A Learned to Ride a Bike!

We gave A a new bike for her birthday two years ago, but she hasn't been overly excited to ride it. It bothered her when it was slightly off-balance, etc. and she felt more comfortable and confident on her scooter, so it didn't become much of a priority to ride her bike. But a few days ago, I told her that it was my goal for her to learn to ride her bike, without training wheels, before school started. She said, "Okay" without arguing, and so today I figured was a perfectly good day to start practicing. Little did I know that she would only need my help until the end of the block and then took off, and never looked back. Go A go!

New Bible

On A's school supply list, she needed a specific Bible, which I had to order on Amazon. When it came in the mail, she got really excited and sat down to read it on the stairs. JD came down the stairs and was excited for the new Bible too. A offered to read it to him. A opened to Genesis and read "and God saw that it was good, and it was." For soooo many reasons, this brings me such joy!(JD's mosquito-attacked face after camping)

Walupt Lake, WA

We enjoyed two nights in the mountains earlier this week at Walupt Lake. Everyone had a fun time exploring the campground, taking the boat out, etc. Unfortunately, despite lots of bug spray, our guy was really attacked by the mosquitoes. J and his sister, J, and JD all seem to react pretty strongly to the mosquitoes. They didn't seem to bother him too much, but he looked awfully beat up after only two nights. Even one day later, the swelling has subsided, thank goodness! My poor guy!

Sun River Lofgren-Style 2011

We enjoyed another family vacation in beautiful central Oregon. 13 people and one labradoodle enjoyed hiking, biking, swimming, feeding ducks, and riding ponies. There was also a live animal in the wall between our closet and hall stairwell, so things were never dull.

A with her cousins S, 8, and A, 6

Riding the ponies is always a highlight

This year A and JD had a GREAT time swimming in the pool. They kept their life-jackets on, but their confidence in the water was fun to see. Another year of swimming lessons, and maybe we won't need the life-jackets. We'll see.

We hiked a trail to Benham Falls. Most of the family hiked 2 miles. JD and our nephew, B, couldn't handle that route, so we joined them at the last 1/2 mile and everyone got to enjoy the waterfalls.
A is quite fast on her scooter, and on a bike/scooter ride, she had an accident that scraped up her knee and leg pretty badly with some serious road rash. But she was incredibly brave, and, thanks to daddy's medical training and my first aid kit, she was ready to take the scooter for another spin the next day.
JD is quite the stunt-man on his bike. He doesn't need to put his feet on the pedals. Or at least not when he's trying to show off!

Home Depot Fun

A few years ago, when we were in ND, a friend asked A where she lived. Her answer: Home Depot. I am glad to say that now, as a soon to be 6 year old, she knows her full address, including zip code, and three phone numbers, all with their area codes - and none of the answers include Home Depot. But, we do enjoy going there for our various house projects. And now we have a monthly reason to go: Kids Workshops! This month the kids made pencil boxes, which included the use of wood glue and hammering 8 nails. No one was injured, and everyone was proud of their work. Next month, who knows what we'll make!

Camping REALLY Close to Home

Nana and Papa gave A and JD a tee-pee this summer. It was only a matter of a few days before the begging started. You know what they wanted. "When can we sleep in the tee-peeeeeeeee?" Well, it was a beautiful evening, and we didn't have to be anywhere in the morning, so I thought, 'Why not?' Of course, they fully intended to stay out there all by themselves. But, that really freaked me out. I mean, they ARE 5 and 3. So I insisted that I join them. But, the tee-pee is really not big enough for the three of us. I mean, my really long legs wouldn't fit. So, I was told (yes, they told me) that I could sleep outside. Thank you. So I slept on the cot, and hoped, hoped, hoped that there would be no night visitors a.k.a. Rodents Of Unusual Sizes. We've seen dead possums and raccoons far too close to our house to ignore. Thankfully, it was a beautiful night, no R.O.U.S.es were sighted, and the kids slept until 7:30. I'd be willing to do it again before the summer's over.

Esther Short Park Fountain Fun

We enjoyed a hot Wednesday afternoon listening to some folk music from the bandstand while playing in the water fountain. And by we, I mean A and JD. I enjoyed watching from my nice and cool, shady spot. There was one incident on the rocks that gave JD a black and blue goose egg on his forehead for four days, but, other than that, no harm was done. Not too bad for $2 in the parking meter.This, just in case you needed some clarification, is JD's Spiderman pose.

Camping Close to Home

The kids and I joined some new friends for a fun camping experience with our church. We camped out on the main campus grass, pitched our tent, and had fun! They cooked dinner and breakfast for us, provided s'mores, set up a badminton net and a swimming pool, and also had a late night showing of Ice Age and morning cartoons. It was the most relaxing camping trip I've ever been on, and the weather was perfect. We drove the five or so blocks back to our house and unpacked in less than 5 minutes. Wow! I hope we can do it again next year!

Some messy s'mores

A refreshing dip in the pool, and A made two new friends. Perfect!

Long Beach

We spent two nights at Long Beach this week. A, especially, loved the beach. She couldn't seem to get enough of the water, sand, etc. JD enjoyed playing with the beach toys and flying his kite. I am NOT a beach lover, but the weather was beautiful, especially the first day, and I could see why people enjoy the beach. My favorite part of our trip did not involve sand. We took some walks on the Discovery Trail, and I'd love to come back on a bike. J loved it, of course. He loves exploring the beach. On this trip he found an intact section of vertebrae. Whose vertebrae remains the question.

Inaugural Launch

J is the proud owner of a fishing boat, and we took our inaugural launch at Battle Ground Lake last week, about a half-hour from our house. We were only out for a couple of hours, but we had a great time. A is almost officially over her fear of boats and water, and JD seemed to take to it like a fish. I attribute this to their swimming lessons. They put them in a canoe in the pool and practiced balancing, wearing life jackets, etc. No actual fish were caught, but we didn't care. It was just great to be out there.

New Rooms

While my parents were here a few weeks ago, my dad graciously offered to paint my old "craft room" and transform it into JD's new room. I thought we'd tackle that project some time in the next year. No. My parents are movers and shakers. They get things done. And, what a great job they do. My mom helped with the color scheme, etc. and my dad tackled the painting. Thanks Mom and Dad. JD LOVES his new room.A is staying in her former room, but we rearranged a bit and added a desk for her "homework." She loves her own space too, although I loved her reaction when I told her we were moving JD into his own room. She burst into tears. They've shared a room since JD was 5 months old, and they love being together. I quickly told her that now you can invite each other over for sleepovers. She was very relieved in hearing that. I love that they love each other so much.
Since the big move, I have found them asleep in each other's rooms several nights. Sometimes they share a bed, sometimes one is on the floor, sometimes they build forts. They don't ask. And, I don't freak out about it. It's summer for one thing. And have I mentioned I love that they love each other so much?

Saying Good-bye to Old Friends

JD has been a boot-lovin' kind of guy since he could choose his own footwear. He had regular brown boots, a camouflage pair, and then this spring I found Toy Story boots that lit up. And, after only one month of non-stop usage, they wore out. I ordered an identical pair on Ebay, and after two months, those wore out. Now, I can't find another pair, and I feel like it's an end of an era, or friendship, between my guy and his boots. He's transitioned well, after he understood that you can't wear boots with holes. But, I haven't. Will he continue to love cowboy boots, when I finally find another pair? Or will his interests change? They're not just boots. They are innocence and sweet joys. I hope you stay around for a good, long time.

How Did God . . .

Last night A asked a very good question.

A: How did God become God?

Me: I don't know. But that will be a good question to ask him when we get to heaven.

A: Well, I think I know. He was probably in college, and he looked around and said, "Hey I'm really smart, and I'm really good at doing tricks. I think I should be God."

Me: Well, I don't think that's quite how it happened. But you better ask Him.

Kindergarten Graduation

Today A graduated from kindergarten. She and the other kindergarteners wowed us with a repertoire of songs, verses, and overall cuteness. They were clearly proud of their accomplishments, and we enjoyed being a part of the fun.

Pausing for pictures before the songs started

A received an official handshake from the principal.At home, she opened a fun present from her teacher. Now I have a 1st grader!

Kinderdance

A had her Kinderdance recital last night. Last year she was in the ballet class, but her recital was the same date as my brother Jon's wedding, so it was really fun to see what she's been up to this year in Hip-Hop. Good job A!

Overheard

In the car, I overheard A tell JD what it's like to grow up. She said:

A: When I'm in 11th grade i'll be a teenager. Then when I go to college a man will say, "What do want to be when you grow up?" And I will say, "A doctor or a teacher."

A: Momma what do you want to be when you grow up?

Me: I'm a teacher A.

A: Oh, right. JD, what do you want to be when you grow up?

JD: Spiderman. And I will shoot webs and capture bad people.

A: Well, they won't actually let you BE Spiderman, JD. So what do you want to be?

JD: Spiderman.

You can't argue with a three-year-old's love of Spiderman.

And I'd love to figure out when I grow up.

Child-like Faith

This afternoon, on our way home from school, A overheard the tornado report on the radio. She immediately said that we need to pray for the people in Oklahoma. I was so proud of her quick and accurate response to the seriousness of the situation. So, we prayed in the car, and I thought about the all too many times I fail at being the mom I wish that I could be. But somehow, A has survived, despite my failures, and I was reminded, by my five year old to bring our concerns to the Father, and "turn that tornado right around God and send it back to where it belongs." Thank you, A. And thank you Father.

Shining Moments

Each week this spring, one child in A's class is God's Masterpiece for the whole week. This week, A is the God's Masterpiece student. She brought in a poster about herself, explained the photos to her friends, and then her classmates said the things that they liked about her. What a great way for all of the students to be reminded again that they are God's unique and special masterpieces!Last week A had her Awana Sparks' awards ceremony. She was excited to get her award, and we are proud of her! This year, she learned all of the books of the New Testament and 24 verses.

Fun

Last night I let all of my inhibitions fly out the window, and I got down and played with my kids. My version of play is different than theirs, and last night, I let them lead. We rolled/threw/bounced balls through legs and arms. We, the three of us, all fit into the playhouse in our playroom, where JD served us tea, vegetables and fruit from the "kitchen." We also read stories in there. It's good I don't have back problems. It was a fun night. After prayers, A said, "Why do you always pray last, Mommy? Tomorrow, you should go first." Aaahhh. Fun AND being considerate of others. It was a very good night.

Flubber

Last month there was a family event at our church that gave each child a bag of flubber. Very thoughtful, indeed. I forgot about it, until last weekend when my daughter and her friend rediscovered the bag of wonder and decided to put it in their hair. It came out in the bath, and no harm was done. . . . or so I thought. Tonight I was playing with the kids in the playroom, and discovered a two separate puddles of flubber on the carpet - dried on for dear life. As we're all peering down at the mystery, I said, "I have no idea how I'm going to get that off the carpet." My very wise daughter said, "Well, you could go on-line and find out." And so I did.