Summer Fun Part 1

We've been far to busy to take time to post pictures and stories of our summer fun, but thought I'd try to catch you all (you know, the 3 readers that are still there) up.

I'm attempting to do this in somewhat chronological order, so I'm starting with swimming lessons.

This was Hannah's 3rd year and, by far, the easiest. We only did swim lessons for one week instead of the normal 2 due to scheduling conflicts with VBS. However, I felt Hannah got a lot out this year's swim lessons and started to show a lot of confidences in the the water.

Abby was finally old enough to join in the fun and take lessons. I wasn't sure how this would go. Abby is pretty confident and go with the flow, but her ice skating lessons were a bomb so I was afraid that this could be a repeat. And, of course, I knew how Hannah's first lessons went. Tears for the first week. Begging to skip it. I, naively, thought Abby's might go the same way.

But Abby is Abby and she LOVED the lessons. From Day 1 she bravely climbed in and loved every second of the lessons. (For her lessons they had "helpers" in the water with kids.)

Both girls had a blast and really grew as swimmers. I was sad that they couldn't go two weeks, but knew it was worth it for that one week.

Almost before

Didn't quite make it "before" but almost!

Guess what our next project is?

Hindsight

One of these days I'm going to learn to take before and after pictures of projects that we do.

That day just hasn't come yet.

This is all after spending a good portion of today (and yesterday afternoon) working on our entry deck/stairs. It involved stripping off peeling paint and then re-painting with what will hopefully be more durable paint (actually made for decks and stairs). If this project sounds at all fun, well, then you didn't read it right.

Maybe I'll get around to posting an after picture. We'll see.

A vacation?!

Well, now that it is well into July, I think, *THINK*, I might be slowing down and switching to summer mode. Last week I found out that I would have my job back, which was a relief. I since then have painted and moved my class stuff into a new room, which I DON'T recommended unless forced to (as I was). Too much work for too little pay off. However, come August 30th, hopefully it will look lovely.

Our family was planning on going to California for a week to visit and to get to know the new soon-to-be sister-in-law better, but with me losing (temporarily) my job, we decided to scratch those plans and focus our vacation time and money on home repairs. My dream is to one day have a house that I can say is practically done! We'll see. I know things like that are never really done, but I'd like to erase the remainders that mark our home a former foreclosure (you know, the ghetto fence that is falling down and the ugly, broken doors). Our yard has made huge headway already and I know, with hard work, it will be great at the end of the summer.

But, that meant no real vacation for us. Which is sad. Especially since I think we could really use one. Then, a blessing! Out of nowhere, Kevin was emailed from his presbyter that there was a scholarship available for a pastor, and family, to attend the Whitworth Institute of Ministry (WIM) and would he be interested? We had heard about this week long gathering when students at Whitworth and had wanted to go the last two summers, but knew Kevin's study leave money wouldn't be able to pay the whole bill. This, however, covered our room and board, meal plans, the girls' registration into the VBS like program (side wander-can you imagine a VBS made up entirely of PKs? I look forward to seeing what it is like! Will kids be throwing elbows so that they can shout out "Jesus!" to every question?) and for me to attend everything. Obviously, we said yes! So, next week, we'll be taking a week of vacation (well, Kevin will call it "study leave" but whatever-no cooking, no laundry and fun things to do? Vacation!). I am super excited and think it will be a refreshing time for Kevin and I. With any luck, the girls will have a blast too!

Sisters

(Pardon this wander into the area of personality development with a dash of birth order psychology thrown in.)

Lately I've been watching the girls play together, something they do ALL the time, and wonder about the impact their relationship will have on their character development.


Don't get me wrong--I also just watch because there is nothing funnier then the girls playing mommy and "honey" (code word for baby). I enjoy that immensely. But I know that their relationship also is doing a lot to set their personalities.


Here are a few things that I wonder at.


This morning the girls were negotiating what show to watch on TV. In our house it is very predictable. Hannah wants WordGirl and Abby wants Caillou. Every time. All the time. Without fail. We had just enough time for 1 show before we left for church and it really was Hannah's turn to pick. Plus, I promised that this afternoon they would watch the other show. But. Abby had to have Caillou. She was crying and begging and refusing to watch the other show. And Hannah (not Mommy) gave in. "Okay, honey. We'll watch Caillou. But then this afternoon will you watch WordGirl with me? Okay? Great." Abby was happy. Hannah was happy. I was concerned. You see, I was that younger sibling. I got my way probably too many times. I worry that Abby isn't prepared for reality (or worst, is spoiled) when Hannah gives in. And then there is Hannah. I'm glad she cares about her sister's feelings. I want her to be generous and caring, thinking of others first. But I also want her to be able to stand her ground when the opponents argument is weak and invalid.


Another time was Friday while shopping. I think I've reached some sort of parenting milestone because of this event. I was taking the girls to the bathroom and pretty much refused for all three of us to go into a stall together. Hannah is old enough to go alone, but hates to. Abby is too young and I worry what mischief she would get into. Hannah solved this problem for me. As we are standing in the Costco bathroom arguing, me explaining again that the tiny stall would not fit the three of us and that Abby had to have help, Hannah cheerfully suggested "I'll take her!" With some trepidation in my heart, I said okay and proceeded to go into the stall by myself after seeing them into their stall. Now, only a mom can really get what a treat it is to go to the bathroom solo. I never would think that the accomplishment would be such a big deal, but let me tell you, no let me brag to you, I peed by myself ALL DAY while in Spokane. Seriously. And the girls did just fine. No over flowing toilets, no pee on the panties. Nothing. Bliss. Sometimes, Hannah will step up and do the big girl thing when she gets to help. This I see as all good. I also see Little Miss Independent Abby who would gladly do things like pee solo if given the chance.

At this point, their relationship is a beautiful thing, with a few bumps and bruises (literally). They love each other, they play with each other and sometimes they fight with each other. I'm incredibly grateful for it, but also feel a bit like a shrink watching it. I see the glorious parts ("Girls, can you play downstairs by yourself while Mommy does this? Great! Thanks!" followed by a half hour of uninterrupted time to work) and hope it continues. I also hope that they don't perfect the art of manipulation while dealing with each other... of course, I think I did.