Minnesota Friends, Zoobs & Patinas

Immediately after returning from Alabama, the kids reminded me that they both had new wallets and fun birthday money to spend. So we headed to the store for their first shopping-with-their-own-money experience.

I was truly surprised with their choices. After wandering up and down the toy aisles and explaining what they could afford (about $20 worth), they both waffled on making a decision. Then we ran over to the stationary/school supply area for me to pick up something. They both saw the art supplies and immediately decided they wanted these. Amelia got a mega art kit; Austin chose a bird house kit. Children after my own heart!

For the next week we had daily fun with the art supplies. It contained both chalk and oil pastels, which I have no experience with. So we watched various youtube instructional videos and checked out some library books on how to use them. Amelia is in love!

Just because I think she's the sweetest!

Our Minnesota friends, Nate & Rebekah, were passing through New Jersey on their way to a sabbatical in Oslo, Norway. They were able to stop and spend a few mid-day hours with us. It warmed my heart to see how quickly the kids played along!

Quick lunch photos

Colleen was asleep when they arrived; when she woke up, she found Abby ready and willing to mother her. Abby fed her each bite of her meal and let me know if she needed anything.

Attempts at a group photo of 7 kids who just want to get on playing.

Abby really wanted to hold Colleen, so we tried to have Claire sit with Amelia. As you can see, it didn't work out so well.

The big girls asked if they could go upstairs and play. I went to check on them after a bit and found them up to this. Amelia declared Kate to be a good friend and hopes to be pen pals this fall.

Austin showing off the snap circuits.

Sweet little ones

We have 3 nonfunctional cell phones that float around as toys; the kids found all 3 and had fun pretending to talk to one another and send each other notes.

Austin won one of the big library summer reading program raffles! This building set was new to us but is pretty cool!

We snuck in one last Turtleback Zoo trip with friends before the start of school. Amelia wanted to sit with Mrs. Mandy & Jack, so Colleen tried riding the train on the bench rather than in my lap. 

The cooler weather had the animals active!

Colleen's first carousel ride. She LOVED it!

We still had some Statue of Liberty library books hanging around, so the kids asked if we could do one of the experiments described. We took 4 shiny pennies (one cent pieces Granddaddy!) and soaked them in a vinegar/salt solution.

As they spent the afternoon drying, we checked on them frequently and found them developing a patina just like the Statue of Liberty!

Now does anyone know how to remove it?

Quick Peruvian Visit

When my Peruvian mama told me that she would be in the Atlanta area around the same time that we would be driving through, we were able to work it out to see her. Her hosts, Joy & Don, welcomed us and our circus into their home for a meal and a lot of Spanish/English conversation. Laura requested that she get to cook all of us one of my favorite meals, Lomo Saltado. I can not adequately describe the joy it was for me to introduce Laura to my children. I hope one day they will understand how God used this woman to develop a love for South America in my heart, and how simply being willing to host folks in your home turned into a blessing and career for her.

Asking her to carry a quilt I made for her future grandson back to Peru!

The kids loved the birds that were visiting Joy & Don's deck; Austin asked me to take a photo of him with this poster.

Laura knows the way to make quick friends of kids: take silly face selfies.

While it was just a couple of hours, we were so thankful for them! And it re-inspired our dream of taking our whole family (when it's a lot less work!) to Peru.

An Alabama Beach Vacation

We set out on the 22 total hour drive to the Alabama Gulf Coast and were tickled at how well the drive went, delighted at the little traffic we encountered, and thankful for the stops we had along the way. The kids were awesome; we listened to hours of audio books and Sparkle stories, and they did pages and pages of puzzle books and work books. We pulled out the library launch pads for after dark. They are amazing road trip warriors. Colleen is still in the rough phase of road tripping, but an adult in the backseat making faces at her normally works for awhile.

We stopped at Grandma & Granddaddy's house on the way down to the beach. I don't usually get this gorgeous view during a run, so I took advantage of it!

Measuring the grandkids to see how they've grown since Christmas.

As soon as we arrived, we were all eager to see the ocean.

We were out on the sand nice and early - 830AM is the timestamp of this photo.

I've got about 100 photos from this week that I love.

You've been warned.

Mid-morning snack break

In the afternoon, Grandma pulled out her kite!

Uncle love.

Colleen loved going around and around this table.

Watching the sunset

On Monday morning, the kids helped Aunt Laura make Austin's birthday cake. He requested chocolate cake with yellow frosting; and Aunt Laura had the perfect plan for an awesome cake.

Maybe the best part of helping?

We did get a little beach time in the morning after cake baking. This is when Daddy started the "water coaster".  They originally tried two kids on a float, but Daddy quickly determined that one-at-a-time is best.

This afternoon was the big eclipse. We could tell you all the excuses of why we did not see it - too cloudy, bad angle, etc. But the truth is - Mommy and Daddy crawled into bed with kids who didn't' want to nap and we all ended up falling asleep at nap time! We did enjoy watching it online later that evening.

Amelia helped Uncle Nathan & Aunt Laura make homemade strawberry ice cream!

Diva 

 Birthday boy made frosting with Aunt Laura after his nap.

Sunset fun on the deck. They turned our chair barricade into a train. 

He still talks about the sunsets.

Going out for a sunset walk on the beach - see you later Grandma & Granddaddy!

The clouds moving through were amazing.

On Tuesday, Austin woke up to birthday decorations! He was thrilled!

Can you guess how long it took her to mangle one of these?

It was the only rainy morning of the week, but we came prepared. So the kids spent the morning playing games, watching a video and  helping Aunt Laura decorate Austin's birthday cake. Unfortunately, Colleen needed some intervention with a serious case of diaper rash due to teething diapers, so she and Mommy headed to a local pediatrician to get help.

Checking email with Granddaddy

The repeated phrase here was "Sorry Grandma!"

Crushing oreos for dirt

Birthday boy with his amazing cake. Thanks Aunt Laura!

Everything cleared up for the afternoon so we were off to the water coaster! 

Digging a trench so the baby sea turtles could make it to the ocean more easily. It even had 'rest stops' along the way for when the baby sea turtles got tired. He had it all planned out.

Granddaddy and Grandma collected these jokes that they knew the kids would like.

Showing off her puppet Kiwi Crate.

Colleen chose Aunt Laura as her favorite!

On Wednesday, all nine of us headed out to the beach to enjoy it together before Aunt Laura & Uncle Nathan had to leave.

This girl kept us all working - running into the waves, often falling, then popping up to do it all over again.

Original family photo, propped up on a sand bucket with self-timer.

Edited family photo - a memory!

 Amelia invented the game of pouring water on Colleen in the float.

The only appropriate photo of showering Colleen off after a day at the beach.

Setting off for another sunset beach walk. This time with glow sticks!

On Thursday we had to pass a bit of time before heading to play miniature golf. So Grandma attempted a Sorry comeback.

First time playing miniature golf - the kids loved it! They keep asking if we can go play at the one near our house.

Since it was post-season at the Gulf, the miniature golf place was deserted. We had it all to ourselves. So we gave up keeping score, and just enjoyed playing.

During rest time, Patrick and I enjoyed some non-kid beach time.

And then we had an afternoon full of kid-beach fun!

Breakfast on the porch

It's our last day! Run and play! Run and play!

"Thank you Grandma for letting me turn your water cup into a sand toy."

Naptime mischief

Amelia made a garden out of the sand toys.

This bird knew its territory and wasn't afraid of our noise.

Sad to leave. The kids desperately wanted just one more walk on the beach. Thank you Grandma & Granddaddy for such a sweet memory-making week.

As we started the trek home, we stopped at our favorite Priester's Pecans to take a look at the factory and sampling.....a lot of sampling.

While waiting on Daddy to check us into the hotel, can you tell which one of these kids is ready for bed and which one is ready to party?

(They actually both slept very well that night!)

We returned home, so grateful for the time with family, for the ease with which we were able to enjoy the beach and for the time together before the start of another school year.