Rocket Man's Recent Project

My husband, the rocket scientist, has been up to some clever things lately.  Check out our swing set.

He added a few touches.

This black tube thing (I know there's a name but my right-brained thinking just creates words) is now a ball shooter.

I don't know who likes it more....Daisy or the kids!

Then came the pulley.

 

What kid doesn't want a pulley?  I want a pulley!

I wonder if he could make ME one? Attached to a laundry basket?  It could happen.

This is just a cute pic I threw in, free of charge. 

Treyton is such a good big brother!

This past week was Bryce's birthday and Father's Day.  He spend a generous amount of time working on fixing up his jeep to celebrate.  Can I call a Bronco a jeep?  He took the kids for a quick ride which they loved no doubt.

He also went for a long motorcycle ride through the mountains. (With his helmet, of course.) 

Treyton had to have a little ride through the neighborhood to help his daddy celebrate.

And now he's up to this...

Who knows what?

If You Give a Mouse A Cookie, If You Give a Moose a Muffin, If You Give a Rocketman a Tool... I think I have an idea for a book here! (The previous two titles are well-know children's books, in case you're wondering.)

My nerdy husband and his boy.  Oh how I love thee!

Forkupines

We decided to make some porcupines using a sophisticated painting technique.

First I had Treyton cut out oval shaped bodies.

And the sophisticated painting technique was really fancy.

If you consider plastic forks fancy.

We had some extra plastic forks laying around since they don't work well on burnt food.

My cooking includes a lot of burnt food.

Anyway, I had the kids dip a fork into a variety of colors and stamp them on the paper oval that Treyton had cut out to instantly create quills.

They enjoyed this more than my cooking, to be sure.

My poor kids.  When a gormet dinner includes cereal you can't help but feel sorry for them.

Next we took some glue and stuck the bodies on a sheet of paper.

All kids like to glue.  It gives them a sense of control, I think.

Then we drew a head, tail, and feet.

And there you have it....

Forkupines!

Galina's 1st Dance Recital

Galina Ballerina is her name.

She loves to dance.

So of course we were extra excited to see her at her 1st dance recital.

Here she is (pictured below) before the big show with her friend Katie.  Katie's mom, Andrea, is my friend.  Andrea is one of the most thoughtful people I know.  I love her!  Thank God for kindred spirits.

Here's me with my big girl!

There they are getting ready to head backstage.

As you might guess, Galina was the first one on stage.  The others filled in around her.  Their ballet dance was "I Love Somebody".  I have to admit, I was worried.  What would Galina do?  But that little superstar did great!

Here she is tap dancing to Happy Jack-in-the-Box, their other dance.  I was so proud!

Gotta hug Katie one more time.

And take a bow, little girl.  You deserve it!

Encore!  Encore, please!

Summer Lovin'

I love summer.  So many reasons why...

Galina meeting a peacock at the zoo.

Her reaction was priceless.

It's never a bad day when you get to go to the zoo.

Brielle along for the ride.

Quite literally, on the zoo train.

And  here are her siblings with their friend, Michael.  So much for Brielle to watch. There's never a dull moment, to be sure.

And sitting in the wagon for the first time.  What a big girl!

Treyton getting so excited over T-ball.  He just loves it!  Here he is at his first practice of the summer.

Treyton's girlfriend, Addison (red pants), is also on his team.  She was his preschool sweetheart. 

Playing at the park.  Here's Brielle in her first swing ride.

Treyton playing pirate on his "ship".

Galina havin' fun no matter where she is.

Hiking with the family.

Me and the runts.

Bryce navigating through the terrain, in a very scientific manner of course.

Brielle holding on for dear life.

He will always be my baby!

This is our definition of eating out. :)

Playing in the backyard.

I love these dog days of summer!

Book Review - What Happened to my Life

This book is really two in one. In the first half, Demeter (life coach, president and founder of Women of Purpose ministry) engages readers in an honest look at their lives. She covers topics such as expectations, time and emotional expenditures, habits, and causes of discontent. She then takes a look at how to rectify these issues through her own and other women’s personal stories.

The second half of the book is a 40 day study to help readers discover new, healthy, spiritual ways to rediscover contentment and joy.
I thought this book was pretty good. It was very self-helpish. I found myself reading quickly through many parts thinking…okay, I know this. But there were some new insights as well which I was grateful for. I liked the idea of really, truly believing God’s principles as defined in the Bible, not just knowing them. Winning the battle in one’s mind and how that relates to contentment/joy was the main message of this book which was a good reminder for me.

I have not done the entire 40 day study yet, but appreciate Demeter taking her ideas and helping readers apply them through further exercises to help her message stick.