A Summer Update

I haven't been very good at taking pictures lately. One excuse is: My husband and children like to walk around with my camera and then I don't know where it is. Another, better one is: I've been too lazy, or busy. The bummer of it, is that I don't have a picture to put with my blog and memory.
When Dime gets home from camp, and I get a minute with the others, I'll have to take pictures of their BAC 2 One art projects! I was late registering this year. So late, they almost didn't make it in. PTL, they added a few spots so a number of us extras could join. They had a great time!! and did a number of great projects!! We got a mini video clip of Dime doing his boomwacking song. He did an impromtu dance movement with his buddy at the end, which had the audience laughing and loving it. (Hopefully the teacher was ok with it. :-) He was also in a play as an old man with a cane. Great story!
Dot's dance class did a great job performing. She survived the week of being a dance class teacher and a small group leader, and helping out in other classes. She brought busy to new heights. She was a little spacy and wore out by the end of the week. We took two cars to the program, so that she could stay, visit, and then help clean up, while we went to a birthday party. She was supposed to join us at the party. Instead, she got home and worried where we all were, til it finally clicked in.
Deer did a sewing project of a jean bag. It turned out so cute!
Drum helped out as a small group assistant, and then worked with different classes. He really enjoyed helping at the rap class. We so appreciated the way they helped them learn to be leaders.
Duke did a drawing class, watercolor, etc. It was great for him to try something new.

The birthday party was for my friend, Pam, and Darling's friend, Kassie. Together they turned 51! :-) Jeannie did a great blog of the party. Check it out. Darling's favorite reason to go to church is to see Kassie.

Saturday we headed north to two family reunions!! We mostly spent the time at our cabin with my mother's side of the family. We spent over an hour at my Dad's family reunion which was at another cabin at the same lake. It ended up being a pretty windy and chilly day by the lake, so not alot of swimming was done. More games and visiting. It was great to see family we haven't seen in a year. We brought up our four new bunnies. They were a big hit! I wasn't sure Darling's favorite cousin, Kyle, was going to let us take his adopted bunny home. So cute!! (Sorry, no pictures. The camera was in the bottom of Darling's backpack. Papa got some.)

Sunday we dropped Dime and his friend off at camp. They are having a blast this week, I'm sure. After more visiting, we headed home.

Monday we caught up with laundry, etc. My Aunt and Uncle stopped by on their way back to Kansas. It was so fun to get to see them and visit! Then Deer and I went to check out her special garden at Papa K's, plus she mowed lawn there. So nice to have an occasional paying summer project. PTL for grandparents!

Talking of summer projects - Papa W is putting a new metal roof on his house. Starting Tues. Drum, Duke, Dh, and Deer have been working on the roof taking off the shingles, and helping to put on the new one. They are probably a third of the way through the project. I've had alot more time with just Darling while the crew is up the hill. It takes a lot longer to get through dishes and chores with my big kids working. :-) I don't mind the quiet though. :-)

Last night, Deer, Dot, and I went out with a sweet friend of ours who is headed to college, and her sister. Boo-hoo for us that she is going, although we are excited for her. We had a great time visiting and talking about ballet memories. It will be fun to hear how college goes and the fun experiences she'll have there. Dot mentioned she wondered years ago what it would be like when she headed off to college and Dot would be driving and 16. Now she knows. Sad, fun, bittersweet. Our girls are growing up. Dot and I really, really want to visit her there. We'll see if that gets to happen. Papa K watched Dessert and Darling while we went out. They had such a great time and were so happy. Putting Darling to bed took about 3 minutes. Jammies on, sit in the rocking chair, say goodnight, out like a light!

Today I'm taking a break from running and instead catching up on blogging and eating leftover peanut butter m&m's. Mmmmm.. :-) I gotta get those kids rolling though for another day at work up the hill! Plus, Deer's having a scrap-booking friend over, and I have a shower to go to tonight. I also need to plan this school year, plus pay bills, my ironing pile is still there, and someone filled the laundry baskets last night and had snacks in the living room. During it all, people will ask what's to eat. Another busy day shapes up. :-)