just playing around...

sunday morning tears....

So we go to church this morning. On the screen - 4 little puppies. The story? As our pastor was walking her dog early this morning, she found a bin on the church steps with 4 abandoned puppies in it.

The puppies are in her yard next to the church. Our pastor is looking for some help, a home, maybe an in with a rescue society.

After church, all the kids go to look at the pups.

And Hannah falls in love. She ignores the fleas on it. Ignores the fact that it's feet are the size of mine. Ignores the fact that before she went over she was told "NO Puppies".

Tears, tears, tears.

But I will take care of it.

But I love it.

But it is soooooo cute.

But it needs a home.

As Hannah is falling in love, one of the ladies remarks - this reminds me of the church in Mooresville that had some abandoned puppies. It ends up they had rabies so everyone that took them had to get rabies shots!

Needless to say .....no puppy came home with us.

number twenty six in line....

So we made it home from camp, showered and went to barnes and noble for the midnight release of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Got there at 5pm. Made it #26 and #27 in line as we waited with Bobby Rose.

6pm:

After we got our assigned #'s, it was off to dinner then walking around Birkdale, the walking around B&N then coffee and cupcakes while waiting, and waiting and waiting. ...

12:02 pm:

back home....smiling....

Got Hannah from camp. She had a great time. She helped out her bunk buddies that had never been gone from home before, comforted Madeline that cried each night (even though her mom was at camp as the nurse!), only got a few bug bites, got punched in the stomach, loved her camelback hydration pack - had a blast.
Here are the 4 bunk buddies: Madeline, Savannah, Olivia and Hannah:

if only she hadn't started crying....

Well we drove hannah to camp. She was so excited! Ran in, signed in and went straight to her lodge. She is in Oak this year. The lodge is divided into 2 wings with a gathering room in the middle. Each wing has 6 smaller rooms with 2 sets of bunks in each room.

Hannah ran into Madeline from our church, grabbed a top bunk in her room and set up. There are 27 kids from our church at camp this week. Plus we have the adult bible study leader and the nurse (Madeline's mom).

All was well, but we spent too much time hanging around. By the time we left, she was pretty much settled in, some of the excitement was wearing off and the goodbye tears came.

Would have been easier to leave without the tears.

We will pick her up on Friday and head straight to the Harry Potter festivities!!!

it's been a year already??

Tomorrow, Hannah heads back to church camp for the week. I cannot believe a year has gone by. Last year, it was her first week away from home. This year, it will be a little easier on all of us.

We now know to pack old grungy clothes. Last year she was afraid to get her clothes dirty so she wore the same shirt for the entire week.

We know that insect repellent is real important. Last year, she could not get the spray bottle to work. This year we have bought Off Wipes.

We know that she will miss us but can get thru that.

This year, there will be 27 kids from our church and 2 adults there. Last year there were 2 other kids from church there.

We know she will swim, kayak, hike to the falls, spend one night in the wilderness cabins, roast marshmellows, bible study, do crafts and eat like crazy.

We know it will be fun!

So, Hannah and I are off to label, sort and pack!

PS - I think I will add that the week is Sunday thru Friday. We will pick her up on Friday, come home, shower, then head to Barnes and Noble to start the Harry Potter book party. We will get her book around midnight then head home. I think I will enjoy my quiet week!!!

happy half century....

That is the bit 5-0 for Chris.
And here is a picture with his beautiful sisters from the weekend....

it's Stars and Stripes....

hannah and friend caroline just finished the westport 4th of july parade. They were on rollerblades at Stars and Stripes.




First place - skaters or skateboarders!!!!! (of course, there were only 1 or 2 in the parade)


.

eleven is fun!

Pedicures in the morning....Pickup Ashley and Rachel....

Lake time, dinner then sleepover.....

Party the next day....



Turning 11 is fun!!

after 2 years, goodbye to the....

giant yellow water trampoline. You had a good but short life. It seems that overexposure to the sun ended your time with us. But you were put to good use!
Please welcome our new purchase....the big red water trampoline. Not quite as photogenic. And not quite as good of a landmark (turn left and and look for the giant yellow water trampoline - that is where our dock is) but it will serve the same purpose - child entertainment (and some adult entertainment).

.