Fun on the 4th

We, like I think most of the country, had a heat advisory for the 4th. It was intense.

And we took exactly zero good pictures. But that's okay because you can check out the mediocre ones. The first chunk of the day honestly we just accomplished house stuff. We cleaned the basement, trimmed our hedges, mowed the lawn. All the fun holiday things. 

We had our Red, White and Blue dinner. Cheeseburgers, corn-on-the-cob, grilled potatoes and lemonade. Followed by angel food cake with blueberries and strawberries.  

Then when it was starting to get dark a bit, we turned on the Macy's Fireworks and had our annual glow stick dance party. It was awesome! 

I wanted to take a cute picture of the kids in their Minnie and Mickey shirts but it just didn't happen. I got loads of awful pictures. But not worth posting. 

It was a quiet, productive holiday and that is exactly what I needed. Time with my family is my favorite way to spend any day!

July is Off!

Hello! It's July! That seems crazy to me!

So let's start with what's up with us? Well, last week we had VBS. It was good! All of our planning paid off and really the week was successful and I feel like the kids had a fun time but also learned about Jesus and some of the saints. Which is the goal you know?

Heck yes, I just screenshot-ed the bulletin. 

This week we started swimming lessons! My parents got the kids swim lessons for Christmas. We were supposed to do what my kids have referred to as "inside swimming lessons" but we aren't actually members at the YMCA. By the time "non-member" sign-ups started, they were always full. But for the same price (with like a $15 difference) the kids could take TWO summer sessions. So that's what we did! Hopefully, M has fun and C learns to float! 

It's a weird year because I have been officially kicked out to behind the fence! M is in Tot Poles and doesn't need a parent. C is in level one. Last year he would have passed level one but for some reason can't get the float down. He has like no body fat so he has density working against him. I don't know. But he has 14 classes left to figure that out this summer!

Today I found a bench where I could see both kids at the same time. (I mean not well and I couldn't hear what was going on in the big pool.) But, I was able to read my book! And then look up and check in on the kids. Pretty nifty. 

I have also been really busy with my job! Which I haven't ever blogged about either. In January, I got a job freelancing with one of our local papers and I am on their theater review team. So I go see shows and then review them. And they pay me. (It's not much but it's something!) 

It's been so nice to flex my academic brain a bit. I am finally using that Master's degree again and it's been good. But busy! Because there are so many shows in the summer at different theaters in the area I have been hopping! From May 31-June 30 I saw 6 shows! Which was time away from my kiddos. (Plus then time at home where I am writing.) 

M has been having a harder time with that. This past weekend I was going to squeeze in an extra show that I wasn't reviewing but really wanted to see and because of the two show weekend before right into VBS where she was at babysitting in the mornings, plus my three nights out that week where I missed bedtime she just had had enough of her extreme lack of mom. So I sent Husband and C to the show and I stayed with my best gal and we played play-doh, watched Sing! and went to Old Navy. 

July should be easier to manage, with just 4 shows and only one per weekend. And I have a great schedule so that will be awesome. (And I should note that Husband is a fantastic dad and does a great job with the kids when I am unable. In all those outings of mine, they've only had a babysitter one time so she's not lacking in parenting, but she is just so used to being with me.) 

Anyway, that's the reasoning behind my unexplained absence throughout June. Life just got so busy!! We are all looking forward to the holiday tomorrow and some time together as a family!

Jesus Rescues! (Where I've Been.)

Guys, it's been a busy week. I spent the week Shipwrecked at VBS and I kid you not, I came home today, took a shower and slept for three hours.

I took zero pictures of me and my kids at VBS but here is me and my girl at home in our VBS shirts this afternoon. (Before naps.) Here are some pictures of VBS!

This is our God Sighting rescue raft. Every day the crews would add their God sightings to a patch sticker and patch the holes! It was really neat to see. 

This is a picture of our whole stage set up. This was my area. I was a co-station leader of Sing and Play all week. That microphone and binder on the right? That was my spot. As well as dancing around the whole room obviously. I would be a station leader again, even Sing and Play, but Lord remind me next year I have no interest in being volunteer coordinator again! You'd be shocked at home many people signed up, dropped out, couldn't be there one day randomly, didn't like their assignment... etc. Holy cow. 

Also this week we had our Invest group. (Our parish's marriage group.) I have no pictures of that. But then the next evening I had my CEW Table meeting and we did take a group picture!

Also this week C wore his belt to church and I just think it's so cute. And honestly, his shirt stayed tucked in for the first time so obviously, we are going to keep going with the belt! 

So with that little tiny update, I wish you a happy Friday. Remember that when you're lonely, when you worry, when you struggle, when you do wrong and when you're powerless... Jesus Rescues! 

Fun Out and About

So Monday we kept things low-key since we had been gone all weekend. But yesterday we had a playdate at the museum! Which was good. There's a touring Eric Carle exhibit and C really liked it.

My little bookworm was quite content to just sit and read Eric Carle books. M however, did like the strawberry but mostly wanted to explore the rest of the museum and play with her friend. 

I had some trouble with my eyes and contacts over the weekend and wound up with a bit of a corneal abrasion. Ouch! My eye is just starting to feel better but it super sensitive to light still. I realized how much I depend on my eyes these past few days that's for sure!! But my eye seems to be on the up and up so I am thankful for that!!

A Skewed Perspective.

My FIL got C a fishing pole for his birthday.

Which came in handy because we spent this past weekend at his cabin. C was anxious to go fishing and then after the rain stopped it was finally time! Wouldn't you know that on his very first cast he actually caught a fish?!

And when you're 6, size does not matter. A fish is a fish! 

M also found herself pretty lucky with the Mickey Mouse fishing pole. Hilariously enough, she caught the most fish of the entire weekend! What are the odds? Someone would cast for her, hand her the pole and almost immediately she'd say "I caught another fish." 

My rule was my kids had to have life jackets on if they stepped on the dock. We started talking about it days before we even went. It proved to be a good rule as Little Miss Fisherwoman was sitting on the dock and slid right in. She got scooped out immediately and she was fine. (Delighted even!)

Then yesterday C caught a fish that was big enough to keep! 

It was pretty exciting! However, after lunch, he went out to fish one last time before we had to leave and was really disappointed not to catch a fish on that go of it. I tried to explain that not catching fish is a more accurate representation of the fishing experience as a whole. He did not appreciate my "It's called fishing, not catching." tagline. 

It will be interesting to see how we do on another fishing adventure. Honestly, I am happy to be home doing laundry and in air conditioning but the weekend was pretty fun nevertheless. 

Eenie Meenie

How do you best make decisions?

I am a big fan of the pro/con list myself. And letting logic decide.

Lately, I have been waiting in the stillness for Him to tell me what the right answer is. I think sometimes that I am really in tune with the Holy Spirit and not so in tune with listening to what He wants from me.

I find life to be complicated and hard sometimes. And I wait for signs. I have a good friend who says: "I always ask God for a sign, but then if I were to see a burning bush I would drive by and say something like, 'Do they know their bush is on fire? Should I call 911?'"

She's not wrong. So I sit. And wait.

And maybe, just maybe, play eenie meenie miny moe. Just for good measure.

Summer Life

It has been a week since I've been here in this space! Crazy. Here's what we've been up to.

We've been spending a lot of time outside. Mostly in the mornings. But sometimes in the afternoon. But as you can see in the picture, our backyard is shaded in the afternoon which makes it so much more tolerable. They have finally come around to the sprinkler. Which is good because it's fun and easier than inflating and filling a pool. 

Husband was out of town Thursday-Saturday Sunday (Delayed flight ---> missed connection ---> extra night.) Thursday night we had a campout sleepover in our living room. The kids were beyond excited. And then when it came time to actually sleep they decided that the floor wasn't comfy so they went to C's bed. (He has a double.) Still in their sleeping bags side-by-side. Ha. 

We made brownies. Yes, I let them lick the whisk. I like to live dangerously. 

We went to see Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Musical yesterday. It was really great. M stole the show of the audience members in her Knuffle Bunny shirt and with her own Knuffle Bunny. C wore his Pigeon and there was an awesome Pigeon puppet who made an appearance so that was awesome. #mowillemsbiggestfans 

And we've been spending even more time outside playing. I could cite all the studies about the outdoors and brain development. Or I could tell you they sleep better when they play outside. But really it's because when they're outside I can get some reading done and the kids mostly just play without needing anything.

I feel like we are busy. But by normal standards, we are not. Some days we don't even have anything. And days we do have something it's usually like, going to the park. Or an appointment. Nothing too major. VBS is coming though and that will be a long long week. In a good way certainly and I am excited/nervous about it.

Alright. More soon. Promise!!