What's that falling from the sky?

Yesterday, it rained for the first time since....I have no idea, it's been so long! But since it was the first Monday of summer break and about a million degrees outside (no kidding...we're setting records for days over 100 already), the kids thoroughly embraced the rainy summer afternoon. Alan snapped this shot of our two little monkeys trying to catch water on their tongues. A little while later, they were running around with no shoes or shirts and soaked to the bone. Z summed up the fun during her prayers last night with, "Jesus, thank you that J___ and I had so much fun playing in the rain without our shirts and shoes! THAT was FUN!!!!!"

Lesson of the Day: A summer rain, soaked clothes, and a little mud between the toes is sometimes the best summer fun!

The Surfer Girl and her Long Board

Z has decided that she wants to be a surfer when she grows up, so next month we will be having a surfer girl birthday party. Every year I take pictures of my kids with each one of their friends individually and send the picture with their thank you. I always try to make the pictures go with the party theme when possible. This year, I decided I needed a surfboard for the photo op. My "little" brother, Thomas is quite handy with woodworking so he offered to help me out. He did an awesome job. I just wanted a vintage looking long board but he went above and beyond. He cut, sanded, and curved the corners. He then stained stripes on it to it looked really authentic. We both decided it needed some color, so I came in and painted the pink and white stripes and the flower. I still have to reattach the fin (Z knocked it of while she was surfing a wild wave in the living room) and I'm going to seal the entire then with some poly but I thought I'd show you what I've been working on. Pretty awesome!

Yay for summer! It's almost here!!!

"Where's Perry?"

My kids and Alan love the show Phineas and Ferb. I have to admit it is pretty good. This morning Z created Perry the Platypus with playdo. I thought it was very creative.

The Big Highly Anticipated Ballet Recital

The Sugar Plum Girls that danced to The Tea Party Dance.

Our little ballerina!

She was having so much fun posing and dancing around,
I had to work to get her off the stage.

I know I'm biased.  I think she's pretty on an everyday basis but WOW!
Alan and I were both blown away with how pretty she looked with a little makeup.
She's a knock-out.  Really wish we could stop time because I'm not looking forward
to the days when the boys notice what we notice.

Caution:  Bragging Alert!!!

Last night was the highly anticipated ballet recital for Z.  She was so excited as was I.  We (the parents) hadn't been allowed to see the costume or any part of the dance until she was on stage.  Z was very strict about it too.  I tried on multiple occasions to get her to show me what she was doing in ballet, only to be met with, "Mom-Mom, I can't show you because it's a surprise!" and she stuck to her guns on that one.  She was not only adorable but did an excellent job.  She listened to the music for her cues and remembered her steps.  The song was also perfect for her personality.  We were so proud of her! 

AWANA Awards

"Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power."
Ephesians 6:10
Watch out!  These two are armed with Scripture!

My camera wasn't cooperating but I just had to show you the excitement on  Z's face. 

Best (and least stressful) AWANA awards night ever. For the first time, I was able to just be a mom. Of course I felt like the Mom to every kid that walked across the stage. I was so proud of all of my AWANA kiddos. But I was especially proud of my two babies. Z completed the Cubbies program and received her second book award for memorizing 32 Bible verses. J received the Alpha Award for completing the first book of T&T and memorizing 89 verses plus completing multiple activities and a mission project. It was a great night and the presence of God was truly felt in that room. Made me very thankful to have gotten to be a part of this ministry.

Lesson of the Day:  Sometimes the things we dread (like driving across town every Wednesday night) are the same things that make the biggest difference in our children's lives.  So stop whining (message to self) and remember who you are doing this for! 

We love you, Papa Fred!!!