6 flags

Here they are on another ride.

William and Amelia

Ride the swings.

We went to 6 flags this last week. The kids were awarded free tickets from school as part of a reading program. William has been asking to go for the last 2 years and we just haven't been able to make it happen. It is expensive, hot, and not really the place you want to bring a baby (Gemma). We also weren't sure how many rides our young kids could ride. This year, we felt like we were in a good place enough where we could go.

At the last minute, our friends offered to watch Gemma and we took them up on their offer.

We had a very fun day. Our big kids were so much fun! They went on many of the little kid rides and several of the more intense rides, including a very intense roller coaster! Mom and dad had fun too, although one of us has a little trouble with rides now. John will just have to take some Dramamine next time we ride rides.

Toad the wet sprocket

One of the bands we heard yesterday at the festival was Toad the Wet Sprocket. The kids liked the music, but none of them enjoyed how loud it was. They were much happier on the other side of the field at the face painting booth.

4th of July parade

Daddy took the girls to watch the parade while mom walked the parade with the Boy Scout float.

Note my adorable girls in their outfits. I told myself I could dress them matching as long as they don't mind. I have to quit if they don't agree. So far, they ADORE matching each other which makes me exceptionally happy.

We ran out of candy twice during the parade and one do the dads ran to a store along the parade route and purchased more candy. Which only lasted a few more blocks. Sweet William knew they were running out of candy, so he put a sucker in his pocket. Not for him. He was saving it for Amelia. The girls were alllllllll the way at the end of the parade route as it is closer to our house and walkable. William waited until he saw his sister and then pitched her the sucker from the float. (I'm going to ignore the fact he didn't save one for Gemma.)

I was pulling a rolling cooler full of freeze pops. I was able to save 2 freeze pops for my girls at the end of the route as well. They were very happy to see us!

Nothing to see here

Just reading a book. No big deal....

Yes I can

Gemma was playing at the park while we were at the lake of the Ozarks. There was a climbing wall as part of the playground. Gemma was climbing it and requested a little help (in reality, she did not need help, she needed someone to spot her and reassure her). I stood behind her and she turned her head back towards me and said, "mom, you are too big to climb this wall. You cannot do this. You are to big."

I waited patiently for her to climb down and move on to the next thing before I went ahead and proved her wrong.

She came back to check out what I was doing. I like to think the look on her face here is one of astonishment, envy and respect for my climbing skills.

Busy, 6 weeks in review

It has been a busy few weeks. Or month.

The kids school year ended in May, but I still was teaching class for a few more weeks. Our usual babysitter was out of town for the last week of class. Wrapping up the end of the school year is always work to close up the books and file away the paperwork. Without complaining too much, this work needs to happen outside of class, which means adding one more piece to an already complicated puzzle.

Graduation was a proud moment for me as I watched 8 of my students walk the stage this year. It doesn't seem like many, but when you see the impact on their lives, the impact on their confidence, the result is amazing.

In the thick of it, we went camping for a weekend with the Boy Scouts. We went camping with a poor kid who was covered in hives from an allergic reaction to penicillin from an earlier bout of strep throat.

This month Gemma decided she was ready and willing for potty training. We have all worked hard with her and she is doing very well. We aren't all the way there, but we are very proud of our big girl!

I have also been asked to do some teacher training this summer by the state. I will be presenting workshops to adult education instructors around the state this summer and fall. This is new and exciting for me. I look forward to this new opportunity and what it will bring.

A few weeks ago I traveled to Kansas City to present and then to Springfield Missouri for another presentation back to back. Daddy stepped up and wrangled kids solo for 2 days. I enjoyed the work, although the driving piece wasn't my favorite. I was very happy to see everyone when I got home! Pictures here are mama and Gemma snuggled up in her bed after I got home. It was good for both of us to have some time together. John snuck in to take a picture. He was certain I was asleep. I'm pretty sure my eyes are just shut for a moment.

5 days later, we packed the whole family up to go to the yearly Adult Education conference at the Lake of the Ozarks. I presented a workshop here as well, which I think went well. The kids enjoyed park time, mini golf and relaxing while mom worked.

Which brings us to this holiday weekend! William and John have been working hard on building the Boy Scout parade float. William has been disappointed the last 2 years as he hasn't been able to be in the 4th of July parade with his friends. He was so excited to ride the parade float for the first time this year. (Pictures to follow)

We enjoyed the local festival with rides, music and friends.

The big kids are signed up for camp next week, which means it will be mom and Gemma again during the days together. Summer is just slip sliding by!