Monday, July 24, 2006

Letting Go


okay seriously did not think I would have a hard time with my kids growing up and getting so big, but I dropped my daughter off this morning for her first ever day camp. She is going to be gone every day this week, all day long. Just that look on her face this morning as she got on the bus...you know the one, it says "I am growing up now mom...and it is okay." Anyway I was reminded of this song I heard on 104.1 (the fish) the other day about our kids growing up and finding their wings. Of course it was a tear jerker, kind of like butterfly kisses (cry to that one everytime). I cannot wait to hug my little girl when she comes home and just sit with her and hear all about her day. Funny how that happens, when there here you want them to be gone for awhile and when they leave you want them around. okay enough of my ramblings about growing up...I am so excited for her and I know that after this week is over she will be one step closer to becoming a grown up.

Thursday, July 13, 2006

Responsibility


So I know that first born children are usually the ones that are full of organization, responsiblity and a general good head for planning it all out. But let me tell you something....my little six year old is the queen. Because we are involved in ministries at our church, she has been around a lot of events and I am usually helping in some capacity. When I organized Teddy Bear Picnic, she created her own at home with games and crafts for all of her stuffed animals to do. She likes her toys just so before she can fall asleep (even though her room is still a mess). This last weekend before we went camping, she made a list of things to do before we headed out for camping and then she made a list of everything to bring. . She sat at her desk for quite awhile thinking of all of these things...not once asking for help on spelling the words, most of which are legible. Yesterday I asked her to help pick up some toys that her brother and his friend had left out...she turned to me and said "they just made me responsible to pick them up - and they don't even want to help me!" WOW. She totally gets it. She will always be the responsible one, the one to help her brother, to organize ideas and projects, the one to make sure that everyone is on time and ready to go, she is becoming me! Poor kid. There are some great things about being organized and resposible, but hopefully she will learn to go with the flow and live a little at the same time. Good luck sweetie....I will always be there to guide you thru this grand adventure called life.

Sunday, July 09, 2006

A Little Slice of Heaven




Love this. Love camping. Love the lake. Love the good times. Love waking up to the sounds of boats on the water. This was a super fun weekend of family, friends and good times. Went to Crescent Lake this weekend with a bunch of friends and had just the best time ever. The kids are super tired and they are covered in dirt, but they had a blast. The first night we froze to death, but then the weather turned around and it was so hot and we spent a lot of time in the lake. The water is a little cold, but when you have the mountains with a little snow on them, the white pumice beach and the crystal clear water...amazing. I just love the photo of Sydnie with her cute wavy hair and brown little body, she decided to that she was going to dig a channel to the shore with a paddle and she worked so hard. Perseverance. Seriously good weekend.

Tuesday, July 04, 2006

The Swarm



One evening a family of four set off for camping at the last minute...not a lot of planning, but happy to be together. The kids started to get antsy after about an hour of driving and then one had to potty. The father stops into Hoodoo to check for bathrooms and discovers they are closed...so the family stops on the side of the road, since no one is about and piles out of the car, dog in tow. As soon as the doors to the minivan open what should appear, but thousands of mosquitos ready to munch on sweet little children. The screaming starts loud and non-stop!!! The fear is evident in their eyes and faces. The parents scoop up the children and throw them into the van where at least 200 of the little creatures are flying about looking for something to eat. The crying intensifies to the point where the only reaction from mom is laughing (and killing mosquitos). With the windows rolled down and the sound barrier breaking the family drives for a half and hour to the sweet sound of terror. Eventually all the mosquitos are killed off and the children realize we are almost to their destination, when suddenly the sweet loving daughter asks..."Are there bears where we are going?"