Playground and trucks

We went to the playground with Liam and Sommer but half way through, the city started planting some very large trees with big trucks. So the kids all just stopped to stare.

Drawing Daddy

Another amazing picture by Charis of Daddy!

Friends from Japan

A friend of Skot's and now ours came to visit us from Japan. Peter and his daughter Momo were so fun to play with for a few days.

Charis was actually running a fever on the first day but she still had to run and play just to show Momo everything. Making crafts...hats and braclets with Mommy while the guys went to the store.Watching a movie in English that Momo has only seen in Japanese (My Neighbor Totoro).The next day was just as filled with water gun fights and water table fun.

Fireworks!

And even shared bedtime routine with book, song and dream story.
We loved having them here. We can't wait to start writing letters to Momo in Japan.

VBS

Meagan, our friend and Elias' mom was signing Elias up for VBS this week and talked me into having Charis go too. She even paid for and helped take Charis because of my work schedule. Thanks Meagan! It was a great week for both kids. They did not get to be in the same class but after the first day or so it was not really an issue. Charis' class sang songs and danced, next was stories, then went outside to play, had snacks and arts and crafts, and then more songs with the whole VBS.I let her up on the stage and then all the kids wanted to. Oops!
I was nervous at first because she really wanted to be in Elias' class and even cried the first day (which is really really not like her). But it turned out to be a lot of fun and even some good lessons about God.Background before the related story: Charis has asked questions to me like where is your daddy? Can I meet your daddy? How come your daddy does not live with Nana? So for a long time I would always answer that I don't have a daddy and that I did not ever know him. But she did not stop asking. So one day I told her the same thing but added that he died. Just trying to be honest. Now she walks around telling everyone that will listen including strangers that her mommy's daddy is dead. And isn't that so sad. Which I really do not like cause then I have to explain that it happened a long time ago and it is not that sad and I did not know him.

The real story: So on the last day of VBS, we were getting in the car and she really excitingly says "Mommy did you know that God is your daddy too, so it is not sad because you do have a daddy that is alive." She was so happy for me and I loved it, I gave her hugs and kisses, tried not to cry and said I love you. She responded with "I love you too and God loves you and me and everyone. And I want to be God's friend and God's friends love everyone too."
I love Charis so much and am very proud of the little girl she is becoming.

Swimming and Picnic

Charis and I went swimming with Liam and Sommer today. I put Charis' arm floaties on and then tried to get her to "swim" without holding on to me. She squealed/screamed/laughed several times before she got comfortable without me holding her for the first time ever. It was the first time I could tell that she really wanted to do it on her own but was still a little scared. It was the most amazing sound of independence and I would hold her every time she made the sound. But after a few more minutes, she said "go on Mommy, I can do it by myself.". Those words make me both proud and a little sad. She is growing up so fast. We swam for a little over an hour and a half, with her swimming on her own and jumping in from the side and playing shark.Then we dried off and had a picnic lunch at the park.

It was a fun morning with friends!

Brownies with Mommy - Dancing with Daddy

Charis does not get to eat sweets very often but it is very fun to make a special treat with her. Charis loves cooking and of course getting a taste.While waiting for our after dinner treat, Kris and Charis danced. I love those special moments between them.
And of course the best part about making brownies, getting to eat them when they are all warm.

Art inspired by Skot

Kris and Charis made a piece of art for Skot, inspired by Skot's kind of art.Here is a piece of Skot's art to show you what I mean.

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.