The Last Lecture

I was sad just now to read that Randy Pausch, the Author of The Last Lecture died this morning after his battle with cancer. His book really had an impact on me, as it did on many. I have told several people today that I felt grumpy - perhaps I need to think of what he said in face of fatal cancer and I might be less of a grump!

A quote from his book: "Never underestimate the importance of having fun. I'm dying and I'm having fun. And I'm going to keep having fun every day because there's no other way to play it."

Annie

Madeline and I went to see a production of Annie last night at our local theater. She had a wonderful time in the amphitheater - the play didn't start until 8:30 pm, which is her bedtime, so needless to say she was very excited to be in the outside theater after dark. The production was quite good, and she was quite taken with it. I noticed a few tears when they did an orphanage scene. Clearly Claire is is a real member of our family, because she said "I'm worried about Claire being in a mean orphanage like that". We talked about adoption and orphanages for quite some time last night after we got home. She has been singing "Tomorrow" and "Hard Knock Life" all day. What a fun experience!

The Campers

I received this group photo from camp today - thought you might want to see the motley bunch of campers (this was in the morning before everyone went home to take a shower) This is a great family!

Sweet Thing

Before church this morning we tried to get a picture of the sweetie in front of the crepe myrtle. Well, the sun was in her eyes so they didn't turn out the best, but you can still see those new choppers :-)



Here's the picture of my cucumbers and tomatoes that I promised - I love growing things! For some reason it makes me really happy to eat my own little home grown tomatoes, and I don't even really like tomatoes!

Around My Place....

Outside My Window... my Crepe Myrtle is in full bloom (I'll have to blog it tomorrow), the tomatoes are finally coming on, the cukes are producing, and our kiddie pool is full and comfy

I am thinking... about getting a dog - I know, I know - that I need a good book

I am thankful for... My husband, my girl, my God, my home

From the kitchen... Spaghetti for dinner, a fresh cucumber from the vine

I am wearing... khaki shorts and a striped shirt, under a cozy green blanket

I am creating... crayon art with Madeline mostly - a new blog template

I am reading... A book called America America, which is OK. I need a new book to be excited about

I am hoping... that First Grade is good for Ms. Madeline, that we'll get rested up from all our running this summer before school starts!

I am hearing... the Movie Cars, Madeline laughing, Steven snoozing, the ceiling fan, and my keyboard clicking

Around the house...I still need to get some laundry done, I need to clean the kitchen, toys are everywhere (as usual)

One of my favorite things... This soft green blanket I am sitting under right this minute - who doesn't love a soft blanket?

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week... Church/VBS tomorrow, maybe go to the City Pool, order some school clothes, work this week, hang with the family, try to stay close to home during the week, London next week-end

Here is picture thought I am sharing

What do you think?

A couple of my blogging friends have changed up their blogs - most notably Rebecca's! So, since I am too cheap to spend money on a template, I have been using the limited knowledge that I have to make my own. What do you think? Is it too busy? Bad color scheme? Let me know!

My Mamaw and My Grandma

I woke up at 3:00 this morning because I could swear I heard my Mamaw talking. I've had her on my mind the last few days. I think it's time for me to get down to the country to get a Grandma hug!

Swimming Lesson Success

Our little girlie who was afraid to jump off the side two weeks ago is now a swim lesson star! She passed to the next level, and surprised everyone Friday night by putting her hands out like she was going to actually dive off the board instead of just jumping in. She didn't jump toward the instructor either! I'm not sure if you can see in this picture, but the instructors were all shocked :-) Click on the picture to make it larger - the shocked looks are worth checking out...

Holiday Fun

We had a great time at Fourth of July Camp this year - the weather was great (except for a bit of a rain), the food was good, the fireworks were fabulous, and big family love was there along with lots of smiling friends. The kids had a great time swimming, riding ATVs, playing in the sand, and otherwise just being kids. What a wonderful blessing it is to have such a great family - and to be at a place where honestly the kids can run free safely, and Madeline can play with a roley poley bugs for fifteen minutes. This is a place where the kids, and as you will see below, the grownups, can just be kids!

Where Steven came from

People sometimes comment to me that Steven is like a big kid - clearly the apple doesn't fall too far from the tree. Check out these great pics of Johnny at camp - he certainly knows how to have fun! I have seen him do some pretty funny things - karaoke, bounce in kid bouncy things at parties, wrestle with Madeline.... He is one good guy!











Steven is more like his Dad than he thinks!

Family Fireworks at Camp

The annual 4th of July Fireworks at the camp went off with a sonic boom on Saturday night. Once again I was completely amazed at how HUGE and LOUD the fireworks were - honestly the show they put on would rival fireworks shows put on by professionals. Actually, I guess with all of their blasting licences they are like a professional show. I didn't get any pictures of the fireworks going off to show you how truly amazing they were, but I think these pictures illustrate it a bit:

This is a photo of the type of fireworks the average American shoots off:



These are the fireworks that our family shoots off (note that the things in the front scoop of the backhoe are the fireworks tubes!):



The echo off of the surrounding hills was something to be heard - I thought that the family definitely displayed their patriotism, and all I could think was the fireworks coming from the top of the hill said to the world WE ARE HERE!

Freedom

Last night Madeline conquered a major fear - she jumped into the pool. What a great feeling of freedom it is to conquer such a fear! Today she insisted that I take a picture of her doing a Cannonball - so you could all see how much fun she is having! She is very proud of herself :-)