See Pop!

See Pop pitch! Pitch, Pop, pitch!

See Pop hit! Hit, Pop, hit!

See Pop catch! Catch, Pop, catch!

Go, Pop, go!

That was fun! Otherwise a relatively peaceful weekend, thank goodness!

Now we're knee deep in school. An unexpected result of working hard on schoolwork in the morning is that it seems to make the kids' little heads tired and/or they're tired of having my undivided attention...afternoons have been very peaceful with little bickering between them and no clammoring for my attention. Several times I've had to check on them after realizing I hadn't heard from them in over an hour...there they are, peacefully playing trains, reading stories or playing dollhouse.

It's hard to believe summer is already coming to an end. I hope everyone's enjoying the last hot days!

Whew.

Well. Last week's un-busy, peaceful pace at home is but a distant memory after the weekend. It flew by in a whirlwind of friends, family, church, more friends and too many late nights and missed naps. This morning I have 2 crabby kids to show for it. This week is the annual "Campfire" at church, a sort of Vacation Bible School--the preschool class runs 9-11 each morning Mon-Wed. Of course we were late to the first class this morning, with the kids waking up late, then balking and arguing at each point of getting ready and getting out the door. I feel a serious need for slow-down this afternoon...naps all around!!

After Wednesday things should settle down again for a while...for a couple more weeks before we jump into fall schedule. I'll be teaching preschool Sunday School while Bj takes the teens, hosting a home group on Wednesday nights, and the kids will each be enrolled in a one day a week Early Childhood Education class here in our school district. I gave up playing keyboard on Sunday mornings as there seems to be a greater Sunday School teacher need, and doing both is unrealistic.

IGS is crazy busy. They purchased another truck and gutter machine and are looking for more installers, considering yet another truck/machine--they've been turning away new contractors, and falling behind quickly with the work load their current contractors are throwing at them. This makes for long work days and stressed out owners as contractors call daily wondering when their jobs will be completed. They're not anticipating the usual slow down in business when winter arrives this year. Over all, mostly good problems to have. (But I was looking forward to having a little help at home when Newbie arrives.)

Last week my friend Lisa lead worship at church with the song "A Little Longer" in the mix--since then the words have been swirling around my heart (and the Ipod over and over, lol) in the midst of the busy and daily life:

What can I do for You? What can I bring to You?
What kind of song would you like me to sing?
Cause I'll dance a dance for You
Pour out my love to You
What can I do for You beautiful king?

'Cause I... can't thank You enough.
I can't thank You enough
What can I do for You?
What can I bring to You?
What kind of song would you like me to sing?

I hear You say...
"You... don't have to do a thing
Just simply be with me and let those things go
'Cause they can wait another minute
Wait... this moment is too sweet
Would you please stay here with Me
And love on Me a little longer
I'd love to be with you a little longer
'Cause I'm in love with you

I find myself needing the daily reminder to "let those things go, cause they can wait another minute"...contractor phone calls and getting the kids to class and setting up homeschool and finding time to be with friends and planning for Sunday school...all of those things fade in importance next to the question "What can I do for YOU, beautiful King?"

So. There's the nitty gritty. I'll be back probably late in the week with more fun pictures and entertaining posts. I hope everyone enjoyed the weekend!!

Goodmorning Friend!

This guy often hops out of his cool and shadowy flower pot home to say hello...he loves seeing who he can startle the most. I think he's gotten the most miles out of Alex lately...I know when I hear a little boy yelp from the porch that our frog is chuckling again.

Hello Baby!

How are you this afternoon? Do you like your new blanket so far? It's not perfect, but it should keep you warm anyway. It's seen lots of sun, heard lots of your sister and brother laughing, and felt lots of breezes blowing already. That way, even though the first part of your life out here will be cold and dark, you can still be wrapped up in a little summer, right? :)

That's your siblings you hear screaming now--they're going down the twisty slide. I love these peaceful times when they're busy and I can sit and feel you--to me it feels like you're already here with us, I can't wait until everyone else can meet you.

We're off for a bike ride now, Baby! The path is sun dappled and winding--it's peaceful and cool here in the woods!

Your brother likes to stop and look up at the tall, tall trees--he says, "See the sun up there, Mama?"



We can only admire it for a second--there's Abby, calling for us to hurry up before she gets lost "out here all by myself". On we go to the river!

The water is cool on our feet--do you hear the gurgly rapids and the big kids splashing?

They could play and explore here for hours.

I don't mind the view either...

Back on the road again, Baby. You're telling me it's supper time. And shadows are getting long--

And look, there you are again, Baby!

Even though you give me a crazy shadow and we got up four (4!!) times last night to use the bathroom, you're still worth it, only 3 more months!

Ahhh...that's better.

Hear that? Home. It sounds so nice...we're slipping back into familiar rhythm, stories, coloring, making, baking.





I needed cheery, summer potholders. But now I think they're too cute and white to use, durn it. "Making" helps me "find center" again after busy times. So do cookies.

This afternoon just might bring a trip to our favorite park to ride bikes on meandering paved trails, or maybe we'll just head to the lake...

Aaaand the Fun Ship Sails On...

to Como Zoo and Conservatory! We spent a hot and exhausting, but oh so fun day at the Zoo with Aunty Pug (Karolyn) and cousin Kristine.



After touring the zoo(but missing our polar bear friend who is spending some time in Detroit while his crib gets a state of the art re-do), we hit Como Town--the zoo's little amusement park. The kids had a fantastic time running ride to ride and getting their thrills! It was sweaty hot, but it seemed most people were sticking with the zoo--most rides the kids were able to walk right on, with little to no line, which was fantastic with the heat!

It seems we've crammed a whole lot of summer fun into the last month--Grandpa Rob came for a visit, we took a little trip to Duluth, Abby went to Valley Fair with DuMonts, the circus, the zoo, movies, eating out, lots of fireworks...just a whole lot of running and being busy. While it's so fun, and we're making lots of memories, and I'm so grateful we're able to give our kids these fun times and experiences, a very large part of me (and the kids too) is craving the rhythm and routine of being home.

Our curriculum from Sonlight arrived last week--it's beautiful, and we're ready to dive in tomorrow. We're set for a week of pulling in, a refresher course on minding our manners, remembering that not every day requires a fancy adventure or sugary treat. It's time to point the kids back to the basics of being content at home, relishing routine and rest.

So. I'm looking forward to the updates this week being homey and peaceful...I hope your week's beginning is pleasant and your hearts are content!

The Circus Came to Town...

With pony and elephant rides, a show, cotton candy, we did it all!! Abby was so thrilled to be on the pony-horses are one of her "things" lately. ("But it wouldn't go faster, Mom, why?") The show was noisy, sparkly, funny and circus-y with tumbling, juggling, acrobatics, clowny antics, balloons, fancy-prancy horses and elephant tricks. The sky was a little rumbly, but threaten was all it did and we enjoyed our evening!

The Missing Winks

Hello little Blog. I'm sorry I've neglected you so sorely these last several months. I promise, you'll be seeing more of me again. There's a time management issue (namely: Staying Up Too Late) that needs to be resolved. The problem has been identified and steps are being taken to remedy the situation. This little problem has created all sorts of ripple effects across our days, affecting all of us, including you, little Blog. Supper has also been affected and has been suffering with offerings like pigs in a blanket and mac n cheese, plain buttered noodles, and pancakes. Complaints have been registered and are being processed. Perhaps the only entity that has NOT suffered is PBS Kids, who has seen a significant increase in free time as I try to grab the missing winks in the afternoons.

Again, I apologize, Blog. Complaints are being registered from all sides and are being processed--they will be addressed in a timely manner, and your turn will come.

Remorsefully,
The Wink Waster