Vacation Bible School

Several weeks ago the kids and I participated in Vacation Bible School at our church. This is one of the largest things the church pulls off all year - with about 250 kids and 100 volunteers. All three of the kids LOVE it and they spend the rest of the year singing the songs.

The kids are all split up into crews - with 5 or 6 kids in a crew. Each crew has a leader. This year Ethan was really fortunate to have an awesome leader - my dear friend, Meredith. Here he is with Crew #15. Kieran, Ethan, Marschall, Anna and Joshua.

Here we are in the craft classroom. I taught the craft station with my two friends, Kim and Amy. I really love teaching and seeing all the kids. I had rising 1st - 5th graders.

Check out the awesome decorations in our room (No, I did not do it- it was another group of volunteers;).

And, finally here we are during large group time. The kids sing and dance with a live worship team, watch funny skits, etc. This year to go with our "High Seas Adventure" theme the stage was decorated like a huge ship.

Marschall, Ethan and Kieran singing... "pat a neighbors back, pat a back next to ya, pat a neighbors back and sign along..."

Don't Worry We Will Cut it Before the Wedding...

Happy Birthday, Mom!

I know I have gotten really slack on posting. I am trying to catch up now. We have been doing the usual summer stuff around here... pool, vacations, playing outside. A few weeks ago we went to see my parents for the weekend- that weekend we celebrated my Mom's birthday and Father's Day. Here are a couple of high lights...

Trying out Uncle Ben's helmet- see what you miss when you are gone Uncle Ben!

My attempt at a rainbow cake... not the best effort, but it did taste good. I am going to do more layers, but thinner next time.

Happy Birthday, Mom!

(We could not find any candles int he house).

How to Throw an Uppity Shower (When you are really not!)

So... I have been busy for the last month.

I was so excited for summer to start and my busy schedule to end (ha!).

Think again!

This month has been just as busy -

but without the benefit of two mornings of pre-school a week to get stuff done!

The first really exciting thing I did last month was help to throw a shower for my sweet friend Ashley. Emily, Kari and I decided to throw an Uppity shower- no games, dress up a little, in the evening, momtinis. None of us are uppity - but it was fun to pretend for one night!

Here are all our secrets...

1. Invite your uppity friends! From left to right: Ida, Emily, Ashley, Tiffany.

2. Laugh and talk about uppity things. Like how you hate Walmart and can't wait for Lacrosse camp to start.

3. Open monogrammed gifts.

4. Serve tiramisu in fine china with silver spoons.

5. Serve sushi, but don't dare try to roll it yourself, buy it from a professional sushi maker.

6. Why eat plain fruit, when you can eat fruit that is shaped like a flower?

7. Drink several momtini's in real glasses with garnish and rimming sugar.

8. Caprese salad on a stick.

9. Waste three entire peppers - just to have a cute place to put the vegetable dip.

10. Order cakes from a trendy (all be it over- priced) local bakery. But, hey I heard they were Delicious.

I threw 2 other showers in June. More on those later.

First and Last

I can hardly believe it, but I now have a rising First Grader! Today was the last day of Kindergarten for Ethan. It has been a year of much learning, fun and stretching (both for Ethan and me).

Ethan's favorite parts of Kindergarten... recess, P.E., snack time, lunch time, and Math (at least we got one major subject area in there). After I asked him his favorites, I also asked "What about reading?" - his response was, "reading's not that great". well, terrific, it is going to be a long 12 years!

Ethan on the first day of school.

First Day.

Last day of school.

(You can also see that sometime this year we painted the front door).

We are so excited that it is the last day of school!

The twins first day of pre-school.

Check out Livy's short hair.

Twins last day of pre-school.

When asked about pre-school- the twins favorite thing is always "Maddie and Asher" - there two buddies! My how we miss pre-school. Whose idea was it to take summers off???

Only 76 days until 1st grade.

88 days until pre-school.

But, who's counting?

Ohio for Memorial Day!

At the least minute, we decided to spend Memorial Day Weekend in Ohio with my grandmother. It was great. The weather was beautiful and so were the sunsets.

Sun setting over Lake Erie - just about 3 minutes from my grandmother's door.

Wish I had a boat.

Attempt to get a family shot. What is wrong with my kids?? Why will they not all look at the camera at the same time??

Olivia at the Lake.

Most of the days were spent in my grandmother's yard in the pool. The kids are still talking about Great Granny's "Pool" - they way they tell it you would think she has an Olympic size swimming pool back there.

I love this picture- it is just what life is like right now: Isaac spraying his sister in the face.

Another attempt at the Lake to get they all together.... really, why do I even bother?

Playing in the Lake. Although the papers reported that the water was only 55 degrees - the kiddos did not complain. (The next day we noticed there were no swimming and no wading signs posted- oh well).

On the way up we drove through Amish Country hoping to find some wheat berries. No luck, but we did see a few funny things... First, check out the car seat on the horse and buggy. Wonder if they have LATCH.

Amish farm with traditional plowing. This just strikes me as funny because it is so difficult!