Cherries!

Another summer tradition- Father's Day cherry picking!  

We started a little earlier than Father's day this year.

And I'm just now getting to putting up pictures.

They each have it in their mind the best cherries are the highest ones.

The visual person in me thought it would be neat if Liv could climb through the tree to see the surrounding farm from that vantage point, but the Mother in me beat that thought down and it never left my brain.  I'm still shocked the kids didn't try.

Maggie was sneaky.  As I was picking with her in the sling, she would help herself.

It was a little frustrating since I was not exactly still and pulling the cherries off was not as easy as it looked for a little one year old.

She was determined and resourceful..

I had to fish a few pits out of her mouth that day.  I was afraid to wear her on my back or I might miss the cherry stealing!

We even grabbed a peck of peas too!  George surprised me by sitting for over an hour tirelessly shelling them with me.  I love it when he can prove to me he CAN hold his attention to complete a task.  Not to mention it was a huge help to me!

Score!

Rainbows and Prims Awards

I'm so proud of my bigger little people.

Coming from a girl who NEVER got a gold star in Sunday school for reciting her memory very perfectly, I'm ecstatic that my babies are learning scripture.

During the Rainbows Awards ceremony, George even spoke a verse out loud for the congregation!

He has graduated from two years of Rainbows, earning all the badges available to him.

Next year he moves out of the coed pre-school group 

to the Boy's ministry of Royal Rangers!!

Livia completed her first year of Prims in Girl's ministries.

She has all the badges she could earn this year also.

It is just a shame her Momma has to staple them on for lack of sewing skills!

Her teachers invest in her completely and wholeheartedly. 

I think I adore them as much as Liv does!

It takes a lot to raise up a child in the way they should go.

Prayer, discipleship, modeling, more prayer....

I know we need help.

I'm so thankful for a church that offers a place for our children to grow in the Lord!

Strawberry Fun

We are some pick your own kind of people.  I can't think of anything bad about it, except the seasons are just too short!

We learned this year that Maggie can sit in her own berry box and just chow down while we work.

They have all put in some effort this year.  Not just eating.  We are still picking about the same amount, but the time goes by so much faster.

Liv didn't work as long as George.  She took a camera break.  How do I know?  I see lots of pics I could have taken then I come across this one....

I still laugh that she knows how to do this.

We packed a lunch and found a shady spot under a willow tree by the pond.  

(Notice his hair?  I'm posting a little out of order since I forgot a file of pictures!)

We love Lohr's Orchard for strawberries, apples and pumpkins because it so small and quiet.  Perfect for a man that needs to stay away from crowds.  Oh, and he can't eat any of the fresh picked goodies either!  Doctor's orders.  I never knew I would hear a Doctor say not to eat your fruits or veggies.

Bzzzzzzzzzz

Beach Time

I thought a morning at Hammerman's beach would be just what we needed to really feel like we have entered into summer.  I thought it would be a fun day playing in the sand and water.  I thought all the kids would gratefully chant, "we love you Momma!" in their angelic voices.....

Only Liv and George got that memo.

 I thought Ginnie surely couldn't remember that she hated the sand and water on her birthday last year.  She barely tolerated walking to the umbrella.  She wouldn't even get in the water WITH me. 

 She was obsessed with the "mess" on the towel and kept trying to clean everything off with a baby wipe.  You can imagine how frustrating that was for her (and me!).

 So the girls sat and ate gold fish until after our picnic lunch.  I just had to pack them up and go home after that.  I felt bad for the older ones, but it was not easy keeping Maggie from eating sand and Ginnie from crying.

On a bright note, our new umbrella was awesome!

Hambone Part Two

Nothing like a little apple and cheese snack break, and a camera near by.  

No great pictures, but she loved the attention!

Not sure how to take this

We are still working on Liv's math since we switched around curriculum so much this year and are now behind.  It still isn't our favorite thing.  

Yes, I said our.  I'm not a fan either. 

I'm just hoping to chalk this sleeping mathematician up to a big day running around in the fun summer air, and not her boredom with sums.