Day 4

I have to admit I have been a little bit on the grouch side today. I am just tired and unmotivated. I think it mostly has to do with going to bed late because I got to talk to my hubby on the phone for like an hour last night! Then I needed to finish up some things for a Bible study that I was having today and I of course had to read a few more pages of my new book. So mostly, it's just being tired. I was planning to go to the pool for our morning activity but since I was being unmotivated I opted for an hour of cartoons and playing at the church.
It's currently raining and to tell you the truth I wouldn't be sad if Peter's soccer practice was cancelled.
Peter has recently discovered a kids' cook book that I had since middle school. After his rest time, he asked can I find a muffin recipe to make for snack. Trying to be a little more motivated I agreed. No muffins but we did find caramel corn. It's cooling in the kitchen. It will be a nice snack while they watch their movie for the afternoon. We also have dinner plans tonight so I don't have to cook.
Tomorrow, we will have a busy morning with a check up for Emma, play date with home school group and a promised lunch at McDonald's. Mostly, we'll just be biding time until Hubby comes home.

Night 3

I have made it to night 3 of my week going solo. I truly don't know how single moms, moms with husbands who travel or moms that have full time jobs do this. It truly is exhausting. I am very spoiled to have a husband that is here year round, home usually around 5pm, loves to be with his kids and plays a vital role in the home when he is here.
So far, our time has been good and I mean that honestly. We have had some fun times. Tuesday we spent the morning at the library and then to the pool. We came home for lunch, Peter and I had a heart to heart and then it was nap time. Our heart to heart was really an amazing time. Peter and Emma were just stretching their limits; being obedient but at the tail end of the spectrum. Upon arrival home from the library and then the pool, I instructed Peter and Emma to change clothes, pick out some new library books, find a couch and read through them until lunch was ready. I overheard Peter mutter to Emma, " Come on, we can't have any fun. We have nothing to do.". I promptly showed my oldest son what "nothing" truly is. He was relocated to my bed with "nothing" to do until lunch was ready. We talked, cried and prayed together. Since then, he has been right with me, helpful, obedient and even striving to bring his brother and sister along with him.
I hear a thunder storm approaching...so I'll have to continue after the storm! I hope it brings some much needed rain. I'm off to read my book that I picked up at the library that I knew I shouldn't but I just couldn't resist the title.

There off...

Philip and some youth left this afternoon for a week long mission trip. They will be traveling to the Outer Banks which is about a 6 hr drive. They will be working with local youth groups to assist a variety of agencies in the area with projects. Last night as Philip was preparing to go I did offer to switch places with him. He would have happily stayed home with the kids but that would I would have to drive the 15 passenger van the entire week. NO thank you!!! I did get a few dinner offers from families who were dropping their kids off for the week. Peter begins his week of soccer camp tonight. The lessons are from 6:30- 8:30pm. So we'll fill our days with going to the library, the pool, going to Durham and hopefully having a good time!

my little girl

I have begun to notice that Emma is really changing. It seems like since becoming 4 she is becoming more "girly". This morning as we were eating breakfast, Peter asked if we could go to the park. I explained that we couldn't today because I had some cleaning to do, we needed to go grocery shopping and we were going to friends' house for dinner. Peter said, "Well, I'll take Ryan outside so you can get the house cleaned". Emma promptly said, "I want to stay inside with Mommy and help clean". That's exactly what she did. She handled the dusting and scrubbing of the toilets while I cleaned the shower and the sinks.
Peter and Ryan were playing outside together working on something.
After lunch, I told Peter and Emma that they needed to pick up their room. Emma's job was to collect the toys in the living room and put them in their proper places. This is what I found...
The picture doesn't completely describe her handiwork. But when I saw it I thought to myself, wow- this girl is really becoming a girl. Everything had it's exact place.

Swimming Lessons complete!

Here are the kids with Ms. Kelly. She was Emma's teacher this summer. She has been one of the kids teachers every summer along with one of the lifeguards.

(what's with the fingers in the mouth....urgg.. this really gets on my nerves-
is it genetic or do all kids do this?)
I am also thankful that our swimming lessons have been completed. This is our third summer of swim lessons and I am truly thankful for this opportunity. Our kids are on their way to being great swimmers. The lifeguards at the pool do a great job with the kids each year. I am always amazed at the progress they make from day 1 to day 5.
Peter was already swimming very well before lessons began. His teacher taught him how to swim under the water using the breaststroke and kicking legs. He learned how to dive to the bottom of the pool and retrieve a diving stick.

Emma definitely came a long way this week. Check out her skills on the video!

Here's Peter!

VBS is Over!!

I announced to the children last night at 9:00 when we arrived home from the VBS program that we are finished with VBS for the summer. Jokingly, Philip said, "Helena UMC is having their VBS the first week in August". NO Thank you!!!
I am very thankful that we took the plunge and did the VBS tour of Roxboro this summer. The kids were exposed to the gospel in some great ways and I learned a lot about their budding personalities.

Peter: He did great at VBS #1. Even though it was with unfamiliar people, it was a smaller group and he thrived. He found his place in the group, was outspoken, participated heartily and enjoyed himself thoroughly. VBS # 2 (our's) was even better for him. He was completely comfortable and felt very important because he already knew the songs and lessons. He felt it was his job to be the teacher's helper since he had experienced it all before. VBS#3- not so great. Although, he actually knew more people at this church than at VBS #1 I think the size of the church and the amount of people was over his threshold. I tend to think of Peter as outgoing, bold and willing to step up to the plate, I realized through VBS #3 that he needs to be comfortable with his surroundings. His teacher at this church said to me that he was very quiet; that is not a normal comment for him. I think this aspect of his personality reveals more of the "me" side of him coming out.Emma: She actually thrived with all 3 VBS's. There was one night at our VBS where she backslide into this mommy separation anxiety thing. I really don't know where that came from. I was very proud of her for sticking with VBS #3. I think if it wasn't for her friend she would never have made it.

Ryan: Well, he absolutely loved the music. We continue to sing many of the songs that he learned at our VBS and a few of the songs he learned from VBS #3. Although, he only made it to 3 nights of VBS #3 he enjoyed his time ( after the initial screaming b/c he was being left).

VBS III part 3

Well, tonight it was just Emma who made it to VBS. Ryan was with us and I was expecting to take him however, he began saying, "No Bible School" on our way. He got a little teary-eyed and holding on with a death grip when we left Emma.

Anyway- apparently, Emma got to see and hear "real missionaries" speak tonight. They worked (I think) with people who had to "walk very far, up a big hill to get water". Emma has decided that she now wants to be a missionary. Of course, she did get approval from Peter to be a missionary. As long as she still works for his science museum.

We were all in their room preparing for bed when Philip came home from choir practice and Emma told him about the "real missionaries". Philip told her, "did you know your mommy was a missionary". Funny- I had forgotten all about that! Anyway, he listed off all the folks we know who have been on mission trips. We told her that he was going on a mission trip next week. After Philip and Ryan left for their room and we said our prayers, Emma looked at me and said, "mommy you should do like daddy". I had no idea what she was talking about so I asked. She said, "you need to go on a mission trip". I explained to her that right now God has called me to raise her, Peter and Ryan and they are my mission field. We talked about it for a while. Then Emma said, "the missionaries said that you are supposed to start at home".
WOW- She was really absorbing everything that she heard! I can't wait to hear from my friends what was discussed.

VBS III part 2

Well, being the super parents that we are, we enrolled our kids in their 3rd VBS for the summer! This one is at the church where we attend MOPS, Emma goes to Cubbies, and there are many homeschoolers. In many ways I feel like it is an extension of our church. I have made many friends here as well as the kids. We headed there Sunday night for day one. Emma has been showing some mommy separation anxiety here lately so I was interested to see how she did. However, once we found her friend Aubrey they were inseparable and ready to start. Westwood even had a class for the 1-2 yr olds so we left Ryan as well. Peter entered the Kindergarten class and unfortunately there wasn't anybody that he knew well.

Philip and I headed to the tennis courts. We have been talking about playing tennis for some time so this was the perfect time. I think my tennis lessons as a middle schooler finally paid off! It was pretty hot and I forgot to bring some water. We headed to McDonald's for an ice cream cone. Speaking of water, they charge for water these days- the same price as a soda and it comes from the fountain. What a ripoff!

Well, Peter made it to the van and then broke down. He didn't have a good time at all. A little girl called him "Peter Pan" and he didn't like it. He said that 2 VBSes were enough for him and he didn't need anymore. He also said that there were too many people. He didn't like all the people. I was so amazed at his ability to articulate his feelings.

So Emma and Ryan went for night 2 and Peter stayed home with me. I am positive Peter won't be going back b/c he got to play on the computer, eat popcorn, paint, read, and play transformers. Who would want to go to VBS when you can do all that at home!

Swimming lessons

Swimming lessons started this week. This year we decided to try the morning time slot. It seemed like last year we struggled with late afternoon thunderstorms and rescheduling. So far day one went great.
This is Emma swimming along with her teacher Ms . Kelly. I was so thankful that we didn't have any "issues " on the first morning. Emma was ready and excited to be with Ms Kelly and to learn to swim.Ryan was hanging out ready in case anybody wanted to teach him how to swim. Peter was off with in the deep end with the older kids and Mr. Corey.

Saturday's party!

Peter and Emma got to spend the night with their cousin Caleb on Friday night. They had a great time and were so excited to be together. I love that they have cousins close to their age. We met the kids at Monkey Joe's and joined in with Caleb's "other" birthday party. This place was awesome. The kids (and Philip) had a blast and were exhausted once it was time to head back to Roxboro. This slide was the highlight for all our kids. It went down supper fast which is why the pictures are a little blurry!
Again, blurry picture but the smiles were great!
It was cake time for Caleb and his friends. It's hard to believe it's been 6 years for the boys.
This is Caleb opening our gift: money and gum. Those are Peter's favorite things these days so I figured Caleb would enjoy them as well.
It was a great party! The kids slept about the entire ride home!

Family party

Friday evening, we headed for Philip's sister's house for a family birthday for cousin Caleb! He will have this 6th birthday on Monday. When we got to the pool it was break time so we headed to the "kiddie pool". Even though it was only 1 ft. deep Uncle Philip knew how to have a good time. He started a noodle fight! Here's our clan.

More Charlotte Fun

Friday morning we headed out for a visit with Uncle Peter at his work place. He works for the National Guard Armory so we got a private tour of all the cool things he works with! We did this trip about 3 years ago but neither Peter or Emma remembered!This is Philip and his brother. Lots of people who know Uncle Pete think our kids look just like him!