VBS

If a picture speaks a thousand words, 21 pictures should be a novel. So, in pictures, here's how Crocodile Dock went at our church this year. I'd say it was a success!

Fly, Eagles, Fly!

I had the opportunity to watch the Philadelphia Eagles practice again this year. Due to Vacation Bible School and work, I was only able to go today, but it was still great to see all of the players out on the field.

I got to see a punting competition between Ken Parrish and Sav Rocca. Parrish held his own pretty well, but I think he's going to end up getting released. Hopefully another team will pick him up. He's a local boy (East Stroudsburg) who was training to be in the police force when he got the call from the Eagles.



I am a little worried about the offensive line and the linebackers. The Eagles starting offensive line hasn't practiced once together this training camp -- somebody was always hurt. And Stewart Bradley, the starting middle linebacker, was injured earlier in the week and will be out the entire season.

Jeremy Maclin, the Eagles 1st round draft pick, finally since his contract and arrived on Tuesday. I was able to watch him catch in practice, and the kid looks good.

It was nice to take a morning to relax, sit on the bleachers at Lehigh, and watch my favorite football team play. The start of the season is only a little over a month away at this point. It will be great to be able to make time on Sunday after church to curl up on the couch with Jenn and watch some football. Plus we have Friday games with the high school team starting soon. I can smell the french fries already.

VBS In Two Weeks!?!

When we came back from Florida, we only had two weeks to put together our Vacation Bible School. Usually, I'll spend most of the summer preparing for this - making decorations, getting supplies, preparing the church. How would we EVER get a seven page to-do list done in two weeks?

Because we had to. We did. And it was really just that easy. The kids and I practically lived at church for weeks, and our house was turned into a construction zone. But somehow, we pulled it off. Now all that's left is to praise God for giving us the strength and will to get it done!

Nebraska?

On the train home from Disney, Kairi was texted some bad news. Her good friend Caitlyn (who had been her friend since 1st grade) was moving. Not just across town. But to Nebraska! (Who moves to Nebraska??) So as soon as we got back, she started planning a surprise party. She themed the party around cherries and koalas, two of Caitlyn's favorite things. We even made pizzas with pepperoni and pepper "cherries" on top.

I know Kai will miss Caitlyn, but at least they can still text each other. Even from Nebraska!

Aren't We Missing Something?

Two weeks are missing from this blog. Two glorious, sun-filled, characterful weeks. When I'm done writing my trip report over on the DISboards I'll come back here and fill them in. But why write them twice?

June Glorious June

Okay, so this year it feels more like June, molasses slow June. But that's only because we all can't wait until it's July! Still, we're passing the time, bit by bit.

Free movies at the Rave help:
And swimming in the Hellertown pool:

And if all else fails, we can sleep until July!

Father's Day Funnies

The kids and I created this joke jar for Scott for Father's Day. Now we're doomed to months of jokes like "What's the difference between roast beef and pea soup?"

(In case you're wondering, anyone can roast beef. Nobody can pea soup.)

Happy Father's Day, Scott! We love you.

Soggy Hot Dog, Anyone?

We enjoyed selling hot dogs at the church yard sale last year. Not so much this year in the pouring rain. Ugh. Stinks to be us!

A Teacher's Treasure

Nicky got an award on the last day of school. Mrs. Curry said "You're a treasure, always on the hunt for learning new words!" We know he's our treasure, but we're glad he's a treasure to his teachers, too. He really blossomed this year academically. It used to be a struggle to get him through his homework. Now, he makes too many A's to fit on the refrigerator! We expect great things of him in the future!

A Quick Getaway

We've been saving all our pennies and spending all our time dreaming about Disney while the early summer just slips by us. Finally, today, we got tired of waiting for a future vacation and decided to grab some rest and relaxation closer to home. So we headed to the Jersey shore for the day. For a few bucks for a beach pass, we got sand, surf, and sun. It was a brilliant way to spend the day!

Who's Dying To Be A Millionaire?

No, I haven't finally lost it and stabbed one of my students. She's just an actress in our spring production "Who's Dying to Be A Millionaire?" I would say this was our least prepared production of all time, but somehow, someway, when the lights went down, we pulled it off.
And by the second night, we were bringing down the house. I'm proud to work with kids who never give up!

Spotlight on Nicky

And about time, too! After all of Kairi's concerts and ceremonies and recitals, it was finally Nick's chance to shine. He did a great job singing rock songs from all decades with the Junior and Senior Chorus. Rock on, Nick!

Gone To The Birds

Yep, back at the zoo again. But this time, we have a great excuse. It was the members-only weekend at the brand new McNeill Avian Center. We couldn't wait to see the new habitats and exhibits.

The Avian Center is right across the lake from the swan boats, so we waited for our timed tickets by getting a glimpse of the outside.

Finally, our turn arrived. We loved all the details, like the flying bird silhouettes on the outer wall.

It was so very cool to see so many birds up close. The new exhibit was beautiful.

Even the doors were themed.

Best was the area where the birds could fly right by you and land just inches away.

Surprisingly, Scott wasn't bothered by this area. Usually he's not a big bird fan. Well, except the Eagles!

Still More Virtuoso

Yes, that's right. District Band Honoree. Soloist. National Junior Honor Society. And wonderful pianist in today's recital.

Sometimes this girl just scares me. But mostly, she makes me proud to be her mama. So I gotta brag her up. She played "Fiesta Time" which was a cute and catchy little number. She's doing wonderfully with her new piano teacher, the organist for our church. I can't wait to find out where she goes with all this musical talent.

Who The Heck is Carrie?

Kairi was inducted into the National Junior Honor Society today. We are even more ridiculously proud of her than we were last week when she had the solo in the concert. It takes hard work and determination to earn a place in NJHS and Kai has definitely earned it.

But speaking of Kai - her name is pronounced KAY-ree. Not Carrie. So when after 7 years of hard work led her to this one moment, she was kind of thinking that maybe someone would take the time to FINALLY pronounce her name right. Nope. Bungled first AND last name. She was crying instead of happy when she got her award. Which completely bummed us all out.

Poor Carrie. Er, I mean Kairi.

Lucky Me

I wasn't expecting anything for Mother's Day this year, since we're saving all our money for our upcoming Disney trip. But the kids and Scott couldn't let the day pass by without at least giving me breakfast in bed! They didn't need to do that though - I already know how lucky I am to be the mother of two wonderful kids. (But don't tell them that - I want breakfast in bed next year, too!)

Our Little Soloist

We were so proud of Kairi tonight! She played a solo horn section at the beginning of the theme from Ratatouille. She was so nervous, but she completely aced it. Way to go, Miss First French Horn!

Putt WHO?

The good news: Putt U is open for the season! The bad news: Apparently Kai can now beat me. Now I'm behind Kairi and Scott. *grrr*

Weren't We Just AT The Playground?

The girls have been coming with us to Sunday School while Barry runs a counseling group. It's great to see them every week, and wonderful to have them participating in church.

However, we spend a lot more time on the church playground than we used to! Oh well... don't look now, but my "big" kids seem to be enjoying it, too!

Photography in the Park

I love to take pictures (I know, surprising, right? Not like my blog has 8 million or anything...), so a trip to the park to meet Barry and the girls became an excuse for more photography.

I was going for the washed out look when I edited the two above. I think Kai's came out better than Nick's, though.

Don't worry. The kids are used to my shutter bug madness. They still had fun on the playground while I used them as models!