Post Vacation Whirlwind

Dear Kids, 

After returning from our vacation, we had a week of VBS, a visit from grandparents, and then I had a out of town work trip for a couple of days and then it was 4th of July. We still have 2 weeks filled with activities and then afterwards, we have 4 more weeks before school starts back up again. 

One afternoon I challenged you two to make the best blueberry muffins. Nathan, you looked up a recipe and told Hannah what to do. I pretty much sat back and watched as you two scrambled around the kitchen, grabbing ingredients and tools. The only thing I did was retrieve the cupcake liners and put/pulled cupcakes into/out of the oven. 

 I even let you two scoop the batter into the muffin cups, which is a job that I always do, but surprisingly, Hannah did an awesome job with scooping everything in without making a mess.

 As you eagerly watched your creations rise in the oven, I was secretly so proud of the little bakers that I have trained.

 The muffins came out beautifully! They look better than the ones I usually make!

 VBS was exciting, this year's theme basically focused on when life is tough, or good, God is still good. I thought that it would be a good thing for you Nathan, and that maybe the lessons would somehow help you work through your anger, but I learned tonight that it didn't.

 In the afternoon I decided to try something out and we made rain cloud models to simulate how it rains when clouds get saturated with water. Afterwards, we just marbled paper, which was pretty fun.

 In the afternoons, we try to go to the pool. I usually have to bribe Hannah with something to get you to detatch from your safety zone, which is right by the edge of the pool, and then once you swim a few times, you get more comfortable and want to keep going over and over again.

 Hailey, you are still a bit cautious around the pool and if you could have your way, you would prefer to just walk around the perimeter of the pool and occasionally scoop some pool water for drinking...yuck!

 Hailey, we have slowly went from going lactose free to now completely dairy free. I've noticed your eczema improving. But for the past few weeks you still have been trying to hold in your poops for fear of it being painful. After a few weeks of coaching and deep breathing, I think this is over, but during the past few weeks, I've been trying to get as much fiber into your system and found that Popeye's coleslaw was the only vegetable that you were not spitting out. Who knew!

 Here are some more pictures from the last day of VBS. Hailey did great in the nursery while I led pre-school games in the humid outdoors. Hannah was in the Kinder group and Nathan, you were in the 1st grade group with a bunch of your friends.

 On Thursday, Grandma and Grandpa came from Illinois to visit. We went to the VBS celebration . On Friday, you all went to watch Toy Story 4 while Hailey and I stayed home for nap time. On Saturday, you all went peach/strawberry picking in Fredericksburg.  
 It was pretty hot, but it was fun.

 They even had a few strawberries hanging on for end-of-the-season picking.

On Sunday, we visited the Austin Capitol building, something that you two have been asking to do for some time.

 Nathan asked a bunch of questions about how government works (which kind of reminds me to find some books over the civil war because through the Magic Tree House books, you've become a bit interested in that subject) and I enjoyed using my brain to explain government 101 in terms that would be understandable to you.

 We ended up spending about 30 minutes playing tag in the new underground portion.

 And then I snapped a picture that I will be saving on my phone to remind you guys that you love each other next time you fight.

 As we were walking outside, it started to rain. You two came up with pretty sweet "hoodies" to protect your head from the rain.

 At the Capitol Visitor Center, we took a few photos before having Hailey take a nap in the ergo baby carrier.

 On Monday and Tuesday, I was in Ft. Worth for a work "retreat." (I don't know why they call these things retreats, but we basically worked and listened to other people talk the whole time.) I thought it would be glorious to be able to sleep truly uninterrupted (which it was) and not have to worry about you guys at all. But at the end of the day, I thought of each of you and missed you dearly.

I asked my friend to come watch you guys while I was gone and you all had a great time! You played at the playground,

Photo Credit: A. Gerkin

 Went to the pool (she's pretty much a rockstar for taking 5 kids to the pool!)

Photo Credit: A. Gerkin

 Ate nutritious meals each day,

Photo Credit: A. Gerkin

 had fun playing dress up, made dirt pudding,

Photo Credit: A. Gerkin

 and she even took ya'll to the movies AND let you guys get popcorn and skittles. When I found that out, I was thinking to myself, man, she's way too fun! You are not going to want me back!

Photo Credit: A. Gerkin

But when I returned, I was welcomed with big hugs and even some crying from Hannah. Aww, I missed ya'll too. 

Thursday was 4th of July. We decorated our scooters and walked with our neighbors in the parade. 

 And afterwards, everyone got a snow cone.

 Then you guys played tag with some friends at the playground and Hannah, you slipped and fell on some gravel. When I first saw, you, your face was covered with blood and dirt. I felt a moment of helplessness as I had no idea how to transport all 3 kids back home with the scooters and tricycle, but luckily a guy with his golf cart saved us and gave you two a ride home while I pushed Hailey back. Thanks Charlie!
Hannah, You now have a pretty big scab on your cheek and chin. You were so self-conscious about it this morning, but I was able to use this moment to talk about how we love people because they are nice, not because they are pretty and being beautiful on the inside is way better than being beautiful on the outside. Of course, I used lots of questions and examples to explain this point, but after the chat, I think you truly understood this concept.

For dinner, our neighbors across the street came over with their 4 kids, aunt, uncle, and cousin and for it being last minute, we had a great time. As the adults chatted, you all played very well together and afterwards we all ended up driving down to Kyle to watch fireworks. I tried to capture the awe in your eyes and faces as you watched the bombs bursting in air, but it was too dark, so this grainy picture will have to do.

What I thought was a spectacular finale, ended up being a malfunctional explosion, which resulted in a fire. It was kind of a crazy situation, but I think everything was well contained and I don't think anyone was hurt.

Hailey currently has a little cold, but digestive issues seem to have lightened up. Hannah is chugging along on reading lessons and Nathan is still figuring out anger issues. You told me today that you don't like to be angry, but it just happens. I'm trying to figure out how to help you lighten up about things that bother you. I think that's the key that will help you not get so angry.

We are also starting a sticker chart to encourage both of you to bring your plate to the kitchen after dinner as well as cleaning up your toys after you play with them. So far this little carrot has been effective in that I don't have to nag, so I hope this lasts for about 2 weeks because I think that's what they say is about the time it takes to form a habit.

I think that's it for now.

Until next week!
Love,
Mommy