Are the gifts for the giver on the receiver?

Gift giving is a double edged sword.  Everyone likes to give a gift from their heart that will be cherished.  But does gift giving on a large scale for a mandated reason seem like it carries the same love and meaning?  Not usually.

Do you get your feelings hurt when you go to someone's house and don't see the item you spent so much time and thought picking out or making?  My guess is yes. Do you often see the gifts you were sure would be so cherished cast aside or forgotten?  Maybe.  

But should you stop sharing your love and joy with others?  Maybe yes or maybe no.  But, you probably need to start listening to that person more carefully, if you don't want to have bitterness overwhelm you.  Gift giving is almost always trial and error.

Indiana has so much to do

Minor league baseball, tie-dye, s'mores, painting ceramics, playground, tea party, dogs, trampoline, sidewalk chalk, swimming, camping and a whole lot more:-). Thanks for the fun at Cousin Camp:-)

Cousin Camp has returned

Last year, Cousin Camp didn't happen due to too many conflicts of schedule.  However, Cousin P's home schooling allows for a more flexible summer schedule.

I'm sure we'll miss each other, but I know we'll all enjoy our time apart.

Get out and enjoy this beautiful weather TOGETHER

With only enough tickets to have each child each ride one ride, decided to try a family night of Miniature Golf.  We went the option that was opened the latest.  None of us will ever be able to make a living at this.  Little Brother's swung his club and slid his ball over the turf as if it were an ice hockey stick; he held it like it was a crocket mallet.

Big Sister swung her club with force, but as if we're an iron or wood club.  She decided to name her own number of strokes like we had be playing "Name That Tune".

The only rule of the game: don't swing until everyone is all clear.

Afterwards, we rewarded ourselves with ice cream.

Can't miss the County Fair

After having a bust on our attempt to go the Fair in the afternoon, we toughed it out and went after dinner.  Pretty good way to help Big Sister celebrate the end of Summer School.

Last year we couldn't use all our tickets and had to go back a second time.  Not a problem this year.  Put a spin on our tradition of riding to Ferris Wheel as a family.  Got an excellent view from the top as other passengers boarded and unboarded.

Got our long awaited, requisite Fair Food: Cotton Candy.  Missed not being able to win goldfish and hermit carbs just didn't feel right.  Apparently, fair fish are much bigger and exciting than the ones available and viewed at Petco.

Big Sister likes it, she really likes it!

Big Sister is learning the value of help and time as payment for the same in return.  She worked out a barter with one of our neighbors for violin/string instruments lessons.  Not only did she fold a load of laundry, but she spent a little time getting acquainted with what is involved with caring for young babies.

 

Starter Furniture

After returning home from our fun and tiring weekend of camping, we found Crazy Aaron's Thinking Putty gluing the pillow to the couch cushion.  I can't really get mad because there were other people here at the house before we left on our trip.  I am livid that this happened.  But, honestly should I throw away the putty or just hope it comes out when I finally have time to try to work it out of the cushions this weekend?

 

 

A camping we will go...Who needs a man in order to go camping

Ours with Big Sister standing inside

It was HOT, but fun.  Don't think I'll go camping again in late July unless I have my electrical fans ready to plug in.  I have never seen such plush camping accommodations before.  We even had some frustration and jealousy about "our" tent being "so small" compared to our friends' tents.  However, because there weren't so many restrictions on how to enter our little tent,  it served as the perfect tent for mid-day play and an easy escape from the mosquitos.

Theirs with the mud room

Theirs with the screened in porch



The evening activities on Friday included SWEATING, setting up camp before the sun set while SWEATING MORE, eating pizza while SWEATING, washing the SWEAT off everyone in the bathhouse hotter than a sauna, and trying to go to sleep while the SWEAT drips down your face. 

Saturday we had a true beach camping experience by waking at dawn, playing on the playground until enough others woke up to make breakfast, packing lunch and venturing out to the beach.  With no parking pass and residential permit parking only, we split up into two groups: group to carry all the heavy items to the beach and set up before the other group arrives and the group who patiently waited for the shuttle to the beach.  I have never seen kids have so much fun at the beach before and with varied interests: shells, digging, wanting to body surf or be splashed by waves, boogie boarding, and building in the sand.  There was no time to fight or get frustrated with anyone as they were all over the place having a blast.  Some enjoyed ice cream while others enjoyed their first snow cones.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nothing ends a beach trip like a trip to Friendly's with an ice cream dessert (or lunch of ice cream in the writer's case).

He won't come home the same

We will be welcoming home CDR Daddy!

It's gettin' hot in here!

Yeah Daddy's got it pretty bad out there in Bahrain.

But,we're not too far behind!