In which I attempt to cram 6 months of life into a post

I know, I know, you thought I'd never blog again, didn't you? Well, I kind of felt the same way myself. The funny thing about blogging, for me, is that if I start to fall behind I have a tendency to just keep putting it off. I will start my new years resolution a little earlier, and resolve to be a better blogger! With that, here is a 6 month recap.

Previously, on this blog, it was the middle of summer vacation.
We spent the remainder of the summer taking weekend trips to the Jersey shore with both friends and family. We ended the summer with a fun block party where the kids enjoyed riding bikes, face painting, tie dying shirts, games and playing with their neighborhood friends.



We also took a weekend long trip to Benton Pa with my family. It was a bittersweet weekend, as we had originally planned this trip for the weekend that my dad went into hospice. As soon as we arrived on the farm, we knew that it was the kind of place Dad would have loved. It had rolling fields, and a little pond to swim in, as well as plenty of room for our family to play games and eat meals together. His absence was keenly felt, and we enjoyed reminiscing over the years we have had as a family as well as making new memories with each other. The kids loved playing with their cousins in the pond, on the trampoline, and, strangely enough, the marble run was a favorite with them all. It was also a little break for Ed, who had an extremely busy summer and fall at his company, and he was unable to take off more than a couple days at a time. He really enjoyed having some downtime to spend with me and the kids.

The start of the school year meant that the activity level picked up again. E started 4th grade, N started 1st grade, and KK was so proud to begin going to school as well. I took on the care of another little boy, in addition to the children I had watched last year and their new baby sister. Our days and weeks have been packed with soccer, piano, dance, and kids clubs at church. Our lives are very full right now, and I am truly thankful to the Lord for his daily measure of strength and patience for me.







In addition to our traditional fall activities of apple picking in September, and pumpkin picking in October, we took our first tent-camping trip as a family. We went with another family to Rickett's Glen. It was a really fun weekend, and we enjoyed hiking the waterfall trail with all the kids, as well as the campfires and time spent with our new friends. We are planning more camping trips for the spring and next fall. The kids really look forward to these things every year, and I think it is an important part of childhood to have these traditional family events that they can depend on.



Now we are in the advent season. With only a little over 2 weeks left until Christmas, we decorated our tree and the kids are enjoying their advent calendar chocolate each day. We are a little behind on lighting the candles on the advent wreath, as we just made one this past Sunday at church, but at least it is made and displayed in our dining room, ready to light this Sunday. I will try to have at least one more post before Christmas, but you know how hectic the holiday season can be...

Writing Camp

E has always been a writer, ever since she could put together letters into words she has written stories, letters, journals. So it didn't surprise me when E's teacher recommended that she attend a writing camp this summer. We signed her up for one that was called "Nature Journaling" that took place on the grounds of Highland Mansion. She will never be a kid who would go to a soccer or basketball camp, running around in the hot sun. And I have to say, in this she is my daughter. I knew that she would enjoy writing camp, because I would have loved it myself. My sisters and I were laughing, because they could never imagine wanting to go to a writing camp and I could never imagine wanting to go to a sports camp. What is a fun time to them is torture for me, and vice versa. Anyway, E was in her element as each morning she had different lessons that incorporated both writing and drawing.

The last day of camp the parents were able to come and take a tour of the grounds, which I was excited about, since we hadn't been able to when we went there for our family photo shoot. I loved walking around and taking pictures, and E loved giving us the tour. It would be a great place for a wedding/reception, I will have to file this away for the future.

Slip Slidin' Away

This week's raw(e) challenge is to open up your 2nd folder, and pick the 6th picture and post it. I usually make a folder for each month of a calendar year and then stick the pictures in it, after that month is over. So the top folders right now are from early July. This picture was taken when my good friend Jess and her kids stopped in for a visit. They had a lot of fun on the slip n slide that day...

lego cupcakes

My latest entry in the raw(e) challenge:
The subject is dessert, so I decided to enter this picture of the lego cupcakes I made for N's party

July 4th

This year we decided to stay home for the Fourth, since we had been away the past two years. I love the festive feel of the holiday, and it was really nice to celebrate in Glenside again. We started off the day at church with a joint service where the energy of the worship was awesome. Then I went to my mom's house to get the house ready for the picnic. We moved tables and chairs up to the porch, made flower arrangements, and gallons of lemonade.





Around 4:00 people started arriving. We had invited several of our friends, and most of them could make it. We spent the next 3 hours on the porch, in the front yard and on the curb eating, talking, and watching the parade.

When I tell people that the parade is two hours long, I don't think they really believe me until they see it! It is a pretty great parade, and it is always fun to see the New Life float coming down the street. The worship team sings songs while volunteers hand out freeze pops to the crowd.

After the parade was over, several of the families stayed behind to help with the clean-up, and then we all headed up to the highest point in Glenside to watch the fireworks- the Burger King parking lot! We got there just in time to get parking spots, and then we set up camp for the next hour as we waited for it to get dark enough for the fireworks.

The time passed quickly as the kids played with sparklers and entertained each other.

Around 9:15 the show started, and it was well worth the wait.

All in all, it was a very satisfying day. I love the festivities, but even more I loved spending time with family and friends. For me, nothing can compare to celebrating the Fourth in Glenside.