VBS 2013: Athens, Greece

It's that time of year again! This year the kids wound back the clock and traveled back to the time St. Paul went on his missionary journeys. They hid from angry mobs, broke free from jail, and even tried their hand at some of the sporting events that might have been done at the first Olympiad. Next time you call, ask them which "oikos" they were a part of for the week. =)

Making a torch at "Paul's Grotto"

Craft time

Also at Paul's Grotto

We even have pillars

 And the kids continued to play VBS at home tonight. They are about to start the closing song as I type...

4th of July

This year we started the 4th in old town with mass and the city parade. Then we spent most of the hot afternoon at the busy pool where Aaron did a lot of kid-launching.

At breaks there were kid games, and Hannah scored an Orange Crush. The kids were shocked that they allowed Mountain Dew to be part of the soda dive - they thought that was only an Uncle Chris drink.

whoa!

 In a relay swim game, the kids had to get bubble gum out of a pile of whipped cream. 

They didn't like that at all. =) We finished the day with a cook out and fireworks!

Mom/Daughter Day Out

A few months ago, Elizabeth and her friend Annabel coordinated a busy day out for the four of us (moms came too). This past Saturday we finally put the plan into action. First we shopped.

in Target

found matching PJs and dresses at the Children's Place

After a yummy lunch at 5 guys burgers and fries, we went back to Annabel's house to make and decorate 2 batches of cupcakes.

we tried tie dye-ing them with food coloring

Back to our house for a sleepover, they painted their toes with marshmallows between their toes.

Then they figured out how to put up the tent, had a movie night and stayed up too late (sneaking a few cupcakes along the way). Success!

Baseball

Paul is almost done with his second season of baseball; tomorrow is the last game. This year it's coach pitch until the kids strike out. Then they get one shot off the tee. Paul has had some great hits this year, a couple over the outfielders' heads. He's close to 50/50 hitting off the live pitches from the coach. He's also had a couple of outs playing first base.

Yeah, at a first grade baseball game it's not too unusual to see the whole family get involved in the game.

half our family is at 3rd base

Swim Team

Elizabeth is enjoying swim team this summer, with only one meet left in the season. This year she ventured into new territory swimming the 100 Free. Her baseline time was 2:08 and in her second race of that event she shaved off 10 seconds. This weekend she's trying the 100 IM.

At our home pool meet I was a timer. When Hannah arrived I had a helper to hold my (very heavy) clipboard =)

two hand touch

The swimmer who won the heat got a free treat at the concession stand. ERS won one after a close finish!

Gettysburg Trip 2013

Here are some photos from our trip. It started out with a lot of dancing in the front room of Grandma's house, jammin to the oldies...

Until next time!

Paul, the button-sewing machine...

Kate, Lila, and Hannah helping Grandma plant her lettuce plants.

Secret trap door!

Uncle David getting into the backyard play action.

Lots of soccer games were played!

Happy Father's Day brownies for the dads

Kate's first swim lesson

She loved it!

getting in

"chin to the sky" says coach Nate

doing the "rocket ship"

that was fun, Mom!