VBS

Corinne just finished a week of Vacation Bible School at our church and she had a blast! Because it is a big outreach opportunity for our church around 500 kids attended each night. The kids sang in church for two of our services this morning and Corinne loved that, too. One of the things that VBS does each year is raise money to give to a ministry, charity or organization. The kids are encouraged to do chores or get creative with how they can raise money for this offering. This year VBS chose Operation Give Back, an organization right here in our community that provides help to struggling families, not just financially but through a huge school supply drive, a Christmas store, ongoing tutoring help for kids, and more help throughout the year. So all on her own Corinne decided she wanted to have a lemonade stand and her goal was to raise $15. During the course of the afternoon she raised $18.50, thanks to generous strangers and neighbors! She took all of that money to VBS to give for the offering that went to Operation Give Back. What a great opportunity for her and what a worthy cause! Lots more blessings came out of VBS this week, and we can't wait for E and S to also participate next year. In fact, Brett and I are feeling led to also volunteer!

What a Dad!

The girls and I had a few plans up our sleeves for Father's Day. But the one they were most excited about was surprising Brett with breakfast in bed! We made him a Belgian waffle on our "special plate" and served him breakfast, cards, and even a new UC hat. A homeade banner awaited him when we finally all made it downstairs. And that was just the beginning of celebrating the special fathers in our lives today. We packed a lot in this Father's Day and we are thankful for what they each mean to us.

Around Town

We had lots of fun while Aunt M was here. We made it to Washington Park one morning and the girls loved playing there! Marcey also took each of the girls on a "date" for some special time. This included ice cream (!) and various other purchases that I have a feeling the girls talked Aunt Marce into. (I think she will be prepared for next time...) That's E in the top photo and S on the bottom one.

Butterflies from Costa Rica

One of the things we did while Aunt M was in town was check out the annual Butterfly Show at Krohn Conservatory. Mom met us there, too, and some friends also ended up joining us! It was slow going at first as we watched all the butterflies land everywhere but on us. But pretty soon we had a few friends land on our paper or on our clothes. One or two butterflies even let us pass them around! These butterflies from Costa Rica ended up being pretty friendly afterall.

Beautiful Dancers

All three girls had their dance recital while Aunt Marcey was in town for a visit! We loved watching Ellen, Sophie, and Corinne dance on stage (and sing, too). They performed beautifully and the whole program was really well done. I was a "stage mom" for Ellen and Sophie's class, which meant I sat with them through Act 1 and then entertained them backstage for Act 2 before and after their dance. Ask me later for some funny stories about that! Aren't they looking grown up?

Old Friends

These gals are my old teaching buddies from what seems like a lifetime ago! We reconnected with one another to send Ann and her family off to Amsterdam. What an adventure! And what fun to reminisce about old times.

MND Families

I have a special group of girlfriends that I've known for years and years (and some of them even more years!) and we've been meeting for dinner faithfully one Monday night per month for the last 6+ years. I cannot begin to tell you how much of a blessing these friendships are! We recently got together with our husbands and kids for a pool party on a hot sunny day and it was SO much fun!! (Thanks to the Gucks for hosting us and providing this picture!)

Redlegs Run

I recently did the Redlegs run with some friends, a 10k that ended on the field at Great American Ballpark. It was a beautiful morning, perfect actually! We had such a fun time together. And, I'm planning to train for my first half marathon, here in Cincinnati in October! (This photo was passed to me by my friend, Laura)

Memorial Day Parade

We enjoyed the Memorial Day Parade in our neighborhood this year. Corinne and Brett actually participated by walking with some of the other Sycamore youth soccer players in the parade. Ellen and Sophie and I waited and watched for them to walk by. We had a blast and will definitely do it again next year!

Curly Heads and Flip Flops

E on left, S on right. This photo says summer to me!