Balloon Critters

We are very lucky to have some grandparents who know just what kids love.

And the kids get spoiled rotten!

Gma June has sent balloons in the past, and they were a huge hit.  However, Mom did not refresh the supply.  And this year, Lucas got more balloons in his birthday package and the kids went crazy with them.  We still have a few limp critters in a box in the bedroom.

Julia is especially patient, although all three of the kids amaze me with their creations.

 I believe all of the above are Julia's except the red dog, which Aidan made.

I could be woefully wrong, in which case I'll edit the post.

 The dog and the red-eyed poodle.  No more eyelash eyes were left.

 Lots of little twists and turns!

And Julia with her collection.  She made the poodle, a green turtle, a white swan, and a yellow giraffe. The giraffe had a tail much, much too long.  So she turned it into a two-headed giraffe in a father-baby combo.

Lucas Turns 10!

Happy 10th Birthday, Lucas!

Lucas had his birthday just three days after we arrived in our new state.

I was worried about how swell of a birthday I could make for him.

However, Shane had it all under control. 

 Remote control.

 We did our usual presents in the morning, so that the birthday kid can have the day to enjoy them.

 Nerf guns from Aidan, Minecraft toys from Julia...

 A trip to the zoo right by our apartment!

 Phone calls from loved ones.

 Riding the tiger at the zoo... too hot to sit on!

 And Lucas requested a stick figure cake.  That was his costume on halloween, and he's enjoyed them ever since.

 Always a little help with the candles!

 Taking his plane out for a spin.

He's gotten pretty good, which is no surprise for kids these days!

The first kid with two digits... where does the time go?

He is really fun, loves to hang around his parents, which I think we should be soaking up.

Quite the wit, loves jokes, and is interested in everything.

We are really enjoying you today, Son!

One of "those" types...

Sometimes it is rather shocking to see ourselves mirrored in our children.  Sometimes a quality that seems only mildly bad on myself, I find totally unacceptable in my kids.  And so I have to do things like learn and grow in order to improve my example.

And then every once in awhile, you see some quality in your kids that reminds you of yourself and what a relief!  It isn't a bad thing! Yay!  In this case, it isn't a virtue.  Just a trait:

List Making!

Lucas made this list; my organized child.

The point of this list is to determine the pros and cons of different locations around our tiny rental that would make good hiding places.

There are vents around the house, and the kids discovered that you can eavesdrop really well through the vents when you are in the basement.  So they don't want a location where all their secrets could be overheard! (That's the oldest trick in the book!)

A Date

Aidan wanted to go on a date with Mommy!

And I thought that would be great.  We settled on IHOP, so we could get some of our favorite breakfast foods.  Especially since Papa will never darken the door of an ihop himself.  Or a Denny's. Or Applebee's.  Or Sweet Tomatoes.  So we have to go get our "nasty food" fix when he's not around. =)

 I just love it when I take the time to focus on their sweet faces.

Especially when they are so earnestly telling me a story.

 The days can get too busy;

I can be distracted all the time...

So it feels really good to take a time out, and really soak up the wonder of these little people growing up.  It is humbling to see how great they are.  And I see a little bit better why God loves little children so much.

A Big Move

Our year to date has been very exciting, and also a bit stressful.

At the end of May, we said goodbye to our home and friends in New Mexico.  Our time there was full of happy experiences like hikes, breakfast burritos, hot air balloons, Dion's Pizza, Wildlife West, Carlsbad Caverns, chickens, learning to ride bikes, everyone's first loose tooth, and a whole host of unforgettable friends of all ages.

But happy as we were, Shane has been needing to explore the scientific research side of his education, and found an opportunity for publishing papers and going to conferences AND at a non-weapons related facility, Idaho National Labs.  Leaving was a wrench for him, since his job in New Mexico was also quite good, and he worked with a uniquely talented group of wonderful people.  In the end, he tossed the dice and here we are: Idaho!

As soon as we touched down in our little two bedroom apartment, we unpacked our meager belongings and explored the parks for a week while Shane started work.  Then we left for Parma convention.  Then we came back for a week.  Then we left for Boise to spend a week with cousins while one sister and her hubby went to Mexico for a romantic getaway.  That was a lot of fun, especially since I got to team up with my sister, Marian, and together we doted on the six rascally cousins.  Now we are back in town again and starting on our second consecutive week at our new home!

School: Back when I made the schedule last year, I didn't know we'd be moving.  So we were slated to finish around the first week of June.  However, with a moving date of May 30, packing and sorting, cleaning and general upheaval, we had to just STOP because no one could concentrate.  Especially me.  So we had five weeks left, and now we are trying to force ourselves to just get through it.  Still hard to concentrate, but on the other hand, we really feel the need for structure in these changing times.

We went to Yellowstone for the afternoon last weekend... so lovely to be able to say that!  Took some pictures, went on a hike and brought back lots of mosquito bites.  Aidan asked me why God ever made those! We had a good time anyway, and I'll try and get my picasa albums up to date with the move and everything.  And that's the news from Lake Woebegone.