American Girl Camp

A couple months ago we attended a Homeschool Day at Roper Mountain Science Center. We were all pleasantly surprised by the vast amount of learning opportunities just around the corner from us. As the day came to a close we knew we needed to check into membership at this cool place. With just $25 and proof of my "educator" status we were signed up. As I was writing the check, Sophie was studying a huge display listing all the camp opportunities during the summer months.
Almost all were marked FULL. But wait, there was one that caught Sophie's eye, American Girl Camp: Kirsten and Addy. It didn't take us long to get on the register.

Finally, the greatly anticipated week arrived. This past Monday Sophie was ready for this grand adventure! And what an adventure it was...


Every day I could hardly wait to hear what had filled the morning hours while Sophie was at camp. The first day they spent making necklaces, working with sheep's wool, picking berries, and learning what houses were like in Kirsten's time. The second day they had a guest speaker who taught them about the Underground Railroad and how quilting patterns were secret signals to help slaves escape. One day they watched a blacksmith melding iron over the flames and learned games from long ago. Sprinkled through the week were visits to the one room school house and sample lessons of what it would have been like to attend such a place of learning, there was even a "spell down." (The dunce cap and stool were quite a talking point :) Dolls were crafted from spools and handkerchiefs, herbs and flowers were dried into sweet bouquets, and friendships were woven throughout the week. The final day the girls all got to bring their American Girl Dolls to camp for a party with cornbread and fresh picked berries.
What a fantastic camp! Sophie is already making plans for which camp she might choose next year.

Zoo Camp

Last week was Haleigh's week to hang with the monkeys at zoo camp!!

One of my favorite parts of the week was Monday afternoon. I had the opportunity to pick Haleigh up and the two of us headed out for a quick shopping trip and lunch, just the two of us. Nothing fancy, Toys-R-Us and Jason's Deli were more than enough to watch her love tank fill up.

We had a blast chatting about the mystery they were solving at zoo camp.
Who stole the elephant's tusk?
She told me about each "suspect," how they acted "so suspiciously," and how she was just sure it was not Baby Bob (the orangutan.)

During dinner the rest of the week we all waited to be filled in on the latest clues . Each day also brought great anticipation of which animal Haleigh would learn about, see the behind the scenes habitat, or even hold. One of Haleigh's favorite experiences was holding the sugar-glider.
Haleigh enjoyed every bit of zoo camp and I enjoyed the excitement in her eyes as she relayed the adventure of each day!

Dripping With Fun

One afternoon this week we had a sweet day downtown;
a picinic,
feeding the ducks,
playing in the fountains,
and an ice cream treat at Spill the Beans.

Something to Celebrate!!

When Sophie was six years old she asked Jesus to be her Rescuer. She recognized her great need for a Savior and gave her life to Jesus Christ. Not long after she began to ask about baptism. Sophie met with the Children's Pastor at our church and he told us the Fellowship Kids Team was working on a new arrangement to baptise children and he wanted Sophie to be a part of a future "Family Baptism Celebration."

This past weekend was the celebration she had waited for.

Grandparents traveled the miles for this weekend.


Sunday afternoon we gathered with 6 other children and those celebrating their decisions. Our entire small group was there, as well as other close friends, who came to live out Romans 12:15 "Rejoice with those who rejoice
and weep with those who weep."

I had a pretty good picture of what the celebration pieces were but as the baptism service was underway I was blown away with this event that was designed to celebrate the greatest decision one can make.

...a time of praise and worship...

...an opportunity for Mark to affirm Sophie in her decision and the joy it brings us...

...Sophie's testimony and her reasons for wanting to make this decision public...

... very kind words from our Children's Pastor and Sophie's baptism...

... a time of prayer for Sophie and how God will use her for His kingdom ...

Then a cupcake celebration for the children and the great work God has done in their hearts!!!

This was an amazing afternoon and I am so thankful for many things
~first and foremost, thankful that Christ pursued Sophie's heart
~that we are part of a church that makes the Gospel the main thing
~that Pastor Rob asked us to wait to be part of this Family Celebration and that he made it so personal
~the strong Christian roots and examples that laid out by Sophie's grandparents
~our amazing friends who have loved us and our girls and celebrated with us
~and the really yummy cupcakes ;)

In the next few weeks we will receive the DVD of the celebration. Once we get it I will see if I can upload segments and more pictures. My camera battery ran out and the ones I was able to get of all those that came to rejoice with us didn't turn out so well.

What's cooking?

There are some smells in the kitchen that instantly take me miles away and thrust me into a whirl of childhood memories.

Each summer I would spend at least a week (three if I could talk Mom and Dad into it) at my Grandma's house. The most pleasant place on earth. The smells of the country (mostly the country cooking :) as I would wake up much later than normal. Helping out was always a treat at Grandma's. One of my favorite things to do was help in the garden. I think it was just knowing I had some small (very very small) part in what would end up on that round table, with a lit candle smack in the middle, place mats with utensils in just the right place, and a full country dinner with the freshest vegetables possible right at 5:00.

Beets!!
One of my favorite garden treasures was not at the top of everyone's list. Many in my family feel it is a waste of good dirt to plant this delicious jewel. That's ok, it just left more for me :)
So this evening that's what I had for dinner, beets.
They are simple, cook 'em, add butter and salt and you are set.

These were pretty good.
Not nearly as fresh as the ones pulled from the earth 3 minutes before they were cooking in the pot. But, good enough to take me back several years to "visit the farm, stroll in the garden, and be right back at the table where I spent so many summer evenings." I almost had to break out the graham crackers, peanut butter, and honey for a little dessert but I haven't found anyone who is as much fun to enjoy that sticky mess with then Grandma (maybe next time I make it back home ;)

I Didn't Want to Blink...

What a day!
We finally planted flowers.

We played a lot!

Sophie sketched "Millie."

Breakfast and lunch were enjoyed out on the deck.

Of coarse frogs were collected (and taught tricks?!)

It was one of those days, nothing spectacular on the calendar,
just playing and being.
When I looked out back I found myself just staring, soaking them in, wanting to capture every second to remember, hold on to, to hold on to them... my precious blessing, my precious girls!!

aahhh summer day!!