When Your Four Year Old Gets Your Phone...

What is it with my kids and their fascination with the camera on my iPhone? Every time they get their hands on my phone they take a million pictures! They save pictures from their games, they take pictures of everything under the sun, and they figure out things that I've never even heard of!

Here's a sample of what happened when I used my phone to occupy Little A while Big A got a haircut...

Happy Birthday To My Godson!

Today we celebrated my godson's 16th birthday! I can't believe that my cute little Jofus is now well on his way to becoming a man... A very TALL man! AMAZING!

The kids had a blast playing with their cousins and I must say that for 14 and 16, they sure do a great job playing with my kids! They pulled out some of their old toys for them, they pulled them around the house in blankets, they played outside with them... I have the greatest nephews in the world! Thanks, guys!

Joe showed us his awesome fire making skills (puts me to shame!), we visited, the kids played on the tire swing and then we feasted on pizza and had Coldstone Cake... YUM! Nothing beats pizza and strawberry ice cream cake!

We didn't end up leaving their house until around 10 and we had an hour and a half drive home... It was SUPER fun but boy are we beat!

Happy Birthday, JOE! WE LOVE YOU, and are SO proud of the man you're becoming!!

Life's Not FAIR!

But in life we can GO to the fair...

And that's just what we did tonight after a LONG week at VBS. Call us crazy, but we did it.

We had told the kids that we weren't going to be able to go to the fair this year because of the timing, but Friday afternoon we decided that we needed to get out and enjoy ourselves. We met some friends there (who'd also worked at VBS all week) and did what you do at fairs... We ate healthy food fried fair food, rode rides until almost midnight, laughed, and and just plain had fun! It was a much needed break with some much needed time with good friends!

As much fun as we had, there was also a little sadness as we realized that Big A is now too big for the majority of the kiddie rides. You're going to laugh, but he doesn't meet the height requirement. Yep... TOO TALL! You can imagine his disappointment at hearing those words!

Thanks For A GREAT Week!

Chalk up another successful VBS! The kids had a blast, the volunteers were awesome and the comments from parents were that this was one of the best VBS weeks to date. There were quite a few tears at the fact that the week was over. Sorry, kids! We can't wait to see you next year!

Every year we raise money for a charity that is somehow related to the VBS theme. This year with our beach theme we raised money for The Marine Mammal Center. Our goal is to raise $1000 for the charity and if that goal is reached there is some sort of special 'event' that takes place. Two years ago a couple of guys got mohawks, last year a couple of guys got slimed and this year.... Well.... This year a couple of guys....

Yep... That's what a couple of guys did. One of them may or may not be my husband... I'm just sayin'...

Thanks for a great week!!

Be Bold, Be Strong...

I HEART VBS WEEK!

I can't tell you how many times this week the kids have been playing or riding in the car or just hanging out and the whole time they're singing VBS songs. I love it! As I type I am hearing the words to "Be Bold, Be Strong" over the clanking of Legos. Music to my ears!

But what's greater than singing VBS songs? Listening to what they think the words are and listening to the discussions that ensue. Remember this post about 5 loaves of garlic bread? Well this year it's a battle about the song "J-E-S-U-S" and the lyrics "Meet up with Jesus." My kids are absolutely convinced that they are saying "Beat up with Jesus" and really, it's not a battle worth fighting. They're going to sing it how they want to sing it, especially Little A.

Oh well! I'll continue to revel in the fact that the word of God is getting through to them through music (Well... Kind of...) and I'll leave it at that! Wonder what next year will bring...

A Nun Grading Papers

My aunt sent this to me, and seeing as how this is VBS week, it's quite appropriate to share...

Can you imagine the nun sitting at her desk grading these papers, all the while trying to keep a straight face and maintain her composure??

Pay special attention to the wording and spelling. If you know the Bible even a little, you'll find this hilarious! It comes from a Catholic elementary school test. Kids were asked questions about the Old and New Testaments. The following statements about the Bible were written by children. They have not been retouched or corrected. Incorrect spelling has been left in.


1. IN THE FIRST BOOK OF THE BIBLE, GUINESSIS. GOD GOT TIRED OF CREATING THE WORLD SO HE TOOK THE SABBATH OFF.


2. ADAM AND EVE WERE CREATED FROM AN APPLE TREE . NOAH'S WIFE WAS JOAN OF ARK. NOAH BUILT AND ARK AND THE ANIMALS CAME ON IN PEARS.


3. LOTS WIFE WAS A PILLAR OF SALT DURING THE DAY, BUT A BALL OF FIRE DURING THE NIGHT.


4. THE JEWS WERE A PROUD PEOPLE AND THROUGHOUT HISTORY THEY HAD TROUBLE WITH UNSYMPATHETIC GENITALS.


5. SAMPSON WAS A STRONGMAN WHO LET HIMSELF BE LED ASTRAY BY A JEZEBEL LIKE DELILAH.


6. SAMSON SLAYED THE PHILISTINES WITH THE AXE OF THE APOSTLES.


7. MOSES LED THE JEWS TO THE RED SEA WHERE THEY MADE UNLEAVENED BREAD WHICH IS BREAD WITHOUT ANY INGREDIENTS.


8. THE EGYPTIANS WERE ALL DROWNED IN THE DESSERT. AFTERWARDS, MOSES WENT UP TO MOUNT CYANIDE TO GET THE TEN COMMANDMENTS.



9. THE FIRST COMMANDMENTS WAS WHEN EVE TOLD ADAM TO EAT THE APPLE.


10. THE SEVENTH COMMANDMENT IS THOU SHALT NOT ADMIT ADULTERY.


11. MOSES DIED BEFORE HE EVER REACHED CANADA THEN JOSHUA LED THE HEBREWS IN THE BATTLE OF GERITOL.


12. THE GREATEST MIRICLE IN THE BIBLE IS WHEN JOSHUA TOLD HIS SON TO STAND STILL AND HE OBEYED HIM.


13. DAVID WAS A HEBREW KING WHO WAS SKILLED AT PLAYING THE LIAR. HE FOUGHT THE FINKELSTEINS, A RACE OF PEOPLE WHO LIVED IN BIBLICAL TIMES.


14. SOLOMON, ONE OF DAVIDS SONS, HAD 300 WIVES AND 700 PORCUPINES.


15. WHEN MARY HEARD SHE WAS THE MOTHER OF JESUS, SHE SANG THE MAGNA CARTA.


16. WHEN THE THREE WISE GUYS FROM THE EAST SIDE ARRIVED THEY FOUND JESUS IN THE MANAGER.


17. JESUS WAS BORN BECAUSE MARY HAD AN IMMACULATE CONTRACTION.


18. ST. JOHN THE BLACKSMITH DUMPED WATER ON HIS HEAD.


19. JESUS ENUNCIATED THE GOLDEN RULE, WHICH SAYS TO DO UNTO OTHERS BEFORE THEY DO ONE TO YOU. HE ALSO EXPLAINED A MAN DOTH NOT LIVE BY SWEAT ALONE.


20. IT WAS A MIRICLE WHEN JESUS ROSE FROM THE DEAD AND MANAGED TO GET THE TOMBSTONE OFF THE ENTRANCE.


21. THE PEOPLE WHO FOLLOWED THE LORD WERE CALLED THE 12 DECIBELS.


22. THE EPISTELS WERE THE WIVES OF THE APOSTLES.


23. ONE OF THE OPPOSSUMS WAS ST. MATTHEW WHO WAS ALSO A TAXIMAN.


24. ST. PAUL CAVORTED TO CHRISTIANITY, HE PREACHED HOLY ACRIMONY WHICH IS ANOTHER NAME FOR MARRAIGE.


25. CHRISTIANS HAVE ONLY ONE SPOUSE. THIS IS CALLED MONOTONY.


Now I'd like to add a couple... These are things that I have heard this week in VBS related discussion...

The A's were asking B about Jesus and how it was that he died on the cross and then came back to life. B started telling them the story and said, "Jesus was crucified on Black Friday...."

A friend of mine asked her daughter what she'd learned in VBS that day and her daughter replied, "We learned that the drinking bone's connected to the party bone and the party bone's connected to the stayin' up all night long." If you're familiar with country music, you'll recognize the lyrics. It seems that one of the stations had music playing but we're still not sure if that song REALLY played or if another child was singing it. Funny, nonetheless!

It's Finally Here!

Yep... VBS is FINALLY here! This year's theme is SonSurf Beach Bash from Gospel Light. The VBS team as been meeting and planning since January, decorating and prepping for weeks, and now it's time to see all of that hard work pay off! We have 140 kids registered and about 40 youth and adult volunteers.

The A's are SO excited about the week. Big A has graduated from the PreK/K group into the older group that rotates to different stations. Little A is excited that Grandma and Molly are her teachers. And me? Well... I'm leading VBS this year so I'm running around like a chicken with my head cut off and loving every minute of it!

Day 1 went off without a hitch... I wonder what Day 2 will bring...

Happy Father's Day!!

And Happy Day-Before-VBS Day! Yes, our pastor DID preach from the lifeguard chair today. LOVED IT!

Not to diminish the fact that it's Father's Day in any way, but having VBS begin the next day makes me SO tired and SO not wanting to do anything on this day. BUT... Becuase I love the men in my life, I pulled myself together and headed out for a day of celebrating.

We started the morning with phone calls to Grandpa Jim and both A's godfathers. We ended up leaving messages for all of them. Apparently they were all out celebrating! After church we met Grammy and Papa for lunch at one of our favorite restaurants. We enjoyed good food and good company and spent a long time talking and visiting. It was a nice afternoon.

I headed back to church after lunch to help my mom finish her craft preparations for the next day. We worked for an hour before I had to head home so B could go to work (Yes, he had to work on Father's Day... Boo!). I COMPLETELY dropped the ball on dinner, so Grandma and Grandpa ended up meeting at our house and then we went out to dinner. Poor Grandpa had to buy his own Father's Day dinner... Sorry, Dad!

(How horrible is it that I don't have a picture of B with the kids??)

I want to say Happy Father's Day to all of the DADs in my life (B, Papa, Grandpa Jim and Dad). You guys rock! I love you all SO much and wouldn't be the person I am today without

Fun At Trader Joe's Day!

Today the kids and I stopped at Trader Joe's on the way to a meeting. We don't shop at Trader Joe's too often because it's not the most convenient place for me to shop. It's unfortunate, because I DO like their products, but for now I'll have to stick with Safeway.

Anyhow... We were in the check-out line and the kids saw some colored pictures on the wall. Big A said to the clerk, "Where did they get those pictures?" The clerk showed the kids where the coloring sheets were and told them to 'take a couple'. You'd have thought he just gave them candy! They were SO excited!

When they returned with their coloring sheets he said, "Would you like some stickers?" Imagine his surprise when both kids answered with a 'yes please' and then thanked him, both without being prompted. Needless to say, he was very pleased at their politeness.

I must admit that I often jump to, "What do you say," before even giving them a chance to respond on their own. This time I made a conscious effort to NOT speak and they made me proud!

As they walked out of Trader Joe's with their coloring sheets and stickers in hand, Big A said, "WOW! That was a FUN TRADER JOE'S DAY! Can we go again!?!?"

As Little A climbed into the car with her treasures in her hands she said, "We're rich now!" It was too cute! Then she was looking at her coloring sheet and asked, "Mommy, is this Joe?"

As I looked at the picture, all I could think of was my nephew Joe because he likes to skateboard. I said, "Joe who?" Then it dawned on me... She was talking about TRADER Joe.

Dang! Who would have thought that Trader Joe's could be so much fun!?!?

New High School Exit Exam

New High School Exit Exam: You only need 4 correct out of 10 questions to pass...

Are you ready? Are you SURE you're ready? Okay, here goes!

1) How long did the Hundred Years' War last?

2) Which country makes Panama hats?

3) From which animal do we get cat gut?

4) In which month do Russians celebrate the October Revolution?

5) What is a camel's hair brush made of?

6) The Canary Islands in the Pacific are named after what animal?

7) What was King George VI's first name?

8) What color is a purple finch?

9) Where are Chinese gooseberries from?

10) What is the color of the black box in a commercial airplane?

Remember, you need only 4 correct answers to pass. Check your answers below . . .

ANSWERS TO THE QUIZ

1) How long did the Hundred Years War last? 116 years

2) Which country makes Panama hats? Ecuador

3) From which animal do we get cat gut? Sheep and horses

4) In which month do Russians celebrate the October Revolution? November

5) What is a camel's hair brush made of? Squirrel fur

6) The Canary Islands in the Pacific are named after what animal? Dogs

7) What was King George VI's first name? Albert

8) What color is a purple finch? Crimson

9) Where are Chinese gooseberries from? New Zealand

10) What is the color of the black box in a commercial airplane? Orange (of course)

What do you mean, you failed? Oh... Wait.... SO DID I! And if you try to tell me you passed, you are not telling the truth!

First Camping Trip Of The Year!

YEAH! Our FIRST camping trip of the season!

Because it was the last day of school for Little A and we knew we couldn't get out of town until afternoon, we decided to stick close to home and headed out to the coast with our friends. Despite the fact that it was SUPER windy and therefore quite cold, we had blast!

We did a LOT of sitting by the fire and snacking... Even quite a bit of sleeping, although most of us preferred to sleep in the tents rather than in our chairs.

We checked out the sandy areas when the tide was out and collected shells. We watched the pelicans dive into the water and saw an osprey fly by with a fish in it's talons. We played ring toss and baseball and rode bikes.

We climbed trees. We ate some more and we ate s'mores. We played with kids in the next campsite.

And then we ate some more and we played with our food. The kids bonded over cantaloupe...

And the men bonded over meat eggs!

It was SO much fun and we can't wait for our next trip!

Little A's Last Day of Preschool

Today was Little A's last day of preschool. Well... At lease for this year! The truth is that she has one more year before she starts kindergarten.

This year was the first year that her school (which is preschool through 3rd grade) has done an all-school BBQ on the last day of school. It was a good idea! Of course practice makes perfect and maybe next year they would not do the water fight BEFORE the little ceremony, but it wasn't a big deal. The only problem is for anal mom's like me... Wet kids = Wet certifciates... But like I said... I'm anal!

Thanks for a great year, Miss Jenny! We love you!

Toothless Boy

Big A has had a mouthful of loose teeth for quite some time, but he wouldn't pull 'em. He TALKED about pulling them... He even tried sticking a ribbon near a couple of them and giving them a little tug but he was never really serious about it.

That all changed yesterday morning. He was laying in my bed saying, "Look, Mom. I can put my whole finger under this tooth," (Yes, they were THAT loose!) when one of the teeth popped right out of his mouth. Boy was he shocked!

Losing the one tooth was just what the one next to it needed (I think they were kind of holding each other in). Tonight at dinner, he was upset because he couldn't eat. His tooth was too loose, hurting too badly, and bleeding a bit because it was so loose. I asked him if I could pull it out but he refused, saying that it would hurt. I tried to reason with him, asking if it had hurt when any of the other three had come out. He assured me that it had not, but still wouldn't let me pull it.

After a few minutes of him pouting in utter frustration because he couldn't eat his dinner, and me trying very calmly but very persistently to let me pull the tooth, he agreed. It didn't take much... One napkin and one TINY tug, and he'd lost another tooth!

Being that this was the second tooth in as many days, he was convinced that the tooth fairy would bring a little extra money, and she didn't disappoint! The first night she brought $1 in quarters.

The second night she filled the tractor with $1 in dimes and sprinkled $1 in nickles around the outside.

Big A was THRILLED, and can't wait until the next three loose teeth fall out as he'll then have enough to head to Auto Zone for the toy car he wants! Ah... To be young again!

One More Graduation!

Yes, it's true! Big A graduated from kindergarten today! I have to admit that I've always been skeptical of preschool and kindergarten 'graduations' but it all changes when it's your own kid. They had a ceremony complete with black caps, Pomp and Circumstance, singing songs and sharing their favorite kindergarten memories. The kids were SO cute!

Thank you to his AWESOME teacher, Mrs. H, who we love dearly! Mrs. H, you rock! You taught Big A so much and made his first year of school a complete success. THANK YOU!

Celebratory cupcake!

Yes, I saved the best graduation for last! Truth is I love all of you graduates, but admit it, Big A takes the cake! And the cupcake, for that matter!

Congratulations, Buddy! Have fun in first grade!