Tea Time

Our special tea shop is closing down in Round Rock. Mom, Benjamin & I enjoyed "high" tea - scones, clotted cream, blueberries & Sunrise on the Serengeti tea - together this past week. We came home and drank tea out of some special tea cups. I need to find a scrumptious scone recipe. They are such a treat.

Goodbye

I love this picture of 2 special friends. Benjamin learned her name before he learned mine. He calls the downstairs bedroom "June's room" and runs to find her after every gospel meeting. It hardly seems possible that one week ago she poured out what she had and fed our hearts and now she is gone. How does one explain this to a 2 year old? After having her for the past 3 years in our field, it is not easy letting go. But we are so glad for her guidance, instruction, encouragement & love.

10 Best Aquariums for Kids

If your summer travels include any of these cities, you may want to check these places out!

1. Monterey Bay Aquarium, Monterey, CA
2. Georgia Aquarium, Atlanta, GA
3. John G. Shedd Aquarium, Chicago, IL
4. New England Aquarium, Boston, MA
5. The Florida Aquarium, Tampa Bay, FL
6. Aquarium of the Pacific, Long Beach, CA
7. Atlantis Marine World, Riverhead, NY
8. Oregon Coast Aquarium, Newport, OR
9. SeaWorld Orlando/San Antonio/San Diego
10. National Aquarium in Baltimore, Maryland
(as reported by Parents Magazine)

A Surprise Birthday Party

Who doesn't love a surprise birthday party?! Benjamin managed not to spill the beans - he was too busy playing with Mason & Chase's toys to tell Papa he was going to have a birthday cake that night! We enjoyed the scrumptious food & good fellowship too. Can we do it again soon, Lori & Ruben? We all loved it!
Don't they look so young?

Getting some help from the grandsons

the 2 Birthday Papas

Boys & Toys

My Next Project...

making these blocks with similar lettering.

Splash!

There is no better place to spend a warm, sunny day than at the swimming pool. Benjamin and I have enjoyed pool time several mornings this week. Benjamin told me this week that "the kiddie pool is not for kitties, just kids"! He absolutely loves to splish, splash, dunk, "swim" in the little kiddie pool. His favorite pool toy is a little dolphin. He makes it do all kinds of tricks - mimicking Shamu's performance at Sea World.

Father's Day

This is a bit late - but wanted to share a some good memories from Father's Day. Benjamin enjoyed making little pizzas with Papa & Daddy after mtg on Sunday. I also made a great frozen pie from Cooking Light. I like this recipe because they use lighter ingredients that don't make the pie so rich. We missed being at convention this year with Grandpa Larry. Maybe someday we'll get to be with him on Father's Day at Dagmar! Benjamin loves talking on his phone to his Papa (about building things, hammers & ladders), to his Grandpa Larry (about John Deere tractors) and Daddy (about everything from baseball to convention grounds). I love to see the special impressions these men are making on our boy.

Garden Treats

We're enjoying more produce from our garden (and from Great Grandma & Grandpa's garden). Benjamin has discovered, like some other little guys, how wonderful corn tastes! One small problem we've encountered is that the mockingbirds seem to think the biggest & most beautiful tomatoes belong on their dinner menu. So we have found a new pet to help us with our pest control. We got ours at Home Depot for half this price! Hopefully we'll be seeing results.

Saturdays

Saturday (around our house) means: blueberry pancakes, quiet mornings, convention work projects, trips to Home Depot, fun times with Dad, outdoor playtime & gardening, bike rides, & more!

This Saturday, since we are now feeling better, we did a few extra fun things. Benjamin completed his first project at Home Depot making a "sealboat"/catamaran with a little help from Daddy. I also made a batch of homemade strawberry jam which turned out superb! Yeah. There is nothing better on toast than homemade "strawbear" jam - according to Benjamin.