Celebrating Independence Day

Lance had to work yesterday (cows don't take the day off), so the kids and I packed up in the morning to head to the local water park.  We arrived at the water park shortly before it opened and proceeded into the park.  There were families were lined up waiting for the rope to be removed to head into the kiddie pool area. You would have thought there was a great sale at a large department store the way people were pushing and holding "their position" in line. As soon as the rope went down, people went running for chairs and a bit of shade. Now I understand shade is important but YIKES! It was quite the scene. We were able to find some chairs, with a bit of shade, and enjoy some time playing and swimming.

Morgan sunning herself

Landon on his favorite slide

Mauryn just checking things out

Later in the day, we all headed over to our friends house for a BBQ. It turned out to be a beautiful afternoon and evening!. My friend Kara made star shaped cupcakes for the kids to decorate. I am not sure they decorated very many but I think they had their fair share of frosting, especially Mauryn.  

The fourth of July wouldn't be complete without fireworks to end the evening.  What a fun day!

Each time Mauryn's sparkler went out she would stamp her feet and yell "mo, mo". I think she liked the sparklers!

Happy 4th of July!

Happy 4th of July! I hope your day is filled with food, fun, and fireworks!

VBS Program

This week our church has been conducting vacation bible school.  The theme this year was Power Lab, based around different science experiments to enhance the bible points for each day.  My kids had a great week!  I was impressed with how much Landon could tell me about the story each day.  It helped that Miss Barbie was teaching the story for the preschoolers and made it very hands on and real for the kids.  

As a finale for the week, there was a program this evening.  The kids performed some of their songs, watched the last Chadder video segment, and learned how much money they earned for the weekly mission project.  My kids have been busy collecting as many coins as possible to turn in each day for missions offerings. The more money the kids raised the more pastors that would get slimed after the program.  Of course, the kids were motivated to bring in their coins because they all wanted to see the pastors get slimed and to be part of the sliming process.

one of the experiments with dry ice and soap - we should be bubbling with thankfulness

Landon looks more like he got slimed than helping to slime our early childhood pastor

our teen pastor after he got slimed!

VBS #2 from Kristen Cheney on Vimeo.

Mauryn: The Dancer

When the music starts, it doesn't matter where she is, her little body goes into motion.  The bounce, the sway of the hips, the arms waving, her toddler body moving to the beat.  She loves to sing "songs" made of toddler babble and words that are unrecognizable except to her. Even as she sings, she is bouncing and dancing.  She doesn't even realize that when there is music she moves. It is just a natural outflow of her little being, part of what defines her ever developing personality.

Goofy Dancing Mauryn from Kristen Cheney on Vimeo.

Accomplishment

On Sunday night, Lance, Morgan, and Landon went with our friend Todd to do a little boating on the lake.  About ten minutes after they left, I noticed Lance pulling back in the driveway.  The boat was in the water but wouldn't start.  After trying for some time, they couldn't get the boat to start.  They returned home disappointed but with hopes of boating on Monday night.  

All through dinner, Morgan and Landon couldn't stop talking about how excited they were to go out on Todd's boat.  As they were talking, Morgan declared she was going to try to knee board. Lance and I just looked at each other with the "oh yeah right" look.  Morgan tends to be very safe and conservative when trying new things. (This is a girl who wouldn't even go tubing three years ago.)   I thought for sure she was all talk -especially once she got in the water which is FREEZING cold. 

I sent Lance with our little digital camera to take pictures and get any video clips if Morgan was truly brave enough to try knee boarding.  Sure enough, she did it! She even got up the first time on the knee board.  She was so SO excited when she got home.  I think it took her an hour to fall asleep!  

I was shocked and amazed that she was so willing to try something new.  It was exciting to see her set her mind to something and accomplish it.  To see her self confidence grow with trying something new was just priceless.

Morgan Kneeboarding #1 from Kristen Cheney on Vimeo.

Morgan Kneeboarding #2 from Kristen Cheney on Vimeo.

Blessed

There are times when people do something very simple and unassuming that turns into a blessing.

Today a dear, sweet friend took my three kids for the afternoon.

It started as a play date between Morgan and her daughters after a morning at vacation bible school.  When Landon found out Morgan was going to Miss Barbie's house, he wanted to go and play with her son.  This dear sweet woman can not say no to my charming boy!  I guess since she had two she figured she would take all three of them.  I know I asked her at least fifteen times if she was sure she wanted to take all of them.  She assured me she was delighted to have them for the afternoon.  

It was so strange to be home. By myself. For two hours!  I wasn't even sure what to do. I was torn between tackling some summer projects and just being lazy reading on the couch or watching a movie.  I decided to split the time - spending more on cleaning than relaxing but it still felt good to tackle some projects.  I also had a haircut this afternoon and for the first time in probably 5 years, I went without kids!  What a treat!

I knew my kids were having a blast.  Miss Barbie is a woman who has a huge heart for children. She loves my kids as if they were her own.  She lets them do things they can't do at their own house, like slide down the stairs on pillowcases and cover themselves from head to toe in mud. They create projects, eat yummy snacks, and are just plain crazy and silly.  It is one of their favorite places because they feel loved and it is always an adventure!

In the craziness of our summer, this little simple gesture brought a few hours of peace and relaxation.  A simple gesture that touched my heart and was a blessing to this tired mama!

I'm Here - Sort Of

Remember this post?

Summer is still very hectic, hence the lack of posting and commenting!

Our days have been filled with gymnastics for Morgan, trips to the water park, birthday parties, pool parties, softball games, errands, picnics, every day life, and more stuff I am sure I am forgetting since I am too tired to compile too many thoughts.  I have some posts partially started that hopefully I will get posted this week.  I am hoping one of these weeks will slow down so I can feel relaxed and caught up on things around the house.