June 23 Camps! Heat! Summer!

Monday: I was "on duty" today for Dylan and Kelly--but only starting at noon. I picked Brendan up from his Photography Camp at the downtown museum, up on the 3rd floor. How cool that he is taking a class like this--his good friend, Joanna, also is part of this "camp." 

Brendan and I ate out at Culver's for lunch. We had such a nice time together, relaxing and eating. We drove back to his house by about 1:30. I brought a few games with me for Brendan and I to play, like "Jenga" and the "Tetrex" stacking game--and we did play a few of each game. In-between, I decided to do a little bit of kitchen and main floor cleaning. I know this is difficult to believe, but I enjoy cleaning (for the most part--except for washing floors) because I like to make a difference somehow--and cleaning brings such instant gratification.

At 5:00, I was scheduled to pick the littles up at the YMCA camp over on Burton. It has been a stinking hot several days in a row (upper 90's with dew points in the 70's) ... I finally got my HEAT in huge measure. Even I am HOT (a very rare thing). The little kids had been bussed here and there today--at least part of it involved swimming somewhere (which made them very happy), but their little faces coming off that bus was a thing to behold. I regret not taking a photo. They were SO HOT and SO EXHAUSTED. I'll post a picture Kelly posted of them before camp this morning--it's a riot.

Look at these darling children! And CAL!!! The hat! The glasses! His pose! Oh.my.word. He is a scream.

Here's a quick snap of Brendan and I playing the Tetrus stacking game.

Once I got the littles home, we had lots of time to play games because Kelly ordered us some yummy JETS pizza and breadsticks, which made dinner very easy. Erin and I enjoyed quite a few games of JENGA.

After we played games for awhile, we made it a movie night. All of the kids unanimously voted to see the "Super Mario Brothers" and I was so surprised they all FOUR agreed to the same movie, we got comfortable and put it on right away! Brendan and Cal cuddled up on their enormous bean bag chair.

Aidan truly enjoyed this whole movie ... I like to see him happy like this.

Erin did a lot of running around during the movie--but that was OK!

Once the movie was actually OVER, along with ten minutes of credits and a special little one minute video at the very end ... I announced it was time for bed ... and immediately, this happened!

Cuties! It wasn't difficult getting the kids down tonight. I think they had such a hot and exhausting day, they were quite ready to just hit the hay.

I love these guys so much.

Aidan was going to read awhile in his room before going to sleep. I didn't take any pictures of him in his room tonight--or Brendan, for that matter. Kelly came home at about 9:15 and we had a nice chat before I left for the drive home. It sure was nice and cool at THEIR house! Thankfully, I have quite a few fans at my house ... and cold showers are helpful too!

June 19 Third Annual Lady's Tea

Thursday Afternoon:  As is typical of me, I took pictures of Julie's gorgeous gardens but NONE of the ladies who were there! Actually, I snapped a few pictures very randomly, but my camera was still set on the outdoor garden mode so the few pictures I took of actual people didn't turn out at all. Sigh.

I'll post my favorite pictures that I took of Julie's gardens this year. Most of what Julie has planted and maintained are perennials, which are so beautiful and wonderful that they "come back" every year without having to purchase so many flowers. I believe she does add some annuals in for extra color--but she doesn't need many of them because her garden already is ... nearly perfect!

"You preserve and give life to everything, and all the angels of heaven worship You."

Aren't these roses lovely?

It's incredibly peaceful to listen to the water flow, the birds singing, and the buzzing of the bees. Wonderful.

I shall have to design a nice card for Julie from these pictures ...

There is something about a red rose, isn't there? I'm not sure it is my absolute favorite (even though RED is my favorite color) for roses--red is almost too stunning among the green!

There were ten of us ladies at the Tea. We were missing Ming and Helen for good reasons that simply could not be helped--but they were definitely missed. A few of the ladies made delicious and beautiful "finger sandwiches" that were almost too pretty to eat. Victor (Julie's husband) made his famous scones (then you top it with this amazing raspberry jam and Bavarian cream--it's WOW), Eva brought her super delicious brownies, Margaret baked cookies (very light and flavorful with peppermint icing!), and I forget what all else we ate--but it was very delicious. We got caught up with everyone's news and we especially prayed for Ming and husband and all that they are challenged with this past month. It was surely a happy afternoon. I am so thankful for these ladies.

June 18 Erin's b'day card

This is the card I designed for Erin's seventh birthday. It took me a few hours to gather these pictures and group them how I wanted them, but I like the way it turned out. Card making is a serious business with me. 

Front of Card:

Back of Card:

Inside of Card:

Aren't these great pictures of ERIN? I love all of them and HER so much. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, dear little granddaughter.

June 18 Erin and Emmeline

Wednesday:  While Kelly, Brendan and Cal were out shopping, Aidan busied himself with some screen time in the basement. Meanwhile, Emmeline, Erin's best friend who lives just down the street, came over to play. I was doing a little bit of kitchen clean-up, so the girls went outside to hang out in the tree house Kelly is making for the kids in the backyard.

After I finished with the kitchen, the girls came inside and we played some games together that I brought over from my house. Here is Erin teaching Emmeline how to play our wolf and fox tic-tac-toe game. We also played "Candy Land" and "Chutes and Ladders."

Finally, the folks were ready for gift opening. Emmeline stayed to watch the fun.

Here is Erin checking out the card I made for her ...

I got Erin the three things she had picked out on-line: the first one was a "magic" lantern that was interactive (more complicated than I actually studied out); a projector for her bedroom that had pretty stars and galaxy pictures on it; and a mini-robot (battery operated) that she was most excited to receive. Her Uncle Shane also got her a robot for her birthday--very similar size to this one; except it has a cool remote control and does a bunch of stuff that this one does not do. Anyway, Erin seemed pleased with it anyway, so that was good.

Here are the boys enthusiastically (!!!) watching Erin open her gifts.

Her brothers got her a new video game (I think it is a "Here's Kitty" one), and Aidan got her a Chess game (identical to the one I have at my house); but this cracked me up because Erin is not a huge Chess fan. It's Aidan who loves to play Chess. Well--at least Aidan was practical about his gift buying.

Exhausted Kelly and Dylan watching the gift opening ... sigh. I would not want to be parents of four young children in 2025! These guys never seem to get enough rest!

Dylan and Kelly got Quad Sakes for Erin--she was super pleased. Also, they got her knee pads (good idea!). AND a small-ish skate board. Super nice.

Erin requested that the family eat out for her birthday dinner and she chose her favorite Chinese restaurant! She also declined having a big birthday party this year and decided she wants Kelly to take her and Emeline to the mall to shop instead. I can just picture those two "shopping" at the mall. They are such darling buddies. Friends are so important! 

Thankful to the Lord for you, precious Erin. LOVE YOU!

June 18 Celebrating Erin's 7th

Wednesday:  This precious girl has been wanting to turn SEVEN since her last birthday--and today it happened! I purchased her gifts many weeks ago and wrapped them up last night. I didn't want Erin to be here for several hours today with the present right out in front of her dear face, knowing we couldn't open it until this evening when we were home again with her folks; so I hid it in the clothes dryer. She never guessed it was there--and believe me, she looked and looked around my house trying to find it.

At Cal's request, Brendan was teaching little Cal how to play CHESS--but since Cal has only just turned FIVE, this was quite a challenge and a little bit frustrating for Brendan; mostly because Cal would NOT follow instructions!

Aidan really really REALLY played in the spare bedroom. I could hardly believe how many toys were out in such a short time--but he seemed to enjoy himself with all of them. Here is he building a race track for the little cars.

I'm not exactly sure why Erin has a rather "miffed" face in this picture. Look at her darling little face! She was very pleased with her brand new sunglasses. Brendan played with and built this marble run.

Erin made her very own I-PAD from some spare cardboard I had in the playroom.

Little Cal was still contemplating CHESS ... he challenged me to a game but got quickly frustrated with the various moves each piece was allowed to make or not make. So ... we moved on to other things.

Brendan found the KerPlunk game on the back shelves, set the whole thing up and he and I played a game. We tied! THEN Aidan wanted to play, so we did; and then Erin joined us for a third game. They truly enjoyed playing this. I also taught them how to play "Pick up Sticks" which Brendan played with me, and then Aidan too.

After our lunch, we brought out Erin's tiny cake and lit the SEVEN candles ...

This picture of Erin ... her eyes ... her loving little heart ... mmm.

Erin did a great job blowing out her candles ... look at her enthusiasm!

Good job, Erin Lucia!

We also played my TetraTower game -- it's been a long time since we played this. I forgot how fun it is and how good these kids are at playing it!

I love their patience and their concentration. They still struggle with losing a game ... which is normal for kids of this age who are as competitive as they are. 

Aidan refuses to lose ... he just somehow rigs a game so that he always conveniently wins ... but we are working on this! 

Brendan and I played a game of chess ... or at least we tried to!

I was in the middle of cleaning up the kitchen and the kiddos were running wild, so I turned on "Tom and Jerry" to amuse them while I was working on kitchen stuff. Brendan and I started a game, but then he got very distracted by the cartoons--so I quietly walked away and finished cleaning up.

I took the kiddos back to their place by about 3:00. Brendan and Cal were going to go birthday shopping with Kelly to chose a present for Erin to open up once Dylan was home from work. More pictures to follow ...