Attention for Colleen & Superheroes

We crammed in another VBS in the 4 days before we left on our big beach vacation. During those mornings, Colleen enjoyed some special mommy attention while taking care of business. A preview of the school year-to-come.

Let her out of the stroller at a playground, and she'll show you what she can do to your surprise!

We spent an afternoon playing with Henry & George in their new-to-them house. I didn't get any good photos of the big kids, but it was sweet to watch Colleen climb into Arthur's bouncy seat.

We visited with Viaan and his family as Rohit's parents were returning to India while we were at the beach. Amelia tried to get a Viaan-snuggle but he wasn't very interested.

I've still got the touch!

Enjoying sweet treats

When Amelia is focused and gentle, these sisters have the best time together.

Amelia and Mommy had a special dinner date at the new Smashburger. Yay milkshakes! 

Auburn superhero Austin to the rescue!

A family of superheroes

Great Swamp Wildlife Refuge with Gabi

My friend Gabrielle is moving to Australia at the end of September! So she came up for a weekend to visit. She arrived late on Friday night; she and I took a walk around the 4H Fair and enjoyed a treat while Patrick put the kids to bed. The Great Swamp Wildlife Refuge has been on our to-visit list for months; so we made it our goal on Saturday.

The visitor's center was impressive with 2 rooms devoted to kids' education. 

We started on two short paths meant for kids next to the visitor's center.

On our drive to the 'wild' portion of the refuge, we watched this bear cross the road!

This trail consisted of raised sidewalks throughout the swamp. It was awesome to be able to use the stroller and let Colleen sleep.  

There were various 'blinds' throughout the trail.

A professional photographer pointed out the barred owl in this photo 

(camouflaged well by the center tree).

Then we visited the Raptor Center. They had all of the birds who were rehabilitated but can't survive in the wild available to view. 

We taught Gabi how to play 7 Wonders. The kids had fun being with us while we played an adult game. They were jealous that we played two more rounds after they went to bed that evening!

After church on Sunday, Patrick stayed with all the napping kids while Gabi and I went to Duke Farms. It was AMAZING weather, and we had a lovely walk up to the carriage house. I so appreciate the small bit of time we had to catch up. Twenty years later, I so value her friendship!

VBS & 4H Fair

Sporting two pig tails!

Enjoying the oldies concert at the county summer concert series.

This week was VBS at our church. Mommy led a crew while Amelia attended. Austin & Colleen were in the toddlers/preschool room. We had so much fun but it was exhausting. We were on the road every morning at 730am and didn't get home until close to 1pm. Even Amelia took naps, we were all so tired each day. We weren't permitted to take photos during VBS, but Austin loved this hat and wore it constantly.

One of the sweet girls in my crew gave me this card on the last day of VBS.

The sweetness before the aggravating, I'm sure....

Doors are her favorite.

Goldiblocks fun

The week we look forward to all year was finally here - the 4H Fair! It was a little disappointing since Daddy was gone all week, and VBS prevented our going in the mornings. But we made the most of it one evening. Some friends walked over with us and we crammed in as much as we could in a few hours.

Fire truck fun

Digger fun

With her Lego Club poster in the 4H Prep tent.

In an ambulance

Dreaming of rockets

The flight simulator is definitely meant for bigger kids. But he had fun trying.

Colleen enjoyed her Mrs. Sarah snuggles.

It wasn't too busy in the robotics tent; one of the sponsors came over and asked Amelia if she would like to control the robot. I was so nervous that she would damage it, but he told me it had already been seriously cracked earlier that day! The teens were really patient in explaining how it all worked. The kids had fun!

With their special pins after operating the robot.

Hey! I know what these are!

Watching the new chicks

It took the kids awhile to figure out that this was a mechanical pony.

Chocolate milkshake treat at the end of our evening

At the end of VBS, I asked the directors if I could take home one of the posters that was doomed to be trashed. Austin is so excited to have it hanging in his room.