Vacation Bible School

The kids went to Vacation Bible school for the first time this summer.  They got to attend with their best friends, Sarah, Caroline, and Millie.  At first Riley was a little apprehensive, but she warmed up when her teacher (who was wearing a real princess dress) took her in with the other kids.  I got a CD of all the songs they were learning and we have been listening to it everyday since.  The kids cannot get enough of these songs and I LOVE it.  They learned about the Full Armor of God.  And they KNOW it!! They can tell me each piece of armor and what it does or protects. I love how they are sponges and truly soak up what they are taught. Since I personally didn't get any pictures, I took pictures of their pictures. So ghetto, but I couldn't stop myself. Above is Riley on the day Millie wasn't there.  She said she wore this face all morning. We are gonna have to work on that.  If not, this is the face she will wear throughout school since she and Millie won't be in the same schools.

Jude loved his week. Sarah and Caroline missed on Tuesday, but he didn't seem to be phased.  He loved getting to dress up as a knight while the girls wore princess dresses.  The theme was the Good Kingdom and Bad Kingdom, hence the Medieval ware. His favorite craft was Sword of the Spirit making, although the Shield of Faith craft has lasted longer.

On the last day, all of the classes (except for Jude's little people class) got the sing a song, complete with hand motions, on the stage for the parents.  I thought Riley would LOVE this since she is constantly singing and putting on shows at home. Instead of being the performer I just knew she was, she stood- or hid- behind the boy in the black t-shirt and chewed on her fingers. I will admit that I was disappointed in her.  Then I had to remember that she is four and has never been on stage... and is maybe just a little more timid than I realized. So I did my best to put my expectations down and love her timid sweet spirit. And two nights later, she sang "Putting on my Gospel Shoes" in all of its glory.  Sigh.

The next week they were asking when they can go back to VBS.  Success! We will definitely see VBS again next summer! 

The Kids First Float

To kick off the summer in full summer fashion, we went camping and floating during the week!!  This was the first time we've ever gone camping with just the four of us.  It was very low key, almost boring at times...but that could be because I forgot to pack toys for the kids.  We had a full afternoon at the campground, full of fishing and wading in the water.  Because it was a Thursday, we had the place almost to ourselves.  Riley rekindled her love of casting. Notice the blue fish on the end of her line? She has no interest in catching anything but that fish she calls "Dori".

Jude also has a love for casting.  Only he likes to only catch a red fish that hasn't been named. These two spent 30 minutes at a time casting in the gently moving water. That's a like a thousand years in preschooler's time.

I couldn't resist snapping pictures of this cutie being still, because it rarely happens.  And I'm pretty sure he is using Riley's rod here because his is meant for a seven year old, he's got some growing to do.

It was a little chilly that night.  Fortunately, I did remember to pack hoodies and warm PJs for everyone.   When we camp, we usually have fancy camping meals that require lots of prep and clean up.  This time we roasted hot dogs.  That's it.  I think that's when I realized it was a little boring, because I did a lot of sitting that night.  And sitting still is just a little weird for my busy body to do. No wonder Jude never sits still.

Woody talked me into sleeping on the ground and not using an air mattress.  After my initial fear response of an adrenaline-heightened heart rate producing a sheen of sweat over my entire body, I was okay with sleeping on a hard ground and losing my beloved cozy comfy bed.  Not happy about it, okay with it.  Because who am I kidding?  I NEVER sleep well the first night of camping.  Then I'm so exhausted by the second night that I could sleep on said hard ground. But the ground wasn't that awful, and I ended up sleeping for a few hours. The grass was pretty thick and padded.  But we did go purchase camping mats after this night.

One of my favorite parts of camping is after the kids go to sleep, the adults sit around the campfire and have some of the best and funniest conversations I've ever encountered. The kids got in the tent around 8:30 and quietly talked and played until 10:30.  This would not ever be okay at home, but it was so sweet to listen to their little conversations that we let them have that time together. Woody and I sat near the fire (because it was 60 degrees at that point) and enjoyed some "unplugged" time together.  Seriously, getting away from all the devices, ringing, dinging, notifying, etc is just good for this soul.

While we were hanging out together, we heard several owls calling to each other. Then as we were going to bed we heard a large cat, I'm going to venture and say it was a mountain lion, screech like nothing I've ever heard.  It was on the other side of the river, and cats hate water, right?  This is what I told myself so I could get those few hours of sleep I needed. 

So the picture above (3 paragraphs north of here because I talk so much) is of the kids having breakfast Friday morning. It was such a beautiful and foggy morning.  They were very worried that the fog wouldn't lift and we wouldn't be able to float, but by the time we had everything packed up and everyone sunscreened, it was nice and sunny.

And this is how we floated.  The kids fit perfectly in the middle of the boat on their camping chairs.  They did so great during the 8 mile float, never standing or leaning too far over.  They didn't fight almost all day!  It was so fun and so nice to enjoy so much sweet time together. By the end of the day, they were asking if we could come back next week. I definitely see this as a beginning of summer tradition for this family.

According to Jude

I spent most of the day trying to decipher what he was saying over and over again.  He kept talking about his Crispie.  Playing with it, throwing it, losing it.... FINALLY, I realized he meant his Frisbee.  This might be my favorite misnomer yet.

Memorial Day Camping

Oh where to begin?  Way back in 2006, we began a tradition of camping over Memorial Day weekend with the Fleer's and Smith's.  We haven't had all families every year, but we still try to get somewhere to spend some quality time together. I look forward to this every year.  This year, it ended up being the Woody's and the Fleer's.  Woody was in charge of accomodations because we were going to his neck of the woods- Mountain View area. Apparently you can't book anything in advance here...

So Woody's dad found us a camping spot near Mountain View called Pogue Springs.  I was planning on (and packed for) a campsite, complete with camping spots, mowed grass, and bathrooms. But since Blanchard Springs was all booked up by Friday morning, we ended up at Pogue Springs.  It was a cute little place, not a campsite though... more like a clearing in the woods. Let the adventure begin.  Oh wait, the "adventure" actually began in Harrison when Jude had diarrhea 3 times before we got to our destination.  Note to self- Daddy's Slim Jim snack shall not be shared with children anymore.

We finally arrived right at nightfall and began setting up.  The Fleer's just purchased an awesome pop-up camper before this excursion.  Note to self- make sure campers fit through the roads getting to the "campsite".  Getting it in the area was much easier than getting it out.

But we did have a pretty cool sound of rushing water all weekend, and NO BUGS!!  Summer and I really thought we wouldn't see another soul (besides wildlife) all weekend.  But apparently Pogue Springs is a popular swimmin' hole during the day, we met all kinds of folks ready to swim... and Wildlife officers from the Game and Fish Commission too!  Kind of nice to see such a presence of authority making sure everyone was taking care of the land.

And the weather was perfect for camping. Cool nights, warm days, no rain.

Now that the kids are older, camping is easier and we all have more fun.  Their table for the weekend was the cooler, complete with drink holders.  I think this was their second favorite part of camping, fishing was the first.

Jaden was a big 10 months old for his first camping trip and he did so well! Such a happy baby!  It's so easy to forget what it's like to have a baby when our kids are already preschoolers.

Upon leaving, we knew it would be difficult for the guys to get the camper back to the road.  Summer sat with Jaden in their truck and I sat with the kids in our truck.  An hour went by very fast with good snacks and a Winnie the Pooh movie on the DVD player. After that hour of the guys maneuvering and sweating and physically laboring, we were good to go.

I foresee a lot of camping in our summer season.  But this time, I'm gonna need a bathroom.

Play Date Fun

We try to have play dates with our friends once a week or so.  With busy schedules (already-I thought this was supposed to happen when they started school), we might have to skip a week or so in there. Riley has dropped her afternoon nap time.  Now she has "rest time" during the usual nap time.  She can play quietly or read or rest in her room during this hour and a half.  One day after a play date at our house, this is how I found her.  

I think she is worn out. And look at that room!!  Proof that there was a lot of fun had in her room that morning.  Yes, she is in a princess dress up and asleep backwards on her chair.  When she heard me in her room, she looked up with a line a drool connecting her mouth to the chair (I know that tidbit will not be a welcomed fact in a few years- it's character building Riley).  More proof of a great play date.

Another play date, this time at Millie's.  They always seem to end up dressed up.  Here Jude will play the part of the Very Hungry Catepillar from Millie's 2nd (?) birthday.

And Riley and Sarah will play the part of a princess and Cinderella.  Love that they held  hands for this picture without being asked to.  We look forward to our play dates.  They are ointment to all of our souls, kids and mommies alike.

Jude's 3rd Birthday Party

As mentioned above, it SNOWED on Jude's birthday party day.  So we had to alter our plans from an outdoor super hero party to an indoor party.  I mean, we were going to play on the swing set and bouncy house while the parents hung out in the backyard and enjoyed some food and some cool spring weather.  Didn't realize it would be so cool/cold. And I guess my camera was mad at the weather because I didn't manage to get good pictures at all.  They ALL seem blurry.  Grrr.

But so many of Jude's friends came to celebrate his big three year anniversary on this planet.  I loved having a living room and kitchen and dining room packed with sweet friends and family.  Woody cleaned out the garage and put the bouncy house in there, so the kids loved an inside hop or two. That man is worth his weight in gold.

See?  Blurry. Maybe it isn't my camera. Maybe it's these kids that never stop moving.  I might have to permanently set my camera mode to "Sports". Since the boys were dressed up in super hero wear, the girls came in princess dress-ups.  The heroes need someone to rescue, right?

Somewhat bashful when the birthday song started.

And the cake.  Yes, it's a cake...but not really.  Pinterest win on this fruit cake. Jude doesn't like cake and only eats the icing.  And I know that all the moms here would be happy about their children eating fruit instead of cake.  And Jude likes watermelon.  So here we have a watermelon surrounded by other yummy fruits that appeared to be a cake (with a blurry camera lens).

Macy's mommy left her wallet here (I can't imagine how she left something here with a preschooler, infant twin boys, and a husband).  When she came back, these girls were randomly wearing the same PJs!!!  So cute!

All in all, complete success on Jude's birthday party, snow included.

Snow in May

Because why would it not snow on the first weekend of May?!

This was a packed weekend too!  Our neighborhood had a garage sale this weekend.  I was the only one dumb enough to open my garage door.  But everything was set up, so why not?  I got to spend some time with Summer and Calah, so that was fun at least!

We also had Jude's birthday party the day these shots were taken.  Of course I planned an outside party with a bouncy house, outdoor games, grilling. Good idea right?  You'd think so.

Instead, we ended up with an indoor party, and said bouncy house in the garage.  The kids had lots of fun.  The food was good.  The company was great.  It was so heartwarming to sit back and see my house filled with sweet family and friends who came to celebrate Jude turning three.  We are indeed blessed.