Outside Slumber Party

When I was a kid living on the lake it used to be so fun to have sleep overs outside on the porch. I told Tom that this is something we HAD to do this summer. Tom likes to remind me that I am older than him (only by 5 months, mind you) and no longer a spring chicken, so I had him bring the kids' mattresses downstairs for us to sleep on. We fixed the kids' beds up out of dog beds, couch cushions and sleeping bags.

It took a while for everyone to calm down. They were very excited and at one point Oliver's sleeping bag got completely turned around so that the top of it (Buzz Lightyear) was underneath him. He started looking everywhere and said "Hey, where'd my astronaut go?" We started cracking up...it sounded so funny hearing that come out of the mouth of a 3 year old! Anyway, after prayers and bed time stories and a million questions everyone got settled in. We woke up to a beautiful day and played outside all day after church. I do have to mention, my husband woke up with a sore back and was moving quite slowly while getting ready for church. I, on the other hand, bounced right up and had a spring in my step.

That night, since I am evidently still young and vibrant, I came to the conclusion that since all of our stuff was still on the porch we might as well do it again. Since the next day was Monday and Tom had to work, he declined to participate and carried his tired old bones upstairs to the comfort of the Tempur Pedic Memory Foam mattress.

The next morning wasn't so pleasant as we woke up to wind and rain. It was freezing and the kids and I hurried inside. We still had fun though and I'm sure we will be making a habit out of that this summer. Well, I will anyway, since there is obviously still some "spring" left in this old chicken:)

We Are Riding on Two Wheels!!

One of our goals for the summer has been met! We have graduated from training wheels to 2 wheels and boy are we proud of ourselves! A week ago, on Sunday morning before church, Tom decided to take the training wheels off of the bikes and work with the kids in the driveway while I was finishing up getting ready for chuch. They had been out there for 20-30 minutes (in the rain) when I walked outside and discovered that Berkeley had almost mastered it. She was still a bit wobbly and we had to practically pry her away from the bike while it started to downpour and we rushed off to church. After church, we came home, ate lunch and Berkeley hopped back on the bike. After a couple more practice runs up and down the drive way she had it down pat! We were so excited that we rode bikes (we put Oliver's training wheels back on cause he hadn't quite mastered it yet) to the little corner grocery store so that they could get a candy. This is the same grocery store that Grandma Potts rode her bike to as a kid and the same one daddy rode his bike to as a kid to pick out treats!

The next day Tom and I had to spent most of the morning in Seattle, but when I got home later that afternoon Oliver asked if I would help him practice on Berk's bike. Berkeley really didn't want to give up her "new wheels," but Oliver oh so sweetly reminded her "Berk, remember, Jesus wants us to share" (why does it seem he only remembers that when he wants someone to share something with him and not the other way around?). So, Berkeley graciously shared her bike so that he could have a turn. Within 20 minutes he was doing circles all by himself in the grass. He called all the neighbors out to watch him and got a trail ride all planned out with Mr. Jim's family and our family to go on sometime.

So, last Sunday, yet again, we found ourselves riding bikes to the corner grocery store to pick out a treat after church. I have a feeling we will be doing that after church for the rest of the summer. That's fine with me though. I think it's so cool that my kids get to ride bikes to the same grocery store that their dad and grandma rode to as kids. What fun memories and traditions!

Daddy's Home!

Thomas came home the other night while we were playing outside and everyone squealed and ran for dad. Finley can't run yet, but she joined in the squealing and scooted as quickly as she possibly could to pile into the car to greet dad! What a welcome!!!

Fin - 1 year

Somehow I missed Finley's 1 year photo file. She is so dainty and petite just like Berkeley and she is starting to exhibit some feistiness! I guess you'd have to, being the 3rd one, otherwise you'd just get run over! She really is Berkeley's own real life baby doll. She adores her big sister and is nothing but smiles and giggles whenever Berk plays with her. She likes Oliver too, from a distance :) No, really, he is making her tough and able to play rough! He is still so protective and always watches out for her. He is a great big brother. Not only is he protective of his little sister, but the Sunday school teacher told us he is very protective of his big sister too! Good work Oliver! Keep it up!

Brownies

Well, since the forecast shows rain for the next 5 days in the middle of July, I figured the only way I was going to get "little brown berries" this summer would be to let them paint themselves with brownies! They had a blast making them and eating them, but that kind of goes without saying, doesn't it :)