Summer Scream Week

It is a week that Ben looks forward to all year. He starts to map out his strategy and plan of attack on the other teams...even before the actual teams are formed. He lives and breathes competition. And the energy overload that comes with a summer camp of junior highers is too much that Ben pretty much can't talk about anything else in the weeks before the event begins.

Ever since he left Sunday morning, I come home to a quiet apartment everyday. Normally I'd love this but I'm getting to the point where I'm used to having Ben there. I now spend nights reading my books (which I can now enjoy uninterrupted) or catching up on some favorite reality shows (which I can enjoy also..without whining).

But most of the time I've been playing with my rabbit, who doesn't really offer much other than a few acrobatic flips and mid-air kicks for some entertainment. It's cute...it's almost like he knows that I'm lonely and he is trying desperately to help.

Ben is having a blast and I can't watch him have fun. I want to be there so bad but I just can't take work off...well, I could but it's not the easiest thing to do. I find myself realizing how much I love coming home and having him there or just knowing that at some point during the day I get to see him, Summer Scream weeks throw off my routine. :)

Only two more Ben-less days. Good thing because I've got a tired and worn out bunny on my hands.

What is Love?

'When my grandmother got arthritis, she couldn't bend over and paint her toenails anymore. So my grandfather does it for her all the time, even when his hands got arthritis too. That's love.' Rebecca- age 8

'When someone loves you, the way they say your name is different. You just know that your name is safe in their mouth' Billy - age 4

'Love is when a girl puts on perfume and a boy puts on shaving cologne and they go out and smell each other.' Karl - age 5

'Love is when you go out to eat and give somebody most of your French fries without making them give you any of theirs.' Chrissy - age 6

'Love is what makes you smile when you're tired.' Terri - age 4

'Love is when my mommy makes coffee for my daddy and she takes a sip before giving it to him, to make sure the taste is OK.' Danny - age 7

'Love is when you kiss all the time Then when you get tired of kissing, you still want to be together and you talk more. My Mommy and Daddy are like that. They look gross when they kiss' Emily - age 8

'Love is what's in the room with you're at Christmas and you stop opening presents and listen.' Bobby - age 7

'If you want to learn to love better, you should start with a friend who you hate,' Nikka - age 6

'Love is when you tell a guy you like his shirt, then he wears it everyday.' Noelle - age 7

'Love is like a little old woman and a little old man who are still friends even after they know each other so well.' Tommy - age 6

'During my piano recital, I was on a stage and I was scared I looked at all the people watching me and saw my daddy waving and smiling. He was the only one doing that. I wasn't scared anymore' Cindy - age 8

'My mommy loves me more than anybody. You don't see anyone else kissing me to sleep at night.' Clare - age 6

'Love is when Mommy gives Daddy the best piece of chicken.' Elaine-age 5

'Love is when Mommy sees Daddy smelly and sweaty and still says he is handsomer than Robert Redford.' Chris - age 7

'Love is when your puppy licks your face even after you left him alone all day.' Mary Ann - age 4

'I know my older sister loves me because she gives me all her old clothes and has to go out and buy new ones.' Lauren - age 4

'When you love somebody, your eyelashes go up and down and little stars come out of you.' Karen - age 7

'Love is when Mommy sees Daddy on the toilet and she doesn't think it's gross.' Mark - age 6

'You really shouldn't say 'I love you' unless you mean it. But if you mean it, you should say it a lot. People forget.' Jessica - age 8