It's that time of year again!!

Well friends, it’s that time of year again.  Mommas all over are gearing up for summer time!  If you’re anything like me, you’ve learned quickly that being one step ahead of your kids makes the days run more smoothly and being even a half step behind can break it!  We have a family tradition that encourages me to be creative with my kids without having to think too deeply from day to day.  Around our house, it’s called the “Summer Fun list.”  The week before school is out, the kids toss out ideas of activities, crafts, and things that they want to do this summer and we jot it down on a piece of paper.  I, of course, get ultimate veto power.  That helps me regulate the cost and intensity of each thing.  I like to pick things that are minimum prep work and involve things from around the house or dollar store supplies.  We also add any trips we are planning or camps they are attending.  Every year our list gets longer and every year it gets a little less intimidating.  If my list looks crazy to you… start smaller.  There are approximately eleven weeks in the summer so choose one thing for every week.  My favorite planned activity this year is also be the first one we will do.  It’s the spirit stick.  I’m going to find a large stick and use painter’s tape to divide in four parts.  Each of my kids will get to paint a section of it themselves.  The next day, after the stick is dry, we will discuss Galatians 5:22-23 and what each of those qualities look like.  I will award the stick to the first kid that I see demonstrate a fruit of the Spirit.  After that, it is up to them.  Each day the person with the stick will watch for those qualities in their siblings and encourage one of them by passing it on.  I’m hoping that this will not only be a fun summer activity but will also inspire sibling bonding and our pursuit toward Christ!

Here are a few links to past lists if you'd like more ideas.  feel free to ask me about any of ideas... most of them from the past two years can be found on pintrest!  

2012,  2011, 2010

high stakes

thanks to our crazy pastor and the insane fun that he has with his family... we've been inspired to do the same.  game nights at our house are almost always "high stake!!"

we played ZINGO (which is the greatest game to play with kids of all ages) and the results were a little sticky.

the losers had to put hot fudge on their faces and ask the neighbors for pudding pops. 

oh my

15

Caleb is playing tball again this year.  he's getting better EVERY game!!

in fact, last night he got player of the game for a really great hit!!  We're really proud of how hard he's been working!!

the extra bonus is that his daddy is the coach and it's been a fun activity for them to enjoy together!!

Baptism Sunday

If i can give our church one compliment, it would be that they do big well.  my thought before we moved here was that there is no way that things could be done well or even truthfully when you get so big.  I was wrong... way wrong. 

Baptism Sunday is no different.  They do it well.  for those declaring their faith, the journey begins in advance with several steps that they walk through.  however, on the day of...they break everyone into small groups and have those getting baptized share their testimony.  You can walk anywhere on our campus and hear declarations of God's hand at work in His people.  Then it's a full morning of praising God for HIS goodness!

the kids really enjoy this day and even allie is showing intrest in getting baptized next year.  We told her we need to have more discussions about this in the future!

we're really grateful to serve at a church that puts TRUTH first and encourages all it's members to make a public display of their old self becoming new in Christ Jesus, our Savior!

Mother's Day

The kids with LOTS of help from their wonderful daddy... 

 made this mother's day super special.

They woke me up with Starbucks coffee and tyler roses (all four kids were born in tyler)!  Allie and Caleb both had cute things that they had made at school for me.  I really do cherish those treasures!

after church, we headed to chicken scratch which is a fabulous resteraunt that we love.  the kids played on the playground and we ate outside.  it was a low key/stress free lunch!

later that evening, i layed on a blanket in the yard while the kids played.  it was super relaxing.

i'm so grateful for these four faces that have challenged me and help me grow.  they have loved me and hugged me and made me laugh sooo hard.  oh, how i love being a mommy!!

open house

here are some of the fun things that found at open house for the big kids.... 

self portriat from the beginning of the year

some of allie's writing from her journal...

allie's cactus from art class

the music room was open and they got to show us some of their skills! 

caleb's lion from art class

A date with riley

a very sweet friend offered to keep grif so that i could get some quality time with this guy! i let him pick the entire morning of events.

first stop was the popcorn shack for a sweet and salty treat

next up was his favorite park where we played in the sand pit, swung on the tire swing, raced down slides, and explored the creek!

this activity was a little mom driven, but he was excited to get his haircut because it was next to a really cool mcdonalds that we hit for lunch!

the time went WAY too fast, but on our way back he said, "mom!  BEST DAY EVER!!"

Riley you are my absolute FAVORITE four year old!!!!