You've Got a Friend in Me!

Well I don't have the best track record for getting our family out into the social scene.  I often stay in my own comfort zone at home or am preoccupied with other commitments and don't make it a priority to initiate time with friends- whether my own or the kids' friends.  Not so this month!  We have been wheelin' and dealin' over here:)  For example, this week we've already had 5 extra children at our house and it's only Wednesday!  That is big for us.

I don't have pictures of all the fun friend time lately, but here's what I've got:

We had our first ever friend sleepover last weekend and it was a success!  Gray tends to be like me--enjoys being alone; likes friends but isn't that comfortable reaching out to new ones.  He is so used to following big brother around that when he is with his peers, he doesn't quite know what to do.  But he's gotten a few chances lately to hang out with a friend of ours who is also a younger brother and it's been great for the two of them to learn how to be buddies.  Gray was thrilled to have him spend the night, especially after Joshua had gone over to a friend's house last week for his first sleepover.

Happy, but sad.  We celebrated our final preschool this week.  The newest little girl couldn't come, but we had the two that have been coming since last fall and it was definitely bittersweet for me.  I love these girls--like, really love them.  I think at first I just like the idea of them, but as they have opened up and begun to trust me, we have really bonded and I am sad to be finished with our special time together.  When they first came, they didn't know their letters, still spoke a good bit of Spanish with their English, and couldn't write their names.  It is slow going to only work once a week with little ones that don't have the longest attention span, but they have made so much progress and I'm really proud of them.  Tuesday we worked through a little book I made for each of them with words they can sound out, then we got to the party stuff...

Making cupcakes!

Playing...this is some sort of group game they were doing of their own initiative.

Eating lunch (Yasmin's fav--chicken nuggets) and decorating cupcakes.

We let the boys decorate too.

And crafting with beads and pipe cleaners.

Last week we had our first try at having over a select age group of KNO kids to the church for a game night.  It was super fun and great to have a smaller, more manageable group.  Joshua had a blast with the other 3rd and 4th graders.

 Little miss social butterfly got some play dates too.  This girl is ALL about little girl friends and she is not shy about initiating.  She was feeling low after the boys were having all the fun with their friends so we asked a little girl from church to come over.  Turns out, this little one was also craving some friend time!  Julia ADORES her and they have great silly fun together.

 They told me they were putting on a dance show for me.  They came down, posed for pictures, changed outfits, came down, went up to practice, and I don't know what happened after that, but the show never materialized!  They sure were cute as they can be, though.

It has been a full month, though we haven't been anywhere or done anything super noteworthy.  I am so thankful for friends and looking forward to more fun times ahead!

Swimming, Swimming, in the Swimming Pool

We have ourselves three little swimmers, thanks to my friend Dana's great instruction this summer!  They are having so much fun and even swimming across the pool and jumping in the deep end.  This is major for us!  And Julia is hot on their trail in her little float thing.  She goes all over the pool kicking her feet and not a bit afraid.  I think she'll be swimming for real next summer!

VBS and More

Two weeks ago we got to experience Good Shepherd's VBS again.  The last time we participated, Julia was 6 months old and the boys were in the preschool class, so this is the first time they got to really see and do it all and believe me, it is quite a production.  The kids absolutely loved it and I'm finding out even this week all they learned.  Today at lunch, Julia suddenly said, "When we were at the tabernacle, I learned the word sovereign."  She didn't really grasp the meaning of the word, but hey- that is a tough concept for a 4 year old.  I was surprised to find that the boys have a pretty good understanding of the tabernacle, what it meant, how it changed when Jesus died, etc.  Thankful for the great teaching they are getting and the fun they are having along the way!

I helped out in the "marketplace" during the week, so I got to see all the kids come through and help them make things with clay for the first 3 days and make spice bags (or stink bombs, as many of the boys called them) on the last 2 days.  It was a lot of fun and great to be able to get to know more of the kids and put faces with names...or big kid faces with baby faces, since many of these kids I used to know 4 years ago when we were a part of CGS.

I really wanted some of the KNO kids to be able to experience this VBS, but wasn't sure how it would go trying to transport them, if they'd like it since they don't know anyone, if they'd come each day since they can be unpredictable.  The first morning was a little rocky as everyone in the 3 houses we were picking up kids from were asleep (it was early!  especially for summer).  But we made it, got everyone to their groups, and they loved it.  And the other days they were ready to go every morning, so it really did go well and I'm hoping to get some transportation help next year so even more can come.

The last 2 days I brought a few older kids to be my helpers.  It was really interesting to watch them.  When they helped, they were more helpful than the average kid, I think because they have more responsibility at home than most kids their age, with often being in charge of several kids in their homes.  But they also loved sneaking away to make crafts of their own, moreso than the other helpers, I think because they haven't gotten a lot of the little kid experiences that many kids do.  They really enjoyed themselves and wanted to do it again.  Good thing we have another VBS at Grace Hill Church in a few weeks!  My kids can't wait.  Julia said, "I don't want to just go one time and that's all because I love VBS FOREVER!"

I haven't taken pictures much at all, but other highlights lately...

The Saturday after VBS, we met two families from our shepherding group at Lake Crabtree (ha!) for a picnic dinner.  We got there early and piled in a paddle boat, which was pretty fun, but hot.  We enjoyed a big game of kick ball, the boys loved trying to catch tadpoles & finding snail shells, and Julia adored getting time with her little friend.  They were so cute, just laying in the grass chatting away.  Leaving was a little tough.  Gray absolutely reeked from the lake water/mud and Julia was so sad to leave Eliana.  ("But Mommy I want to stay with Eliana FOREVER.  UNTIL I DIE!")

Sunday we met two families and a single guy from church for the last get to know you lunch from our Sunday School class.  Once a month for 3 months, we were matched up with a few other couples so we could get to know each other better over a meal.  We thoroughly enjoyed each one.  As much as we love being with the kids, it's just so nice to get out and have adult conversation!

This past week was Matt's week off of school, so he's been studying about half the time and hanging out with us the other half.  We spent an afternoon at the pool with Kim and the cousins, went to Jordan Lake one morning, had a cookout with Matt's family, and today he and Gray are headed to the movies.

Joshua got to go to Carowinds with Lydia, Jackson, Stacy, and Stacy's friend Sarah.  He was nervous in the days leading up to it, but boy did he have fun.  "The best day EVER" I believe he called it.  As predicted, he took a little time to warm to up to some of the rides, but once he got into it, he was into it!  The Gold Rusher was his favorite.  A boy after my own heart:)  Now, I could handle going to an amusement park with him just fine...when I have gone with Matt, I end up so nervous with all the pressure to ride the scary stuff with him. :)

It's been a fun two weeks and really an enjoyable summer.  Last year I had a list of things the boys had to do each day, like chores, reading, writing, playing outside, etc.  This year we've just gone with the flow.  I've made them clean up some.  They already read like crazy on their own.  Gray made up a poem and wrote it down the other day...I really do need to make him practice handwriting a little more.  But overall, we are just hanging out and doing just fine.  Lots of swimming, movie watching, taking walks, board games.  Just simple days with not a lot planned and I love it.

Summer has begun

I've not posted anything for a bit...I can't keep all my stuff straight!  I have been better about posting stuff on the ACT website, but then I forget about this one and the KNO website.  My mind can only handle so many details I suppose!

Summer is off to a great start here.  We enjoyed a visit from Jeannie and the boys for a few days.  Sawyer loved playing with the boys and Julia like sharing a room with Maddox.

Then we had Mama and Daddy come for Father's Day weekend.  We didn't do a whole lot besides the food truck rodeo Sunday, but nice to get some time together, especially in the midst of their house selling/buying craziness!

School ended well for the most part.  Gray got a bit out of control the last week--like out of his mind crazy.  I came to school to help with an ice cream party and he didn't get to take part in it due to his behavior.  Then the last day of school was supposed to be his time to make it up to his teacher, but her comments to me when I asked how it went were, "Well he didn't destroy anything or maim anyone and it's the last day of school so I will take it."  Basically, he did not redeem himself!  But I think he was just not sure how to deal with his feelings about the transition.  He was excited but he told me on the last day that he was sad b/c he kind of likes school and his teacher is really nice.  He did well on his report card aside from a few lines like handwriting and following the class rules:)  I think he thinks he awesome reading skills are going to carry him through on all the other areas...we will see how his future teachers feel about that!

Joshua finished the year with 2 field trips, which I got to go on.  I just love being with the class and getting to know the teachers and kids.  He got glowing reviews on his report card and did not mess up his good behavior streak.  He got slightly in trouble a couple of times for talking too much, but I am just happy he is social and has friends to talk to so we just let that roll off our backs:)  He has really blossomed in school and I continue to think Hillandale is a great school choice for him, in contrast to my feelings of uncertainty about what's best for his brother.

Julia is thrilled to have her brothers back at home.  We've been going to swim lessons this week and she loves being in the pool too and "swimming by herself" (which sometimes means with a flotation device on her arms, holding on to a kickboard, and a death grip on my hands).  The boys are doing awesome in the pool.  Joshua is finally swimming for real and just needs to get comfortable with the breathing.  He is determined and motivated.  Gray is a little fish in the water now, in stark contrast to last year!  He tried arms today for the first time and really just went "all in" and had it down by the second try.  He doesn't know how to breathe yet, but we'll get there.  We are so much later than many kids in learning how to swim, but that's okay--better late than never!  I think visiting Nanny and Pa's pool is going to be a lot more fun from now on!

Matt is still plugging away with school.  They are definitely piling on the material!  He studies most of his spare time and I know he is so ready for a break the first week of July.  Then it's just a matter of weeks before he's off to Nicaragua and halfway through his degree!  Very thankful this is a short process.

I have been enjoying the long afternoons at home, with no picking up kids from school and hours of homework!  We have been catching up on stuff like sending letters to our sponsored kids and cleaning out the craft shelf.  Last week we had an ACT meeting that went well, followed by a KNO birthday party that also was a good time.

I'm excited for our new church VBS next week, which I know will be great based on our participation awhile back.  I'm particularly looking forward to bringing some of my little KNO kids.  Love getting more time with them and sharing life together.  I only have a few more times left with the little girls coming over, so trying to squeeze in as much reading as I can with them!

Can hardly believe we're almost to July already!  Loving the summer, but know it will fly...

Gone Fishing

Barnette and Cindy took the kids to a fishing tournament this morning and it was a huge hit.  Here are some pictures they took.

Ready for the day!

Joshua catches a fish!  

 I think Julia caught one with Nanny.

 Gray caught two fish.

Change is in the air!

Well there is the obvious change in the forefront of our minds--summer vacation!  And something we tend to do around here when school is either almost out or about to begin, is make a trip to the Museum of Life and Science.  So Julia and I had our last "just us girls" day of fun before summer.

Julia loved the butterfly house and was thrilled that she got to touch one.

We got our closest look ever at the bears.  Julia was a bit nervous about this.

We had a rare treat and paid to ride the train, which Julia was super excited about, though got a bit serious when it was time to ride.  She gave her "pout and look at my feet" face during the tunnel part when the kids like to scream.  But overall, she liked it all and we had a good day together.

She can't wait for the boys to be out of school and I feel a bit of restlessness/tension in the air with the coming changes, but what I'm really contemplating these days is all the other exciting changes going on around us.

Like Kim getting a private school teaching job and 4 of her kids starting school there in the fall.

And my parents selling their house and making an offer on another one.

And the Moores getting geared up to welcome foster kids in their home for weekend respite care.

And the Leightons starting the adoption process for a child in Haiti.

Many big changes are definitely in the air and it feels weird that it's not us, since we have tended to have some life-altering event or decision come up every year-- moves, deployments, babies, new business, new career path, etc.

But no, we won't get on the change train quite yet.  This year we will just continue to plug away at school (or Matt will) and see what God has in store.  This time next year, we'll be there.  Looking for jobs, all our kids going to be in school, maybe other changes....time will tell.  Thankful that we are so privileged to live a life that has always been full of options, not just survival.  Looking forward to seeing our story keep unfolding and so excited to watch these family members live out theirs!

Quotable Quotes

I took a week or so to write down some of the things Miss Julia says and thought I'd share.  Besides saying "Perfect" and "Beautiful" more times a day than anyone should, she has some other little things she says that are out of the ordinary.

I discovered that she thinks "Diaries" is the name of a princess...as in "Princess Diaries" the movie.  She likes to pretend she is Queen Diaries when she's not pretending to be Elsa or a baby.

At Walmart she was holding on the cart and had one foot on the cart and one on the floor.  She asked if she looked like she was doing a "scootboard."  You just gotta love when kids mix up words and say it with a straight face.

She was absolutely delighted to be allowed to wear lipgloss to her recital, but couldn't quite get the name right.  She excitedly told one brother she was going to wear lipflops and another that she was going to wear lipfloss.

As we drove to get a friend of Joshua's she declared to us all, "I know this is Anthony's house because I am a good memory."  Well, she really is.

She got a little cut on her finger and dramatically moaned, "Mommy, my paper haircut is hurting!"

She has a sweet heart that she shows sometimes.  When Matt running late to meet us, she reassured everyone, "Well we want Daddy to be here but it's okay.  It's not his thought."  Of course today when Gray hit her accidentally she screamed, "And it's all Gray's thought!!!"

Out of the blue, while thinking of some of her creations, she said, "Mommy I am an artworker."

And finally, her sweetest comment this week as she gave me a big hug:  "Mommy we're best friends forever."