Dodgeball

While at camp this past weekend we had the opportunity to play a game I haven't played since early childhood. Dodgeball. After watching the kids play several games the grown-ups joined in. Kids vs. Adults. Poor kids didn't stand a chance. They were pounded from all angles by the foam balls. Every kid with the exception of Marlee. She somehow managed to dive and dodge until she was all alone on her end of the court. Unfortunately none of the adults had been eliminated. She was converged upon from all directions. I have to admit she put up a good fight. Finally a man threw a ball into the air as a distraction. She took the bait and just like that the game was over. Good times....

For Now

Eventually I plan to do something a bit more elaborate, but for now you'll just have to settle for just one picture. It's safe to say we all had a great time at camp. I went in to the weekend having no idea what to expect. I didn't know anyone else who had ever been to this particular session of camp so we just had to wing it. I was impressed with the program. The camp facilities were awesome too. The playground is the largest in the state and it entertained the kids and me for that matter for hours. I'm a pretty picky eater so I was a little worried about the food too. No need for worry it was fabulous. The experience made for a great memory! One thing I didn't get much of was sleep. Oh well, I guess there's plenty of time for that when I'm old....

Wish Me Luck

Well we're off. It's a little under a 2 hour drive and then we'll be at the much anticipated camp. I hope everyobody has a great weekend!

Mood Swings

Rescued

Last night was one of those awful nights. We haven't had one in so long I almost forgot what they're like altogether. By the time my head finally hit the pillow for good it was almost 4am. Then despite the fact that the kids slept until 9, I was forced out of bed before 8 by the phone ringing NON STOP. Ugh. With this weekend being camp and next our 4th of July trip, I really didn't have room in my schedule for a nap.

I stayed focused and got a bunch of laundry done and the house cleaned up. We made it through lunch, even though by then I was dragging for sure. I was surprised and thrilled when the King called at 2:30 and said he was on his way home. He usually gets home just before 6 . As soon as he got home the girls focused all of there energy on him. I was able to lay on the bed for a little while and just rest. I didn't sleep but the rest felt great. We made dinner together (spaghetti) and ate earlier than usual. Afterwards I took Chiggie shopping and we got the final things needed for this weekend.

These are the days I used to take for granted. Before the King worked out of town his help was a normal thing. Now that I know what it's like to be on your own day after day I appreciate it that much more. Every once in a while it's great to be rescued.

Buddies

These two have become great buddies. The older Boo gets the more they do together. Midge is very protective. I can't think of any better gift for my girls then the sisters we gave them!

Beach Day '09

Due to some changes with VBS and camp, our church took its annual beach trip a little earlier than usual this year. With the way the weather was last week I was really wondering how it would pan out. It panned well. High 90's and crystal clear blue skies. We couldn't have picked a better day.

You'll have to come up with your own captions as I took waaaayyyy too many pictures if that's even possible. This is definitely something we'll be doing again this summer. It's cheap for one. It's also something everyone enjoys.

Change in Plans

We had a great Friday night last night. I went grocery shopping early in the evening to stock the house up for the weekend with all of the things necessary for a successful weekend. You know, soda, kool-aid, bbq food, and cake mix. We ate dinner and then spent the entire evening and well into the morning (the girls were asleep by this point) playing Wii. The King has almost conquered his Cabela's game and we're all anxious spectators. The plans for Saturday included bike riding sans training wheels for Tea, and a trip to the pool so that Chiggie could show off some of her diving board skills to the King.

I was surprised to wake up this morning and see that it was past 9am. Weird. It didn't look that late. It looked...dark. I took a peek out the back window and the deck was soaked. It had been raining and looked like it could start back up any minute. Coupled with the rain was a temperature more reminiscent of fall not summer. I was bummed out. Our plans seemed ruined. The King made pancakes as I straightened the house. We ate breakfast and then started back up on the Wii. When that got old we read some books and then made some stencil pictures with the older girls. We ate lunch together and then watched a movie. All the while I still felt cheated. Stupid weather.

This evening I had an epiphany of sorts. It wasn't so awful after all. In fact this is the first day in as long as I can remember that we just spent the day together. All of us. Just hanging out. Playing games, coloring, just being. Sure it's the time of year when we usually run from the indoors. Cabin fever finally relieved by sunny skies and warm temperatures. Still, time with my family is time and I'll take it any way that I can get it.

Happenings

The weeks are flying by at a pace that is obviously out of my control. A week from tomorrow we leave for camp. Chiggie reminds me every day just how much time we have left to shop and pack. At this point I think we're both a little nervous. Once we get there and get a feel for the routine I'm sure we'll all do great.

Today was warm again so the girls jumped on the trampoline with water balloons. It's the little things that make them SO happy. I probably filled up 50 balloons and they lasted around 30 minutes. They tried to keep a few "forever" but we all know how keeping water balloons forever turns out.

I'm not quite sure yet what's on tap for tomorrow. We have to go to the library. We usually go Wednesdays but the weather was too nice to skip the pool. I'll also go grocery shopping for sure. Maybe we'll bbq. That's sounding really good right now.

Splash

The day was just as lovely as I had imagined it would be. Plenty of sunshine for a pool day. Chiggie has been jumping off of the diving board regularly since last summer, but today she started flipping and diving. It's great to watch and she is proud of herself. Tea is swimming like crazy. She wears a life vest when in the big pool just because of the depth but she can swim well. Midge and Boo love playing in the baby pool and mostly come along for the snacks. That's my favorite part too though so I can't say much about that.

Here's an action series of Chiggie off the board. Forgive the quality these were taken with my cell phone.

And, just for fun here is one of Boo so proud of her life jacket that she left on for all of 2 minutes.

WooooHooooooo!

It's supposed to be in the high 90's today. I cannot tell you how excited I am. Of course if you know me at all you know exactly where we're headed. Yep you guessed it. We'll be spending our afternoon chillin' by the pool. I'll share the photographic evidence of what promises to be a glorious day this evening.

Freedom

Today was one of those days that just flowed perfectly. Waking up this morning to the house being so orderly was very freeing. It made our morning much easier. After lunch we met my mom and little sisters at the river and went for a nice walk. In the end we walked 4 miles. Of course the baby was in the wagon but everyone else walked. Afterwards, because the girls were such good sports about the whole thing, my mom bought everyone an ice cream cone.

This evening I took the Chiggie shopping with her birthday money. She was very selective and picked out some cool new toys. It was fun just the two of us. It was kind of hard for the other girls when we got home, but I got some donuts and that eased their suffering a bit. Soon enough it will be their turn. Tea's birthday is just around the corner....

Accomplished

That's how I'm feeling tonight. I cleaned all day. Literally from the time we got up until the girls went to bed. The house is all clean at once from top to bottom. It's rare that I can accomplish that so when I do it always feels pretty good. While I cleaned the girls did a pretty good job entertaining themselves. Chiggie got a video camera for her birthday and they made movies all day. I am constantly amazed at their creativity. I'll have to share one of their creations sometime it's pretty good stuff. For now I'm off to bed. I'm hoping to get some rest and then ride out this burst of cleaning energy. Maybe tomorrow I'll tackle the yard. Maybe....

Party Time

Today was Chiggie's actual party and it was a lot of fun. Despite the forecast being terrible the weather was great. Not too hot but no thunder of lightning either.Everyone she invited came for a total of 19 people. She got some really cool gifts and enjoyed playing with some of her friends that she hasn't seen since the last day of school.
Before the party we spent over an hour filling up several hundred water bombs. They were sturdy and didn't break until the kids threw them. They got soaking wet and loved every minute of it.

It was a really fun day and now we're all exhausted. Hopefully tomorrow will allow for a little r and r.

Sliding

Simple Joys

Feeding the ducks just never gets old.

Cool Days, Pool Days

Camie and Chiggie showing just how much they love to swim.
Pool snacks are the best!

Getting a picture of all 4 girls together is almost impossible these days.


Boo needed the goggles to search for some of their toys that had floated to the bottom of the pool.

Midge and her took turns searching.

Tea's lips are absolutely blue in this picture. She moved up to the big pool this year. The baby pool is just so, well, babyish..

Here Chiggie is blazing down the slide, goggles in hand.

Boo loves pouring water from this bucket over, and over, and over....

My sisters came along for the Birthday fun. Here Camie is climbing out after a fantastic jump off the diving board.

Marlee is a pretty good swimmer herself. She's a blast to have along as she loves to play with the little girls.


Look at that air. Go Chiggie!

The Birthday girl posing. This is what 8 looks like folks. She had a wonderful day swimming and playing with friends. She picked scalloped potatoes and ham for dinner and brownies for dessert. A girl after my own heart. I am so happy that she has been a part of our lives for 8 years now and I can't wait to see what the future holds for her.

Glimpse

Just a little glimpse into our day today: Boo and the King just chillin'. She keeps rubbing his head and asking about his hair.

This is Tea's sneaky look. She was getting ready to pounce on me, but I busted her.

Midge snoozin'. She's going through that awkward phase where she doesn't take a nap everyday anymore, but occasionally she just konks out on us. Unfortunately when she naps she stays up way too late at night. It's a vicious cycle.