A shout out to country music

When you have kids you pay really close attention to the words played on the radio.  Especially because you know they are.  It's quite normal for me to hear, "What does that mean, Mom?"  

My kids begged over the spring/summer to hear their new favorite pop station (that they got to know thanks to the school bus ride).  It began to get painful (the music and the begging).  I had to change the channel a lot and hope other songs were over their heads.  I mean the majority of them are fil-thy.

We took a trip this summer and the kids and I were gone for two weeks.  I loved not hearing the begging for the radio and I loved not listening to/monitoring it.

Our return to Wisconsin marked a new beginning.  When the "Turn the radio on to 99.1 the mix!!" began I simply said I was tired of the songs and their messages.  And that was that, no more.

Occasionally I'll turn on my country station, usually when Abby is desperate and hoping to hear a Taylor Swift song.  Well heavens to Betsy. We listened to 4 or 5 songs in a row that were clean and had sweet messages.

Like, loving the view from "my front porch looking in" because I love my wife and kids so much.  This, my kids noticed, asked about, and liked.

And when the kids asked me during the next song, "What's that about?"  I told them it was about a Dad who took his little girl fishing for the day--they talked and laughed and bonded--just what the Dad was hoping for.  The little girl doesn't think about the meaning behind the trip, so the Dad sings, "She thinks we're just fishin'."  Andrew replies, "Oh, that's cool."

So, here's my shout:  Country Music, I know you have songs about tequilla making your clothes fall off and checking a girl for ticks (hello!), I know you still sing about lying, cheating, and drinking.  But when I can turn you on and hear far more songs about  family, friendship, love, our country, faith, and happy relationships than anywhere else, I say YEEEEEHAW!!

Germantown campout

Germantown has a community camp out in a local park (a playground, baseball field-type park--not a typical camp out place) once every summer. I've been wanting to do it each year and finally got around to it! Daniel happened to be at Youth Conference, but that didn't stop me. It is kind of like camping in your back yard and no cooking was involved, so it was pretty simple.

Yes, I had to pace my energy level and bring a variety of snacks, but it all worked out great. And the kids helped out a lot! They've really learned to step up and pitch in.

We set up the tent in the early afternoon then came back for games in the evening! The leaders had lots of fun activities for a variety of ages. All my kids had a lot of fun! We had a Subway dinner and then did crafts. They also had clowns come in and make balloons and do face painting. After all that, at dusk they played "Despicable Me" outside. (Much more of Germantown showed up for this part.) Following the movie was a flashlight candy hunt for the campers. Talk about fun! They even provided breakfast at the park pavilion in the morning. My kids all thanked me endlessly for taking them. Well kiddos, you're welcome! I'm sure we'll be back next year!

Eliza chose to be a flower fairy...nothing is as good as having a pink jewel on your forehead!
Andrew got some wicked flames.
This is just a warning to my brother, BILL (aka Billy Boy in his younger years), for his future if he doesn't behave in grad school.
Abby's flower.The kids decorated compass key chains and the girls and I made this family nature sign.

Food

So I had to laugh when I got home from the store and unloaded this stash colorful goodness. Colorful if all the varieties of tan and yellow count.

Independence Day!

This Independence Day was celebrated at Old World Wisconsin where you "return to the Wisconsin of the late 19th century when waves of immigrants came to America's heartland in search of a better life"...and this is what we did...

We took trams around from town to farms to settlements from various countries
The girls helped a lady water her garden
We heard patriotic and political speeches
We saw horse races
Chopped wood
Carved wood

Played a new (but old) version of pick-up-sticks (there's a hook on the end of Eliza's stick)
Made fresh lemonaid
Watched a blacksmith work some metal
Checked out lots of farms, granaries, meat houses, homes, etc.

And played games and did other activities Old World style. When a friend was telling me about this place they mentioned some of the activities and the types of thing that go on there. They said something kid of doubtful, like, "It's fun...if that's your kind of thing." Well, it IS our kind of thing! We had a great time--and the 4th was a great time to go to celebrate our country!

That evening, of course was full of pop-its, sparklers, friends, and a firework show!
I was the sparkler hander-outer. I enjoyed my 15 minutes of super-popularity.

July fun!

July began with a visit from Grandma Stewart! Woooohooo! She came for Abby's baptism. Grandpa was to come too but was sick sick sick, poor guy! Before the big day we had some fun playing. First we went to the dunes at Kohler Andrae. The kids were really excited to show Grandma their favorite place. I didn't get the camera out during the adventures (besides this playground picture), but maybe sometime I will bug Grandma for some pix. Andrew and Abby really got to enjoy the water this time. (Eliza opted out because of some dead minnows in the water/on the shore. Too icky for her.) The waves were huge! Really like an ocean. Incredible. It was cold, windy, and reminded me of my days playing in the OR coast. Grandma and the kids set up some flags along the driveway for the Fourth. Pretty cute!
Here are the girls making "8" cookies for Abby's baptism. This is Grandma S.'s newish tradition. They were cute and white and sparkly and yummy!
Here's the family at the church before the baptism, which happened to be on my Mom's birthday!
Abby and her friend Kate shared their baptism day. It turned out great! They were adorable and so excited together. There are/have been 3 other baptisms all very close together this summer--lots of kids turning 8!
Abby got her first set of scriptures and a case from Daniel and me. She also received a special "My Baptism" binder made by Grandma Stewart. It's a place for her to put her thoughts, pictures, and memories of her big day--thanks Grandma!

Happy Valentine's Day Baby

So I couldn't fool anyone with my symptoms? :)

Well I just had my first OB appointment! My Doc. did an ultrasound it was really exciting (and cute!) to see that little peanut with tiny hands and feet flapping wildly around! Made me feel like a first-time-Mom all over again. I had fun telling the kids all about it. They are going to love the "it's a..." ultrasound.

I was pleased that my own calculations for a due-date were spot on. So mark your calendars for February 14th! With that date nobody's allowed to forget when Baby's due!

The morning sickness lingers, but I've had some good days to break it up. I'm not throwing up or green on the couch all day, but I really look forward to enjoying food again! It's just not right not to want ice cream at night (or want dinner...or lunch...or...or...)!

Thanks for the love and well-wishes!

Safety Town and Father's Day

Not a ton to say here...but Eliza finished a little parks and rec class called Safety Town. I must say it was adorable. She learned lots of songs to remind her about safety in buses, with fire, on farms, on roads, etc. They had a "town" out on the black top they got to practice being drivers and pedestrians.Hey, what a cute Father! This Father's day we got Daniel some candy (as usual), a family history poster to fill in...
and sent him on a treasure hunt around the house and yard to find a croquet set! We had a fun day! (cuz he his a fun guy)