June 27-July 6

 Yep! Children's Museum again! We didn't get to see/do/experience enough the first time, so we went back the following week when Joshua had court. We got there around 10:30 and we left when they closed at 5:00! Total cost for the day: $1.52 Well, there's the cost of membership, but at this point, it's paid for itself, parking is free, and we packed lunch. The kids made those pennies that you smash through a machine at tourist  places around the country, so they added to their collection. Still, can't beat it!

Bella wearing the shirt she got for baptism. A giant "Dead to Sin Alive in Christ" emblazoned across the back. Bold!

Joshua had the brilliant idea to take pictures of the kids every time we go somewhere for the day so if they get lost, we can show a picture and know what they're wearing (have already used it once with this little guy). Added bonus: a ton of shots of them as they grow up.

 Part of the reason we went back to the museum is because Bella missed out on the rock climbing wall. She's already done the beginner climb, and this time she signed up for the intermediate. She was a little ready, a little apprehensive, but a lot determined!

It's a bad picture, but you get the idea. Love that Ryan stuck his big fuzzy head in the shot.

Here she is looking at how high she had to climb...

I was holding her ropes, so I asked Ryan to take some shots of her going up the wall. He took approximately 456 of them, and managed to get a few selfies in while he was at it.

She made it! So proud of my little rock climber!

At our outdoor picnic. Ryan has developed a love for guacamole, and here he is LICKING the container clean. Glad I'm looking for a job for the fall-I'm gonna need it to pay the grocery bill!

A day off with Joshua warranted a long-overdue trip to Sam Ash. Ryan still has his heart set on a drum set, but he was content to play keyboards.

Bella was convinced that this was the guitar for her.

I had to take this picture. Bella's headphones broke and I walked into her room to find this scene. "Bella, what is that?" "It's a tomb for my headphones." Pure Bella. I asked her if they would resurrect in three days and she gave me that "Mom!" look and said, "Only Jesus did that." Fair enough.

We said goodbye to Cappuccino! Joshua said she was a he (he said he saw proof) and the only way to get s/he to stop mounting our legs (Bella called it "birthing") was to get her/him fixed to the tune of $250!! Not willing to spend that on our neglected bunny, we put him/her in our garage sale and s/he went home with a family who has lots of room and experience with bunnies.

Bella likes coffee, so I thought she might be able to make it! She does a great job brewing a pot for us in the morning. Now if I can just get her to make me breakfast in bed...

 I had (as always) a million errands to run. The kids were troopers about going in and out of a ton of stores, and the promise of the Lego store kept them well-behaved as well (bonus!). They played for about 30 minutes. I decided to reward them with a bucket of new Legos (even though we have a ton) because they had really fun colors like pink, lime, orange, and turquoise.

Ryan was building a gun shop. I don't know how many little figures I had to arm and unarm while he played!

Same errand-running. I needed to buy oven mitts. The kids decided to grab some and box. Honestly.

Nana and Grammy bought the kids guitars. Bella sat down with hers, a pencil, a music box, and a pad of paper and wrote her first worship song. I have video of it as well. 

 While the kids were at Bill and Volere's, Joshua and I got this amazing play house for the kids. We are so grateful to our friend Josh Ashbaugh and our neighbors James and Melissa who helped Joshua put it together-from 8 pm to 3 am on Friday, and another few hours Saturday morning! Worth it to see the look on the kids' faces, and to watch them swinging, sliding, exploring and imagining.

Bella really gets some height!

Ryan is still working on his swinging skills...

A telescope was Ryan's only request. Granted!

Tada!!!

General goofing around.

 While Joshua worked, I took the kids to "Westfield Rocks the Fourth." Lots of free activities for kids, a great band, a park, and yummy food! We didn't stay for the fireworks-we watched those from the house.

How cute are these two?!

Soooo excited for ice cream! Or "ice cream ice cream" as they called it (meaning true dairy, and not the coconut milk ice cream I made at home). Bella has her face painted.

This is hard to see, but this is the park where all the kids were playing. This poor little boy's parents were talking and didn't realize he was just sitting still on a swing. Ryan, seeing a need, went over and pushed the boy so he could swing! I love the sweet heart God placed in my son and pray he always stays that way, even as he grows older.

 Next update will not be for a bit-we're headed to Chicago for our Family Reunion!!!