Violin Lessons

Seleia is learning to play duets... a step towards joining an ensemble! Here she is playing around with her teacher Jeanne (pronounced the francais way) on a piece she learned last year.

Story Time at Starbucks!

The girls are quite adamant that they need to show Nonni and Silas what they do on Tuesday mornings! They're convinced, regardless of what I say, that Silas goes to Starbucks Story Time, too!!

Harvest Time Begins!

The hard work is beginning to pay off! Our kitchen has been overflowing with strawberries, cherries, raspberries, peas, beans, lettuce, kale and zucchini! The blueberries are ripening and tomatoes, celery, carrots, plums, peppers and pumpkins are popping up all over the place! (The corn is even knee high... just in time for July!) I always love that the girls can graze the yard with the best snacks on earth while they play outside. They always think they're getting away with something, eating those raw peas, beans, and berries. (Hey, whatever works...)

I was not planning on putting a video of today's festivities on here, but Seleia chastisingly informed me that, "Videos are waay better than pictures". In this one she's actually close enough to the mic that you can hear her. (Turn the volume down about 2/3 of the way before you press play.)

Son Rock Kids Camp!

Today was the big VBS finale! "Diamond Jem", the old prospector that gave the children their message all week, shared what we had learned and the verse that was the focus each day. All of the kids were so proud to share with their parents, grandparents, friends, etc.! Everyone performed the songs they had worked so hard on all week long, and the excitement level was VERY HIGH. Afterwards there was a bbq and the girls went crazy on the super slide! (By the way, a s'mores bar is lots of graham crackers, chocolate frosting, and marshmallow creme. We managed to avoid it.) Amarra is with her friend Natalie, Seleia is with Brooke and again with Naomi and, yes, Elora wore a tutu to church. (We did, however, make her leave the crown in the van. She agreed it was probably best to let God be King at church.)

Big Girl!

Since we first moved to this house, the apple tree has been the popular one for climbing. Seleia can go about halfway up, Elora heads to the top, and Miss Amarra has always hung from the lowest branch, trying with all of her might to join her sisters aloft without assistance. Today it happened. Amarra climbed the tree by herself. Then did it again, and again, and again. From her perspective, I think this was the definitive right of passage into "Big Girlhood." I think she says it best at the end of the video, "I'm gonna stay up here fowever"!

A little impromptu fun

Somehow we managed to get a leak in the pool, and emptied it out to fix the stinkin' thing. As we refilled it I took my shoes off and stepped in to make sure there would be no wrinkles on the bottom. Seleia soon joined me, etc., and before long we had an hour of wading pool fun! Its almost sad to see the pool get filled up again!

MaaaaaanTECA!!!!!!

Who needs Oakwood Lake Resort???

Camp Shirt Day!

Today was the last day of VBS... sort of. We have the big performance & super slide BBQ on Sunday, then I can turn my staff shirt in & call it good. I don't know what a s'mores bar is (as in buffet) but it sounds ominous. The girls had SO MUCH FUN!!!!! Here is a slice of today...

Stuffed Animal Day

I have no idea who thought it would be a good thing to have a couple hundred kids each bring a stuffed animal to VBS, but with a little help everyone seemed to keep track of them. Here are some pictures of the girls practicing & playing, Seleia showing off her craft of the day ( pet rock?) and one of Seleia with her best buddy at church, the very energetic little miss Brooke.

Pajama day at VBS!

Every day has a theme at Sun Rock Kids Camp. Yesterday was team colors, today was pajamas. Since its toasty outside the girls each wore their Disney Princess nightgowns (thank you, Heather) and were very excited to do so. I had a lot of fun working in the 3rd grade class (though now I need a nap) and it was a treat to get to see the girls on and off all day. There were lessons and crafts and water sports galore, not to mention the singing! The kids are all practicing for a big production on Sunday. Amarra did great when it was just her class in the sanctuary..I went in to get my sunglasses and just happened to catch her sing...but wouldn't go on stage when the place was packed. Who new I'd have a kid who avoided the spotlight? She must be part Joel. Hmm.