Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
"You didn't do anything?"
Isn't it a shame when spending time at home with your family and enjoying the "little" things becomes "nothing?" I read on a friend's blog that someone actually said that to her son and he had the wits about him (way to go!!) to answer that they indeed did do an awful lot this summer.
I guess using that person's criteria, we did a lot of "nothing" this week, as well. :-)
There was reading of books, playing of computer games, checking on our caterpillars (who have formed their chrysalides!!!) and even a swim or two (or three!) in their grandparent's pool. We enjoyed seeing the cucumber that grew larger than Mom's foot and cheering on our Phillies as they continue being the best in baseball. All together; Making memories. Isn't that what it's all about?
I guess using that person's criteria, we did a lot of "nothing" this week, as well. :-)
There was reading of books, playing of computer games, checking on our caterpillars (who have formed their chrysalides!!!) and even a swim or two (or three!) in their grandparent's pool. We enjoyed seeing the cucumber that grew larger than Mom's foot and cheering on our Phillies as they continue being the best in baseball. All together; Making memories. Isn't that what it's all about?
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Another wonderful week....
The children and I started an online Vacation Bible School program through Holy Heroes called "Summer Faith Adventure." Each day, there were videos, crafts, snacks and games that revolved around the teaching for the day. We learned so much! We learned about King David and the parallels between that shepherd and our Good Shepherd. We learned about the wisdom of his son Solomon. In the pictures below, are cookies we baked shaped like crowns and keys. (crowns for the early king David and for the Heavenly King, Jesus. Keys to represent the keys David gave to his master of the palace on earth and the keys to the Heavenly Kingdom given to Peter). Another day, we made stained glass windows as crafts and as snacks, learning that that is how many learned important stories of the Bible if they could not read or afford one.
The kiddos also enjoyed swimming in their grandparents' pool. Amazing how kids can just jump right into freezing water! The hose wasn't even out yet and they were on their way in. :-) Just the thought of it would put my husband and I into coronary arrest, but I guess, that in our younger years, extremes in temperatures of all kinds were not so bothersome, either. :-) They had an awesome time, as you can see.
The first fruits of our little garden were also harvested this past week. We enjoyed the cucumbers and tomatoes immensely and are looking forward to the peppers and eggplant, as well.
My husband and I took the children on a weekend excursion to Hershey. He only has off on a Friday and Saturday once every two months. When that coincides with his military duty, it could be as long as four months. So, since the rain last week stopped our visit into Hersheypark, we promised the kids that we would try again on dad's days off. What fun we had!
We went to an Adventure sports facility for batting cages and miniature golf. We drove into Lancaster for an all you can eat smorgasbord and ended that night with a swim in the hotel pool.
The next morning, we headed to Hersheypark and went right into the waterpark where we literally spent most of the day. The kids laughed that the giant "beach and wave pool" was so much better than the ocean since there were no jelly fish and mom didn't have to say "don't go out too far." :-) It was awesome jumping the waves with them over and over again. And to see the boys taking turns lifting their sister over the waves was awesome. There were lots of other water rides, too, that kept us plenty occupied (and soaked) for the day.
We shut down the park (along with everyone else trying to squeeze every last minute out of their admissions fees!) at 11pm, having gone on lots more rides and just having fun together. We didn't want to come home! :-) And, yes, we indulged in chocolate and enjoyed every bite.
On Monday, we continued our Summer Faith Adventure with the kids making their own prayer books. I really was impressed with how seriously they took the project and how they chose each picture so carefully. I printed what they chose on photo paper, so they came out quite nicely.
Monday night we were treated to a "show" by our youngest two. They reenacted "Jungle Book" complete with each of the characters. It was very authentic and very sweet. Each of us was given a personalized ticket and had a seat waiting with our names on it. They did a great job. Our 9 year old kept asking me to take pictures and to make sure that they were "put on the blog." :-) So, here they are:
And to put the icing on the cake of our great week, our tadpoles and caterpillars arrived. Time to see and learn about the miracle of life and development first hand. We will definitely post updates on these new arrivals!
Another week gone by. They seem to do that faster and faster, don't they? But, I do realize how richly blessed I am to have made even more wonderful memories with my family, whom I adore.
The kiddos also enjoyed swimming in their grandparents' pool. Amazing how kids can just jump right into freezing water! The hose wasn't even out yet and they were on their way in. :-) Just the thought of it would put my husband and I into coronary arrest, but I guess, that in our younger years, extremes in temperatures of all kinds were not so bothersome, either. :-) They had an awesome time, as you can see.
The first fruits of our little garden were also harvested this past week. We enjoyed the cucumbers and tomatoes immensely and are looking forward to the peppers and eggplant, as well.
My husband and I took the children on a weekend excursion to Hershey. He only has off on a Friday and Saturday once every two months. When that coincides with his military duty, it could be as long as four months. So, since the rain last week stopped our visit into Hersheypark, we promised the kids that we would try again on dad's days off. What fun we had!
We went to an Adventure sports facility for batting cages and miniature golf. We drove into Lancaster for an all you can eat smorgasbord and ended that night with a swim in the hotel pool.
The next morning, we headed to Hersheypark and went right into the waterpark where we literally spent most of the day. The kids laughed that the giant "beach and wave pool" was so much better than the ocean since there were no jelly fish and mom didn't have to say "don't go out too far." :-) It was awesome jumping the waves with them over and over again. And to see the boys taking turns lifting their sister over the waves was awesome. There were lots of other water rides, too, that kept us plenty occupied (and soaked) for the day.
We shut down the park (along with everyone else trying to squeeze every last minute out of their admissions fees!) at 11pm, having gone on lots more rides and just having fun together. We didn't want to come home! :-) And, yes, we indulged in chocolate and enjoyed every bite.
On Monday, we continued our Summer Faith Adventure with the kids making their own prayer books. I really was impressed with how seriously they took the project and how they chose each picture so carefully. I printed what they chose on photo paper, so they came out quite nicely.
Monday night we were treated to a "show" by our youngest two. They reenacted "Jungle Book" complete with each of the characters. It was very authentic and very sweet. Each of us was given a personalized ticket and had a seat waiting with our names on it. They did a great job. Our 9 year old kept asking me to take pictures and to make sure that they were "put on the blog." :-) So, here they are:
And to put the icing on the cake of our great week, our tadpoles and caterpillars arrived. Time to see and learn about the miracle of life and development first hand. We will definitely post updates on these new arrivals!
Another week gone by. They seem to do that faster and faster, don't they? But, I do realize how richly blessed I am to have made even more wonderful memories with my family, whom I adore.
Friday, July 8, 2011
Highlights of the Week
What an event-filled week we have had here!
Last Saturday, Mike and I took the kids to a local carnival followed by fireworks. They had a lot of fun on the rides and we just "happened" to have some chairs and blankets in the back of the van, lol, so we were all ready for the fireworks demonstration which was quite impressive for a local township.
Last Saturday, Mike and I took the kids to a local carnival followed by fireworks. They had a lot of fun on the rides and we just "happened" to have some chairs and blankets in the back of the van, lol, so we were all ready for the fireworks demonstration which was quite impressive for a local township.
On the 3rd, we had a barbecue with family and enjoyed lots of food and good company. I wrote about the 4th in a previous post. We spent the day quietly together and got some much needed work done outside.
On the 5th, I took the kiddos bowling. They have gotten quite good the last few months bowling with our homeschool bowling league every week. The league will continue in the fall, but the kiddos still like to go each week to work on their skills and have fun! :-) They all scored close to or over 100! (better than their mom, that's for sure, but I'm getting better, lol!)
On the 6th, Kiddo #4 had her much anticipated last day of sewing class. She has been in a homeschool sewing class since after Christmas and has shown incredible skill. The quilt she made as her final project literally took months to complete. I am not only proud of how breathtakingly beautiful it is, but with her patience and perseverance. It amazes me that each of those tiny rectangles had to be cut out and sewn into squares, each with a precise position and then, in turn, each of those squares having to be sewn in their particular place, as well. It really is gorgeous and we are so proud of her!
Yesterday, Mike was off from work, so we surprised the kiddos with a half-day trip up to Hershey. Since it was lightning and some of the rides and waterpark had to be closed, we chose to go into Chocolate World instead and save the park for another day, maybe next week. :-) We not only got to see and get photos with the Reese's Peanut Butter Cup, the kids got to be "Factory Workers" and make their own batches of Hershey Kisses, complete with their photos on the containers. What a great memento! We ended the day with dinner in a lovely little cafe. I thought my little teacup so lovely and delicate that I just had to take a photo of it. The kids liked the lion fountain.
What a wonderful and fun-filled week together! We are blessed. I am looking forward to making many more memories with my family as the summer marches on.
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