Loving Summer: No time to Blog

We are loving summer. Really. Maybe not this heat or the dry weather or the fact that it's slipping by so fast; but the fun and relaxation and the joy we've gotten out of being together and having fun. We've loved that.  At the end of each day, I think I really should blog, but then my brain is so full of mush and my heart is full that I just can't get it all down on paper.

It's been a great summer, but there have been changes too and they have been hard.

When I'm thinking deeply or feeling deeply, I don't talk as much or write as much. That's not true, I do talk to my husband and to God, but the rest I just ponder. Just call me Mary. Out of the overflow of my heart, I tend to circle the horses and demand time with my peeps, fun times with lots of laughs and memories.

Just ask my camera card how this summer has been.  It's filled with about 2000 photos from the last two months. No kidding. I think I took 800 pictures over the 4th of July alone.  Gotta captures these moments and pictures sometimes are the only way I know to hold onto them.  In some ways, it seems like just yesterday my kids were taking naps and I was fitting in trips to the pool around those naps and swim diapers. Now we fill each day to the brim and Mr C is still going at 11:00 p.m.  Often, we are not.

I love it.  We've spent so much time in the sand and lake water this summer that our toes will never loose the wrinkle. I've driven Mr C to the driving range and golf lessons so much that I don't even think to put groceries in the trunk anymore; it is filled with three bags of clubs. Miss M and Miss A have had so many sisters sleepovers I don't remember whose room is whose anymore. Well, the Barbies might give me a clue!  Miss M has been busy babysitting, dancing, twirling in the pool, and learning to cook.  Miss A had an early birthday party with her girlfriends and has spent hours each week with her Barbies and created entire cities in her room. 

I've read 22 books this summer. Call me crazy, but I love the escape of a good book and love to just dwell in other worlds for a little each day.  In my mind, I'm learning Pennsylvania Dutch.  Either that or I've read a lot of Amish Fiction lately.   A friend the other day mentioned a "book" that I won't name on this blog, but she said she didn't think my Amish sensibilities could handle the topic.  She was right! 

Summer is slipping away and I'm trying to grab it by the horns and slow it down.  There is still a lot on our Summer Bucket list to do this summer, but we need a few cooler days to get them done. Not even the animals want us to visit the Zoo when it's 105 degrees.  We've got plans to take the next few weeks a little slower so maybe I'll have a chance to "catch" my blog up.  Summer is for dreaming, right!

Plenty of Amusement: Part Two

Our afternoon at the Amusement Park was spent part drying off and part thrill rides.  The boys were busy checking out the wave pool again while the girls were busy on helicopters, boats, spinning things and fast log rides.  I was busy taking photos, watching bags, and catching giggles and smiles.  I'm committed to keeping my feet on the ground at all costs.

I was happy when one of our stops was a magic glow show; I'm still trying to figure out how he did some of the tricks. Too bad we didn't find the theater during the storm, it would have been a nice place to ride it out.  Next time.

We loved our day at the Amusement Park. Everyone left exhausted, but filled with great memories. Of course to make the boys day even better, we stopped off for some BBQ at a little place in Des Moines with an award winning brisket and ribs.  I kid you not; when I told the boys we were ready to leave so that we could stop for dinner at Smokey D's, I think they both jumped a mile high.  Mr C might have even hugged me and kissed me. 

Guess the way to a teenage boys heart really is with food!  I'm not exaggerating when I say that the Brisket, the sauce and the atmosphere were out of the world. Mr A's pork tenderloin was bigger than the plate, and C's hand, and was scrumptious.  It was according to Mr. A the first time in a long time that he's asked for a doggy bag. 

As thanks to Dad for working so hard so we could go on a trip like this, we brought him home a brisket sandwich.  Two hours later (stored in my cold box in the car) he said it was still "to die for" good.  Maybe BBQ is always the way to a "boys" heart!

Top Ten Day trips; wish we had thought to put this day our Summer Bucket list, it would have been given a huge star next to it for being such a stellar event.

Our Day at the Amusement Park: Part One

I'll admit right now that I have very pictures of the boys; they were often off on their own having a blast.  Plus the water park doesn't lend itself to many photos; the waves are too high.

I'll admit that I'm not a roller coaster girl. Never have been.  Miss M and Miss A are our thrill riders in the family. In fact, Miss M has ridden roller coasters and rides that would have resulted in either my death or losing of my lunch had I been brave enough to try.

However, I'm all for a day adventure, and when some friends asked if we would be interested in joining them for a day trip to a small family friendly amusement park/water park I was fully in.  Miss A could not be more excited as the friends had three girls  (just perfect company) and she's been wanting to go to Adventureland for her "entire life."  Who knew? 

Mr C who tends to be a little more like his mother when it comes to rides brought along a friend who shares our dislike. In fact, Mr A told my husband that some of the rides concerned him that they might result in a "serious brain injury."  A boy after my own heart! 

I'll admit that I was very impressed with the park and its amenities. It was clean, a perfect size for walking, giving kids a little freedom, and the water park was a top ten.  The wave pool was huge and according to Mr C and Mr A the best waves in this part of the country. The boys claimed that the waves were so big they could knock them over; and they are not "little boys" anymore!

We had a great cabana that gave us a little shade, but after a week of 100 degree temps the weather was perfect with temps in the 80's. In fact, after spending the whole morning swimming, we decided to try a few of the rides. After a few little rides (which I stood outside waiting), I finally gave in and decided to try the White Water Rafting.  You know the ride that you get either a little wet or soaked on.  Let's just say that I got soaked; thanks mostly to my friends Mr C and Mr A who took it as a challenge.  Sadly, as we disembarked, the Heavens opened up and it no longer realled mattered if I had been a little bit dry.

However, the little "shower" that drenched us didn't stop our fun.  The kids were dancing in the rain, running down the "river" and enjoying some hot chocolate and fresh donuts.  Gotta partake in some of the carnival food.  Thankfully, since we were wearing our swimsuits under the clothes, we didn't even notice the wet!

We were having a great time and in some ways the fun was just beginning!

American Flag Wreath: Crafting Bug Hits Again

Just to keep it real-the sample wreath is in the bottom right corner.  My completed project and the flags I used along with the process are all mine.

I sometimes wish that when the Crafting Bug hits me, the skills or talents that I need would be a symptom of the "bug".  Often I'll get a grandiose idea for something to make for the house or a knitting project to make or a door decor item, but I'll lack the knowledge or talent to pull it off.  I'll normally call upon a friend to help me iron out the kinks, my mother in law to talk me down from a knitting disaster, or my mom to sew the item I've foolishly thought I could handle.

Blame it on blogs, pinterest or shopping, but sometimes I'll get an idea in my head and I just have to give it a whirl.  Take for interest the American Flag Wreath made from flag toothpicks. Easy. Right. Wrong.  Everywhere I looked I could not find flag toothpicks, not a Hobby Lobby, Michael's or Target.  Cupcake sticks were a plenty, but nothing to pick your teeth or hold your cheese appetizer.

Finally, I found the right supply at a local party store and purchased what I thought would be more than enough to cover the wreath form.  Did I tell you that I couldn't find a complete set of instructions anywhere on how to make this project.  One blog said they used over 600 toothpicks and I mocked them; while another claimed she did for about $10 and 250 flags.  I decided to split the difference and try out 300 toothpicks.  Plenty.  Yeah right.

Now, I just needed to decide how to place the toothpick in my Styrofoam wreath; straight, angled; should I start with the outside and work my way in or the other way?  Really, where was Martha Stewart's instruction booklet when I needed it?  Thankfully, when I was about 1/3 of the way through my flag allotment I showed it to an Art Teacher/Friend and asked if she thought I was on track.

Nope. Slant the flags and they will look more like one complete flag on the wreath.  Of course, once I started over, I realized that I would need to reconsider the amount of flags I had on hand.  Not enough.  Thankfully, I was able to nab the last four packets of the flags at the store and while I ended up needing only two more, I'm keeping the others in case a few toothpicks break during the winter storage.

Believe me this thing is coming out on Flag Day next summer and staying up until July 4th.  Who knows I might even pull it out for Veterans Day too!

If you want the instructions for the Flag Wreath, leave a comment and I'll post the directions here.

Boys Turn at the Series

After the girls had such a fabulous day at the College World Series, it only seemed right that the boys had a chance to have some fun too.  So on Sunday afternoon while the girls and I took in the movie Mirror Mirror, the boys, C's friend and his father, and Nana and Papa went to the Arizona Game.

Of course the boys had to take in a little of Fan Fest too, but I think their hitting contest was a little more competitive and they took the games a little more seriously.  Boys and Baseball; there really isn't anything more American. 

Even the Dads had fun.  Rumor has it that P has even given some kudos to a school that is not Texas. He really liked the Arizona Wildcats and became good friends with one of their fans and their mascot. That is him with Wilbur.  I hope that Bevo is not thinking of getting P the axe now that he's been eyeing a cat. In reality, I think he liked Arizona as much for their play on the field as their attitude off the field.

Miss A who also saw an Arizona game feel in love with one of the players on the team.  His name alone made you think baseball. I mean can you beat the last name Field when you are a ballplayer?  She kept saying Infield / Outfield - Johnny Field because he played both.

I was thrilled to read that the Arizona coach, Andy Lopez is a really strong Christian and when the Wildcats won the Championship that he kept it all in perspective. Pretty impressive for a guy whose won twice with two teams.  Love it when the "good guys" win!

Kid Shine: Letting Your Child "Shine"

I think if Miss M had been born in the vaudeville era, she would have been a stage star: singing, dancing, and doing little skits.  I think if we lived in a town with an amusement park, she'd have a summer job dressed up in character costume or performing a little "number" on the stage.There is within her this little bit actress, singer and dancer and when she's given a chance to perform, she will. Just ask the grandparents.  Our family room fireplace has seen many a performance and thankfully, her sister is often willing to be the sidekick.

When you find your child's passion, you do your best to make sure they are afforded every opportunity to shine in that arena.  That's why we are at the dance studio all year long. It's why we sign up Miss M for a little performing arts camp in the summer.  It gives her the chance to use her gifts.  The fact that the camp is only a day camp (meaning no sleeping in tents) is just a bonus.  Well except for all the driving for the mother!

Kid's Shine is the perfect mixture of fun, performing, and creativity. All week, the kids learn parts, practice dances and songs, and get their lines down in just the right way for the audience to catch the humor.  Miss M was thrilled that this year she was both a dancer and a narrator, the perfect blend.  The practice is all geared to having the show ready for a Friday night performance.

Before you think stuffy and boring, you should realize that before the performance, the professional teachers were encouraging us to whoop and holler really loud, to laugh extravagantly, and to really hype it up for the kids.  Since the performance is in the Church Sanctuary, it seems a little odd at first, but you quickly realize how much fun this show is for the audience too! 

This year Miss M was blessed to have not only her family in audience, but Nana and Papa and our fabulous neighbors the C's.  Our entire row was having a great time cheering on our favorite Broadway star.  It really is a treat to see your children find something that brings them such joy!

Of course, we ended the evening with ice cream. Nothing says summer sitting outside in the dark eating a frozen treat; life is too short not to enjoy the moment!

College World Series: Fan Fest and All the Fun!

It seems to me that the "experience" surrounding a sporting event is now becoming an ever bigger thing than the acutal game.  Be it a college football game or a big league baseball or tournament game, it's all about the "fan experience" which is much more than just a hotdog or a bag of peanuts at the game.  My husband has told stories of the one and only NASCAR race he went to and said that there are people who go just for the outside tents, they don't even have tickets for the game

For me, I can't imagine facing a crowd and not even going to see the big game. I'd rather stay at home. However, for the girls, it's all about the "stuff."  Whether that is the treat they will get to eat once inside the gate, the soccer game in the parking lot or what we plan to tailgate with before the game.  Guess you could say they have bought into the hype of the entire fan experience.  They are the marketers delight.

Just ask them.  They even noticed that the Coca-Cola staion at the College World Series wasn't giving out free samples of Coke Zero this year like they had in years past.  Told ya.

On Thursday, when my husband took them to see a great baseball game, they were all in for the entire event, wearing team gear, playing at the FanFest and of course getting the free samples and coupons from the various vendors.  Thank goodness, the Reeses Peanut Company was handing out pb cups and coupons for free ones at the grocery store.

Guess they did enjoy the actual game too.  In fact, Miss A noticed that numerous players on the Arizonia Team had names that started with the letter J.  A few of them were actually pretty cute too. At least she was playing attention to the action on the field.  Her mother used to go to CWS games as a child and bring a book along to read. Unless, of course, the cute Cotten Candy boy walked by.

That must be the difference between my generation and my children's; I brought along my own fan experience in the form of a piece of classic literature (or at least the latest Babysitter's Club book or Judy Blume book I was reading) and my children expect free foods, high tech photo booths, and live action sports they can participate in right outside the game. 

Well at least we all enjoy the 7th innning stretch and singing the Take Me Out to the Ballgame Song!