Good day, sunshine

wow - it is hot. Africa hot. Really and truly hot.
We had a long day yesterday - after church, we went to Sissie's home in Collierville. She is preparing to move to Florida , and sweet Julie and Addie were there for a while. Ladybug loves loves LOVES her baby Addie. [if you are ever within hearing distance of her, you would know that] This was the second time she was able to visit with Addie, and she could barely keep her hands off that sweet baby.
The monkey was able to hug and kiss Addie, too. Great time !
After that lovely visit, we went to Kirk's birthday party - another fun time, with some good friends. Ladybug loves Kirk , and his wife, Fifi . Monkey played ball, swam, and had a long chat with his buddy , Bailey. We were all four worn out by the time we made it to our home.
Only one more week of vacation for us, then back to the grind. We are going to squeeze as many adventures out of these last seven days as we possibly can. Monkey was up and dressed and out the door before 10:00 a.m. , which is pretty early for him.
It looks as if it is going to rain all day - not a bad way to start the week !
Have a great day , and count your blessings!

It's that time again -

Of course I mean one of my favorite things in the whole world - Vacation Bible School ! Ladybug is officially old enough this year, and she is loving it all. I think she gets that from me, really. She sang, she danced, she snacked, and she played games. Tomorrow, she comes to my craft station, and we will work on our mission project. The monkey is too old for VBS, so he 'helped' which seems to mean run around, eat lots of snacks, and act totally silly with other boys that are just too cool for Bible School. Bless him.
Tomorrow will be Ladybug's first full day in the three year old classroom. She was promoted friday afternoon. Not sure why it happened then, but I am not judging. She is very excited about the fact that the big girl class has "assignments" and they say the Pledge every morning. Love. Her. Utterly.
I am watching the end of 'Celebrity Rehab' - I love watching this show, because it reminds me that I REALLY do not have any problems. I might think I do every now and then, but looking at these train-wrecks just reminds me of how good my life is. The Lord has been good to me, and I am thankful. Daily.
This is the week I am teaching at the Art Museum down town - gonna be fun, I can tell you. Combine that with VBS, and it will make for a great week. I hope you have a great week, as well. Count your blessings. One by one.

slow down, you move too fast

It's Sunday, and we are home from church. We don't have anywhere to be until 3:00, when we go to the Food Pantry building dedication. I really like the idea of having no plans for a good part of the day. So many options -
This season of baseball is finally over for us. Yesterday was the last of our tournament in Columbus, and we are out of the finals. We are also out of the World Series this year, and that is okay by me - it is so unbearably hot .
This summer is winding down - we have done most of the things on our summer list - just a few more to get to in the next three weeks . I am determined to get them all done!

Knee-pits, baseball, and candy

During the ball game , it is more fun to slide down the hill than to watch the game - just saying.
This little girl was very sweet to share her sled with the Ladybug.
Before the Texas Two left, Ladybug gave them some paintings we worked on this week - I think she was sad to see them go.
The Monkey just knew he would catch a baseball at the game - maybe next time.
Can you see the "crown" I had to make her hair into ? She was very serious about it, and wanted everyone to know about it. This was after she announced that her favorite body part is now the 'knee-pit' - I like those on her, too.
The Monkey's All-Star team - getting ready for the next tournament. How did he get so serious? What are those other guys looking at?

Saying goodbye to the Texas Two - Ladybug and Monkey love them, and do not see them often enough. Ladybug kept calling Lance "Daddy", and we all thought it was so funny - she thinks he is Tracy's father instead of her husband.
Just posing and being sweet in 'Dream Berry' in downtown Memphis .

This was the Ladybug's second Redbirds game - she did better sitting on the hill than she would have in the seats, I think. Monkey was just happy to be there, so it was a great day for all of us.

Hello, July ! Stay a while, won't you ?!

Some one helped me make and hang a banner for the weekend company . She worked very hard.

She seems to be quite proud of herself, don't you think?

Fodder's Day

This photograph is from our first summer with the ladybug . I know I should post a more recent one, but it is my favorite for Father's Day. Everyone looks so happy ! Hot and exhausted, but happy !
When we went to pick up the monkey from summer camp, we happily ran in to an old friend - Allie had never met the ladybug before, and she was in for a treat ! Lady bug let us all know that she was going to 'have that day, and she did a good job of it.
We all missed the monkey while he was at camp, but I think she missed him the most.
We made the rainbow popsicles , and I can tell you that I do NOT have to do that again. Two days, I say ~ two days of going to the freezer and pouring another flavor..... but they are really good. The pineapple mix that I bought at the International Market is really good!
I think they all had a good time at camp - and somehow, the monkey managed to bathe every day and not open his own bar of soap.... hmmm.
Only two more games in the regular ball schedule, then on to just All-Star games. I hope we can pack up and go to Me-Me's house for a few days, now that she is back from her jaunt up the East Coast. We just love to go visit our family !
I hope you have a great Father's Day, and a great week ahead ! I am looking forward to hearing about the mission trip some of our church family is taking this week - they are going to have such a life- changing experience, I just know it.
Stay out of the heat - or come over for a nice, cold rainbow!

Sunday Sunday, so good to me

Sunday evening - in the summer. Yes !!!!
When we get home from church , we have a l-o-n-g day and evening around here !!! [yet another reason why we go to the early service, thank you very much]
We don't have to get up too early in the morning, we don't have to get ready for school [not until Friday's meeting, that is] All we have to do is sleep in, have a family breakfast, and then head off to Oxford. We are supposed to meet a member of the Dead-Beat Club for lunch tomorrow, before taking the monkey to Camp.
The monkey was in a baseball tournament all day yesterday - from 10 - 10 . Needless to say, it was oh-so-very hot. We sat, we walked around the field, and we ate some of the snacks I packed [ you know, I like to pack the snacks]
The ladybug enjoyed the baseball day, but she was really tired by the end. She was on her best behavior, which is amazing considering how uncomfortably hot it was.
We met some friends for lunch friday, and they gave ladybug a belated birthday gift - a Tinkerbell teddy bear that they made at Build-A-Bear. Since the two boys made it, they put two hearts inside. I really like that.
Now I am watching 'House Hunters International' and they are looking at homes in Normandy, France. Yes, please !!! I want to go !!!