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!!!

Three Months, One Post

So, yeah. I hate when I forget to blog and then look back and it's been like, half a year since I did so which means a ridiculously long post. But hey, I'll be 40 in 4 days, so that's my excuse. That, and being 40 with a 4 and 6 year old! I digress..

One of our outings was to Victory Field to see some minor-league baseball. Our seats were in the sun and it was 4,000 degrees, but then we got some in the shade and everyone felt much better.  A thunderstorm rolled through so we had to leave early, but it was cool listening to the thunder echo off the buildings downtown.

Ryan can't help but make funny faces.

And then Bella has to do it too.

 In July we were in MO for almost two weeks. It was glorious.

Of course you have to stop at Krispy Kreme when the sign is lit up! The kids were mesmerized by the doughnut making process.

Time on the deck with Maga is always a treat!

The kids had a blast in the pool soaking Papa and Maga.

We worked on teaching Bella to ride without training wheels (unsuccessfully). Gotta love the bike/helmet/swimsuit/crocs ensemble!

Papa made special sparkler holders for the kids.

We remembered the ear protection! Made the night MUCH more fun for the kids!

 There was a bluegrass concert before the fireworks, so we sat and listened. Well, we made a bunch of goofy faces, but it passed the time until the big event.

No trip is complete without ice cream from Braum's!

We celebrated Bella's 6th birthday while we were there. And because we were trying to be somewhat gluten-free, birthday marshmallows!

Bella MUST hold each fish she catches. After she talks to it first.

This is the sweet spot that Joshua and I went to a few nights. It was wonderful. And quiet. And wonderful.

I actually caught a fish while we were there too! (I didn't talk to mine.)

A mid-summer trip to The Children's Museum.

These are props from the movie Avatar-the current exhibit there.

We saw a play while we were there-our first ever in five years of being members! Well, Ryan fell asleep, but Bella and I thoroughly enjoyed it!

Mid-July brought "Touch A Truck" and we went, as always.

Garbage truck? Might as well have been the president's limo! My kids think garbage trucks are the coolest.

These are my two children. My two crazy children. Who are playing two-person "duck duck goose" while we're waiting for an order at Sears. Bella called "ducker" and I sat there laughing at the fact that they were playing with just the two of them (and Bella's American Girl doll (thanks, Maga! Bella loves her!)).

In mid-July the Indiana State Museum had a Star Wars exhibit. We've raised the kids right and they love Star Wars! It was probably equally thrilling for all of us!

 The beginning of August means...THE STATE FAIR!! Always a fun time and this year we were blessed with perfect weather. 

This is the second stop every year. The first is to get a wagon for the kids to sit in/fight over.

Ryan finally got into petting animals this year.

Bella's an old hand at it.

This year's treat: maple-bacon doughnuts. Okay, but they're no elephant ear.

This girl loves her some cotton candy.

Ryan just wanted to climb on all the farm equipment.

Love that the kids are in each wheel!

You know those swings? Those really high-off-the-ground ones? That whip people through the air while they tilt and spin? Yeah. She rode that one without me. I sat on the ground and cringed until I heard her squeals of laughter and delight. Then I cringed inwardly while smiling outwardly. She's one brave little gore.

 Last big hurrah-last day before school started. A trip to the spray park.

 And then, like a flash, summer was over and school began. She was-and is-so excited about school. The Friday of the first week the Children's Museum had its "Members Play Late" night so we went as a family.

Finally old enough to try the rock climbing wall!

She made it up the 20-foot wall to the top of "Mount Pittman." She was a trooper and is ready for the intermediate course next time.

The rest of these are random shots-a little snapshot of life around here sometimes.

He still takes naps. With Fred, his dog (who is a girl, by the way). I love how much he loves his little black lab. He has since saved up his cat-sitting money to buy a little Fred and a dalmatian, which he's given to Bella to keep. He has such a sweet spirit.

I've tried twice to get this picture right side up and it won't go. Turn your head. It'll be fine.

Ryan requested this picture.

We were at Conner Prairie last Sunday and didn't know they had their "Curiosity Fair" going on. So we enjoyed all the fun things going on.

Why, yes, that IS a Madagascar hissing cockroach in Bella's hand. Yep, it's real. Not sure where she got her bravery. There's no WAY I'd touch that thing!

Flight simulator! She did a bang-up job. Literally. Wait until she's older before flying with her. You've been warned.

The Bloomington Symphony Orchestra had a ton of instruments out for the kids to play. I think Bella played every one at least once and a few she played twice. I finally had to drag her away from the tent!

We rode this six-person bike. Well, the kids couldn't reach the pedals, but it was still a fun ride!

Th-th-th-that's all, folks!