Creative Outlet

I had planned to spend the week between VBS and band camp with the kids, doing all the fun things we haven't had time for during this busy summer. But when Barry got a new job, I ended up spending the week with ALL the kids. On Monday, we headed for the Crayola Factory.
First, we stopped off in the attached Canal Museum and guided some boats down locks.
Of course, you need a mule for that, and Hannah fell in love with this one. Seriously. She kept talking about the mule all day.
I don't think Juli will find cleaning clothes fun for much longer.
But everyone loves a train!
Then it was time to start creating.
We used every Crayola product known to kids.
Nicky even won extra products by knowing what color a kid had named. (Macaroni and Cheese)
No matter what Kai and Nick might think, Hannah knows that you're never too old for fingerpaint!
Painting these turtles was a highlight - everyone agreed Juli's was the best!
Between one thing...
And another...
We whiled away the hours, winding up with a visit to the world's largest crayon. Time for the world's longest nap!

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!