{pretty, happy, funny, real} - summer break, week 2

Linking up again with Like Mother, Like Daughter for {pretty, happy, funny, real}...

Thank you for all of the visits and comments on my last post dealing with the uncomfortable subject of miscarriage. I am so appreciative of the encouragement and love! Several emails that I received made me realize that there is an interest in expanding on a few of the items, so I'll be working on that when the time is right.

{pretty}

Well, here we are, almost finished with week three of summer break, and I haven't scrapblogged about week two yet! Yup, I love that new word, which I first saw used over at Beautiful Chaos. I'm not much of a scrapbooker, but a scrapblogger, that's pretty much what I do around here. Imagine that you are sitting in my living room and flipping through our family album while we visit and share a tall glass of southern sweet tea. :)


Week 2:


A favorite smoothie shop around here has "flip-flop" day once a year where you get a free smoothie for wearing flip-flops. Feeling like a rebel, Ander didn't wear appropriate footwear. He gave them a sweet look and they gave him a free smoothie anyway. That only works for so long, son. ;)

Since it was my first year staying home, and we were adjusting to life on one income, the kids didn't participate in any after-school activities this past year (and they survived, imagine that!). We decided to let them try activities over the summer by way of camps. Miles and Ander both attended karate camp; one day they even went rollerskating as part of camp. At the end of the week, Miles was hungry for more and wanted to sign up for karate classes. Ander on the other hand said, no thanks. 

Genevieve attended "Camp Mommy" and was none too thrilled about missing the fun that she saw her siblings enjoying on their outings. :( She did, however, enjoy a playdate with Benjamin and Lucy and was especially curious about their rockin' garden and chickens! 


Another thing that the three little ones enjoyed was getting ready for "VBS" (Vacation Bible School) by practicing songs and dances from previous years. They were pretty excited about it and put on a show for us atop the coffee table while looking at their reflection in the mirror. Is there a child who doesn't love looking in the mirror? I've never met one.

{happy}

Which brings us to Aniston who attended her first week of horse camp at Happy Trails Ranch. She had a great time learning western riding, and she is attending another week of camp next month that will be focused on English riding. We don't have a horse, but my parents do on their farm, so she is hoping to spend more time on the weekends over there.

Genevieve was happy to arrive early for pick-up and observe her big sister!

{funny}

My mom and I both get busy and forgetful, so this sign hanging on the barn at horse camp had us cracking up.

Genevieve is always good for a laugh.

{real}

In the spirit of Father's Day, I'll wrap up with two things that really spoke to my heart last week. The first was a sculpture of Saint Joseph holding the baby Jesus. We attended a party where this statue resided in the corner of the room. My two youngest ran up and embraced it, yelling, Joseph & Jesus! Can I tell you how heartwarming it is to see my children acknowledge what we try and teach them? A real, special moment for me, right here:

A real truth: What a wonderful world if we could all think of our grandfathers this way:

Be sure to visit the lovely ladies at Like Mother, Like Daughter to see more PHFR posts.