fun friday, 6.21.13...

In planning activities for our week with M&A, we knew that IKEA was on the list, and the boys wanted to golf, and the girls wanted to go thrifting/shopping, but we needed something special for the kids too.  I listed off a number of things to them including the zoo, museums, and a local chlorinated swimming beach.  As soon as I said beach they immediately said "E would love that!"  My kids would too, definitely, so for fun friday while they were here, we headed for the beach.

This beach is really a man-made swimming hole that is chlorinated, which is really nice because as most of you know the lakes can get pretty scummy in MN on hot summers.  So you have the clean water of a pool, and the atmosphere of a beach with all the sand!  This place gets pretty busy, so we made sure we were there right away in the morning when it opened.  And since it was cloudy and had rained the night before we had the beach to ourselves for an hour before people started trickling in!

We staked out a good spot under the umbrellas and headed for the water.  H was unsure...

...so he watched while E tested it out.

The big kids were super excited that Uncle M went right into the water and played with them.

Getting thrown in was big fun!

And E and H had a lot of fun playing near the shore with the sand toys we had just gotten at IKEA.

Another fun game which was by far C's favorite, was to back up to the building and run on the sand and straight into the water making glorious splashes!

C's splashing got a little too crazy at one point though.  He splashed H right in the face and H ended up getting a big red puffy eye.  He cried and fussed and wouldn't open it - we didn't know whether some sunscreen had gotten in it or whether it was sand and going to damage his eye.  But Auntie A wins the best auntie of the year award for her heroics that day at the expense of all the people at the beach thinking of calling child services on her!  H would NOT open his eye even with me trying to pry it so we could not flush it with clean water.  So A offered to throw water from my water bottle at his face if I could distract him enough to get him to stop crying and look up.  Sounds HORRIBLE, I know, and I will never forget the look on M's face (he was NOT in on the plan), but it seriously helped so much.  H's eye was still quite red, but he at least was able to open it without fussing.  THANKS SO MUCH A! 

As a precaution, since eye stuff is scary to me, I did take him to our pediatrician's office (which was only 10 min away from the beach), and they flushed the eye again and he was back to normal by the time we got back to the beach.  M & A did kid duty and everyone had a blast at the beach.  They even got hot dogs form the concession stand which my kids thought was awesome.

 All in all, I think everyone had a great time!

Then we headed for home where it was bath time, nap time, quiet time, (more golf time for M), followed by Noodles for supper.  What a great fun friday!!!

 

visit from M&A...and a SIXTH birthday!

(LOVE!  Not planned at all, but A just posted about this trip to us too!  Thanks for being as far behind as I am...=)

My brother M and his family contacted us way back in February about coming to the cities for vacation.  YAY!  We always love visits from them.  They wanted to come up in early June so we settled on the week after the kids got out of school.  Only to find out our VBS was scheduled for that week.  They graciously agreed to wait until after VBS so we could participate and then have time to spend with them.  This was all good and fine in April/May when we were discussing this, until life hit early June.  We had a super busy end to school followed by a CRAZY busy week with VBS and I was super fried.  I was so looking forward to a visit from M&A and our dear niece E, and I wanted to make it a great week and vacation for them, but I couldn't contemplate cleaning the house, doing laundry, much less making a menu plan for cooking food for the week.  Plus S was super busy at work and could only get Tuesday-Thursday off and the kids had soccer 2 evenings and S had consistory on a different evening.  We were stressed and I was so worried that it was going to be the worst vacation that they ever had.

But I have got to remember that it isn't always about the clean house and having everything perfectly under control.  Because the house wasn't clean, M cooked more than I did while they were here (!!?!), and we had SUCH a great week together. 

They arrived at our house Sunday evening after a long day of driving, so Monday was pretty low key.  

The kids were so excited just to play together!

Our big kids had just started soccer the week before, so we had a practice that evening.  M&A decided to hit up Costco and go out to eat (we took sandwiches to soccer) and relax at our place.

Tuesday S had the day off of work so we made a day trip to IKEA!  A favorite place of all of us.  A got much better photos since she was working on a photography course, but all I have this horrible cell phone photo of adorable children that is too cute not to share:

After IKEA we headed to the MOA for a visit to A's and my favorite kids clothing store, Hanna Andersson.  Not that we bought anything at the ridiculous retail prices (we are so clearance, sale, and used shoppers!), but it was fun to drool and ooooh at the pretties.  From there our crew headed home as S had a consistory meeting, and their crew headed to eat pizza and visit with other friends.  (I warmed up leftovers or something for us at home...still no cooking yet from me. =) 

Wednesday, M and S had a boys day and they golfed 18 holes at a nice course near us.  A and I played with the kids, had grilled cheese for lunch (does that count as cooking?), and then got ready in the afternoon to go C's and G &W's soccer practice in the evening.  They scrimmage during their practices and M coaches soccer himself so we thought it would be fun to hang out there for the evening together.  We dropped everyone off and A and I were going to run to a supposedly close DQ to get supper for everyone (still no cooking!).  It was NOT close, and it did NOT serve anything but ice cream, and there was NOT anything else near it, and it was NOT that much fun.  We did eventually find a Culver's and arrive in time to get G&W a quick bite before they had practice.  It was at least nice outside so kicking the soccer ball around and lounging in the shade helped us forget about the DQ debacle. =) 

No photos from soccer, but I do have a photo of a little evening project for S in front of the hockey game in preparation for a special day...

Thursday was W's SIXTH birthday!!!!  We had planned a birthday party in the evening with J&C and girls too and W was unbelievably pumped that ALL of his cousins were going to be there to help him celebrate.  This was A's and my last chance for a girls day though before S had to go back to work the rest of the week, so we left the kids in the capable hands of the daddas and we went thrifting and shopping (lots of ON super cash to use!!! =).  We had such a nice day and when we came back the boys were working on supper already.  While I finished up wrapping gifts, S grilled, and M made the creamettes (so I didn't cook again!).  Oh yeah, and M also made the hot milk cake with W earlier in the day for his birthday cake.

 The party guests, minus H who had a meltdown and was napping.

The birthday boy was happy with his requested meal: grilled hot dogs, creamettes (family mac'n'cheese), watermelon & baby carrots...on Lightning McQueen plates.

Then it was present time! G & C worked hard making him a Lightning McQueen kite.

 Auntie A made him an AWESOME storm troopers shirt and plaid pair of shorts (that I seriously thought were store bought until I saw just a ribbon tag in the back that night - she is that good)

Auntie C TOTALLY made C's day by including him on the present fun.  (They were super busy at C's birthday and his gift never made it at that time, which he never noticed!  Making this even more fun)

Auntie C and the girls made both boys lanyard bracelets (a craft that G got to do with the older kids in VBS and the boys were envious of) and got them really loud fun bicycle bells.  They had an extra gift for W (it was his day after all!), which was another big kid VBS craft that W didn't get to do and was jealous of - a duct tape t-shirt bag (Auntie C was in charge of crafts at VBS and they were awesome this year)!  And his was made out of a super hero t-shirt which made it all the more cool.

W also got some great outdoor toys from Mrs. Lynne and Mr. Dan, a Bird Bingo game from Aahma and Papa, and a new Mo Willems book from Aahma and Boppa.  We try to save the book present to the end since W can't open a book without reading it right that second.  We had a special gift to end with from Momma and Dadda this year though.  (He liked his other gifts from us too - Star Wars Hanna Jams for need, Ralph S Mouse for read, Twins shorts for wear, and...)

wait for it...

A new bike (his want gift)!!

We wrapped up the evening with hot milk cake and strawberries and ice cream, a favorite of W's, and this boy went to bed one happy 6 yr old.  We love you W!!!

My brain fails me on when and what nights they were, but after kids went to bed at night, we adults would sit down with a soda or a Mike's or beer, and sometimes a bowl of ice cream, and talk.  We also played games, our favorite being one that M & A brought along, Pandemic.  Seriously awesome game.

Friday I am going to write about in a "fun friday" post, so you will have to wait anxiously for that later. (but we had Noodles and Co for supper so I didn't cook again =)

Saturday was M & A and E's last full day with us.  Since G is the only girl in our family, and LOVES to wear matchy clothes - which is hard with 3 brothers, A and I have kept our eyes peeled for matchy clothes for E and G to wear.  G LOVES this, and so does E.  They are seriously so cute and giggly.  We planned a lot of outfits through the week (who know WHY we don't have more photos of them), and G thought that E was going to wear a similar tank top on Saturday, but she came up wearing a cute "splashy" dress instead.  Turns out M & A and E had brought one more birthday gift along...one for G!  They were pretty sure they weren't going to see us on G's birthday (even though we did end up that way!), so they brought her present a bit early.

A matching "splashy dress" and some great Auntie A-made hair clips!

happy giggly matchy cousins!

Saturday was also the day that I realized that I hadn't taken as many pictures of the kids during the week as I was planning on, so I have a bunch of VERY random pictures from our day Saturday.  

Like a walk to the park...

an official cousins photo...

the popsicles we promised for said official cousin photo...

movie time for kids...CARS!

and Uncle M's pizza shop (yep, M cooked again and I didn't!  although I did arrange for Crazy Bread to be brought home by S after work which made up for it a bit =)

Sunday M & A and E left about the same time we did for church so they could make it home at a decent time.  

The kids tried to delay it as long as possible by running around the driveway...

...and we adults might have tried a bit too with getting in some last minute family photos.

Then it was lots of hugs goodbye, and they were off.  Thank you so much M & A and E for a great week.  Thanks for coming and visiting and helping out with W's party and cooking and tolerating me apparently NOT cooking and our NOT clean house and our general craziness.  We love you guys and come back soon!  (Maybe I will try to cook for you then! =)

a blessed May 2013...

May, that month of the year that seems so long yet so short as we try to finish the end of the year strong with no breaks...(I know there is Memorial Day, but coming from a rural community, that day is the end of school, not just a holiday, so the 2 weeks after that day are super hard to make it through!)  There was snow yet again, but lots of sunshine and the promise of spring too.  And here are some photos from our blessed May...

 making a birthday banner to send to Uncle M

 cowboy day in Kindergarten!

"I'll just help myself, thanks"

 H's favorite way to watch TV - 

on his "seat", with his "table" for his water and snacks, "nuggle"-ing under a blanket

 airing out the sleeping bags in the sun...kids loved the warmth

snacks after school!

the velveteen rabbit...

One fine Wednesday in the middle of May, W came home from school beaming and holding a canvas bag.  In the bag he was so proud to show us a beloved honorary Kindergartener - a stuffed velveteen rabbit with a notebook.  In the notebook was tales of the velveteen rabbit's adventures with all of W's classmates and it was finally his turn to play with the velveteen rabbit and journal about what they all did together.  (G did something like this too, remember?)

W did a great job of planning what he wanted to do with the rabbit and then writing all about it.  Here is the tale of their adventure in W's words!

Me & g & c & h & the velveteen rabbit watched Wild Kratts.

Me and the velveteen rabbit read a book.

 Me and the velveteen rabbit played outside.

 I had fun with the velveteen rabbit!!  The end!!

"Momma, couldn't they have picked a stuffed animal 

with a shorter name, like Bear?!!!"

our help...

O God, Our Help in Ages Past

(Psalm 90, John B Herbert, 1852-1927)

O God, our help in ages past,
Our hope for years to come,
Our shelter from the stormy blast,
And our eternal home.
 
Under the shadow of thy throne
Thy saints have dwelt secure;
Sufficient is thine arm alone,
And our defense is sure.
 
Before the hills in order stood,
Or earth received her frame,
From everlasting thou art God,
To endless years the same.
 
A thousand ages in thy sight
Are like an evening gone;
Short as the watch that ends the night
Before the rising sun.

Time, like an ever-rolling stream,
Bears all its sons away;
They fly forgotten, as a dream
Dies at the opening day.
 
O God, our help in ages past,
Our hope for years to come,
Be thou our guard while troubles last,
And our eternal home.

a blessed april...

beautiful Easter decoration W made in Kindergarten 

(needed a photo before we took it down from the window!)

We were really hoping after coming home from Spring Break that spring might truly come to this wintry area of ours, but it was not the case.  We had 2 more major snowfalls, one of the worst winter driving experiences (on April 18 for pete's sake) for me going to get G from school (thanks to Mrs. L for watching the boys so I didn't have to have them in the car too!) and one more snowday!

April was a big financial month for us.  Taxes came due again and once again we made the deadline, but not by much.  The refinancing of our house was almost complete, and we registered the kids for another year of school at Calvin.

April 21 was GEMS Sunday and Aahma and Boppa R came up for it.  They spent the weekend and we had such a nice visit with them.

 Reading books with Boppa is always a favorite activity.  And now W reads books to Boppa too!

 

G made Rice Krispie bars with Aahma for GEMS Sunday almost all by herself.  This was nostalgic for me as this was one of the first recipes that Mom taught me how to make when I was G's age and that I could do all by myself since it used just the microwave.

 

 Not wanting to be left out, the boys wanted to bake with Aahma too!  So they helped her make some brownies as a treat for us.

The R side of our family always does a NCAA tourney bracket pool in March for all the March Madness.  I probably haven't mentioned it much since I NEVER do well!  This year, we added a prize for the worst bracket too, and while I thought I was going to win it for a while, C did instead!  The prize was going to be a basketball (tongue in cheek!), but since they knew he was going to play soccer this summer they
brought him that instead.  For the 3rd child who doesn't get much new, he was SO excited about this ball.  G placed 2nd and received $10 cash.  Boppa gave her 2 fives and we were proud to see her put one of the fives in her bank and give the other to Feed My Starving Children, which they were taking a collection for at GEMS.  

C & H are really starting to have fun together on the days when both W and G are at school.  It is fun to see this relationship develop!  One of their favorite things to do lately is play the piano together.  (Momma's ears just love this some days...)

H continues to develop a love for music and was fascinated with S's guitar when he was playing one night.  We are so thankful for the love of music in this household!

water, got water...

G & W's school picks a different theme each year to focus on, and this year it is "Living Water."  So they have been learning about how Jesus is the Living Water and singing songs about water and also doing a school service project with raising money for a well in Liberia (which happened to be their country the school studied about too).

The Kindergarten through 5th grade gave a music concert singing all their songs they had learned about water.  The music teacher is wonderful and this was such a great concert!  They integrated photos and poems and Bible verses with each song and the whole night was so enjoyable and went so smoothly.  And always fun to see our kiddos sing their hearts out - they just love it!

 "when is this thing gonna start, momma?!"

 W's class singing "Storm Dance"

G's class singing "The Wheel of the Water"

K-5 singing their theme song, "Got Water?"

(you have to watch to the end of this video for W's big solo! =)