Fellowship

July 18, 2015 | Stacy

Lots of it.
We used to enjoy a lot of time with friends. We recognized that we’d gotten pretty rusty.
So, this summer we’ve made a bigger effort this year to actually INVITE over some folks we’ve always said we wanted to spend some fellowship time with.
It’s been excellent.

Now, all I need is more weekends. 🙂

Narnians!

July 17, 2015 | Stacy

Tab had her friend over after VBS. Susan and Lucy Pevensie!

Later little sister gave it a try.

VBS at Pittsford CC, 2015

July 17, 2015 | Stacy

The kids attended or served at Pittsford Community Church’s VBS this year. It was the 25th year of VBS for the church, and it was our family’s 10 year to attend. We’ve gone from having two boys in the 4 year old and post-Kindergarten classes, to having the boys both lead, and the girls all attend. This year I served, as well. I said I was happy to help anywhere but craft. At first they put me down for security, but after the first day they asked me to support the P4 (4 year old preschoolers) class. This was extra cool, because it was where Nigel was serving.

After three years of being an assistant in Bible Stewart was asked to lead one of the Bible teams. His friend Brian was assigned to be his assistant and it worked out most excellently.

Katriel got to go and was put in the 3 year old classroom, even though she is not yet 2½. She handled it very well, and it was probably more fun for her then 3 hours of nursery time. I got to see her frequently as her group and the group I was in were out and about.

Nigel served both in the drama and in P4.
In P4 he brought the bear Akili to life.

He also manned the coloring station. I was his assistant.

His other role was as Archie Nemesis, the bad guy in the drama.

Johanna was so happy to see her friend Laura everyday and give her big hugs.

Thursday was the famous water day. They had waterslides and obstacle courses for the kids.

Thursday evening there was an evening program where the kids sang their songs for us.

It was so much fun. Next year Marie will be old enough to help. I can’t wait to serve again!!!

What happens when you make cake with fresh berries and forget to eat the leftovers.

Image | July 16, 2015 | Stacy

Happy Birthday, Marie.

July 13, 2015 | Stacy

Eleven years old!
We woke her up with a birthday song.
Doesn’t she look, um, delighted?

It was the first day of VBS and she spent her morning there.
After lunch, her friend Kole came over for the afternoon and evening.

Nan and Nene also joined us for dinner. Hawaiian pizza was the main dish, with watermelon and pasta salad accompaniment. Summer-yum food!
Such sweet beauties.

We had a few gifts, including the song Tabitha played for her.

Lots of silly cards from siblings.

And a heart-made gift from Kole.

Jammies.

And cake. After we all enjoyed Nigel’s cake 11 days earlier, she put in an order for the same chocolate masterpiece.

She’s so beautiful. I love her smile. I love her heart. I love her.

Marie’s Mommy Date

July 13, 2015 | Stacy

For the last four years, Nigel has asked for a mystery date with Daddy. Marie asked for a mystery date with Mommy this year.
So. Much. Fun.

I went back and forth trying to decide where to eat. Even prayed about it. The night before the date my friend at work suggested Joe’s Crab Shack for my shrimp loving girl. It was a fantastic choice.

Marie selected, “Just Shrimpin’” as her meal. Three kinds of shrimp, with different dipping sauces, and fries.
I selected, “Crispy Catch,” which was to include deep friend shrimp with cream cheese and jalapenos, calamari, and fish. Okay. I’m not a big fan of calamari. I think I’ve only had it once or twice. But I love the others and reasoned I could eat it deep fried.

Our food came. I popped some of the O shaped calamari rings in my mouth. They were, um, chewy. Really chewy. But the spicy sauce that came with them made them — just as chewy. But I was thinking if I ate them first, they’d be out of the way. There were a lot. BUT – I was doing ok. Until I saw the itty-bitty-deep-fried WHOLE squid. Heaven, help me. I put them (yes – there were multiple ones) into the disposal bucket and just ate the fish and shrimp. And tried not to think about it. I did bring one home (buried in the left over calamari rings and fries) so my family could see it.

They sang to her.

We went to Adventure Landing. We did mini-golf.

And the AWESOME fun ropes course. (As an aside… as the kid is gearing us up for the course I mention we are going on a cruise next spring on a ship with a ropes course. He says HE went on a cruise on a ship with a ropes course… “Norwegian Getaway.” THE SAME SHIP. I’ve met precious few teens who’ve been on cruises. I’ve never met anyone who has been on our ship. And BaBoom – here was kid who’d been on it. He shared lots of info and answered lots of questions. I’m so PSYCHED.)

After the ropes course we did their WOW factory, then drove to do Go-Karts. It was my first time. I was the slowest on the track, and I still was crazy sick when I got off. Too much zoom zoom?

Finally – it was Log Cabin for desserts.

I had so much fun with my first daughter. She brightens up our world. I hope I made her day.

But look at these grins…

July 9, 2015 | Stacy

Tabitha had a play date at a friend’s house. It was a drizzly sort of day and they asked Sophia’s mom if they could bounce on the trampoline in the rain. Well, apparently that got “dull” and they decided to have a mud war. Then Tab –ahem- suggested a contest on who could get the muddiest. Sophia decided to roll in a swale. (Her suit is actually blue!) Sophia won. I’m so glad Sophia’s mom grabbed a picture!