Patriotic Sidewalk Painting

We decided to paint the sidewalk in front of our house for Independence Day!  

The kids have had some Crayola sidewalk paint, but it was running low on certain colors.  So, I decided to mix up some homemade sidewalk paint--super easy!  It is just equal parts cornstarch and water, with a little bit of food coloring drops to make the shades you want.  Actually, the homemade kind turns out nice and opaque--more like chalk consistency that sticks longer.  It was fun to paint with it!

The kids wanted me to paint with them, so I did this part.

Caeden painted an American flag.

Sylvia did a flag within a star.

And Annah chose to write a patriotic message.

We are surely blessed to live in a free nation!

Pool Time!

We haven't had very many hot days yet this summer, but we have finally made it to the pool!

Silly kids...

We ran into our friend Leyana one evening.

Caeden works on wiggling a loose tooth while having a time-out.

We are glad for the great benefit of the company park and pools!!

Bike Riding Sisters

The kids have been riding their bikes up and down the sidewalk in front of our house and the neighbors houses, as they like to do during the warmer months.  They always make up games to play while they ride--all about where they are riding, what they're doing when they stop, etcetera.

Last year, Jeremy bought Annah a new bike because she'd outgrown her small one.  This year, it was Sylvia's turn for a new bike, and it just happens to look almost exactly like Annah's.

Baseball Night Game!

Baseball has been going really well for Caeden this year, and we have enjoyed watching him play and learn.


Practice usually starts with some throwing and catching.



Jeremy has been working with Caeden at home a few evenings each week, and he has improved a lot.
 

Everyone knows it helps you concentrate if you stick your tongue out.
 

  

The coaches have been really patient and encouraging with the kids.

 

Caeden likes playing 1st base, and Coach only had to remind him once this season to pay attention.

 

It's so fun to watch these little ones play!

During the game, Caeden saw that his sisters had visited Daddy in the concession stand and had come back with candy.  He thought he should get some too, so he put on his fake pout!  He knew he wasn't going to get candy during the middle of his game.  (Daddy came through with some Peanut M&M's at the end though.)

Batter up!

Heading into the dugout...

Lopshire on deck...



Sa-wing, batter!!



Off to 1st base...



...and on to 2nd...



Sylvia's friend Ella had a cousin on the team playing against Caeden tonight, so she hung out with us during the game.  They had fun eating candy, doing hand rhymes, and giggling a lot while not watching the game.



Oh yes, and giving each other piggy-back rides...



And making up cute little hand jive rhymes, like this one about lightning bugs...



It's neat to get to play a game under the lights!  Some of the really little kids got pretty tired, since the game didn't start until 8pm!  Even Caeden went straight to bed once we got home.



Coming in at home plate...



We always show good sportsmanship and shake hands and tell the other team, "Good game!"

Budding Violinists

Our sweet violin teacher has been on maternity leave for the past couple months.  While we enjoyed a break, we missed her!  She started lessons back up a couple weeks ago, and we got to meet her beautiful new baby.  

We knew she was undecided about continuing to teach private lessons and/or keep her school music teaching position, but I had talked with the girls about finding another teacher if she decided not to continue on with us.  She told us yesterday that she has decided to resign from her school job and only teach private lessons!  I know it was a difficult decision for her, but she is happy, and we are excited to continue with her!

Since starting lessons back up a couple weeks ago, the girls are rededicated to practicing regularly and are more excited about playing now!

"The trumpeters and musicians joined in unison to give praise and thanks to the LORD. Accompanied by trumpets, cymbals and other instruments, the singers raised their voices in praise to the LORD and sang: “He is good; his love endures forever.”

- 2 Chronicles 5:13

Got Milk?

Celebrities aren't the only ones who look cute with milk mustaches...

Eyebrows up!

As I've been working with the kids in the musical this summer, I've given many, many reminders to "keep your eyebrows up!"  We were playing around with the webcam this morning and decided to practice keeping our eyebrows up!  We love being silly together!  (Yes, even when Daddy isn't around!)

Just a day at our house

Instead of sweating and sticking to ourselves, we have spent most days so far this summer either inside because it is raining, or surprised we had to wear jeans to stay warm enough!  We haven't been able to spend time at the pool until this Monday evening (after it stopped storming and warmed up 10 degrees in an hour and we jumped at the chance to brave the pool for a bit)!  So, we have had lots of indoor playtime.  

The kids have been reading a lot.  Caeden usually read about 3 little books each day, if he wants to earn the privilege of playing Wii or something on the computer.  The girls are reading the Little House on the Prairie books, and we have also started watching the TV series on Netflix.  There have been lots of board games and card games played too.  

This afternoon, Caeden pulled out the Twister box, and they took turns spinning and calling out, "Left hand, Red!" and so forth.

It must have been a challenge for Sylvia to concentrate on practicing with the rowdy Twister game in the background!  

We are having fun at our house, and hope it continues on so nicely for the rest of the summer.

Father's Day

Happy Father's Day!  We had a nice day today.  

At church, Pastor Todd preached about "What Godly Men Talk About."  After church we went to Lowes and bought a small chest freezer.  (We have had trouble with our big freezer on our back porch because it is on an uneven floor, and we may sell it.  We needed a different freezer for a different space, and decided to get it now because Jeremy made a quick trip "back home" this weekend to get a whole beef we split with 3 of his new coworkers who just moved to town.)  When we got home, Jeremy grilled up some sandwich ribeyes...Mmmm!

During lunch the kids each gave Jeremy their cards and gifts they made/bought for him...  

Caeden had colored a page and wrote "I love you Daddy!" on it.  And, he chose a store-bought Darth Vader card that, of course, said, "I am your father." when opened up.  We all liked that one.  

Sylvia had hand-made a card with sweet messages and pictures drawn for Daddy, which he greatly appreciated.  And, she had collected some of her own toys and things she thought Daddy would like, and gave them to him.

Annah had spent an hour or so yesterday writing a book for Jeremy called, "A Day in the Life of a State Farm Supervisor and Daddy."  She illustrated it and on the back cover she redesigned the State Farm logo just for Father's Day.  It is a really precious gift and a sweet book.  Jeremy loves it and is taking it to work to show his co-workers.  When he brings it home, I would like to scan each page and share it here. 

Here is the book:

This afternoon, Caeden had a baseball practice and game.  I called my dad to wish him Happy Father's Day and thank him for being a great dad.  He and Mom are in Arizona right now getting their condo ready to rent, and he was having tons of fun fixing toilet innards when I called.  Still, he managed to talk on the phone with me for at least 10 minutes, which is a big deal for him!  ;)  Love you, Dad!

The girls are apparently not so into watching Caeden's baseball games.  They took along books and paper dolls tonight, and at first, camped out where they couldn't even see the diamond.  They played for a while, but they did move once the actual game started and watched Caeden play.

"For I too was a son to my father, still tender, and cherished by my mother. Then he taught me, and he said to me, Take hold of my words with all your heart; keep my commands, and you will live."

-Proverbs 4:3-4

Backyard Family Wiffle Ball Games

We have had mostly nice, mild weather so far this summer, and have enjoyed several fun backyard family wiffle ball games!  

Sometimes we play after a meal, or sometimes it is while waiting on the grill.  We are grateful for a lovely, relaxing June!

Giant Cinnamon Rolls

I've wanted to try making cinnamon rolls from scratch for a long time, but never plan ahead well enough to start preparing them the night before to have them for breakfast.   I am afraid of experimenting with yeast too.  But, we've had some nice cool days lately, so I had Jeremy get all the ingredients to make them yesterday.  I didn't get them mixed up, but had a free morning and finished them this afternoon.  Oh my goodness!!  They were huge, and hhhhhheavenly!

I made this recipe: Best Ever Cinnamon Buns, with some alterations.  Using a cake mix felt a little like cheating, but it really added to the softness.  Instead of the milk-based drizzle frosting, I made cream cheese frosting.  And, I only keep skim milk on hand, so I actually used some of my carmel macchiato coffee creamer instead of milk in the frosting.  Ohhhh my, oh myyyyyy! 

Playtime with Caeden

The girls decided to be part of the summer children's musical in Gibson City again this year, which is fun for all of us.  Right now they have rehearsal 2 days each week, for only an hour and a half.

I volunteered to help rehearse singers, so I usually do that with small groups of singers for half an hour ahead of the regular rehearsal.  Then Caeden and I have an hour of free time together to see what trouble we can get ourselves into.

Gibson City has some nice parks, and we like them all.  The closest one to the church where the rehearsals are held is the North Park, where the musical performances will be.  We have gone a couple times already this summer, when we actually had nice sunny days.

June 8, 2011 - It was hot today, but Caeden had lots of fun playing in this cool old-style bug merry-go-round.  Several other kids came and played with him too, which he liked.  Once you get it going, it spins for a long time!  

 

June 13, 2011 - Today we came back, but it was cool outside, so we only saw a few other people there for a short time.  We played on the bug merry-go-round again though.  Of course, I had to play along, since there were no other kids.  I clumsily tried to jump on with my knees after I got it spinning. That was not such a good idea since I weigh a *little* more than I did as a kid...ugh, metal + my body weight on my knees and shins = bruises.  It was totally worth it though.  I love having this little bit of time to hang out with Caeden and just play.

Enjoying our backard

What a gorgeous morning we have had!  Rain is coming later, but it has been sunny and only about 73 this morning.  I made 2 quiches--one with broccoli and Italian cheeses, and another with ham and colby--hash browns, and strawberries and bananas for brunch.  Then we spent some time outside.  While Jeremy mowed, I pruned the lilac bushes.

As I was pruning, I came across this nest in one of the lilacs.  I'm guessing this egg was a dud or was abandoned?  I was careful not to touch it, but may have pruned back too many of the branches enclosing it before I saw it.  I thought it was a beautiful nest though!

Caeden wanted me to take his picture while he was swinging.  He likes to use the swingset as an "obstacle course," as he calls it.  He starts at the bar across one end and climbs across each thing.  When I commented that it is kind of a dangerous thing to do, he said, "I am a dangerous boy." 

Sylvia and Daddy worked on catching and throwing this morning.

The dark clouds are moving in now, but it is a nice, quiet, relaxing day!