Skipping Stones

The first day back to school. I now have time to ponder the events of our summer (which I’ll address in another post). Even though the list of “things to be done when the kids go back to school” looms over me, the list of “things I want to do with the kids this summer” stares at me with lots of things still on it to be done! Yesterday as I looked at the list, I questioned whether I’d done enough before having to give them back to the public school. And I don’t mean academically. But then, as I sat to reread a book I received from Thomas Nelson Publishing this summer so that I could review it, I was reminded that even a small stone thrown into the water will make a ripple. The book is entitled The Boy Who Changed The World, by Andy Andrews and is the children’s version of his book The Butterfly Effect.

This beautifully illustrated children’s book has such a wonderful message that I would say it is for young (although not youner than 8) and old alike. The entertaining way in which it is written keeps the reader interested and would make a great read- aloud to a group. Essentially, the author shows how several real individuals’ small acts and positive choices influenced one of the others, and added up to a great invention that “changed the world”. It shows children (and adults, alike!) how their actions and choices really do matter and can have a positive impact on the world. And, that little things can have a really big impact.

I need that reminder as I look back over our summer. And even as I prioritize the things on my to do list today! I can’t wait to read and discuss the book with my kids. I think I’ll add that to the list of “things to be done when the kids go back to school”...

Beach Bums

I've just meandered off the beach, strolled back to the house, splashed water on my feet so as not to bring too much sand in the house with me, and plugged in my computer.  Phew!  I'm tired.  All of that hard work, just to check in and say we are enjoying the blessings that the beach brings to our little family and life has been very, very good.

There has been a heatwave in these parts for the past ten days, but at the beach we've had a pleasant breeze to help keep us cool.  Our fourth of July was celebrated with gusto, and after two of us had suffered the stomache flu a few days earlier, we were ready to celebrate.

Prior to our personal flu epidemic, Emmy and I had grand plans for decorating the beach house.  Illness dampened our efforts, but we did get these made:

Unfortunately, we forgot about thumbtacks to hang them up, so they sit in a basket for this year.  Hopefully, we will be able to store them so that they can be used next year.  I found the idea here, but used scrapbooking paper instead of the fabric Martha recommends....  Super quick and easy.  Using 12x12 scrapbooking paper, I cut strips to be 5 1/2 x 12 for the smallest stars, and then for the larger ones I put 2 together of 8x12's or 10x12's.  I used glue dots to hold everything together.  This will make much more sense after you read the original directions at the link above.  I think these would be adorable for lots of different celebrations just by altering the paper (or fabric if you are that adventerous) to the theme of the party! 

Just don't forget the thumbtacks!

There is much more that we've been up to, but I'll have to save that for another post, because right now I have to tell you how thrilled and humbled I am that my blog has been spotlighted on a positively splendid blog that I so enjoy reading and where I find inspiration aplenty!!  Awhile back, I won a giveaway that Amy was doing on her blog.  The prize: a framed silhouette vignette of my babies!!  I sent her pictures via email, requested the colors I wanted and she blew me away with the results!  It is at my home (and I am at the beach) so I haven't seen it in person yet, but she posted it on her blog today, so I did get to see it.  Look what she created!

I am thrilled beyond words (okay, well there are these words, but you know what I mean) with what she was able to do.  And she even has a tutorial on her site for creating a silhouette of your own.  Like I said, her blog is so inspiring, and from the interactions I've had with her, she is a really sweet person.  Check out her blog: http://www.positivelysplendid.com/  I know you'll leave there feeling the same way I do!

Well, that's enough excitement for this evening.  Next time the breeze blows me in off the beach, I'll check in with more!  Until then,

Feeling Crabby

Our first day at the beach and the kids just wanted to do a little shopping...

Meet Utley (as in Chase from the Phillies)

and Taylor (as in Swift)

and their two very happy caretakers.

And now I'm off to a high intensity crab race. 

You can feel the tension in the air..

It's not for the faint of heart

On Your Mark!

Get Set!

Go!

Whooo!  That was fun.  Okay, I think we can go to the beach now.

Did I Just Feel A Drop?

Everyday, the headlines seem to grow more alarming. The news of disaster, devastation and heart-wrenching situations is overwhelming. Should we be surprised? According to the thought-proving book, Storm Warning, by Billy Graham, we shouldn't be.

This book, sent to me by Thomas Nelson publishing to review, compares the events we are reading about and hearing of, in the media every day, and the tragedies and heartbreak we are personally experiencing, to a gathering storm in the skies overhead. He shows us how God has warned us of these events and those to come throughout the Bible, and he specifically focuses on the book of Revelation. The book started out very strong and I was looking forward to reading it. But after I got through the third chapter I began to worry that I would not be able to give it very high marks! I don’t want to discourage anyone from reading this book because I believe the subject matter is so important, timely and necessary to consider. But I need to warn you that for a time, the book seemed to be trying to sell me on the book of Revelation and on the validity of Billy Graham, himself. There was a lot of repetition and I was feeling that the book could have been a lot shorter.

Having said that, by halfway through the book, it picked up and got to the substance of what I was hoping for. Graham goes into detail about the signs of the End Times in the book of Revelation and considers what is happening in our world today. He provides insight into the four horsemen of Revelation Chapter 6, provides the hope that is found in Christ Jesus, and calls us to action as a result of what is to come and what is happening today. This book isn’t a quick read, but I think it is a valuable, if not necessary, one. If you are looking for a compelling summer read, maybe this is it.  You can read more about the book by clicking here.

One Awesome Lady

Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who gives reverance to the Lord is to be praised.  Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.  Proverbs 31: 30- 31

I don't have to look far for a shining example of strength, dignity, hardwork, laughter, joy,....   While we celebrated a week ago, today is the official birthday of this mighty woman.

Today Millie is 95 years old. 

 Among other things, she has endured losing her mom as a toddler and her step-mom as a young girl. She was widowed in her forties and left to raise 3 children while holding down a full-time job to support them and she is a breast cancer survivor of over thirty years now.  So what does SHE have to smile about?  She's had a very hard life.  Well, she won't hesitate to tell ya why she smiles- she's got Jesus.

 

The Joy of the Lord is her Strength. 

She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. Proverbs 31:25

Thank you for your example, Grams.  We love you!   Happy Birthday!

Dad Life

My friend Shawn, sent me this video, and I just had to share it.  I hope that everyone was able to acknowledge a Dad for Father's Day.  Where would we be without them?


Dad Life from Church on the Move on Vimeo.

Thank you, Lord for the gift of good dads.  Thank you for giving so many of them wisdom, patience and a sense of humor.  Amen.

Last Minute Daddy Day Gift

Well, it wouldn't be last minute if I had actually posted this when it was made, but it has been a crazy few weeks around here.  More on that later.  For now, here is a last minute Father's Day gift in case your young ones decide that they need their very own homemade gift for daddy-o. 

Clean out a pasta sauce jar - or jar of equivalent size - fill with chex mix -ours was homemade, but as the clock is ticking here, you'd do just as well with the premade stuff out of the bag!

Cut out 2 large circles from decorative paper, and 3 smaller circles out of plain white cardstock.  Have your child decorate the smaller circles for Dad.  Glue 2 of the smaller circles to the patterned paper circles.  Lay a piece of ribbon over the lid of the jar and attach the 3rd smaller circle to the lid - on top of the ribbon.  Lay the ribbon down both sides of the jar and attach the other circles to the ribbon and the ribbon to the sides of the jar.

Easy Peasy!  You can even make a coordinating card with the left over patterned paper and wrap the whole thing in a simple brown paper bag. 

Have a wonderful Father's Day celebrating all those awesome Daddies out there!!

I'm Seeing Double

I knew this day would come

But I still wasn't ready

A decade isn't supposed to go by so quickly

And now, seemingly overnight, my baby has hit the DOUBLE DIGITS.  Ten years old.

So a celebration was in order.  Some good old-fashioned fun is what my boy wanted.

Baseball and soccer games

crafts for those who didn't want to "sport"

and smore's and an outdoor movie, "The Spy Next Door" to end the evening!

But the highlight of the party was definitely this:

We had a wonderful face painter come to the party.  She painted anything each of the party guests wanted - even dancing pickles!  They loved her and her art work. 

All of her products are FDA approved, won't hurt your skin and are ingestable (although, not a recommended party snack of course!)  In other words, she's using the good stuff!

Lauren was fantastic and if you live in the Jersey, Philly, Delaware, Maryland area, I highly recommend her for a party or event.  You can find her company here:  Face Painting

This little pup is already begging to book her for HER double digit day...

Let's just put a leash on the thought of this one turning 10, please.

Well, this was just the beginning of the big boy's celebrating.  The party is going on all month long -  More to come later!

Ninja Gardening

It looks innocent enough...

And I'm sure many a neighborhood outdoor cat would love to roll around in our beautifully composted soil.

But upon closer inspection, it is clear...

There won't be any pussy-footin' around these parts.

Cats, Beware.  My garden is not your playground, nor is it your potty. Consider the cats warned.

Speaking of gardens, wouldn't this be perfect for me any gardener?

I took a picture of this potting bench when I went to Longwood Gardens last week (again!) in the hopes that Keith will build me an exact replica.  Hey if I can deter cats with plasticware, maybe I can persuade a husband with inspiring pictures I've taken.  Maybe?

Kids These Days

Are you guys playing AGAINST each other on two different machines?

Yeah, we’re doing battle in the wireless union room. Want me to grab Steelix out of my PC now? Hold on. I have to evolve my Jigglypuff...

Whaaat?

On a side note, what's up with the 2 pedometers?  Does that work?  Does that mean if they both say 5000 steps, you can say you've done your 10,000 steps for the day?  Hmm...

All The Ladies In The House Say "Yea!"

A few of my "now over 40" friends and I were talking the other day about the "changes" we were warned about but didn't believe before we were actually 40. My one friend said she started noticing those changes about 20 minutes after she woke up on her 40th birthday.

So, in honor of all of my beautiful friends, (and yes, each and everyone of them IS beautiful) and because it is a very rainy day here and I'm in this kind of a mood, I share with you this:

"Darlin' I love you but give me Park Avenue"

For the past week I have been immersed in "nature", and I think I'm ready for the SPA, thank you.

On Tuesday and Thursday, I acted as a chaperone and photographer to the 4th grade of our school. First, we walked to the town park....


where the classes were divided up into groups of 3 and each assigned a task..

My charges were assigned to find things in nature that catch their eye....

They got right to work....

ME: Hey, guys, how about this?

well, maybe...

I guess....

Sure, if you say so....

You think?....

OH COOL! Come here, Mrs. T. You've gotta see this! Mom, take a picture of this!!!

Oookay.

Two days later, we walked back to the park and the kids' project was to create artistic designs using nature as discovered on our first trip....

I kept my mouth shut, ( I did to!!!) and kept my camera clicking and after a 1/2 hour of strategic planning and unabashed creativity - this is what my group came up with:

They were very proud of their achievement. Particularly their use of thorns to hold down the fragile leaves to the sticks.

They weren't quite as impressed with the fact that I had to practically climb a tree over the water in order to actually take any pictures of their masterpiece. It was worth it anyway.


On Friday, I took my Brownie Troop on our first overnight experience. We went here:

And stayed in here:

As close to a tent as I hope to get with my troop!

Cost to stay here and have my daughter and troop study animals up close and personal,

Learn about constellations, and make star charts, all during a scream-seeking lightening and thunder storm...

And stuff themselves silly full of SMore's

before going to sleep in these posh accomodations?...


$45....

The cost of new sneaker's for my girl the next morning, after going on a hike .....

to do a pond study....

and play in the mud collecting samples,

About $30, if I catch a good sale.

The cost to witness the awe,

and excitement in her face as "Kermie" was caught, studied.. and then

released back to his home in the pond?


Let's say it all together now: Priceless.

Maybe Green Acres really is the place for me.