Wild, Wild Week

We spent last week in cowboy hats, boots, and getting our country music fix for the year. It was VBS time where we wandered into SR ranch...well, maybe galloped is a better word. I'd been trying to prepare for our little room for a couple of months. The plan was less than 20 kids, 13 were registered the week before. Woody helped me decorate the Sunday before before he went to work. We made a little wagon out of a table, pool noodles, and wood with a sheet over it and paper finishings. Well, I should say Woody made it! The kids loved it and it stood up for a week of punishment.
He also made a little wagon for the kids to play with as well. The kids made shoebox ones for their group but used this as an example.

Here was a picture of all the cowboys and cowgirls. Natalie was in my class, and it was great to get her picture.

We had 21 on the first day, which mosey'd down to 17 on Friday. The first day was wild, we had no idea we would have so many. Just getting nametags for the new kids was a challenge while we were rotating around activities. There were several activities that kept the kids always doing something, whether in our room, on the playground, doing music class, or having a theme related snack. Of course, the snack was high sugar content, so the kids would be extremely wound-up for the closing worship rally. But, God blessed and we had a great group that seemed to have a lot of fun. It was more fun for me on Friday than any other day--I guess I knew it was almost over and I'd better relax a bit! The kids had a lot of fun activities including dressing up in Bible clothing and acting out the Joseph story with his brothers. Here's a picture of Natalie with Hannah, JoJo, and Daniel...

I realized I never took pictures of Nicole in her room...usually I was grabbing her quickly or dropping her off. She did have fun and did several crafts as well. Although, she was usually very hungry when I picked her up. We rushed home to eat some lunch.

After the fun at VBS, Woody had a couple of fun activities for the girls. While I was off scouting for blackberries, Woody made a double slip & slide for the girls which they played with for a long time. These pictures don't give the setup justice! Woody got hot and decided to run down the course himself!

Nicole speeding down the course...

Woody also made a course at home that took our slide setup and added the pool. Anything exciting Woody "Daddy" always thinks up!

The girls love getting on their suits and getting wet. It is so fun watching them play together!

Now, what are we going to do next week????

Camp Time!

Time to go camping! Since the weather had been so much like monsoon season, we decided to try comfort camping! My parents were very gracious to let us borrow the camper, and we quickly threw things together to get ready for a quick trip! Natalie and Nicole are good about wanting to go new places and try new things. Woody was ready to drive the truck (only a 3 seater) and I drove the minivan for several hours to our final destination! We set up at camp and then Natalie was excited to go swimming. The lake was beautiful, although very high. There weren't many beaches! But, this was how Natalie mostly enjoyed the trip...
in the water!

Nicole liked the water too, just not as much as Natalie, and she didn't like being very deep (just toes wet please...).

We didn't take many toys or activities along. I took bubbles for Nicole, but she enjoyed running around more (it was hard to keep up with her most times!). They both also loved the camping hammock, which they used mostly as you would a swing.

Nostalgia point...this campsite we walked through on the way to swim was the same one Woody & I stayed at right before we were married. It was a special time as it was his birthday, and I had made plans for a little surprise birthday party the next day at the picnic shelter on the park. It was neat to remember those memories!! Of course, what would we have thought knowing we would have 2 little ones coming through 8 years later!!

Although Nicole & I weren't able to go fishing (nap time), Nicole had fun finding worms for the event...Woody and Natalie caught quite a few bream, but they didn't take any pictures!

Our campsite. The first night we didn't have many neighbors. The second night we had quite a few more, but they were pretty quiet.

Proof that I was there and did get in the water to swim. Natalie really did enjoy swimming in her life vest. Of course, when Woody swam with her he also did cool things like jump off a rock into the water. Mommy didn't do that!

One of my favorite things...making ice cream. We had never made any with the girls, so it was good for them to see. They really liked eating it!

...with melted chocolate on top of course!

One thing we were not able to do on the trip was go on a hike. We did that after we came back. Natalie was not as happy on this hike because of the heat. She kept wanting it to be over. So, we celebrated the end of it by getting back into swim suits, filling the pool, and eating popsicles!

Nicole liked helping wash the car too!

We had a great time!

I can do it...

Nicole definitely has a can-do attitude about most things! She wants to try anything Natalie can do. She is very able with her hands and truly can do most things. She can walk Laci, my parent's dog pretty well, but it is a little different when she tries to walk Rosco.
She'll try anything the other kids are doing, whether playing basketball or climbing up a playround area (which scares her mommy sometimes!).

She can blow her own bubbles, which she has done for a couple of months now. She can open the lid, take out the wand, and go to town. She even has started to keep from spilling all the contents out!

She loves to try to color or paint also. Here she is with Elysia.

And, fingerpainting with sister!

She is definitely a challenge to keep up with and keep occupied! It's so great she has a big sister that she can learn and keeps her trying new things! She even tries to go potty now, but we are a little ways from that being mastered. She at least dances to the potty dance song...I guess that is a start! Maybe by the end of the summer...

Firefly Blessing

It was a special time, unplanned, and really not thought of as well. We went out to a wonderful time with friends for dinner, which had us arriving back later than usual. We all ate too much, so we went for a walk with Rosco (even though it was much past bathtime). As we were coming back on the walk, I told Woody I saw a firefly. He didn't believe me at first, because it was the first one appearing. But, after a few minutes, there were several around. We went with the girls and each took turns catching a firefly for them to examine and watch fly away. It was just a special time and a special memory. Now, we are on the firefly hunt whenever we are up late at night!

It's Out!

I thought we had a few more years on this, but it has already happened! I've been so slack after our computer died on keeping up with blogging. The loss of three months of photos has been disheartening, but onward we go! Last week, Natalie kept complaining of a loose tooth. One of her favorite stories is Berenstain Bear's Visit the Dentist, so she was glad to know that Sister Bear had already gone through this before. She kept wiggling, we wiggled from time to time (until she said it hurt). She finally was afraid to eat because she was scared it would come out. But, for the most part she was very brave. Most of this past week I have seen her like this...
And, since sister was running around with her mouth open, Nicole also wanted everyone to look at her mouth!

Well, today was the day. We were outside in the yard and for some reason I had Natalie show me her mouth. I said, "This tooth is just barely there..." and it came out! I had to quickly have her reopen her mouth because I was afraid she would swallow it, but she didn't. It is now safely in the tooth fairy pillow, awaiting the changeout for the money!

It did bleed a bit, which I had forgotten. I can only remember getting the dentist to take out needed teeth for space and wisdom teeth in my memories of my own teeth. I never remember any pain or blood, but Natalie assured me there was some pain before it was ready to come out.

Well, bye bye tooth! Can't believe Natalie is getting her second set of teeth...she is getting big (sniff!).