Perfect Summer Rain

This morning we had a perfect summer rain.  Not too heavy, but just enough to play out in and really enjoy.  It was cool enough for me to have the back door open and sit under the awning, coffee in hand and watch Jonathan and Katherine play (Emily preferred reading inside).  They just earned pales & shovels from the library summer reading program.  They used them to catch the rain and then pour it out in various places.  It didn't take long before they were pouring it on each others' heads.  Then Jon asked for fresh water so I let him use the hose to fill up his bucket.  Which...of course...progressed to them dumping LOTS of water on each other.  They loved every moment of it as you can see below.  I loved the cooler temp, the patter of raindrops on my freshly painted toes, enjoying my coffee outside, and watching my kids enjoy their sibling's company.  What a great thing to be able to watch them make childhood memories like this.  I hope this memory is one that sticks & they can pull out later in life to smile about when they are grown & no longer living in the same house.  And then they can be inwardly grateful for the privilege of having grown up with someone as great as the other is and for having the chance to play in the rain together one summer morning back when they were little.

 

Chicago!

Joel and I got to go to Chicago recently.  My best friend from middle & high school, Jasleen, has lived up there since college.  I made it up there once to visit while she was still in college, but haven't been back up since.  I've been wanting to go back with Joel and we finally were able to make it happen this past June.  It was a great visit made even more awesome because we had fantastic trip planners in Jasleen & her husband, Geoff.  We just got to enjoy the sights and food.  And the weather was beyond amazing.  It was a welcome break from the Texas heat we gladly left behind for a few days.

Joel brought his awesome camera & captured tons of truly great photos.  So many that I can't include them all.  Here are a selected few from our long weekend in the windy city.

The beautiufl city skyline from Lincoln Park.

 Inside the Art Institute.  Such an amazing museum.  If I lived there I would have to become a member.

 Me & Jazzy.

 In front of the iconic Bean.

 Inside the Shedd Aquarium.  I think seahorses are one of God's coolest creature creations.

 In the Field Museum of Natural History by Sue the most complete T Rex ever found.

 On the 103rd floor of the Sears tower.  In a glass box portruding from the side of the building.  Very cool.

 And our last few hours in the city.  Glad I got to be in the sand for a few minutes.  Always makes me happy.

Summer Lemonade Stand

The kids have been asking to have a lemonade stand for several weeks now.  We had no plans this afternoon so we gave it a go.  I drew the block letters & they colored and decorated the signs.  They helped mix up the lemonade and we sat out for a few hours in the shade of our tree. 

I prepped them that if they just got 1 or 2 customers that would be a pretty good day.  They ended up selling to 13 customers & made $9.  We only asked 25 cents a glass, but most people gave them a dollar or more.  The moral of the story: being a cute kid is a big help when trying to sell stuff. 

Childhood memories being made while the kids were entertained for a few hours and I got to sit still...a good afternoon in my book!  And it was pretty precious seeing them light up with excitement every time a car would stop to buy a glass or 2. 

 

Cow Appreication Day

Friday was the annual Cow Appreciation Day at Chick Fil A.  Basically you dress like a cow & get free food.  My kind of deal!  So we got "mootivated" and dressed up for some yummy chicken.  The kids even got to have their picture made with the Eat Mor Chikin Cow.  Good stuff.

Fantastically Fun Forth

We were invited to a laid back, lake side celebration for the 4th this year.  It was really, really fun.  We all had a great time, but Jonathan especially did.  I think it will probably be one of those memories from his childhood that will live on in infamy for the rest of his life.  There was swimming, sparklers, fireworks, popsicles, glow sticks, fishing, friends and food.  Thank you again, Monica & Andrew, for the invitation and your warm hospitality.  You made our holiday very memorable.

Jonathan told me earlier in the week that dad was definitely going to take his camera & take lots of pictures.  I told him I thought maybe he might just go & relax.  Then I quickly changed my prediction realizing it was the 4th and that snapping great photo ops is uber relaxing for him.  I'm glad he did too because he got these great shots.

 CapriSuns were served - a must for a successful kid time  ;-)

 Father & son taking in the view of the lake.

 

Jonathan getting to hold the fishing rod.

 Checking out the catch.

 Sparklers!

 Popsicles!

The sunset was beautiful.

 Roman candles (aka boy heaven)

 Em got in on the action too.

 Fireworks!  It was extra nice seeing their reflection on the water.

 And wrapping up the night with glowstick necklaces & more sparklers in the dark.  Nice.

Good Friends & Good Byes

I met Joy through a mutual friend (thank you Heidi).  The first time we hung out she had me laughing so hard I had tears running down my cheeks.  She's totally honest (which I love), smart, down-to-earth & very funny.  We've become good friends over the last 6 years.  She really gets me and what makes me tick too.  She's been there for me through some really hard times in ways I'll never forget.  Like the night I was home alone with the kids, Joel in the hospital with a blood clot, and Emily started running fever (which back then meant she would likely start to seize).  I called her freaking out & she drove over handed me a glass of wine, told me to sit down, and began to clean my kitchen.  She even scrubbed the floors...on her hands and knees.  It's an image I won't forget.  It was exactly what I needed right then & for some reason was very comforting to me and made me feel better.  So, that's what Joy's like - a fantastic woman & a great friend. 

Her husband (who also rocks, by the way) got an amazing job recently which is a huge answered prayer, but it's 2 hours away.  I'm so thrilled for the opportunity for their family, but am, of course a bit on the sad side for my sake.

The thing is Joy has a daughter Emily's age, Miss Joan, and a son Jon's age, the awesome Shane.  And...they get along great too.  In fact, so great that no matter how many weeks it's been since they were apart they pick up right like no time has passed at all.  The first time Emily met Joan they took instantly to each other and played and talked non-stop the whole evening.  And, if I'm being totally honest I was really hoping they'd remain good friends through their teenage years & start hanging out on their own later on down the line. 

They are all just great people & we really do love them.  They will leave an absence when the move.  The good news is that 2 hours away is totally doable for day trips.  And I very much plan to make that happen.  Like starting this summer.  ;-)

And yes, Joy, I do think there will be some Skype coffee chats going on from time to time.  Because I so want to hear about the adventures of you guys getting settled into your new town.  I know it will be told in a very amusing and totally you way & I really look forward to hearing about it and cheering you guys on along the way.  

Me & Joy looking pretty :-)

 Emily & Joan all dressed up before a tea party with their dolls.

 Jonathan & Shane playing Lego Star Wars together.  Totally bonding...boy style.

Basketball & Soccer

We had our first go round of sports with the kids this past spring.  Emily played basketball & Jonathan played soccer.  The basketball season was first.  While miss Em was doing that they started announcing the upcoming soccer season.  Jonathan said he wanted to play.  They also needed coaches.  Joel thought this would be a good opportunity & might even be fun.  While this turned out to be quite the opposite of what he expected the first several weeks (coaching 4 & 5 year olds - most who had never played - enough said) Joel did get in his groove toward the end & actually started enjoying it.  From a player's parent perspective I think he did a great job & the kids all thought he was fun.

Both Emily and Jonathan really enjoyed the experience and said they want to give it a go again.  For starting out having never played before Emily really improved as the season progressed.  She loved being part of her team The Jazz.  Jonathan did well too & even got to score several goals for his team The Rhinos.  As for Joel coaching again...this may have been his final season, but anything is possible.  ;-) 

Miss Em looking super awesome in her uniform.  Go number 12!

 Focused!

 Jonathan in action on the field.

 

"Coach" congratulating Jon on making a goal.

  After each game the parents/siblings made a tunnel for the teammates to run through.

 

 Pre-game huddle.

 The Rhinos and Coach Joel.