I went to church today.
I saw this guy perform. ------> Jon McLaughlin
I cried.
His song was A.MA.ZING. Really, I cried.
Did you know he was Oscar-nominated for a little song he wrote for Disney's Enchanted, called So Close? (If you click on that link & watch the video... or if you watch the movie... that's him singing it on stage.)
And then he talked, and his heart for God is so real and so passionate. Even in the midst of all of his success. What a beautiful thing.
And then he sang again.
And I teared up... although didn't full-out cry. But his songs are just beautiful, and he performs then so genuinely. And gives God so much credit.
September 10th he will be performing near our home with the Indianapolis Symphony. I want to go. Really. Even if it IS a football game night - like a really important football game night. I still want to go.
If you're anywhere even remotely near Indy area (Fishers, actually), you should consider checking this out. All of the proceeds of the program will go to help homeless and run-away youths in the inner-city Indy area.
Just thought I'd share.
**********
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Saturday, July 30, 2011
Medals, Movies & Memorable Moments
The last few days have been full of fun! And lots of little moments that I don't want to forget.
Almost every week at gymnastics, Meagan's coach has the girls try to climb the BIG rope. Once they get to the top of the rope and ring the bell that's up there, they get a medal for it (a la the medal she got not too long ago for doing straddle holds). Wednesday was her class. She tried her hardest, but didn't get any further than she normally gets, which is about 3/4 of the way up.
BUT, Thursday she had a make-up class, so she got another try at the rope. And this time, SHE MADE IT! All the way up. And rang the bell! It was SUCH a big deal to her! And she was super excited about earning yet another medal!
It's a little hard to tell how high this is in these pictures... Just keep in mind that I'm sitting on the 2nd story taking this picture, and she is over my head here.
Sebastian has been loving his new level in gymnastics and is super excited about the possibility of team this competitive season! Rings and high bar tend to be his favorites, although he really enjoyed P-Bars this week also. I think the day he comes home from practice and tells me that pommel horse was his favorite thing, I may fall over from shock! He's not such a fan of that event, but his love for the rest seems to make up for it.
I got a few pics of him at practice this week, but almost all of them have other kids obstructing the view (or parents who walked right in front of me just as I snapped the photo... sigh). I did manage to get this one and was able to crop the other kid out well enough.
Yesterday I took the kids to one of the theaters here in town that has a free kids' movie program going on this summer. This week they showed Nannie McPhee Returns. Cute movie. They had a great time. Plus we ate popcorn for breakfast (not the best breakfast choice, as I got a bit of a stomach ache from it, but they loved it!).
We also went to the lake for some swimming time yesterday afternoon. I learned from previous attempts, and we took dry clothes with us to change there after we swam... thus leaving the pile of sand and stones in the locker room rather than all over my carpet. Worked like a charm!
Besides all of that, we've just had some great every-day ordinary moments this week... like playing in the sprinkler. Meagan drug all her pet shop animals out to the front yard and sat in the "rain" playing Littlest Pet Shop.
And Isaac, well, Isaac did this....
Summer is good.
Summer is almost over.
School is just around the corner.
**********
Almost every week at gymnastics, Meagan's coach has the girls try to climb the BIG rope. Once they get to the top of the rope and ring the bell that's up there, they get a medal for it (a la the medal she got not too long ago for doing straddle holds). Wednesday was her class. She tried her hardest, but didn't get any further than she normally gets, which is about 3/4 of the way up.
BUT, Thursday she had a make-up class, so she got another try at the rope. And this time, SHE MADE IT! All the way up. And rang the bell! It was SUCH a big deal to her! And she was super excited about earning yet another medal!
It's a little hard to tell how high this is in these pictures... Just keep in mind that I'm sitting on the 2nd story taking this picture, and she is over my head here.
Sebastian has been loving his new level in gymnastics and is super excited about the possibility of team this competitive season! Rings and high bar tend to be his favorites, although he really enjoyed P-Bars this week also. I think the day he comes home from practice and tells me that pommel horse was his favorite thing, I may fall over from shock! He's not such a fan of that event, but his love for the rest seems to make up for it.
I got a few pics of him at practice this week, but almost all of them have other kids obstructing the view (or parents who walked right in front of me just as I snapped the photo... sigh). I did manage to get this one and was able to crop the other kid out well enough.
Yesterday I took the kids to one of the theaters here in town that has a free kids' movie program going on this summer. This week they showed Nannie McPhee Returns. Cute movie. They had a great time. Plus we ate popcorn for breakfast (not the best breakfast choice, as I got a bit of a stomach ache from it, but they loved it!).
We also went to the lake for some swimming time yesterday afternoon. I learned from previous attempts, and we took dry clothes with us to change there after we swam... thus leaving the pile of sand and stones in the locker room rather than all over my carpet. Worked like a charm!
Besides all of that, we've just had some great every-day ordinary moments this week... like playing in the sprinkler. Meagan drug all her pet shop animals out to the front yard and sat in the "rain" playing Littlest Pet Shop.
And Isaac, well, Isaac did this....
Summer is good.
Summer is almost over.
School is just around the corner.
**********
Friday, July 29, 2011
Cast Your Nets
It's Friday, which means Froggy Friday at TLP (Check it out... the sale lasts all weekend)! This week Sahlin Studio released the PERFECT kit for all of my photos of our trip to visit Grandma & Grandpa's campground. Here's my first layout using this adorable kit... I KNOW there will be more. 'Cause I love this kit.
(Click here to view full credits)
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(Click here to view full credits)
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Thursday, July 28, 2011
Thank You Shrek...
Actually, thank you Charming, for breathing new life into a 'classic' with your kareoke rendition of Right Said Fred.
My kids were dancing around today singing 'I'm too sexy for my shirt.' They laughed and told me Charming was singing that at the end of Shrek, but they didn't know why. I thought it only right to give credit where credit is really due, so I dug up this lovely tidbit... straight out of my childhood.
No way are my kids going to go through life giving Charming credit for something as world-changing as that little diddy. They watched the whole video, with their eyebrows raised and their mouths hanging slightly open... of course a giggle or two here and there. At the end of it, the boys said, "Okay, that was a little weird." And Meagan said, "Mom, SEXY means you don't like something, right?"
*LOL*
**********
My kids were dancing around today singing 'I'm too sexy for my shirt.' They laughed and told me Charming was singing that at the end of Shrek, but they didn't know why. I thought it only right to give credit where credit is really due, so I dug up this lovely tidbit... straight out of my childhood.
No way are my kids going to go through life giving Charming credit for something as world-changing as that little diddy. They watched the whole video, with their eyebrows raised and their mouths hanging slightly open... of course a giggle or two here and there. At the end of it, the boys said, "Okay, that was a little weird." And Meagan said, "Mom, SEXY means you don't like something, right?"
*LOL*
**********
it's all about football. and isaac.
This post is all about football. And Isaac. And Isaac playing football.
Monday was the start of tackle football season around here. Isaac had his first practice Monday evening. Let's just say, the first practice didn't go quite as we had hoped. Isaac was just not in the right frame of mind for it - he was worried about the new sport, the new kids, the new coach, the new equipment... new new new! Isaac and new just don't get along very well.
So, he did the only thing he knew to do, and he bucked all through practice. He wouldn't look at the coaches, he wouldn't do the drills, heck he wouldn't even take the football from his teammate when it was handed to him. Uggh! It was not one of our proudest parenting moments. It was more like the parenting moment when you want to dig a hole and hide in it.
But we made it through. He made it through. And boy did he get an attitude adjustment at the end of practice. We both talked to him in no uncertain terms. Then I gave him a choice: 1) go right over to the coaches & appologize, or 2) next practice you practice like a rock star. He opted for 'practice like a rock star.'
Tuesday afternoon, Lucas worked with Isaac. He used chess pieced to explain the positions and the gaps to him. He went out in the yard and helped him with his stance, and then they ran passing drills until Isaac felt comfortable. Believe it or not, by the end of their Tuesday time, Isaac was laughing and smiling and having a great time! He WANTED to play football. Yay for attitude change!!
When Wednesday practice rolled around, he held true to his word and he practiced like a rock star. He listened. He learned. He did what he was asked. He even volunteered to run the football. Way sweet! And he was so excited to tell me about it afterwards. When he was recounting how he ran and got a first down, he was talking 90-miles-a-minute with a big smile on his face. Made me smile too!
I really don't care if he plays football or not. It's not for everyone, and I want him to do what he likes and enjoys. What I do care about is his attitude and his happiness. I like a happy kid. And this kid is happy now.
:)
Doesn't he look all grown up in his get-up?
Oh, and this is his fundraiser for this year... they are selling these cups. In sets of four. They're 18 oz cups, dishwasher safe, and very cool! $15 for four cups... not a bad price really. There are all MLB and NFL teams, and 90 colleges. If you're interested, buzz me, drop me an email, or leave a comment, and I'll get them ordered for you.
**********
Monday was the start of tackle football season around here. Isaac had his first practice Monday evening. Let's just say, the first practice didn't go quite as we had hoped. Isaac was just not in the right frame of mind for it - he was worried about the new sport, the new kids, the new coach, the new equipment... new new new! Isaac and new just don't get along very well.
So, he did the only thing he knew to do, and he bucked all through practice. He wouldn't look at the coaches, he wouldn't do the drills, heck he wouldn't even take the football from his teammate when it was handed to him. Uggh! It was not one of our proudest parenting moments. It was more like the parenting moment when you want to dig a hole and hide in it.
But we made it through. He made it through. And boy did he get an attitude adjustment at the end of practice. We both talked to him in no uncertain terms. Then I gave him a choice: 1) go right over to the coaches & appologize, or 2) next practice you practice like a rock star. He opted for 'practice like a rock star.'
Tuesday afternoon, Lucas worked with Isaac. He used chess pieced to explain the positions and the gaps to him. He went out in the yard and helped him with his stance, and then they ran passing drills until Isaac felt comfortable. Believe it or not, by the end of their Tuesday time, Isaac was laughing and smiling and having a great time! He WANTED to play football. Yay for attitude change!!
When Wednesday practice rolled around, he held true to his word and he practiced like a rock star. He listened. He learned. He did what he was asked. He even volunteered to run the football. Way sweet! And he was so excited to tell me about it afterwards. When he was recounting how he ran and got a first down, he was talking 90-miles-a-minute with a big smile on his face. Made me smile too!
I really don't care if he plays football or not. It's not for everyone, and I want him to do what he likes and enjoys. What I do care about is his attitude and his happiness. I like a happy kid. And this kid is happy now.
:)
Doesn't he look all grown up in his get-up?
Oh, and this is his fundraiser for this year... they are selling these cups. In sets of four. They're 18 oz cups, dishwasher safe, and very cool! $15 for four cups... not a bad price really. There are all MLB and NFL teams, and 90 colleges. If you're interested, buzz me, drop me an email, or leave a comment, and I'll get them ordered for you.
**********
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Still Here
I've not forgotten about my blog. I swear. I promise soon to have updates and maybe even a few pics.
This week has been football and gymnastics and football and gymnastics. You get the picture.
Tonight we had a surprise visit from a friend we met in Michigan. Great to see him! So instead of blogging, as I was original thinking of doing this evening, I sat in the living room and visited. I'm sure you understand.
But soon. Soon I will get back into the swing of things. Sometimes life requires to take front seat to blogging about life.
:)
This week has been football and gymnastics and football and gymnastics. You get the picture.
Tonight we had a surprise visit from a friend we met in Michigan. Great to see him! So instead of blogging, as I was original thinking of doing this evening, I sat in the living room and visited. I'm sure you understand.
But soon. Soon I will get back into the swing of things. Sometimes life requires to take front seat to blogging about life.
:)
Monday, July 25, 2011
Gaah!!
So, I talked with Isaac's coach this morning and found out that we were supposed to buy him some pants with built-in padding... and cleats (which should have been a given, but for some reason did not occur to me??)... and a practice jersey to go over his pads. *sigh* So we headed out to the store to grab what we needed.
Can I just say that, with my week-long break from children, during which time I got to go into stores solo with no one to keep track of but myself, I had forgotten how much FUN it is to go into a store with three kids who would rather be doing almost anything else.
F. U. N. Gaah! But we survived.
And can I also say, THAT STUFF'S NOT CHEAP! Oh well. It is what it is. We want him to have fun. And he did tell me today that "it's starting to seem funner", and he's "a little excited about it" now. Good. This is progress. So anyway, practice is tonight at 6:00, just when the heat is supposed to max out for the day. Love It! We shall survive. That's why God made water.
**********
Can I just say that, with my week-long break from children, during which time I got to go into stores solo with no one to keep track of but myself, I had forgotten how much FUN it is to go into a store with three kids who would rather be doing almost anything else.
F. U. N. Gaah! But we survived.
And can I also say, THAT STUFF'S NOT CHEAP! Oh well. It is what it is. We want him to have fun. And he did tell me today that "it's starting to seem funner", and he's "a little excited about it" now. Good. This is progress. So anyway, practice is tonight at 6:00, just when the heat is supposed to max out for the day. Love It! We shall survive. That's why God made water.
**********
Saturday, July 23, 2011
...
Today was filled with sleeping in, eating a big brunch, lazing around the house, going to football orientation, and eating again. That pretty much sums up our day. It was great! Great to have the kids back and to hear their thoughts on life. I had forgotten how much fun they are and what great perspective they can bring to our otherwise way too grown-up lives. We already have a mess in the floor of tinker toys that Meagan has dumped but not picked up. Life is back to normal. Everything is as it should be.
Sometimes, and more often lately than usual, I have these thoughts about my life - like my life is small and boring and insignificant. Like I'm not doing anything out of the ordinary. The opposite of extraordinary. I cook two meals a day, sometimes three. I clean countless messes. Some days I don't even leave my house - hows that for having no impact on the outside world? And I wonder if I should be satisfied with such a plain and ordinary life.
But then I have days like today. And I take a look at the alternative. And I realize that all the things I would have to give up to live any other kind of life are all the things I could never live without in a million lifetimes. So what, then, would be the point of a grand and extraordinary life without all the parts of life that give it meaning?
And then I know that this is the best life for me. And I am really, truly happy with that.
The end.
**********
Sometimes, and more often lately than usual, I have these thoughts about my life - like my life is small and boring and insignificant. Like I'm not doing anything out of the ordinary. The opposite of extraordinary. I cook two meals a day, sometimes three. I clean countless messes. Some days I don't even leave my house - hows that for having no impact on the outside world? And I wonder if I should be satisfied with such a plain and ordinary life.
But then I have days like today. And I take a look at the alternative. And I realize that all the things I would have to give up to live any other kind of life are all the things I could never live without in a million lifetimes. So what, then, would be the point of a grand and extraordinary life without all the parts of life that give it meaning?
And then I know that this is the best life for me. And I am really, truly happy with that.
The end.
**********
Friday, July 22, 2011
Friday Friday!
Today my quiet week with no kids comes to an end... and I couldn't be more relieved. It is just TOO quiet around here without little voices to break the silence. Grandma and Grandpa are bringing them back sometime today - probably later in the evening, so I still have one more quiet day to try to get some things done. But I am so excited to see them!
In my quiet time this week, I've done a lot of reading, and a lot of thinking. I guess I didn't realize how difficult it is to actually sit and let thoughts run free when there are kids around. So that has been therapeutic I guess you could say. And interesting. Without going into anything whatsoever, I can just say that I think I feel a shift in the direction of a few things. Think maybe I have some ideas for the next few years. Interesting. Exciting! I will just have to be super disciplined to pull it off. Self-discipline and I don't always play well together. Guess it's time to learn.
*****
Other than my cryptic-ness and ramblings, I do have something a little more concrete to share with you today. I have a few layouts that I haven't shown you yet.
First, for today's Digi Dare (the new dare will be posted a little later on this evening, so if it's not up yet, check back)...
This is Meagan and her neighborhood buddy playing in the cars out in front of our house. They were so grown up about driving down the road... until it came time to rear end each other, or spin out, or ramp curbs. That stuff was a little less grown-up. But still fun! These cars have definitely been put to good use by my kids through the years.
Second, some pictures from our trip to Salt Fork State Park a few weeks ago. We went swimming in the lake - yes, I even got in, although not for very long. As much as I love to swim, I love to read more, and there was a book on the shore calling my name.
(Click here to view full credits).
And finally, a layout I threw together using a Sahlin Studio template. This is Meagan right after she got her vanity. Grandma H. refinished an old vanity that she had in her basement and gave it to Meagan for her new bedroom at the new house. You could tell just by watching her that Meagan felt super grown-up and special. She sat in front of the mirror and just brushed and brushed her hair. For the girl who HATES to brush her hair, that was something to see!
**********
In my quiet time this week, I've done a lot of reading, and a lot of thinking. I guess I didn't realize how difficult it is to actually sit and let thoughts run free when there are kids around. So that has been therapeutic I guess you could say. And interesting. Without going into anything whatsoever, I can just say that I think I feel a shift in the direction of a few things. Think maybe I have some ideas for the next few years. Interesting. Exciting! I will just have to be super disciplined to pull it off. Self-discipline and I don't always play well together. Guess it's time to learn.
*****
Other than my cryptic-ness and ramblings, I do have something a little more concrete to share with you today. I have a few layouts that I haven't shown you yet.
First, for today's Digi Dare (the new dare will be posted a little later on this evening, so if it's not up yet, check back)...
This is Meagan and her neighborhood buddy playing in the cars out in front of our house. They were so grown up about driving down the road... until it came time to rear end each other, or spin out, or ramp curbs. That stuff was a little less grown-up. But still fun! These cars have definitely been put to good use by my kids through the years.
Second, some pictures from our trip to Salt Fork State Park a few weeks ago. We went swimming in the lake - yes, I even got in, although not for very long. As much as I love to swim, I love to read more, and there was a book on the shore calling my name.
(Click here to view full credits).
And finally, a layout I threw together using a Sahlin Studio template. This is Meagan right after she got her vanity. Grandma H. refinished an old vanity that she had in her basement and gave it to Meagan for her new bedroom at the new house. You could tell just by watching her that Meagan felt super grown-up and special. She sat in front of the mirror and just brushed and brushed her hair. For the girl who HATES to brush her hair, that was something to see!
**********
Monday, July 18, 2011
Week in Review
Okay okay, so it's been more than a few days since I've posted. Here's a quick catch-up...
Wed. July 13th - the kids had gymnastics; Grandma H. came up to stay a few days with us, so she also got to go to the gym with us and watch the kids practice. Sebastian is being moved up to team for this upcoming competitive season. He will work out with the pre-team, building up strength and endurance, and starting to learn some of the routines. Then closer to competition time, he will move up and start working out with the team. Logic behind it is to move him from his one-hour-per-week practice to a four-hour-per-week practice (pre-team) before jumping up to six hours (team). He is SUPER excited! I'm happy for him!
Also, Wed. at gymnastics, Meagan got a medal for holding a straddle hold for 15 seconds (imagine sitting in a straddle, then holding your legs and butt up off of the ground for 15 seconds with straight legs & pretty toes... straddle hold). She was PUMPED! She got her medal then turned and RAN for me, yelling "Mama, look!!" She had the biggest smile on her face, and was so super proud!
Thurs. July 14th - Meagan had a make-up gymnastics class, so we spent the first part of the afternoon at the gym again. Afterward, we headed to a really cool place not far from us - Conner Prairie. It's like stepping back in time. We learned all about life in the 1800's. What a great afternoon! We ran out of time, and didn't get to do nearly all there was. But the kids each made a candle from scratch, dipping the wick string in the big pot of hot wax over and over... and over... until they had a nice little candle. They sat through a school lesson in an old school house, saw a blacksmith make a nail from a scrap of metal, and pounded a square piece of wood through a round hole to make a wood peg. All fun stuff! We left with a membership. We will most definitely be going back.
Fri. July 15th - Suzie, Grace, Olivia and Sebastian (Olivia's boyfriend... yes, we actually had TWO Sebastian's in the same place... weird) met us at the Indy Zoo. We had a pretty good time, although it was H.O.T. and lots of the animals were snoozing and hiding from the heat. It was still good to spend time with family we don't get to see often. Meagan LOVED Grace. Loved. (Almost forgot to mention the highlight... petting SHARKS! Little sharks, but still. Very cool! Isaac could have stayed in there FOR.EVER.)
(A picture of all the old people at the zoo...)
After the zoo we came back to our house and watched Despicable Me waiting on Lucas to get home from work. Then we ate at Logan's. Then Grandma stole my kids from me for her vacation week. :( Sad Mama. No kiddos. I miss them. I missed them before they got to the bottom of the driveway. There is a strange comfort in knowing they are here with me, even if we're not in the same room doing the same thing. I miss them. Did I mention that?
Sat. July 16th - Lucas took me on a date! We went to see HP Part 2. So good. So good. Deviated from the book a bit, which, in my opinion weakened the story a bit, but all in all, it was very well done. Action started right from the beginning and went all the way through. I wanna go see it again.
Then later after the movie, he took me out to a YUMMMMY Asian restaurant here in town. Delicious food. So good! That phrase pretty much sums up our day - So good!
Sun. July 17th - Not a lot to report. We slept in, and went to the 11:00 church service. We went to Lowes and picked out stain for our deck - which we cannot stain at the moment because it is WAY to hot and humid. Pointless. But we have the stain if ever the weather breaks and decides to cooperate.
Mon. July 18th - That would be today, no? Um, today we realized just how pitiful we can be. We are SUCH a married couple. We just looked at each other, "What do you want to do?" - "I don't know, what do YOU want to do?" We ended up doing a whole lot of not a lot. But we did manage to find a dresser for Isaac's room and get his clothes back into drawers instead of laundry baskets. (Ssshhh... Grandma don't tell him... it's a surprise).
**********
Wed. July 13th - the kids had gymnastics; Grandma H. came up to stay a few days with us, so she also got to go to the gym with us and watch the kids practice. Sebastian is being moved up to team for this upcoming competitive season. He will work out with the pre-team, building up strength and endurance, and starting to learn some of the routines. Then closer to competition time, he will move up and start working out with the team. Logic behind it is to move him from his one-hour-per-week practice to a four-hour-per-week practice (pre-team) before jumping up to six hours (team). He is SUPER excited! I'm happy for him!
Also, Wed. at gymnastics, Meagan got a medal for holding a straddle hold for 15 seconds (imagine sitting in a straddle, then holding your legs and butt up off of the ground for 15 seconds with straight legs & pretty toes... straddle hold). She was PUMPED! She got her medal then turned and RAN for me, yelling "Mama, look!!" She had the biggest smile on her face, and was so super proud!
Thurs. July 14th - Meagan had a make-up gymnastics class, so we spent the first part of the afternoon at the gym again. Afterward, we headed to a really cool place not far from us - Conner Prairie. It's like stepping back in time. We learned all about life in the 1800's. What a great afternoon! We ran out of time, and didn't get to do nearly all there was. But the kids each made a candle from scratch, dipping the wick string in the big pot of hot wax over and over... and over... until they had a nice little candle. They sat through a school lesson in an old school house, saw a blacksmith make a nail from a scrap of metal, and pounded a square piece of wood through a round hole to make a wood peg. All fun stuff! We left with a membership. We will most definitely be going back.
Fri. July 15th - Suzie, Grace, Olivia and Sebastian (Olivia's boyfriend... yes, we actually had TWO Sebastian's in the same place... weird) met us at the Indy Zoo. We had a pretty good time, although it was H.O.T. and lots of the animals were snoozing and hiding from the heat. It was still good to spend time with family we don't get to see often. Meagan LOVED Grace. Loved. (Almost forgot to mention the highlight... petting SHARKS! Little sharks, but still. Very cool! Isaac could have stayed in there FOR.EVER.)
(A picture of all the old people at the zoo...)
After the zoo we came back to our house and watched Despicable Me waiting on Lucas to get home from work. Then we ate at Logan's. Then Grandma stole my kids from me for her vacation week. :( Sad Mama. No kiddos. I miss them. I missed them before they got to the bottom of the driveway. There is a strange comfort in knowing they are here with me, even if we're not in the same room doing the same thing. I miss them. Did I mention that?
Sat. July 16th - Lucas took me on a date! We went to see HP Part 2. So good. So good. Deviated from the book a bit, which, in my opinion weakened the story a bit, but all in all, it was very well done. Action started right from the beginning and went all the way through. I wanna go see it again.
Then later after the movie, he took me out to a YUMMMMY Asian restaurant here in town. Delicious food. So good! That phrase pretty much sums up our day - So good!
Sun. July 17th - Not a lot to report. We slept in, and went to the 11:00 church service. We went to Lowes and picked out stain for our deck - which we cannot stain at the moment because it is WAY to hot and humid. Pointless. But we have the stain if ever the weather breaks and decides to cooperate.
Mon. July 18th - That would be today, no? Um, today we realized just how pitiful we can be. We are SUCH a married couple. We just looked at each other, "What do you want to do?" - "I don't know, what do YOU want to do?" We ended up doing a whole lot of not a lot. But we did manage to find a dresser for Isaac's room and get his clothes back into drawers instead of laundry baskets. (Ssshhh... Grandma don't tell him... it's a surprise).
**********
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
A Novel Idea
Last night after the kids went to bed, I stayed downstairs on the main floor and cleaned up a bit. I swept and mopped, cleaned the dishes, straightened up the living room... all things that had been needing to be done for the past few days.
This morning, it was so nice to come down to clear, clutter-free counter tops, a sparkling floor, and a generally tidy everything else.
When Sebastian came down, he looked around and said, "Wow, it's actually all cleared off and cleaned up for a change." (pause............) "Our house looks great when it's clean! We should keep it clean more often."
I had a palm to forehead moment. It was all I could do to bite my tongue. Gaaah!! I think this is what I've been saying to them broken-record-style for the past, oh I don't know, forever! I'm glad to see someone else is finally on the same page with me. Maybe since it is finally now HIS idea that a clean house would be better than a messy house, just MAYBE it will get done.
Keeping the house clean... what a novel idea!
**********
This morning, it was so nice to come down to clear, clutter-free counter tops, a sparkling floor, and a generally tidy everything else.
When Sebastian came down, he looked around and said, "Wow, it's actually all cleared off and cleaned up for a change." (pause............) "Our house looks great when it's clean! We should keep it clean more often."
I had a palm to forehead moment. It was all I could do to bite my tongue. Gaaah!! I think this is what I've been saying to them broken-record-style for the past, oh I don't know, forever! I'm glad to see someone else is finally on the same page with me. Maybe since it is finally now HIS idea that a clean house would be better than a messy house, just MAYBE it will get done.
Keeping the house clean... what a novel idea!
**********
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Vacation Pics: Day 2
Tuesday June 28. Day 2 of our visit with Grandma & Grandpa.
We started our day out with a walk through the trees. Seems exploring is an endless source of entertainment. I love that.
Also love to see such a smile on this boy's face.
On day 1, Grandpa taught Meagan how to chew on hay seed. Now as soon as she finds some, she sticks it in her mouth. I think she would do anything to be like her Grandpa.
And again with the cat. Blue is such a sport.
Grandma gave the kids each a butterfly net. It took Sebastian and Meagan about 10 seconds to stick them over their heads like goofy hats. Isaac, however, immediately set off in search of adventure.
While Grandpa did some work around the campground, the kids entertained themselves in the woods. They found a path that Cleo had worn with her shortcuts through the trees, and they turned it into their fort. Can you say MUDDY. Muddy butts all around, but they were having a great time!
One of my favorite aspects of the campground is the bird watching. There are bird houses and feeders all around, including just across the path from the front porch of the store. We sat out there talking and watching the birds come and go. Cardinals (my favorite), finches, bluebirds. Beautiful. I happened to catch a picture of this bluebird as he was just taking flight. Very cool I thought.
My dad took us on a Gator ride through the 'neighborhood' which consists of a few stone roads that branch off here and there, rising and falling over some rather big hills.
Going down one particularly large hill, the gator got going pretty fast.
Sebastian laughed and yelled, 'We are so gonna die!!'...
Meagan threw her head back and laughed for Grandpa to go faster...and Isaac just hung on, showing no real emotion either way (typical Isaac)...
His neighbor has long-haired cattle. Very interesting.
Also on our ride, we stopped so he could show them milk weed, let them smell it and see the milk inside. It made me think of my own childhood when he would stop in a field to show me Queen Anne's Lace or some other wildflower. I love that they are getting to have these experiences also.
And of course, we picked more raspberries. How can you resist?
The 2 bosses. :)
Sebastian and Grandpa worked together to build a fire ring for our hot dog and marshmallow roast later that evening.
And Meagan helped? by climbing into the fire ring with the cat? *shrug*
Some random pictures... can't get enough of rolling down a big hill.
(or sitting on the side of the hill catching bugs and eating a candy necklace... this picture makes me laugh)
(or snuggling with kitties... this is Ben, Sebastian's buddy)
When Lucas got off of work, he headed over to the campground to hang out for the evening. He got a ride through the campground...
And then we got down to business... let the hot dog roast begin!
And on to the marshmallows and s'mores
(marshmallow in his hair!)
They all tried a variation of roasted marshmallows, including really burnt. No one cared much for the really burnt.
We stayed until after dark, after the lightning bugs had been chased and caught, and the glow sticks from Grandma had been put to good use. When we finally climbed in the van to head back to the hotel, Meagan said, "Mamma I'm too tired to ride in the van." That's tired. Everyone was. It was a GOOD day.
**********
We started our day out with a walk through the trees. Seems exploring is an endless source of entertainment. I love that.
Also love to see such a smile on this boy's face.
On day 1, Grandpa taught Meagan how to chew on hay seed. Now as soon as she finds some, she sticks it in her mouth. I think she would do anything to be like her Grandpa.
And again with the cat. Blue is such a sport.
Grandma gave the kids each a butterfly net. It took Sebastian and Meagan about 10 seconds to stick them over their heads like goofy hats. Isaac, however, immediately set off in search of adventure.
While Grandpa did some work around the campground, the kids entertained themselves in the woods. They found a path that Cleo had worn with her shortcuts through the trees, and they turned it into their fort. Can you say MUDDY. Muddy butts all around, but they were having a great time!
One of my favorite aspects of the campground is the bird watching. There are bird houses and feeders all around, including just across the path from the front porch of the store. We sat out there talking and watching the birds come and go. Cardinals (my favorite), finches, bluebirds. Beautiful. I happened to catch a picture of this bluebird as he was just taking flight. Very cool I thought.
My dad took us on a Gator ride through the 'neighborhood' which consists of a few stone roads that branch off here and there, rising and falling over some rather big hills.
Going down one particularly large hill, the gator got going pretty fast.
Sebastian laughed and yelled, 'We are so gonna die!!'...
Meagan threw her head back and laughed for Grandpa to go faster...and Isaac just hung on, showing no real emotion either way (typical Isaac)...
His neighbor has long-haired cattle. Very interesting.
Also on our ride, we stopped so he could show them milk weed, let them smell it and see the milk inside. It made me think of my own childhood when he would stop in a field to show me Queen Anne's Lace or some other wildflower. I love that they are getting to have these experiences also.
And of course, we picked more raspberries. How can you resist?
The 2 bosses. :)
Sebastian and Grandpa worked together to build a fire ring for our hot dog and marshmallow roast later that evening.
And Meagan helped? by climbing into the fire ring with the cat? *shrug*
Some random pictures... can't get enough of rolling down a big hill.
(or sitting on the side of the hill catching bugs and eating a candy necklace... this picture makes me laugh)
(or snuggling with kitties... this is Ben, Sebastian's buddy)
When Lucas got off of work, he headed over to the campground to hang out for the evening. He got a ride through the campground...
And then we got down to business... let the hot dog roast begin!
And on to the marshmallows and s'mores
(marshmallow in his hair!)
They all tried a variation of roasted marshmallows, including really burnt. No one cared much for the really burnt.
We stayed until after dark, after the lightning bugs had been chased and caught, and the glow sticks from Grandma had been put to good use. When we finally climbed in the van to head back to the hotel, Meagan said, "Mamma I'm too tired to ride in the van." That's tired. Everyone was. It was a GOOD day.
**********
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