VBS Friday night show

VBS was a super fun week, just like always. This year was our first year attending the Friday night show where the kids sing a bunch of the songs they've been singing and share the bible points they've been learning all week. I had the pleasure of mc'ing it, which was super fun.

Emma was in her element. She was singing at the top of her lungs, dancing with the beat, performing all of the hand motions, and shouting "Let's Go!" after each bible point was read. It was clear that she was in a state of total joy all night.

Grant was also in his element. He somehow ended up in the very front row and entertained the entire room with his shouts of "HEY!" 6 beats late, his silly faces, and his made up dances. He didn't sing any of the songs, he didn't do any of the hand motions, and yet it was clear he was in a state of total joy all night.

Emma closed the whole program with a prayer, and mid way through Grant tried to yell in the microphone so he could have a turn talking into it also. Anticipating this, I moved quickly and set him down mid shout. He wandered over to the steps and sat down with his chin on his hands, and his elbows on his knees, and a pout on his face. Classic deprived child. He perked right up when I announced the ice cream was ready in the back of the room though.

Mr. Miyagi

Grant came out of his room during resting time today to report a fly in his room. Ten or so minutes later, he came back out and said "I caught the fly and cutted it in half and it pooped on me!". And then he held up his hand so I could see the two fly halves and the yellow slime/ fly poop.

Huge Milestone

We no longer have to lock the water dispenser on the fridge to prevent surprise kid showers.

Maybe by winter?

When we planted our garden in late May I couldn't find any strawberry plants, only strawberry seeds. This is what they look like today:


I'm looking forward to juicy, ripe strawberries in February.

Swim lessons: Part 2

The second session of swim lessons ended tonight and the kids are regular fish. Emma is swimming freestyle and working on remembering to use side breathing, as well as starting to master backstroke. She's also doing bobs without plugging her nose, and jumping off into the deep end and then starting to swim. But, the most exciting news of the day is that she marched herself up onto the diving board and jumped right off without freaking out. And then, she swam to the side and jumped off two more times! She has since decided that she loves jumping off the diving board and plans to do it at every pool we visit.

Grant spent the whole play day riding down the water slide, and by the end had learned to bank off the curve to get maximum speed for the straight part that goes into the pool. He also jumped off the diving board a few times, including landing on the instructor's head moments after I warned the instructor he liked to aim for heads. Grant was promoted up to Seals, even though he's too young, because he's completed everything in Otters. He's bobbing under the water, putting his face in the water when he tries to swim, and jumping off into the deep end.

I think we'll try to do one more session in Aug, after we get back from church family camp.

Summer camping: By the numbers

4 - the number of days, our longest trip yet!

6 - the number of adults, one more than last year and it made alllll the difference

3.5 million - the number of mosquitoes that swarmed us when we stepped out of the car

2 - the number of fish caught by my redheads

0 - the number of fish caught by others

3 (measured in tons) - the amount of dirt we brought home with us

12 - the number of people who are looking forward to camping together again next year

We got home yesterday, late morning. After cleaning off, napping, and unpacking, we headed back out with the same friends to swim for a while and then shoot off some fireworks. Then we all headed home to tuck our exhausted, but happy, children into bed.