Summertime Smiles

So I know that it isn't quite summer yet, but it sure felt like it this afternoon. 

I have had it in the back of my head that we needed to get the sprinkler out for the kiddos to play in.  The weather turned warm/hot about a week and half ago and we have not had any space of time that was long enough to merit getting the sprinkler out.  (Yes, our kids are only 3 & 5 and we were really that busy over the last 10 days.  I can't imagine what it will be like as they get older.)

Well, tonight was the first night that we were all going to be home together so as soon as Micah got off the bus we turned the sprinkler on! 

Didn't take long and it looked and sounded like summer on our driveway.  Check out these smiles!

Hope our summer is filled with more of these happy faces!

Chicks!

Heavens, no, there are no baby chickens at our house!  But there are baby chickens in Micah's classroom.  Micah has been talking about the eggs and when they would hatch.  Well this was the week.  Monday morning we heard that they were starting to hatch and by yesterday afternoon the classroom was filled with the chirping of 27 baby chicks.  Since Micah had been talking about them so much Becca was all excited as well and HAD to see the chicks.

So I took her to school today.  It seems like everyone is enthralled with the baby chicks in the kindergarten room.  My kiddos just loooooove them and it was hard to peel them away so that the teachers could go to their meeting.  Here are few photos of the encounter.

I was so surprised that she reached right in and tried to hold them.  There was a few that got dropped and squeezed, but I think they will be alright. :)  She actually thanked God during prayer at both supper and bedtime for the little chicks!

A bunch of scared chicks!  At one point there were 5 kids (ages 18 mo to 6 yrs) all trying to touch and hold them along with several adults laughing and watching! :)

Much thanks to Micah's teachers for allowing us to come and see the baby chicks.  And even more thanks that we don't have to bring any home! LOL!

Ladies - Can you relate?

I came home from work on Monday and my daughter announced that she could "snap".  I asked her if she meant her fingers and she said no, her pants.  Now this would be wonderful because there have been many times when I have not realized that her "snap" was undone and her jeans would fall around her ankles.  (Not that she cared.  She thinks it is fun! :) )  So I asked her to show me.  The next few moments would leave me laughing at my dear daughter.  These photos were not taken at that moment, but rather this morning.  However they look just the same.

Now, ladies, how many of us can relate to the battle with our blue jeans?!?!  (or any article of clothing for that matter.)  Holding our body and our hands just so, so that the jeans fit or so that they look just right.  It made me think of this post by fellow blogger Andrea (to which I can completely relate).  Why must be battle so?  I hope that this is a short-term problem for Becca.

Tulip Time!

You know its Tulip Time when....
... you get sunburn on Thursday and wish you would have brought your winter coat and long-johns on Friday.
... your children sleep until 8:45 am on Saturday after busy Thursday and Friday afternoons.
... it is a struggle to pick out your meal from only one of the 50 food stands.
... you walk to places in town that you normally would normally drive to.
... you scan the crowds for faces that you haven't seen in 5 years. (and you find some!)
...every where you turn there are adults and kids in Dutch Costumes (even if they are not Dutch!)

There are some of my favorite people in their Dutch Costumes.

Honoring the Fallen

This weekend, Nick and I attend the funeral of the father of one of our dear friends.  I can still hardly imagine that the father one of my friends was suddenly taken away from his family.  He was young (around the same age of my parents) and died of a sudden heart attack while serving his (our) country overseas.  It still just breaks my heart to see our friends dealing with this tragedy. It makes me reflect inwards to my relationship with my parents and how much I appreciate and love them and how infrequently I tell them.

The visitation and funeral also reminded me of how often I take our servicemen for granted.  This individual had served his country for over 30 years, through numerous deployments and countries.  I have always known and appreciated the work that they do, but I have never personally known any servicemen.  In fact, I did not know my friend's father either.  However I do know my friend and after this weekend I feel like I know a little (just a little bit) more about her father and the sacrifices that he and many other have given for me and my family. So often I think that I just glance over them and do not give a thought to what they daily give so that I can enjoy my life here. 

The weekend was a display of honor and respect for a fallen soldier that I will not soon forget.  I also hope that I will not forget the sacrifice of my friend's father and the other soldiers who have gone before, those who are currently serving and those who will serve.

My respect, my honor and appreciation to all soldiers and your families.