Memorial Memories

Princesses

Lunch with grandparents at Abe Martin Lodge

Snuggling with a chipmunk at the lodge

Memaw tried her hardest to get Princess to warm up to the idea of riding a pony.

Princess was not happy when I hoisted her on top of the pony.

Champ took 2 pony rides.

Princess started to warm up to the idea of riding a pony.  Later she said it was her favorite part of the day.

Preparing to take a walk to and around Strahl Lake

We just finished the easy part... Walking to the lake.  

Beautiful views on our hike

Papaw missed out on the hike so he could listen to the 500 race.  He was ready to cool off with us though.

Playing before aquatic center opened at the lodge

We ate 3 times at the lodge.  Lots of lessons in buffet etiquette.

We had many fun times at the aquatic center.  Princess even tried and loved the slide.

Ready to hike again

This is the snake that slithered in front of Princess.  I would lay down my life for either of my kids.  However, I was very glad the snake didn't bite her because I don't know how to fight a snake.

A tree was knocked over...Princess started to loose her footing here.

Princess was a great hiker, especially for her age.

Too tired to hike anymore, but plenty of energy for a playground.

We climbed to the top of the fire tower.  

We cooled off at the nearby McDonalds.  Both kids fell asleep on the way home.

Field Days

Today was field day for both Champ and I.  We both had wonderful days at our school.  I couldn't help but reflect on last year's field day.  I was newly back to work after weeks in hospitals and home.  I had my students bring my lawn chair from station to station.  I sat at each station.  This year I joined in on some of the activities.  I raced my girls in the 50 yard dash, played elbow tag, and even joined in the all staff tug of war.  

Tonight I treated my own kids to a hot dog dinner before heading to Zumba.  I registered Princess for her first gymnastics class while we were there.  My little girl is growing up.

I tried a new devotional tonight with the kids tonight.  We started one in the Bible app.  It came with a10 minute YouTube video and a Bible passage.  With a click of the button, the passage was read to us.  Champ asked if it was Jesus.  He said the devotional was boring, but I think the bigger issue was he was exhausted from his day.  Princess, however, is apparently not exhausted.  She is still going strong.  

Time

After school, we had plenty of time to play soccer and take a bike ride as a family.  We also played a little with our neighbors.  Princess likes when Kyler takes her for a spin.  The big boys played in a basketball game.  The teams were moms versus sons.  Moms were getting beat.  It was pajama day at both my kids' schools, and so they continued their high fashion in our neighborhood activities.

Both kids seem interested in my timer apps on the phone and iPad.  Tonight we had a race to see how fast our team (family) could pick up the plastic grocery bags (that line the trash cans), dump them in the large trash can in the laundry room, and put new plastic grocery bags in the trash cans.  The lap numbers were supposed to be when we passed the timer with trash, but somehow I don't think it was accurate.  It was a fun way to do a chore.

Thunderstorms

What happened to this recent beautiful day when Princess played baseball with Kyler?

My parents took turns staying with a sick Champ today.  It started raining and pouring almost immediately after Princess and I got home.  Princess  loved eating asparagus for dinner.  Then we played Uno.  Next, I read tons of books to the kids.  The kids colored.  I loved being able to comfort my kids in scary storms.  I am trying to teach them to pray when they are scared.

Ninja Tella

Having kids is an adventure.   I clearly have a girl who has a big brother.

This week I had the kids try Nutella.  Princess told me that she loves Ninja Tella.

The kids love acting out Pokémon.  I'm not sure if Princess understands pokémon, but she is sure excited that Champ wants to play with her.

Yesterday we were happy to do crafts at the library.

 This morning I made the kids bacon, egg, and cheese muffins.  Champ loved it until Princess ratted me out.  She told him that she saw me putting avocado on them.  I told Champ I would have gotten away with it if it weren't for you meddling kids.  Champ likes the Scooby Doo reference.

Champ had a great inning yesterday at second base.  He made two outs.  I loved how proud of himself he was.  When the inning was over, he came over to me with a big grin on his face.

Today the girls blow dryed our hair together as we got ready for church.

Champ is very into 4 square these days. He hates it when his sister wants to play too.

We went on a few errands.  Princess shoplifted at Kohls.  We made it all the way to the car before Champ noticed that Princess had a bracelet on her wrist.  She sobbed loudly as I took it off her wrist and walked back into the store to return it and apologize.  Champ and I talked again about being trustworthy.  At his school, it is one of their core values.

This afternoon we biked over to the nearby elementary to play on the playground.

I taught Princess how to blow on a dandelion.  So special.

We played with the neighbors for awhile.

Mothers Day

As usual, we began our day with church. We had a special lunch at Fazolis.  Next was a Meijer grocery stop.  We took a bike ride with our neighbor, Sophia.  Then  the kids helped me pull weeds.  We cleaned the house together before heading to my parents' house for an Olive Garden dinner.