Sorry/not sorry

I've been taking photos.  Lots and lots of photos.  Still of mediocre quality but I am not really sorry.  How could I be?   The kids are happy, we are having fun, and so in turn, that makes me happy!   Preston had a game last night and he played great!  He gave his mom and a couple other moms a heart attack with his wild base stealing, and had a few nice plays in the field too!  

Harper had a game against Carbondale.  We had to look into the sun and no matter where we went to try to get photos they were very over exposed.  In all honestly, I think we all felt a little over exposed.  ;) 

Harper played great!  It was her first time playing 2nd.  She also had some great at bats!  

Jim was in training, and  Cameron has been driving the Buick so we were stuck at home today.  We had a really fun day right here!  

I would like to say being stuck at home means I got a lot done, but instead I helped wrangle goats, played outside with the kids, moved a chicken house, and took Cameron to pick up the new car he bought.  I am glad he is back in business!  I hope this car will get him by for a while!  Also hoping he has luck figuring out what to do with my "yard art Tercel!"   

One side note- sidewalk paint is awesome!  Mallory made it out of cornstarch and food coloring.  It makes really bright, pretty colors!  I have the most beautiful driveway ever now!  

Rejuvenating

The past two weekends were a little bit wild and crazy.  I was especially excited that our 3 day weekend did not have a ton of stuff planned.  I desperately needed a low key weekend.  I got laundry done, hung out with the kids and Jim, and played with critters.  Jim did some tree cutting and wore Ollie out!   Poor dog slept for 3 hours and didn't move at all!  

We watched some tv, and smoked some ribs. We chatted and laughed together.  We learned that our church is going back to Sunday mass. (I am happy about that).  Jim and I managed to go out for a nice dinner  (a rare treat).  We visited with Madison on the phone.  We swam and soaked in some sunshine!  Colin, Cameron and Mallory took the younger kids over to go rafting on the lake - leaving me to watch the smoker and have a couple hours of reading time.  What a wonderful gift!   The kids had fun except for Saige, who drank some lake water and was worried she would contract worms as a result.   

I am not sure who made the ball park schedule, but Quincy had a game on Memorial Day.  Maybe it was an error?   She had a great game!  She is a good softball player!  Harper took these pictures.  She did a great job I think!  

The kids were having such a good time they didn't even realize we were low key-ing it! 

I feel rejuvenated and blessed.  There are not many more relaxing weekends for the rest of summer!  

Opening day

Memorial Day weekend is always the opening for the city pool.   The kids count down to this day like it is an actual holiday.  They also may or may not nag their father about whether everything is ready to go.   Unfortunately, today we could not go to the pool opening until after we served the Overbrook Rural High School Reunion luncheon.  They pay the 4-H club to set up, serve and then help with clean up.  It is an easy way to make money.   Harper and Quincy did a great job!  I was very proud of them. It isn't all that much fun.  

The girls were very happy to FINALLY get in that pool!   

Quincy even provided entertainment during the pool break!  As I was sitting beside the girls at church tonight, them smelling of sunshine, chlorine and sunscreen, I actually thought this is the smell of happiness.   

Play all day, play all night

Softball and baseball seasons are going strong.  Quincy and Harper's teams both won their first games.  The squirrels were happy to be back together after not seeing each other for 3 whole days.  

Harper's team got together several weeks ago and decided to be the "pink pistols" and had ordered pink shirts and were instructed to buy pink socks.  When the shirts were delivered, they were green.  I don't know what happened, but Harper likes the brightness!  

Prestons team played this evening.  He had a great hit to right field.  Unfortunately, the fielder caught it.  He also made an amazing play in center field where he open handed a ball and threw a guy out at second.  It was a good game. I haven't had a lot of chances to watch him play.  His team is a lot of fun. 

Mallory took the kids fishing, is forcing academics (in a fun environment), they had a water balloon fight, and made homemade bubbles and play dough.  The water balloons were the highlight I think!  Next week, we will need to return our focus to our chore charts!  Colin has now been hired at a great job as a crane driver.  That CDL course is paying off!   I am told that the person he is going to work for is an amazing, talented and great man.  I hope it works out for him!  He moved home this evening, as the job is based out of this area.  When I came home and saw all the kids outside listening to music and playing with some sort of light up frisbee, my heart soared.  I am happy he is back!  Of course, I am praying for his safety on this new job.  

We love summer

When I married Jim all those years ago, I remember telling him I didn't remember a time when there weren't a bunch of kids around.  I always had a yard full of cousins, we all spent time at grandma's house, we all lived a few miles apart and spent tons of time together.  Some of my best childhood memories revolve around my cousins.  Some of my second cousins spent summers with us as well.  It was a great way to grow up.  Which is why when Mallory decided she would spend this summer babysitting for my nephew and a couple of my cousins, I was thrilled.  Clayton and the girls had a great time playing today!  They wore themselves out in the warm sun!  

Mallory being a newly released teacher, took them on a field trip, made them read, and did a science experiment with them too!   I think they all had fun!  

I am happy to say bedtime was a non-issue tonight!