Two Ring Circus . . .

More than a week ago I got this shot of Brianna in our "Johnny Jump-Up." This one is from a yard sale, but when Jennifer and Amanda were little we had a borrowed one, and they loved bouncing up and down and being in control of the motion . . . sort of.

"Am I driving, Mommy?"


Monday we dropped in on Claire (Jennifer and Matt happened to be there, too). Claire slept during the entire visit, but that didn't bother Judy. Not one bit. Just gazing at her is reward enough!

Judy was not selfish. She let me have a good long turn holding Sleeping Beauty.
Wednesday, Brianna and Amanda came over for our soup date, and that child is changing fast (not diapers). She has a new favorite rattle and seems on the verge of grabbing and exploring everything within reach.

The camera is an occasional distraction. (And yes, Gail, that's her Atlanta Braves receiving blanket).

But Thursday topped everything. Judy and I invited ourselves to a little get-together of sisters and cousins. This classic-to-be picture features my five main gals: Judy, Brianna, Jennifer, Claire, and Amanda. AND I KNOW IT'S A LITTLE CONFUSING THAT JENNIFER AND AMANDA SWAPPED BABIES FOR THIS PICTURE!

Grandma Judy says, "Here's ONE perfect baby. . . ."

"And HERE'S the other one."

TAH-DAH!!!!!!! Two Perfect Babies.

(Just enough to start a Two Ring Circus) : )

Stay tuned.

Vacation Bible School at Beulah Hill

Nothing is quite like Vacation Bible School, and Beulah Hill's 2009 VBS, an all-day event, was no exception.

The pews began to fill with eager Bible learners before 9 a.m. Saturday.

The Youth try to figure out the parachute.

Grab it Emma! It's getting away!

Okay, you guys. What can we play with that won't embarrass us or make anybody stare too much?

Jackson easily masters the Balance Maze, like he masters everything he tries.

Umpteen Tug-o-wars were held. None of them were fair.

Are these Frisbees for balancing or throwing? Well, here it goes. . . .

Yup. There it went!

Meanwhile, at the beanbag toss: "Take THAT, and THAT, and THAT!"

NO, Miss Delores! I won't throw my pacifier out the nursery window again-- I PROMISE!

While Donna calmly snaps photos, the hazards of foil streamers go unnoticed.

One more time-- WE'LL turn the rope, YOU jump it!

The ENFORCERS. Sometimes it takes five to supervise one.

Okay, everybody make yourselves really SMALL!

OOPS! Where'd they all go?

This is the Story Room where the most valuable lessons of Camp Sonshine were shared.

Lessons like "Never light a real campfire inside the church."

Lessons like "Never leave the snack table unguarded."

And lessons like "Never invite strange animals inside your tent, even if they're stuffed."

Now, our next activity is do dive from the top of the fire escape into the kiddie pool. Who's first?

And the rule of this fun game is "Don't get anything above your ankle wet."

Of course, we follow ALL rules! Now get OUT of here with that camera.

So if a bird flies in, we can really add him to the membership roll?

No helpers were more appreciated than our couriers who delivered Bob's Pizzas. YUM YUM YUM! And thank you, Bob!

I can't look at the bubbles right now-- Mr. Ken is pointing a camera in my direction.

Two things I'm really good at: SMILING for Uncle Ken and blowing bubbles sitting down.

So every time you jump we call out a girl's name, and when you miss that's the girl who gets to kiss ya.

Okay, we could use a few more lifeguards over here at the pool.

Pastor Bryan doesn't just 'talk the talk,' he 'walks the walk.'

What Would Jesus Do? Fix Caroline's shoe before the balloon launch.

Okay, whose the wise guy who told the kids we would shoot the balloons down with slingshots?

There they go! More than 50 balloons. I bet my yellow one makes it as far as northern Murdocksville before it bursts. And by the way, am I the only one who sees words in the sky?

All over now but certificates and some good ol' singing. Songs like "I Am a Promise," "Love is a Flag Flown High," "Awesome God," and "Who is the King of the Jungle."

Wow. Six hours of VBS. Was it worth it?

I won't know till I open the goody bag!

Seriously, it was a great day of Bible teaching and fellowship. Thanks to all the children and adults who participated in making it a totally positive and memorable occasion.

Whirlwind of Activity

When I posted TWO posts on Sunday, July 5, little did I know I wouldn't get to blog again for nine days. Last week wasn't the busiest week I've ever known, but I generally like to blog when I have up to a couple of hours to plan my pictures and do my writing. Last week didn't present many chunks of time that large. So to summarize, let me just list some of the routine things that filled the week. These won't be sequential, and I won't even try to designate what day some of these things happened. I don't remember!

• Held Brianna and Claire every chance I got
• Played piano at the hospital
• Church service at Manor Care
• Took advantage of Snapfish offer: 50 prints for 50 cents (baby pictures have already arrived, ordered another 50+ of genealogy prints)
• Redid back walkway
• Gardened: watered, weeded, pruned, harvested
• Had first tomato sandwich from our garden (not the bread)
• Finished a good book, Kit's Wilderness, which combined elements of old coal mining communities, family heritage, and family stories, among other things
• Started another good book, Anne of Green Gables
• Prepared music for Vacation Bible School
• Loaded car with games and toys for VBS
• Celebrated an 80th birthday with a good friend and her family
• Agreed to help with Moore County Library's Summer Story Hour (this Wed., July 15, at Carthage library at 10:30 a.m.; Thurs., July 16, at Vass Town Library)
• Watched a couple of great Agatha Christy tales on PBS's Masterpiece Mystery. The sleuths are Poirot and Miss Marple.
• Went to the third summer concert by the Sandhills Community College Jazz Band (See upcoming blog)
• Read Jennifer and Amanda's blogs (among others) to see baby pictures I didn't take!
• Had several nice walks with Judy
• Judy shared blueberries, peaches, baked apples, watermelon, cherries, and more fruit with me.
• And last, but not least, responded to a friendly e-mail reminder that I hadn't blogged in a long, long time. : )
• Enjoyed the next round of Judy's homemade chicken salad

I'm sure I've left out a lot, but at least I've made a dent in the backlog.

At first opportunity I'll post a couple of blogs about the Jazz Band Concert and Vacation Bible School. And I promise pictures next time!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA!

America turned 233 Saturday, and the birthday was celebrated all over the world, not just by Americans. In spite of our imperfections, more citizens of the world look to the USA more than any other nation as a bastion of democracy and freedom and a source of hope for world peace.

The celebrations can be as diverse as the citizenry, but there are common threads. Good food, patriotic music and parades, family and friends, and last but not least--FIREWORKS--the louder the better!

Judy and I grilled up some hotdogs. She conjured up a chili recipe that won first prize at the state fair. Add in cole slaw, potato wedges, and grilled onions, and it was a worthy feast. And did I mention Judy squoze lemons for her homemade lemonade?

Saturday near dusk we headed over to the Pinehurst Harness Track/Fair Barn for fireworks. They have been excellent every year the village has sponsored them, and they did not disappoint us. When we arrived, the afternoon family activities were winding down.

Under a three quarter moon the crowds began to filter over to the field where the fireworks are always held. In the distance we could see the startup of fireworks at Aberdeen Lake and CCNC.

We got prime seats and for a few minutes just talked, and watched children playing as the sky darkened.

Any guesses what the picture below is? See under the picture.

It's a group of kids all lighting sparklers at the same time!

Obviously, it was now dark enough for the show to began, and it was a humdinger (whatever that is). I'll let them speak for themselves.

You'll have to supply your own sound effects.

The crowd was very well-mannered. There were oohs and ahhs. There was occasional applause. You would have thought you were in the Dean Dome during a not-so-close game. No tension, just relaxed exuberance.

The "fountain" fireworks" were loud and cool, but don't show up so great in still photos.

I'm not sure, but I suspect I accidentally captured some spiritual warfare. See the angel and demon? Or was it just me?

Still photos of fireworks are pretty blah at best, so I'm gonna load 1 or 2 videos of the very best displays. If you didn't get to see any live fireworks this year, you might want to take a peek. But if you were lucky enough to be with friends and family, munching some good food off the grill, or setting off your own pyrotechnics, don't waste your time with mine. I can't compete!

Pinehurst' Closing Display!