Clubhouse

Here are a few pictures of the clubhouse that we have been working on this summer. All that is left to do is put the shingles on. The kids have been enjoying the sandbox and upstairs for a few months. It is 6'x6' - plenty of room for 6-7 kids in the sandbox and room for kids and chairs on the top. Mike designed and built the whole thing. I suggested a balcony on top with a porch type swing hanging below. Obviously, my suggestion didn't make it into the design plan. I did help though - "Corrie, hold that board, pound a nail right there, hold this board, does that look straight?" (I pounded exactly one nail) But the kids love their clubhouse and love showing it to their friends, and I love having a husband who can design and build things. We are very proud of him.

Where have we been?

Good question. Where have we been? Well, with quite a few trips to Mike's parent's cottage, family weddings, vacation in Kentucky, camping, day trips to fun places and so on, we certainly haven't been home much. We have had adventures - hikes and swims, tried new foods, built a clubhouse, read good books, two-wheeler trained and potty trained, planted new flowers and watched old ones grow. And usually all in time to take naps in the afternoon. I am hoping in the next few weeks to post some pictures of our summer. School starts in two weeks and then we will need to settle down a bit. But who knows what new adventures we can fit in before then.

Nap time and songs

For those of you who know me well, you know that nap time is sacred at our house. Every child takes at least an hour rest, Monday - Friday. John still sleeps; Ian and Clara read. Clara can now read "just about anything" and loves to read. Right now she is into American Girl books, Boxcar Children and fairy books. Ian has taught himself to tell time by counting down the minutes until he can get out of bed.
John still likes me to sing him a song before he goes to sleep. He likes the same song for weeks in a row. We just got over "How much is that Doggie in the Window?" and have moved onto a different song. He kept asking for a train song. I tried "I've been Working on the Railroad," but he didn't like it. I then pulled out an oldie but goodie from my childhood - "A Peanut sat on a Railroad Track." He loved it, and it has now been his song of choice for over a week. It always gets a giggle and usually an encore request.

A peanut sat on a railroad track,
His heart was all aflutter.
'Round the bend came number 10,
Toot, toot, peanut butter.
Squish.

Weddings and Lighthouses

This afternoon we went to the wedding of one of my cousins. This is wedding #2 of 3 in three weekends. This wedding was up in Hart. It was a beautiful wedding - beautiful weather, beautiful bride and groom, beautiful ceremony and reception. It was also fun to see all my Riley family again. We don't get together with the big clan very often, but when we do, it is a big dog party.
After the rececption, we decided on a whim to drive out to Silver Lake with the kids. We drove past the big sand dunes around Silver Lake and then drove out to Little Point Sauble lighthouse. This is my favorite lighthouse; I remember going out there as a kid. The kids, especially John, loved it. He is our kid who loves dirt, and was just in awe of all the possibilities with that much sand. We still had our clothes on from the wedding and were barefoot. (Oh, the endless chances for pictures - too bad we left the camera at home.) The kids waded in Lake Michigan and then wanted to climb the dunes. These were pretty small, but just the right size for the kids. They could climb up them and then run down, and climb and run down and climb....Mike and I got in on the running and climbing too. What a great day.

Just a few quotes from the day.

"I love chocolate fountains!" - spoken by Clara as she cleaned off her face, her arms, her dress....
"The lighthouse is as tall as the sun!" exclaimed by Ian as he ran up to the lighthouse.
"This is how you climb a dune, mommy" as John was showing me how to scramble up a dune - on all fours
"I'd like to live on a lake" Mike - no explanation needed :)

Thank you, God, for your creation - both people and nature. It is very good.

A weekend of lasts

Last night in a crib.
Last night sleeping with a passy.
Last time to put a baby to bed in a crib.
Last night of sharing a room with a brother.
Last day of preschool.
Last soccer game.
Last ballet recital.
Last day of May.

Mother's Day and Squirrels?

We went to my dad's house for Mother's Day yesterday. We had a fun time with family. My Grandma and Grandpa were there, my younger brother Mark, my Uncle Bob and Aunt Jeanne and two of their kids, and a fiance. My mom and Barry also stopped by a little bit later in the afternoon.

The funniest part of the afternoon was the squirrels. My dad, crazy person that he is, has started feeding the squirrels peanuts. There are about 3-5 squirrels in his back yard. There is one squirrel that will even come up to his slider and beg for food. My dad will open the slider just a crack and the squirrel will take a peanut right out of his hand. My kids thought this was great. They even got to feed the squirrel.

After lunch, they went outside and started chasing the squirrels around the fenced backyard. At our house they roar at the squirrels to chase them away. But at my dad's house the squirrels thought they were playing with them. The kids would chase them up on to the fence and the squirrels would sit up there and squawk at them. As soon as the kids would walk away, the squirrels would come right back down into the yard. Pretty soon they were running all over the yard with the kids chasing them. It looked just like two squirrels chasing each other around and playing, except that there were two squirrels and two boys running around the backyard. The boys were exhausted by the time we came home. The squirrels probably were too. And now the boys are asking if they can feed the squirrels at our house. Most definately not!!!

Weekend with friends

We had a wonderful weekend with our friends, Scott and Karen, at their home near Birmingham, AL. Another friend, Rachael, flew in from VA. It was a short trip, but so good to spend some time with them. I also got to fly on an airplane, the first time in 8 years! The girls spent time doing some things around their house for them, a little shopping, and lots of laughing. Mike and Scott and Caleb, Scott's son, went hiking at a state park. They came back hot and sweaty. Mike and Caleb played lots of games together - card games, checkers, Mario 3. They were good buds.

Scott and Karen are adjusting to their life after the death of their daughter, Cassi. It is just amazing to see their faith in God through all that they have been through. And though the days are not easy, the joy and hope that they have in Christ is very evident.

Mike and I had a fun time together too. It is fun to travel without kids and be able to get treats and snacks that you wouldn't normally get if the kids were along. We had DQ peanut butter cup blizzards for supper on our way home from Chicago. That was it, except for the Mike and Ikes and Good-n-Plenties we also ate. You could never do that with kids.

It was good to get home last night. The house was picked up, the laundry was done (even the ironing from the last month), clothes were mended and the kids were in bed. Thanks so much, Mom. You are wonderful. Ian and John were still awake so we were able to get some hugs and kisses. I have been hearing stories all day of what they did with all the people who watched them while we were away. We feel blessed to have such wonderful friends and family who are willing to take care of them, so we can enjoy some time together.