind you in the blog! 😉)

Friday:  We will prepare a lunch of oven-fried chicken with not-yet determined sides as we have a special surprise planned for someone very important to us.  (Sorry...but that's all we can divulge for now.)  Stay tuned for an email update next week! 🙊

Also Friday: Jamestown Jams at Jamestown Beach Event Park! 5:30-8:30.  Free admission.  Picnics allowed, but food and beer vendors available.  Proceeds from beer sales benefit The Arc of GW!  70s music by Affirmative Groove!

Friday and Saturday, July 28-29: The Arc Membership Dinner & Resource Seminar - please be on the lookout for a letter in the mail with all the details!  Drew was surprised when he was tapped to mail them to you...on the way home Wednesday!

Wishing everyone a safe and fun holiday weekend,

Lisa, Carol, and Nan