We've got a bike rider!

This post has been a long time coming. Big Guy has really struggled w/ the whole concept of riding a bike. I blamed it on several reasons at first. But I finally had to accept that his problem was simple, he was thinking too much. He has always been a very cautious child. He looks and thinks through all the dangers of things and if it's too risky to him He just won't do it. So was the case w/ bike riding. Sure we would go through spells where he would wail and moan. Days when we would go outside & work for a few hours only to crash (or almost crash), then not ride again for several weeks. In my head I declared this summer would be different. Last week we had Bike boot camp. On Monday I announced to BG that we were going to work on bike riding every day this week. At the end of the week I felt we were still in the same place. BG didn't think he could ride a bike. Never mind that he could go half way down the drive ( it was a coast for the most part but he could balance himself) or that he could make a half turn. He still didn't believe in himself. We camped a local state park w/ my dad over the weekend. My dad is an avid bike rider. So he mentions that he's going to bring his bike. BG asks if he can take his too. I said sure. Saturday morning BG decides to ride his bike. I told him to just keep close to the campsite. The next thing I know I don't see him. I run to edge of the road to see him speeding down the hill through the campground. I was shocked but not worried at first because he was keeping to the middle of the road. About 4 campsites down he wobbled & started veering to the side. This put a parked car right in his path. Now I'm scared!!! I know if he hits it he's going to be hurt (I mean like broken bone hurt). My next thought was we can't pay for the damages he'll do that car. (just being real). Big C takes off down the hill on foot trying to catch him. But he bobbles again & veers back to the center. There is a parking area by the lower bath house, He steers into it by that time Big C had caught up with him & was telling him how to stop. Which he did w/out a crash. From that point on we couldn't get him off the bike. He rode all morning long. By the end of the day he could go all the way down the hill, turn and come back about three campsites before stopping. then he could start himself and creep up the hill to our campsite. I'm so proud of him.

You know you live in a small town when...

Something like this......

Causes this much excitement...

Father's Day 2010

I will be the first to admit that I'm terrible when it comes to holidays. With the exception of Christmas all other holidays just seem to sneak up on me. But this year I really wanted to do better. Big C is a great dad and works so hard for our family. I usually have the boys make a card. But since the fire I've really been convicted about clutter. Cards are nice but in the end it's still paper and paper clutter is something I just don't know what to do with. So this year we opted for making gifts. Big Guy was extremely proud of the duct tape wallet he made.

Now before I show you what Little Guy made you have to promise not to break into my house. It's a place for Dad to hide his valuables. O.K. since you promised, LG made a secret safe.

Finally was our group project. Like I said Big C is a great dad and he works really hard for our family but recently he had somethings that had really got him down. I wanted to remind him that he's still a super hero to us.

I wish could say that all these things were my great ideas but as usual my great plans came from the web. Be sure to check out the links for lots of other cool stuff.

Fun Stuff

Did you notice that I got my last 2 post out of order. Does anyone know how to fix that? Anyway here's some more of the fun stuff going on at our house.

VBS 2010

One of the things I truly love about our church is VBS. I grew up in a an up in coming mega church and have wonderful memories of VBS. It was always a highlight of my summer. But believe it or not I think I actually love VBS more now that I'm an adult. Our theme this year was Out of Focus and once again Pastor Eric outdone himself. There is absolutely nothing wrong w/ using the big box curriculum that other churches use but I get extremely proud of how our children's pastor writes all of our material & uses so much of our church in the process. Also my friend, Linda wrote original music that will once again be running through my head for the rest of the summer.

This year I had the 7 yos. They were great group of kids and I had a lot of fun getting to know them. One thing that I really enjoyed was making our craft. This year all of the crafts we made we donated to various charities. Our class made a blanket that will be given to our local homeless shelter to be given to a child when they arrive. This was near to my heart given that I know what it's like for a parent to know that their child has lost their home & how much security can come in a blanket. I prayed w/ the children over the blanket & asked God to use this small thing to let someone know just how much God loves them. As is tradition we had our boys vs. girls change challenge.

This year all money raised went to our local homeless shelter. In a last second surprise the boys won for a second year in a row. Which meant Ms Linda got slimed.

I don't have pics of her getting slimed because I was videoing it. & I can't seem to get it to load.


We got our first chance of the summer to swim. My guys love the water. This was a big event for LG because he gave up the life ring. Today it was arm floaties only!

Ready for first Grade

It's official he's ready for first grade. Here are some of my favorite pics from LG's ceremony

LG looking for us in the crowd.

Readers Theater presentation of "The Carrot Seed"

Receiving His diploma.
(he went across the stage so fast that this is the best I could get)

So proud! Just look at that smile.

LG loved his classmates & his teachers. I'm so glad that he was able to be in this class.

Celebrating with Nanny & Papa.

Summer Fun

Catching Fireflies

Looking at the stars

Hikes at the state park

Summer Haircuts