Corny post

July is almost over, but there's still plenty of summer to enjoy. Thanks to some kind friends at church, we had lots of yummy sweet corn to eat this week.


Everyone pulled up a spot and helped shuck corn. I never have any trouble getting their help when it comes to the eating part, either.
Maimie calls it "popcorn" for some reason and can't get enough of the stuff! She absolutely gnaws the cob to death, and loves the cool little corn shaped grippers on the ends.

I've added a couple of photos from the last several days to add to my rather short post.

Playing dressup

The "Big Cheese" rocket


Helping Mommy make pizza

July Fun

July has been a whirl of activities and fun for us. We began organizing and cleaning out the garage--mostly on weekends. At one point during the "cleaning", I ran in and grabbed my camera to catch this shot.


Some of the hot, humid afternoons have been spent in the backyard pool. We have also read library books, picnicked on the lawn, watched movies, and played games. Then during the evenings we have played yard games, enjoyed a family walk, or gone swimming. Maimie has really taken to the water this year. She wears a tube and kicks all around. She even puts her little face in the water.


For the last two weeks, the kids have been attending College for Kids classes. We let each of them choose a class. Well, that's not really true. We tried to let them each choose a class, but eventually steering became necessary. Joseph wanted to attend a class called "The art of clowning". Although Joseph could probably teach this class, we convinced him that "junk box science" would be a much better choice. Mikaela's first class is a mix of Chinese language and culture. As an 8th grade promotion gift, we allowed Mikaela to also attend the portrait drawing class. Rocketry was Jacob's preference. As you can see from the photos, Jacob was inspired to build a PVC rocket launcher with help from Dad and Joseph. The launcher hooks to our air compressor and shoots off paper rockets twice as high as our house. They have enjoyed many successful and unsuccessful launches this week.



Finally, I had to post this last photo of little Miss Maimie's foot. I love how it's so wrinkly from being in the pool too long. Don't you just want to kiss it?!! Me, too!

Braces and Bugs

Jacob was so excited to get his braces on this past Wednesday. The orthodontist only attached his upper braces this time due to the way his teeth close together. Jacob chose rubber bands in red, white, and blue. Two of his teeth are still way up high in the gumline and have been causing pain and sores from the way the brackets sit. Hopefully in another day or two his mouth will heal and feel better.

Last Friday evening the kids stayed out late to catch lightning bugs. Maimie enjoyed being a part of the hunt and ended with a full box of lights (thanks to a little help from her big brothers and sister).


Ahhh, one more photo to share from our trip to Destin last month. This photo was taken on our last day as we were packing up to leave. We realized we didn't get any photos with palm trees and decided we needed one....even though Dad was in a hurry to get on the road.