Summer: Weeks 1 and 2

Summer is zipping by and I wanted to record a few of the things that we have been doing. First, my motto this year has been, "Work first and then play!" I didn't want to make things too complicated so I am just having the older girls do 4 things each morning- chores, practice piano, reading, and writing (can be anything from an email to a list to a thank you note, etc.) Also, in my parenting, I am trying to say "yes" more often and save the "no" for when it is really important and not just inconvenient! Some days are better than others! So here's some of the happenings:

Gymnastics- The girls have been taking gymnastics since May and have loved it. They took it in Texas and really did well. For some reason, I had been dragging my feet on it here, but this summer they are going twice a week and really progressing. I'm glad to see them back in it.

Softball and More Softball: We have at least 4 games a week! Ouch. Good thing the season is short. Tod is coaching Jordan's team this year in coach pitch. Ashton is in regular softball.

Friends: One of my favorite parts of summer is spending more time with friends. Last week, the H family came over from Des Moines. We loved hanging out with them and eating at Chick-Fil-A. They used to live her and L was one of my first friends when we moved to Iowa. I am still amazed when we are together how much alike we are. We will just be talking and be like, "I do that too!" It's amazing. Now she has 4 adorable boys. You better believe we are all lobbying for some future hook-ups.

Yesterday, I had another sweet treat. The J family drove out from Utah and stopped at our house on their way to visit family in the midwest. M became my best friend in 7th grade and we were college roomies for 3 years. When they called and said they were getting close, I looked around my house and thought how it was actually quite messy. But then I thought, "Wait a second, this girl lived with me for a long time. She knows all my secrets and has seen me at my best and at my worst. I don't need to try and fool her." It was so good to see her and her hubby! Even though a few years had past, it was just like old times. I always been so thankfu for her friendship. She has 5 cute kids and most of them are very similar in age to mine. We had a wonderful afternoon together and can't wait to see them when we go to Utah in a few weeks. So many memories came flooding back.

Then there are our "day-to-day" friends. I love that we have more time to be with them during the summer. We can meet up at the library and go to Sonic. We can run across the street and play in the plastic pool. We can sit on the porch and chat while the kids ride bikes. We can visit during softball games and share snacks and goodies. We can have barbecues and just enjoy the company. The slower pace makes me appreciate having all these great people in my life who love me and my kids.

Vacation Bible School: Last week was VBC at the Lutheran church where the girls have gone to preschool. This was the first year the girls have gone and let me tell you, it was heaven for me and them. I got 3 hours of quiet time each day (with only Cole) and they got to play games, do crafts, have snacks, sing catchy songs and run around with friends. They learned a lot too. I was so impressed by the things they learned about the Bible and about God and His reality in our lives. It was also good for them to see that just because we all go to different churches, we have a lot of the same beliefs. Among all of this, I am teaching group piano lessons which I am really enjoying (picture banging out different rhythms on loud instruments down in the basement) and trying to finish my independent study class.

I love summertime!