speedo - nooooo

Well, I took the girls to the pool yesterday.  The place was fairly slow, so I was talking with the life guard.  He said the pH in the baby pool was a little high and was waiting on some chemicals to bring it down.  He was friendly and we chatted off and on as he worked.  He was wearing long trunks but then he decided to clean the pool.  He stripped off to his speedos and grabbed his brush and went to work.  I'm just glad he started with the deep end of the big pool and saved the baby pool for last. Gave me plenty of time to make my way out of there. Blessings.

go potty

Today Betsy asked to go potty.  She rarely does, so I'm hoping this is the turn in potty training that we've been waiting for.  To have two girls completely trained would be so very nice.  Blessings.

Bowling pin flowers

We have a plastic bowling set with colored pins.  Last night, Mollie came up from the basement with a basket full of the colorful pins calling them flowers.  I smelled a pink bowling pin that was a "rose" and a green "daisy" pin.  She sure has a great imagination. Blessings.

servant friend

One friend of mine loves to help me out around the house. It used to embarrass me that my floor was in need of a sweep and mop or the carpets need vacuuming.  Now, I graciously accept her offers of help and we work together to get the job done then enjoy each others company.   I know I love helping people and more and more I see that it is good for me to accept help too. I hope you are able to give and receive help today. Blessings.

lost skills

Today, I was taking a tally of the things (abc's, numbers, shapes, colors, and Bible verses) that Mollie and Betsy remembered over the summer.  Looks like I have a ways to go this year in reteaching some things.  Hopefully, the girls will regain those skills in a few weeks.  I guess it's like that at the beginning of each year.  The rest of the week, I will "check" them on a few more skills (the Pledge, letter sounds, matching, sorting, and some gross/fine motor skills).  I am encouraged that there was some retention over the past few months.  I know it won't be long before these things are truly committed to their minds for good.  Blessings.

a mister

On Monday, a single friend of ours watched the girls so Andy and I could go on a date.  While getting the girls ready, Mollie said that she wished Miss ~ had a mister.  Me too, I replied. So we are praying for misters for all of our single lady friends.  Blessings.

play date

Today we got to babysit for a friend and have a play date with her older daughter while she took the baby to a doctor's appointment. The girls had a great time playing in another home exploring toys and books, movies and games.  Then, we got happy meals and had a play date with daddy at the park at his work. Then, the girls rested for an hour. Because they didn't fall asleep after an hour, I decided to take them to the pool.  I think they'll be more than ready for bed tonight ~ at least I hope so.  Blessings.

batman

The girls attended a birthday party this morning for a friend of ours who is turning 5 tomorrow.  We purchased a batman cup and book.  Mollie informed me on the way over to their house that she didn't really like bath man but she liked princesses.  I told her that we were going to bless our friend and have a good time and he did like batman. (I almost hated to correct her, but I did. I still haven't corrected her on "Bob Sponge.")  The little guy liked his cup and wanted to drink from it right away. He also let Betsy hold it while he pushed her around in a stroller while they were playing outside.  On the way out the door, Mollie informed the host mom that she had a great time at the party. We all did.  Blessings.

lap desks

I have been thinking about getting the girls lap desks to use while they color or do "school."  I found some last night at Goodwill so I got 2 for the price of less than 1.  So happy with my purchase. I think the girls are too.  Blessings

homeschool preK

Well, Andy and I ordered some items to begin the homeschool process this year for Mollie.  I am going to get some things (BOB books and the Sonlight readers) at the library.  I am excited. The plan is to start the week of Labor day. Hope I can hold out that long. :) Blessings.

Tolstoy quote

"There are two Gods," Tolstoy once said. "There is the God that people
generally believe in-A God who has to serve them (sometimes in very
refined ways, say by merely giving them peace of mind). This God does
not exist. But the God whom people forget-the God whom we all have to
serve-exists, and is the prime cause of our existence and of all that
we perceive." 

This quote was in an e-mail from my pastor. Thought I'd pass it along to you. I hope that you 

are challenged by it, even more I hope you are changed by it.  Blessings 

clean

Mollie and Besty are walking around the living room with a dust rag and a little broom singing I am going to clean over and over again. They are having a great time.  I am hoping the cheerful "cleaning" will last a long long time.  Blessings.

violin

Right now, the kids are sleeping and I am listening to one of our housemates, Janet, practice her violin.  It is a beautiful thing.  Blessings.

roses

Andy got me some roses before we left for Cincinnati.  They were very pretty, but I didn't get to enjoy them for long, so he brought home another dozen a few days ago.  Sweet man.  I love them and I love him.  Blessings.

Tinkerbell and the Fairy Ball

The ballet under the stars was held a couple weeks ago.  We attended the pre-show.  When I heard the title, Tinkerbell and the Fairy Ball, I knew we were going to make every effort to attend.  The girls LOVED it. Afterwards, they even posed with Tink.  It was the highlight of their day.  Blessings.

'lympics

This morning, the first thing Betsy asked was "can we watch 'lympics?"  We sure have enjoyed watching them for the past few days.  It will be quite a shock to them when they are no longer on.  Then, I guess we will go back to our "normal" life.  Blessings.

morning play

How we spend some mornings....dress up and piano or another musical instrument.  Blessings.

the dragon

Aunt Sarah and Baba were playing with the girls a few weeks ago. Baba was pretending to be a mouse and Sarah was a dragon and the girls were princesses - of course. (At least that is what Mollie said today when I asked.)  This family plays with the girls on their level. I love them all.  Blessings.

six years

Andy and I took a trip to Cincinnati to celebrate our 6th anniversary over the weekend. My mom was kind enough to keep the kids.  Here are some highlights from our trip.  Blessings.

BBQ for lunch as we head north

Cinci view from I75

We bookended our trip with shopping at IKEA

After the Reds game we walked over to Paul Brown Stadium to watch the Bengals practice

At the Reds game in the Champions Club - we were given a certificate commemorating our anniversary

Dinner at Nada - BEST chips, guacamole and pork belly tacos I've ever had.  The salsa is good too.

Andy's bday

Andy had a birthday earlier in the week. We celebrated at his parents house with his favorite dinner - roast, carrots and potatoes.  There was also bread and some cold veggies from the garden.  I made a cookie and we had ice cream.  It was very low key. It was just what he wanted. I'm so glad that he was blessed. Since his dad made the roast, it was a night off for me as well.  Hope your birthday is just as happy.  Blessings.

chick-fil-a

I went to chick-fil-a yesterday to show my support for their upholding family along with the rest of the city it seems.  The girls were good sports about waiting in the drive-thru and not getting a toy or book or ice cream. I have no idea where you may weigh in on the issue of gay rights, but it's over the top on how the media has handled the situation.  For a nation founded on religious freedoms and one that highly values freedom of speech, Mr. Cathy and his position has been treated most unfairly.  Getting off the soapbox now.  Blessings.

late night tv

Right now I am staying up too late to watch the Olympics.  It has been so much fun to watch it as it airs even though we have it on the DVR. It makes for a late night though - I think I may need to start taking naps with the girls every day for the next couple weeks.  That's a great plan.  :)  Blessings