Saturday

We try each night during family dinner to ask everyone the following two questions:

What was the best part of your day?

What was the worst part of your day?

More often than not, Ben answers the second question by saying, “Actually, I had a pretty good day.”

Saturday, we all had a pretty good day.   We spent the morning at a grape stomp festival at a local winery.  We missed the stomping competition, due to tired and soon to be very cranky kids.  But there was much fun to be had, meeting up with friends, wine tasting, enjoying the beautiful scenery and snow cones on a hot summer day. 

In the evening we celebrated a special birthday (and recent retirement) to all of Casa Watson, Mark’s Aunt Ann.   Aunt Ann lives in the Seattle area and we do not see her nearly as much as we would like.  She has always been a big fan of this little blog here, it is a great way to stay connected and give her the chance to watch Ben and Clara grow. 

Aunt Ann loves cats (especially her Rusty & Mimi), with that in mind, for our virtual celebration in her honor we thought kitty cat cupcakes would be perfect.   Everyone made their own cupcake ­— Ben wanted Mommy to help with his, to make sure it looked just right, Clara wanted orange ears, orange eyes and to steal as many licks of frosting as she could, Mark’s poor kitty looked like an alley cat and well…you can imagine how Leah approached the project. Clara also insisted on a dance party for the festivities and accompanied the ipod playlist with her special take on the drums.

We toasted, we sang, we chomped on cupcakes and thanked God for Aunt Ann, for family, for all the ways we are able to stay connected to those we love thanks to the wonders of the modern age.   And for kitty cats (doggies too).

Actually, it was a pretty good day.

Auntie Kaitlin and (Great) Aunt Ann during our Watson Weekend in Ohio

Summer Snapshots

We have been enjoying the last days of this summer, knowing that these moments will never come again. 

Here are a few favorite pics of our favorite little people from this last week:

Pool buddies

Froggy friend

Growth spurt

Boy who could fly

Her mother's daughter

Again, growth spurt

Joy, two-year old style

Glimpse of the man

Saying grace before "dinner"

Oh, Ben

Soldiers Reunion Parade 2010

We woke up Thursday morning (parade day) to a huge rainstorm and dense, dark clouds sat ominously in the sky throughout the day.  Another big thunderstorm was set to strike at 5:00pm, parade start time.  We got as much prepped as we could inside, watched and waited to see if our annual end of summer shindig was going to happen.  The skies cleared up enough, a few rumbles of thunder threatened, but the Soldiers Reunion Parade, a Newton tradition for over a hundred years, was able to again march, float, ride, wave and gallop down our little street.

This celebration is always a reminder of the simple joys of summer, small town style.  Kids run around, waving to beauty queens, playing baseball or blowing bubbles.  We chat with neighbors, wave to friends in the parade, drink lemonade and sweet tea, swipe a lick of frosting off a cupcake with our fingers…for a moment we get to feel a little Norman Rockwell magic.

There was a close call when the Chik Filet cow, the “scary big character” that the kids fear most, parked in front of our house for ten minutes.  Mark and Leah rushed over, prepared to hold and calm the sure to be shaking, crying duo.  All the other kids in attendance proved to be a great influence.  As long as the cow stayed on the other side of the street, both kids stood bravely on their own, breathing deeply and on alert.  The dignified way they faced that fear was a fitting tribute to all the soldiers, past and present, we were celebrating.

May we all continue our march, bravely facing the storms and embracing all the moments of magic.  

Blast Off!

After the sickness subsided, the kids enjoyed a fun week of Vacation Bible School, going on a "Galactic Blast." Ben managed to use those baby blues of his to full advantage, he tearily talked his way into the kindergarten/first grade class. He was proud to hang with the "big kids" and loved all the space themed music, games and energy (and let's not forget to mention the sugary treats) each evening offered. Clara still lagged behind on the wellness scale, but she managed to make it through dinner and music a few nights. Her biggest excitement came from wearing the orange VBS t-shirts. The late bedtimes made for some cranky kids, which in turn made for a couple cranky parents, consistent discipline can be totally exhausting. On Sunday, Ben somehow managed to be front and center as the kids sang songs from their VBS adventure. It was touching to see him sing from the heart, worshipping with the joy and sincerity that is the unique gift of children. (Side note: included is a photo of the latest brother and sister play craze — wrestling.  Sometimes, Ben even wins).

Sick Days

We all came down with variations of the summer flu last week.  While it isn't fun (especially when you are sick too and can't get the sleep you need to get well because you are up with the coughing, aching kiddos most of the night), but we are grateful that illness did not befall us on vacation and it is wonderful to get lots of snuggles from the kids, indulging them guilt-free with comfort, cuddles and treats.  Mark managed to preach at both services with a 101 fever — let's hope he didn't shake too many hands after the service.  A full week since the first comrade fell under the ailing spell (Ben) we are almost back to healthy, ready to enjoy the last days of summer.

The Livin' is Easy

Summertime in the South calls on all your creative resources to keep the long, hot days from dragging. Between stifling high heat and humidity, wild thunder and lighting storms, and bugs galore that adore the sweet nectar of Clara's pudgy legs and arms, there are many days when you are simply stuck indoors.   We have been filling our days with art projects, Wii sports, field trips, story time, kids in the kitchen endeavors and trying (trying very hard) to work on our independent play skills.  At least for Ben and Clara, summertime means the living is easy…but these kids can pretty much say that year around, huh?