"How was your day?"

 That was the text question that came through while we were at the library.  This was the best response I had at the time as I crawled around the floor looking for fun books for daycare fun.  The kiddos grabbed a pile of books and some movies to get us through the week.

Then we headed to Sonic for a summer treat that we all have been craving!  The closest Sonic is about 20 minutes away...bummer...it is a cheap treat when you go at Happy Hour!

 

 We went on an adventure to Island Lake Recreation Area on Tuesday.  A pretty place but a little cloudy and cool for swimming.  We played in the sand talking and making lists for upcoming events...Father's Day, birthdays, and camping!

 My least favorite kind of grocery shopping day...raining!  Our Wednesday outing was profitable with a stop at Salvation Army and the grocery store.  I found that three helpers is too many...if you are trying to follow a list and keep track of what is needed for day to day use and for camping use.  Next week...I'll have to go alone.

They conned me into another treat..."It's on special, Mom, 3 for $1.99.  That is cheaper than DQ!"  They had a point...and they were dark chocolate covered chocolate Moose Track ice cream bars!  Another reason I will be going alone next week!

 Ashlynn's fun for Thursday..."Mom, I want to try making marshmallow fondant!  I love fondant."  When have you ever had it?  I'll check pinterest and see what we need!

 1 bag small marshmallows, 1 bag powdered sugar, 2 Tbsp water, 2 tsp. vanilla...melt marshmallows, add water and vanilla, mix in sugar...cover hands in shortening and knead till a stiff dough

 Add food coloring and knead into the dough

Roll and cut!

Share with friends!  Take a bit here and there to taste...then run up and down the hill to get rid of the over-load of sugar!  Looks pretty and tastes good too!

Where has the time gone? We have a 13 year old now!

 The birthday girl baked and decorated her own cupcakes...well, her sister helped frost them.  Every year I lose more and more of my mommy skills...and I am so glad to see them take over and learn!

 Dad's idea..."Let's go out for a birthday supper to Ashlynn's favorite place!  Where do you want to go?"  Yep, didn't think she would pick this, but there is one in our city now!!!!

 So much for having room for cupcakes and ice cream!  We had "special treats" at Culvers!  Teddy is  entertaining us AND people in establishments we visit!  We watch and laugh...because he embarrassed himself tonight...forgot people were sitting in the booth as he walked to the trash can.

 Daddy's gift took her breath away...something she has been wanting and waiting for.

 Comments from both made us all laugh.

 We are learning just as much as our children are learning!  So grateful!

 Mom's gift was girly fun...just the two of us!  Shopping at stores she likes...see her new earrings and necklace.

 Being sung to by the waiters and waitresses at the Cheesecake Factory!  We had a sweet waitress!

 Reese's Peanut Butter Cheesecake for Ashlynn.  Chocolate Mousse Cheesecake for me.  We both brought home a portion due to the extreme richness!  Wow! 

Tonight...the girls went on the Canoe Outing for the teens.  Ashlynn watched the temp in the Yukon drop as we were out...65, 63, 62...on my way home from dropping them off at church...60 with a breeze!  "You'll be ok!  It is good for you.  You will have fun..."  But what if we tip over?  What if someone tips us over?  Is it hard to get back in?  What if we get hypothermia and die?  "You won't die from hypothermia...it has to be a lot colder and for a longer period of time.  You have a towel and dry clothes...just change...you'll warm up!  No complaining or whining...don't be those kind of girls!  Have fun!"

Playful learning this summer

 Swinging

 Watching the backhoes dig as the contractors get ready to build more condos by the church/school.

 New to us train table

 

 Messy Mondays...the first one was Clean Mud!  3 bars of Ivory soap grated, 1 roll of tp torn up, and warm water mixed to the consistency of mashed potatoes.  Too funny to watch them...some were not sure at first, some refused to touch it, and some had it everywhere!

 Making a Splash Tuesdays...first week was a little too cold for our young ones!  Even for the old ones!

 We changed 15 kiddos into suits and sunscreened them....NEVER AGAIN!  We will play in our clothes and if they get soaked wet...then we will change them.  Oi!  I knew better...but I thought...oi!

 This week we played with cups, buckets, pumps, and the sand table.  Only a couple kiddos had to change out of wet clothes.

Wednesday with an author...we read several books by the same author...or just one really good one and do activities.  Our first author...Eric Carle and The Hungry Caterpillar.  They worked hard stringing Apple Jacks and Fruit Loops to make caterpillars.

 The teachers made the butterflies out of Trix cereal and chenille stems to take home.

Thursday's summer bucket list...we made suncatchers with beads melted in a 400 degree oven for 20 minutes.  The kiddos fill the pans (not too thick) and the teachers bake them and warn others in the building that we are making the funny smell.  We will hang them on the windows with Command hooks...too heavy for suction cups.

 

 When you can't go outside to do sidewalk chalk (which we have done once) take chalk and dip it in water and draw on black paper.

 

 Playdough

 Streamers for the days we can't go out and chase bubbles!

Color Fun Fridays...we play with anything and everything that has to do with all the colors of the rainbow...and often we eat it too!

 How to clean up a messy fingerpainting  project?  Squirt shaving cream in front of them and watch the color errupt!

Ready for a nap after looking at all these pictures again!  Keeping things moving for 15-17 three year olds requires more energy than I thought.  Thank goodness each activity is of short duration!

Where has the time gone? Soon to be twelve!

Alisa and I had a mommy/daughter date to grocery shop.  We stopped at the craft store and at Starbucks too!  We were celebrating the fact that she had moved up to the youth group...exciting?  scary?  FUN!  We are also in the middle of planning her birthday shindig "since I didn't get to have a party the summer of my  10th birthday because we were going to move!"  Ahhh, yes, she never forgets those details.  "Ye, that was a busy summer with lots of trips to Michigan...one of them for you to go to camp!  You poor neglected little girl.  Look...you are older and stronger!"

Where has the time gone? Eleven years!?

 May 29th Celebration

During family devotions...

"Love is an action!  Love has feet, not a rear end to sit on!" expounded Ted as we considered the difference of light and darkness and what comes from both.  We have been using the Manna app from Positive Action.  It has been a great help for each of us to have personal time in God's Word. At the end of the day, we come together to talk about what we read and then how we applied it to our own life.  It has been neat to see how God is using these passages in my life each day to remind me in very specific ways how to apply what I am reading and meditating on throughout the day.  Working each day has made life more complicated for me.  I feel it in my head and in my heart.  I get all scrambled up and stressed...and I don't like that feeling!
I'm so thankful for the specific ways that God is speaking to my needs.  Last night, God sent a friend that I could say to, "Please pray for me to handle things in the right attitude and manner," knowing that she will pray for me and hold me accountable in love.  And then during the Bible study time, the reminder from I Corinthians 16:13-14, "Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.  Let all your things be done with charity (all things be done by you in love)."  All things...the fun things, irritating things, nice things, menial things, home things, work things, church things, friend things....all things!
Today, I had a chance to practice handling things in love...and so...it struck me funny when Ted explained what love truly looks like, as he did.  Love isn't just a fuzzy feeling or pretty word.  It is an action that demands giving selflessly to another...for their benefit.  There are so many opportunities to practice this action, I honestly get overwhelmed.  I'm thankful that I took the opportunities to put love into action today and handle things as I should have.  Without love...I'm just a blaring horn or a clanging cymbal.  With love...I'm settled and able to keep serving in all things...even when I'm tired.

When God closes one door, He opens others!

We have been waiting on God's timing, and this morning we posted our IL house for sale. 
We are thankful to have had renters, but we do not wish to be landlords indefinitely.  We are thankful for the help of Dad and Mom as our eyes and ears across the miles!  We are ready to find a more permanent setting here in the Mitten state. 
We are praying that the Lord will direct our steps and give us wisdom in the days ahead.  He has done it before and we know He will do it again!  Will you pray to that end for us too?
If you know anyone looking for a cute house to make their home, here is the link to Craigslist.  Our renters have taken good care of things!  They have given it such a cozy feel, and I hope others can see its potential!

http://rockford.craigslist.org/reo/4497057772.html

"Hey, you guys, turn the light off when you go to bed, ok!?"

We say it a lot these days!  Especially when it is beautiful outside and the day is full and busy!  Last Saturday was one of those days...that ended with a first of the season grilled burger on our new to us grill.  It was wonderful!  Then we watched hot air balloons go right over our park.

The lilacs are gorgeous!  The scent floated down to our place...mmmm, spring turning to summer!  After the pounding rain this week, most of the little flowers were on the ground.

Such a clear, beautiful day for Memorial Day!  I love that our town lines the streets with flags.

When we asked the kiddos what they wanted to do...they picked mini-golf!

"How many was that, Alisa?"

Ted is posing by his extraordinary putt...see the red ball...in the rocks?  Yep, that was his!  Right after my hole in one!  Oops, the picture didn't load...gotta fix that!

"Oh, Dad, do you smell that?  That smells so good!" Teddy stated when they entered the go-cart line.  Yep, my guys love the smell of any type of fuel.  Ted challenged us girls, "Any one of you pass Teddy or I, I will get you a prize!  A special prize...your choice!"

We tried...but were not successful.  Oh well.  Maybe next time?!  We grilled out again and some of us enjoyed the evening on the deck.

Back to work tomorrow!  Summer schedule has begun in full detail.