Celebrating 235 Years of Freedom

 

We had a wonderful, low-key, family celebration today. This is a view from our roof.
We are so blessed to live in this country and we are so incredibly grateful to all those who have and continue to serve.

Bear Creek Nature Center

Yesterday the kids and I headed out to Bear Creek Nature Center for a little education at the center, a picnic lunch, and then a hike to follow. The kids loved the nature center with all the hands-on learning. I think we all most enjoyed the honey bee exhibit. They were fascinated with the process and I loved reading that female bees are the only worker bees...I guess that goes for most species...

We had a great time and we were so proud of Elyse for walking approximately 2.5 miles only "half whining," as she told Daddy. She really is not our hiker - YET, but we've been very encouraging and she did wonderfully yesterday! Ace kept telling her how proud he was of her. It was very sweet. Here are a few photos of my outdoor adventurists.

I think maybe we've FINALLY hit a new milestone - a photo of all three of them with natural smiles, and only one "take!"

Watermelon

Nothing says summer better than huge slices of watermelon and the Ronald McDonald red smile to follow.

Car frenzy

Recently the boys have started sounding like what I would expect 14-year-old boys to sound like. They seemingly became quite obsessed with cars overnight.

Ace constantly points out every single sports car he sees. However, he thinks anything with a LARGE muffler, or better yet, two large mufflers, is a sports car, so his definition can be quite amusing at times. He's even bent down low, while walking through the grocery store parking lot to check out each car in the row to decipher whether or not they are indeed "true" sports car.

Isaac's excitement, on the other hand, comes from Jeeps.

Elyse, having to follow her brothers' lead, has shown some new-found excitement for cars, as well. While all 5 of us were driving in the car together the other day, Isaac saw a Jeep that caught his eye. There were lots of "cooool's," "awwww's," and "that's what I'm gonna drive's" coming from the far back seat when he was abruptly interrupted by his little sister with a very passionate and serious injection.

"I'm going to drive a MINI VAN!!!!"

There is no hope in attempting to imitate or replicate the excitement, idolatry and inflection in her voice that came from the back seat for this super cool and wished for car, but just know that had I been drinking something at the time, I am certain there would have been beverage bubbles bubbling out my nose!

So glad to know she thinks we're driving "in style!"

A new smile

Last night Ace came up to me while I was getting the last of the dinner on the table and said, very excitedly (no surprise there) and seriously "Mom, mom! How do you like my new smile?...Chubby cheeks!"

In the short pause between his initial question and the "chubby cheeks," he showed me this "new smile." The pride and seriousness of this crafted and practiced new smile that (in his mind) showed off his cheeks, was oozing from his face. So I knew, however difficult it was, I had to contain my laughter!

A Good Day

A Good day on all counts...
An early morning walk up to the zoo with a new fun friend.
Volunteering in Isaac's classroom.
Christian Mom's Fellowship.
Confirming a "mother's helper" for my summer work days.
A visit from Megs and Mahlia.
Fun reading to and from Elyse.
A great in-person chat with Ali, with time to just "be," and not worry about all that needed to be done.
A REAL nap for Elyse.
A new yummy, healthy dinner made with leftovers and quinoa.

All clearly part of a great day, but the best part was giggles and kisses with Elyse. Happy times, enjoying one another, no whining, no "consequences," no exasperating (from either one of us) - just fun, mama/daughter time. Several moments. Intentional moments, throughout the day!

I think she enjoyed it as much as I did.

After uncontrollable giggling from my kissing her on the neck repeatedly, and after debating who loves who more, (think little Nutbrown Hare) she looked up and said, "when I grow up I want to marry you, mommy!"

Coming from a three-year-old that see's marriage as a "fairytale princess story," and "happily ever after," I would say that was a pretty loving comment from my often not-so complimentary, not-so easy little girl! Intentional one-on-one time. That's what she needs from her mommy!

The greatest ending to a very good day!

Jesus' Grand Entrance and our Grand Entrance...according to Elyse

When talking to Elyse about what she learned in Sunday School this week, I learned some new theology.

We were talking about Jesus dying on the cross for us and what that meant and that Jesus didn't stay dead. Three days later he "arose to living again!" (quote from E)Now He lives in Heaven with our Heavenly Father, but He left His Spirit so He can live in our hearts when we ask Him to. I then asked E how we get to Heaven. She very matter-of-factly said, "on a donkey, just like Jesus."

The theology of a three year old - morphing Palm Sunday and The Day of Ascension!