My Thoughtful Spot

Time Is Flying

Bobby and I keep trying to capture the moments.

 

Busy July

My brother-in-law, Willis, arrived with his three children on Friday morning. We've been spending lots of time with them and Bobby's sister's family, who live near us. Friday night, everyone went to the fireworks except Hannah and me. (I got some quiet time that night.) Saturday was the Fourth of July picnic, Sunday we had a birthday party at our home for Helper, Hannah (who will be one on the 12th), our nephew Ben, and Bobby's Dad. Yesterday we hung around all morning and then went to a water park. This morning is Junior Golf and Tennis. Whew!

I have loads of pictures to post soon. Right now I need to take care of the little girls who don't golf and do a quick tidying up around here.

Happy Belated Fourth of July!

I tried to post these photos from the picnic at my Uncle Pete's last night, but they were uploading soooo slow. Here's Uncle Mike.

 

My father.

 

Cheryl P.

 

Aunt Pat and Aunt Carol.

 

Uncle Pete talking with Pam (my cousin's wife).

 

Bobby (my dh) talking about golf.

 

Some of the kids.

 

Oooh! Snuggler caught one!

 

Woo hoo!

 

Uncle Danny helps out.

 

 

 

My sister Jodie and her son Edward.

 

Sweet Pea.

 

It seems that lately my blog has taken the place of scrapbooking. While I'd like to spend more time writing about ideas and such, for now I am glad to at least preserve some memories. And when life is busy and full as it has been, pictures here without words are better to me than pictures sitting in files on my computer. So that's my explanation for the recent lack of long, rambling, pondering posts, which could be a good thing or a bad thing, depending upon your preference. I hope you had a great weekend!

The Fastest 7 Quick Takes Friday Ever

 

1. Bobby's brother and his 3 children should be arriving (from WA state) in less than one hour.
2. Bobby is at his office with 2 of our children doing a last minute something.
3. I hope that our house guests won't look into the school room closet because it will ruin the organized-homeschooling-mom-of-five image that I'm trying to project. Why? idk (I learned that on facebook.)
4. Fear and anxiety leave me when I ask God for help and stop thinking about myself.
5. THE SUN IS OUT!
6. That shouldn't count as one. I really, really like the music of John Philip Sousa. I intend to listen to it, perhaps with some added fist-swinging, all the way to Walmart this morning.
7. Hannah learned how to say "shhh" today around 5:00 a.m. It made her laugh and was very cute.
8. I'm off to do some Room Rescues. Happy Day!

And check out more Quick Takes at Conversion Diary.

Brothers: Star Trek Edition

 

Sisters: Build-A-Bear Edition

Happy Birthday Helper!

My big girl (she doesn't want to be called little anymore) has turned seven. She was very happy to celebrate her special day (on June 30th) and we'll be having a family party for her and Hannah this weekend.

 

 

 

 

 

We love you!

Screen Time Break Trivia

Geography

• Bobby and I read some of the Cape Cod info in the awesome package Tracy sent me to help us plan our upcoming vacation - Thanks Tracy!

Entertainment

• Bobby, Hannah and I had a dinner date at Longhorn's
• Snuggler went to see Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian with my father
• The girls had a sleepover at their cousin Abigail's home
• Dinner as a family at Ruby Tuesday (using up those gift cards!)
• A trip to Fran Johnson's and the mall to purchase: a car seat and a potty chair for Sweet Pea, Pokemon cards for Snuggler, books for Worker (using up those gift cards!) and tennis rackets for Worker, Helper and me
• I decluttered, cleaned and straightened my kitchen cabinets and drawers (all while listening to HP 6 - multitasking!)
• Mom's Bible study/kids play at the Ford's, then at our home the week after
• Another lunch at Antonio's Pizza  

History

• Snuggler received First Holy Communion on June 14th, 2009

Arts and Literature

• We listened to talented Jim Dale reading Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
• I started reading this book by this woman that I received from this woman for winning this contest
• We signed up for the summer reading program at our local library (I paid $50 of the $63 I owed in late fees. I'd call myself an idiot, but that would be thinking too negatively of myself.)
• I did my own little Bible study using the Teri Maxwell book and study guide called Homeschooling with a Meek and Quiet Spirit
• We're up to "Kreacher's Tale" in HP7 audio
• An afternoon at the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art 

Science and Nature

• The kids and I checked out the Grossology exhibit at the science museum
• We took a walk through a wildflower garden at Stanley park
• Worker and I took photos of many of the wildflowers growing in the lot next to us
• Worker and I watched a lightning storm
• I planted more plants in my little garden, removed a few that I didn't really like and planted the extras in our mulch beds
• We keep feeding the birds and unfortunately, the squirrels

Sports and Leisure

• Worker and I played badminton
• Helper and I played tennis
• A morning at the park playground 
• All of us (except for Bobby) started Week One, Day One of the Couch to 5K, but we turned around when I popped one of the double stroller tires on pieces of glass
• Worker and I did Week One, Day One of the Couch to 5K and then never got around to Day Two
• Worker started a golf camp
• Snuggler and I played a couple of games of Mystery at Hogwarts, which gave me a desire to play Clue, which we do not own 

Screen Time Break

It's officially starting today. Worker, Helper, Sweet Pea and I will be taking two weeks off from TV, movies, Nintendo (just Worker) and the computer. We hope to do more of the things that we don't usually make time for such as board games, playdoh, badminton, painting, etc.

Bye-bye facebook, Amazon, Outlook Express, 4 Real, Bloglines and My Dear Thoughtful Spot.

I will certainly let you know how it goes. Happy Summer! 

An Indefinite Number of Quick Takes Saturday

• Snuggler played in his last baseball game of the season today. I am proud of him for trying something new and being committed to it.
• Bobby and I spent much of today working on preparations for the party we will have at our home after Snuggler's First Communion tomorrow morning.
• Tonight I will pack the diaper bag, iron and lay out everyone's outfits. The peace of a Sunday morning can easily be spoiled by a missing sock.
• Hannah has fallen asleep. It's my cue to end this post. Have a great weekend!