A Farm House Trip to see Maw

 We made our summer farm house visit.  

Maw had to work one afternoon so I babysat and did that my sending the kids out to run in the field.  They had a great time, picked some beautiful Queen Anne's Lace, and didn't get a single tick.

 This guy explored around the out buildings.  Isn't he breath-taking?

 It was also breath-taking to watch these kids run through fields of green- a picture of childhood summer!  

 Let's take a picture, kids!

 I thought it would be neat to take a pic with the kids wrapped around the tree.  Didn't work out for me.  Who knows why they didn't get my country photo op memo?

 We went back to the Sylvan Heights Bird Park again this summer.

 Please note the country girl, chicken farmer's hold on the parakeet. Love it!

Back at Maw's house, we had a little water play. Future hydro engineers right here---

 My little cuddle buddy got cold in the water and needed some warming snuggles.  Done.

Glad to fill our tanks with some country summer.  Thanks, Maw & Paw.  

Take some time off next summer, Paw. We missed you!

Summer 2016

Something about the summer was weird and 'off'.  

I'm still not totally sure what it is, maybe this blog post will help me resolve it mentally ;).  It got off to a weird start- the kids got out of school really late (June 17).  It started off full speed in the best of ways with lots of travels, but kinda stalled out mid-July.  It was crazy hot (100s for weeks!) and there were changes in plans, dropped plans & mishaps.  Grandparents are also in a different season than before, surrounded by illness & suffering of those they love, and we love.  :(

  I also think that the summer schedule is a little unexpected.  We live in an awesome neighborhood surrounded by families and friends we love, full of community.  So I have this idea in my head- SUMMER: wildly unscheduled days full of friends and idyllic summer activities.  But in reality, ATTITUDES (kids' attitudes and lack of cooperation and mom's attitude).  Also, VACATIONS- when our plans and vacations tag team the weeks with neighbors & friend vacations, we miss the community.  When grandparents aren't as available as they used to be, its different.  Also, OPPRESSIVE HEAT!  I love some warm weather and some summer, but I admit, there were a few too many hot days for my taste.

We are grateful for the days we did have- days at the pool, days of community living:

'I'll take your kid', 'can you watch mine?'

We did big ticket items (trip to NY, VBS, BG, etc) but I realized its the smaller things I missed most.  A big part of that may be having a 2 year old (we love you, Benny) who needs naptime, and can't zip in and out with the bigs (tho they draaaaag a lot too!).  Its the smaller things we didn't do as much.  I loved the younger preschool days of 'school' with my kids, sitting with the kids at the table.  I know that it takes a lot for them to have willing attitudes, and those days were nearly non-existent this year.  And I didn't push the envelope. (There are equally or more wonderful things about their ages now.)  With the start of summer being on the go, we didn't get into a routine to begin with so then we just never really did.  It was only the big schedule items and no smaller daily, home routines.  I'd had dreams of learning cursive and writing the Bible but we only wrote the Bible once and we never did cursive.  There were no art projects, only one pinterest fail.  So sometimes, I'd grasp for what I could get: making you a cake batter milkshake today and taking pics of your cute squishy legs another day.

The summer also went FAST.  I'm sure it'll only get faster so would love to consider how it could be different. Lord, help us number our days that we'd gain a heart of wisdom.  

Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. 14 But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. 15 Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.

17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. 18 Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.  

Lily's 7th Birthday

We drove home from NY again during the late night/early morning.

It freed us up to have an extra day with Mike.  And we went kayaking as a family.

It also allowed us to visit with Mike's sweet granddad who passed away in mid-July.

He was a loving, sweet man & I feel so blessed to have known him for 14 years!

On Lily's actual birthday, Mike's sister was in town so we decided to take my two big kids and her kids to Busch Gardens.  It was a lot of fun & it made Lily's actual bday feel FUN!  It was also really HOT, but I love me some summertime.

On the Saturday after Lily's birthday, we'd planned a party and invited maybe 8 girls to come.  My dear Lily Bug has a birthday one of the best times of the year (one of my faves- July 4th week) so turns out, others love this week too and its a great week for everyone to vacation.  Which doesn't bode well for our birthday girl.  Her party was going to be 4 friends. One of them had to back out on the morning of :( so it was our next door neighbors and one friend from school- plus Peter. :)

Lily was such a good sport about it.  We may need to do a half birthday party for our girl to add some cheer to humdrum January. 

So this year, for the big kids birthdays, we let them plan them out how they wanted them (a party at home) & then we went shopping together (for minimal things- we are not big bday spenders).  They essentially were group play dates of their favorite things.  I wish I had taken a pic of Lily's list:  It included things like craft, sprinkler, dance party, cupcakes, ice cream & sprinkles.  And party planning is Lily's dream job so its a win-win.

Lily and I went out together one evening to look for her craft.  We landed on perler beads: teeny colored beads that you put together into a design or shape, and then you iron them to melt them into a little plastic trinket.  They have been a fun summer activity to have.  We were still learning at the party so I am not sure that anyone's attempt was too successful.  The process was fun though and sitting together to talk and work was sweet.

  I stayed up late the night before straightening up and getting everything laid out (kinda like I am doing now to get anything documented).  Does anyone else do this?  Sometimes (often!), its the only way I can get things done.

 As girly as possible!

Confetti Balloons- we had these all over the house so we were sweeping confetti all summer :)

 Since there was a little of a confetti/sprinkles theme, we found and had to get this confetti blaster for Lily.  It was so neat!  It may need to be an annual thing! :)

Happy Birthday to our sweet Lily Bug!  You fill our life with joy & sweetness & little acts of service. 

4th Annual NY trip

After our week at the river, we had a week at home- with VBS in the evenings.

Its become tradition for Mike to play drums.  This year I joined him as a "guide" for Lily's class, while Ben went to nursery.  It was truly one of my favorite weeks of the summer.  I have dropped back on activities, by choice, since Ben was born & felt like it was time to step it up again (hopefully something that continues into fall).  Lily's little class and group of friends were just so dear.  It was such a blessing to spend the week with them and worship together with everyone nightly.  VBS has become one of my favorite weeks of the year.  

We left after Mike's work the next eve for our annual NY trip.  I've discovered that I prefer the drive in the evenings/nights.  Thankfully, my chauffeur obliges me.  With a flight delay for one family, these four tried to keep the mischief to a minimal.

The weather was perfect mix of warm and cool.

Walks along the aquaduct are a highlight each year.

 Time in the pool is another highlight!
Peter & Bennett

 Charlotte

 The trip always falls near Lily's birthday and we are happy to celebrate her!

 Girls Table!

 Beautiful, Boys!

 A big number 7 on that cake- its getting real!  These kids are growing up!

 A snorkel set from Uncle Matt and Aunt Carrie :)

 We went to Church with M& C on Sunday morning, took family pics and then went out for a sail on a Tall Ship.  We left from Battery Park & sailed around the Statue of Liberty.

We had a lot to celebrate!  The sailing occasion was Pop's birthday!  That night we celebrated Goo & Pop's 45th wedding anniversary with dinner poolside.  Uncle Matt is a fantastic cook!  On the kids' menu were "squids"- hotdogs w noodles. :)

 After dinner, we celebrated Tom's birthday, actually ON his birthday! :)

 An evening swim

 Another day in the pool- even Goo got in on the game! :)  

We wouldn't be able to finish out our time without fireworks in the front year! 

Each year Matt & Carrie do an incredible job of hosting us, all while having worked, prepared, then parenting, taking us on fun activities, cooking, and a "host" of other things!  I truly feel like I've had a vacation when I leave and reality comes hard afterwards.
We were quite spoiled by all of the vacationing and dual parenting to start the summer!