A field of Dreams

We were able to take the kids to go see an Ems game because of our generous home teacher. We decided to not take baby Huck because we knew he wouldn't be able to handle it. It was so hot that night, but the kids did really well despite this. At the end of the game they did a fireworks display that was a lot of fun to watch.

Kid's Day

Whenever we have mother's day or father's day a familiar refrain at our house is, "how come there isn't a kid's day?" Our response is everyday is kid's day. Eye rolling usually ensues. On Saturday Ken left at 5 AM to go on a much deserved fishing trip with friends. While I was happy for him I knew that entertaining 4 kids all day and night was going to be a challenge. I needed something to keep us all happy or we would have been miserable.

So I came up with a plan. You know that place in the park with all the sand and water that

every time you go is off limits to the kids. The place that you try to distract them from.

The place that you tell them maybe we will do that next time. Well today we did it. This

day was all about not saying no. Everything that you always tell your kids No to was what

I wanted to be able to say yes to. So I told the kids to prepare to get dirty.

Did I mention that we got dirty.

The funny thing was that there were so many kids who saw what my kids were doing and tried to join us, but then their parents would say, "Not today, maybe next time". I had so many parents looking at me like I was crazy. One mom kept saying to me, "You know your kids are getting really dirty". Yep that was kind of the point.

Yep really dirty.

The proud builders.

Then we went home and had ice cream. Yep before we even ate lunch.

The kids thought I was awesome!

and then

we

watched

movies

all

afternoon...

The Next Chapter

My father is retiring after 33 years of working for Hewlett Packard. I was able to go up with the kids to surprise him for the retirement celebration the company had for him. I was glad I was able to be there. I got to hear stories I had never heard before and was able to hear some words of wisdom. In addition we were able to show Papa how proud we are of him and all that he has accomplished in the past 33 years as well as what he has to look forward to.

The kids were so excited to see Papa's work and receive a special badge.

They said they were like policemen.

We created a card for dad. It had the photograph of dad and mom on the day he graduated from college and reflections of things he had to look forward to. On the opposing side was a current picture of mom and dad and the present day things they have to look forward to.

The following is what happens when you give restless children a camera

to try and keep them quiet.

Bedazzled

For the first time we threw a surprise party for Midge. She had been staying with her grandma and when she brought her back we had her two best friends waiting for her. We served them lunch with Midge's favorite food. After that Midge opened her presents and had had cupcakes. Then we took Midge, her two friends, Grandma Mimi and Little Miss to a bead shop to let them make their own bracelets.

The bead shop was amazing. It had every possible bead you could imagine.

Little Miss was so excited to make her necklace. She picked out her own beads and colors.

The three older girls went for a mood bead that changed colors. It brought back memories from when I was their age and we had the coveted mood ring. Remember ladies how we all wanted to ring to be turquoise because it meant calm and loveable, but instead we always got boring brown which meant restless. What that didn't happen to you? Huh. Anyway the girls had a great time.

The hardest part was limiting the choice.

They each got to make their own, even Little Miss did it by herself.

The finished products.

Happy Birthday sweet girl.

The below video is the kids playing with Midge's new Wii game Just Dance. So much fun. We love doing it as a family. I can't tell if it is helping or hurting their dance moves. Even Huck tries to get in on the action. The other night the kids gave him a controller and he was actually racking up the points.