Today's great adventures began with an art project...

Bubble painting!

Simple to set up, and easy for kids of all ages to do on their own.

That's a win in my book

It's almost addictive -

choosing the color and placement,

but never quite knowing what the bubbles will end up doing on the paper.

We really loved how intricate the layers of bubbles ended up looking.

The children thoroughly enjoyed it, 

and Ashlynn even asked when we'd be doing it again.

---

In the afternoon, we continued the fun

by going to a small park and nature trail with some friends.

I love the large trees and river...

it's a real escape from the built up area in which we live.

The kids played to their hearts' content.

Running, laughing, splashing, and leaving tired & muddy

 - it was everything a woodsy summer playdate should be.

Snakes, Starships, and Surfing Monsters

What a busy, fun summer day we had.

It seemed cool, despite going up to the 80s.

Perhaps the cloud cover, low humidity, and glorious breeze helped. 

Whatever the case,

Today was a day to be outdoors.

And we spent as much time out of doors as possible, 

even sitting on the deck for scripture study and reading.

A quick trip to the library, 

and we decided which Summer bucket list item we'd check off...

Snake bubbles!

It was a first for our kids, 

but  I knew it would be just the right way to play on such a nice day.

After a while, we tried adding color to the mix,

that was really fun, but messy

It wasn't all Pinterest perfect,

as Toby inhaled rather than exhaled,

swallowed bubbles, and then threw-up a number of times

while trying to get the taste of Dawn out of his mouth.

But hey, he ended up having a great time chopping up everyone else's snakes.

-----

In the afternoon, Caleb, Ashlynn, and I had a date at the Lego store.

(Marigold is the BEST, and babysat Tobias so we could go sans toddler)

We had a blast in store, 

building starships and "flying" them along a space chute.

We had signed up for the build of the month, 

which was an awesome monster/dragon of some sort with a surf board.

Yay for free fun and free legos!

After dinner we finished our day with a bike ride to the park, 

and stayed much longer than anticipated, why?

Because I just couldn't seem to give that five minute warning while

the kids were so incredibly happy racing bicycles down the hill & blacktop, 

and monkeying around on the playground.

I purposely left my phone at the house, so there are no pictures.

But, I'm grateful I took the time to really be in the moment with them,

and I can assure you, it looked exactly like my own childhood out there.

-George, Sheri, and CJ, I'm taking to you :)

Children's Book of the week - The Moon's Revenge

This week's book was a Goodwill find- Yay for cheap books!

For only one dollar, we brought this hard back beauty home-

Just look at the illustration *swoon*

Another plus was that I had actually never heard of this book before 

(I just love finding new children's stories...they're wonderful)

Happily, this story did not disappoint.  

I read aloud, and everyone thoroughly enjoyed the original tale.

The story was captivating, and descriptions were vivid, 

but the illustrations really brought it to life.

I personally wanted to see more of what the author might have to offer,

so I naturally spent far too much time researching Joan Aiken.

What an interesting array of literature - 

supernatural, fantasy, historical fiction - 

all available because she was willing to share her talent with the world.  

Next I looked up Alan Lee, and discovered another amazing talent that I didn't know I knew...

I've seen his work, and probably. so have you, though perhaps you'd never put a name to it.

I'll link his Wiki page for those who want to know more.

Enough rambling - I'll end by asking:

Have you ever read this book?  What were your thoughts?

What is your favorite lesser known children's book?  

(We're always looking for more!)

The kids and I agree that we'd all suggest this book for all ages.

I don't believe in spoiling books, so I won't share story content-

but I will share a couple more peeks of the amazing artwork - Enjoy!

Monday Memoirs - 8th Anniversary and 32nd birthday!

     This week Jared and I celebrate 8 years of marriage - it happens to coincide with our 8th move.  I know I have grown and developed character as I've willingly followed him and made homes for our family in so many places.  Life with him is always new and exciting!  Thinking back to all of the places we've seen and all of our experiences together brings me joy.

2009 - Wedding day!  Washington DC temple

2009 - Living in Alabama - expecting Caleb

2010 - Sewell, NJ post deployment...somehow I can't find any 2011 pic of us together...hmmm

2012 - Provo, UT post color run (my first 5k after having Ashlynn)

2013 - Disneyland - we lived in Middle, UT pre-deployment

2014 - Greece - during deployment

2015- Connecticut - Just visiting though, we lived in Pottsville, PA

2015 - expecting Tobias

2016 - Philadelphia temple

2017 - our current adventure, in Arlington, Virginia

      I can see the hand of the Lord in our life together as we've strived to be obedient to his will and seek his guidance.  We've lived abundantly, even when we had to be apart, even when times were hard, even when money was short...I have a testimony that living the gospel brings about that abundance, that contentment, and joy.
     This year, our anniversary fell on a Sunday, so we celebrated quietly at home.
As gifts, Jared and I bought a few pieces of furniture to complete our main living area.  The DC area Craigslist is nothing short of amazing. I love experiences over things, so seeking out the bargains together made them mean so much more :) I look forward to our few years here in Virginia, and wherever else Jared leads me in this life.

Fun Friday - First Days of Summer

It's finally Summer, and it's been wonderful 

enjoying all the pleasures of the season with the kids.

I was inspired, and wrote this Haiku:

Summer

Bare Feet, Lemonade,

Water guns, Rest in the shade

Fire flies, S'mores are made

What does Summer mean to you?  

Deep Thought Thursday - Bird Lessons

Sometimes we gain insights from the world around us.  I'll be sharing some of mine here in hopes to inspire everyone to ponder life and see how "All things denote there is a God".
    
    We recently moved to Arlington, Virginia.  The house we'll be renting over the next two years is a  mid-century build, with kitchy charm.  We discovered we weren't the only ones living on our property the very day we arrived.  House sparrows are abundant here, and a pair were nesting with four little hatchlings just under an eave of our back porch overhang.  The kids and I listened to their seemingly ceaseless cries, and watched both the mother and father bird taking such good care of their young.  One day, we noticed that one of the babies had fallen out of the nest.  Jared was able to carefully put it back, and things returned to normal.  Not a week later, another baby (possibly the same?) was on the ground.  Again, Jared put it back.  Only a few days later, we watched as the parents helped their little ones fly away from the nest.
     I was struck by a thought.  These house sparrows were devoted parents.  All day every day was spent caring for their four hatchlings.  But, just as with humans- some happenings are out of parents' hands...like a baby bird falling from a nest.  There was literally nothing they could do to solve this family problem.  It took outside help, from someone who could make a difference.  I hope that as my own children grow, that I will have the humility and wisdom to recognize when things I need to seek outside help for the wellbeing of my children/ family.

     Another day we took a walk.  As we strolled past a neighbors' yard, we heard distressed chirping.  A baby cardinal was on the ground.  It cried, and both parents were nearby being quite vocal.  Sadly, despite our best efforts, no nest could be found.  There was nothing we could do to help - except pray.  I realized that this is often the case in life.  People we know may have devastating situations involving their children, and there may well be nothing we can do except fast and pray.  While there is sorrow in not being able to do more, there is peace in knowing we are doing what we can.

11

     11 years old- How did we get here so quickly?  The greatest and hardest thing about an oldest child is that they are always dragging us along to uncharted waters of parenthood - Experiences we've only heard tales of from saltier parents with more time at sea. Whether it's the first time they refuse a nap,  throw a tantrum in public, or when they "don't need your help anymore", it can be jarring!   Years of exciting firsts with our eldest daughter have led us here, to 11.
     I watch her spinning with her arms outstretched as "her songs" play...I hear her sing her heart out as she swings at the playground...I see her carefully put together outfits that are "her style".  And for this Mom, these firsts are like none of the others, because this Mom knows right where we are.
     The shifting sands that bridge childhood and women hood.  This terrain is oh so very familiar.  Was it really so long ago that I took my first walk here?  There are days when I wonder if I ever really grew up and left this inscrutable place.
      And 11 is where it begins...still so young and innocent, but ready to feel important, to find oneself, and make a difference...but not quite ready for the responsibility of it all.
     Emotions are as changing as the very sands one walks on here.  One day feeling high, like a dune at the shore.  The next, bogged down, sinking like quick sand.  Anger is fierce, raging like a sandstorm, until it blows itself out.  And all too often one bottoms out on a sandbar of apathy, and progress stops.
    But for all its complexities, this Mom is willing, even happy to return.  To be a guide, albeit an imperfect one.  Because I still recall the beauty that lies in self discovery, the triumph in overcoming fears, the dignity from learning restraint and self-control...these are the majestic sights only to be experienced by those brave enough to dare.
    So if you should need us, we'll be here...navigating the ever changing land together. Me and my eldest.  Hand in hand, step by step, even when she wishes I'd just go away, because the view is breathtaking, and I wouldn't miss it for the world.