Glorious rain and yard work

It has been a ridiculously hot summer with very little rain. So most days after I get done working outside, the last thing I want to do is garden in my own yard. However I am running out of time before fall to put in some new beds and rearrange the yard. So on Thursday, when I got home it was sprinkling which cooled it down enough for me to work outside a little.Charis loves gardening with me but even she got too hot after 30 minutes and went inside.

Learning to ride

Exciting, Long, and Fun Day

Charis, as always was up at seven, urging me to make her breakfast. We got up ate breakfast and got ready to go to my work. I have to work one Sunday a month and Kris was going riding as part of the Employee appreciation party at his work today.

So Charis and I went to my work. We walked through the gardens, cleaning up, fixing signs, checking on ponds and irrigation and answering visitors questions. Then we released butterflies and walked around showing some kids a caterpillar before putting it on tree that it enjoys to eat. Charis loves the caterpillars, chrysalis and butterflies.
Then we went into the art exhibit, all origami, it was fun to see it with her. Some of the things looked so life like. She did great and kept her hands folded the whole time. I did not get any pictures with her in them but these were her favorite pieces.ButterfliesThere were lots of great pieces but Charis loved these four and kept running back to one of them.She played, ate a snack, cut up some paper and colored well for the remaining hour at work in my office while I got some inside work done.

Then off to the bike shop party. Which consisted of running around literately in a big circle, swimming, getting to drink juice boxes and Charis' favorite part - getting to eat a piece of cake. And of course playing with Mia. It was a hot, long but exciting and fun day.

Prayer

"Please, please, please, please Jesus help Mia and Cash feel good for the party. Amen."

Charis and I were talking about Kris' bike shop party today and Charis was very happy that she was going to get to see her "friends" Mia and Cash. But then got very concerned that Mia would not feel well like the last time we thought we were going to see her. I told her that Mia was fine and was coming today, but Charis said maybe I will pray for Jesus to heal her so that she won't get sick. Then she looked out the window and whispered "Please, please, please, please Jesus help Mia and Cash feel good for the party. Amen."

I love Charis so much and I love that she has learned that she can ask God for help with everything. What an amazing little girl!

Biking and fountains with Liam

On Wednesdays, I try to get together with my friend Sommer and her son Liam. This Wednesday we went down to Lady Bird Lake and walked/rode around the trails. Charis did very good and rode almost the whole time. She really likes riding her bike and wants her pedals soon. Kris wants her to learn steering and balance first. Then we all went to the fountain park that is a block or so away. Liam and Charis played in the fountains and the pools.Sommer brought some cars to play with and the kids had fun putting them on the fountain and waiting for it to spray up and send the car flying.

Happy Birthday Daddy!

Charis and I painted Kris a Happy Birthday sign and got him a small present for when he woke up. After I got off of work, we all drove up to the Vans outlet store and several other shoe stores, so that Kris could get some new shoes. We went out to dinner and then got home in time to have the Elkintons over for dessert. Robyn and I got everyone to go in on one gift together as a surprise. We got him a gas grill. He was shocked and barely responded when we show it to him. He loves it! and we use it all the time. Thanks Elkintons!On Saturday, Kris had a lot of friends over for a party. He had people dress like Jesus (something about him turning 33) and others dressed like him. Charis and I stayed up for a little of it and then went to bed and let the boys (and some girls) have fun. Charis loves people so much, she had a lot of fun! She took these lenses from Nut because she wanted to be dressed up like everyone else and a friend that dressed like Jesus. Weird picture but Kris loves it!
More Jesus' costumes.
Kris had a great time celebrating his birthday.

Watercolors

Kris and Skot were both so amazed at Charis' water coloring today. Charis has a lot of fun drawing and painting.Today it was not a picture of anything. Just playing around and mixing colors.

Ch ch ch chia pet

Kris bought this chia pet at the thrift store and Charis was so excited to "paint" it with seeds and watch it grow.So after getting ready for bed and changing into her pj's, Daddy and her got to spread the seeds on the doggy and fill it with water.The sad part is that it did not grow, probably because it was old and the seeds were expired. But they sure did have fun and Kris is talking about using craft materials and making something fun out of it.

July 4th!

Kris and Skot went for a bike ride in the morning, while Charis and I snuck out and got some fireworks. Kris loves them and every year I buy him at least a few for July 4th and a few more for his birthday. We had most of the Elkinton's over for dinner and then set off a few fireworks.And sparklers!
Then we walked down to the park to watch the city fireworks. Charis liked the fireworks but was restless the whole time. On the way back, Kris let Charis ride on his bike for a little way. She was so excited!