Kim's Visit

Kim and the kids just left this morning after spending nearly a week here with us. It was so good to spend some time with my sister and so much fun doing things with my niece and nephew! The day they arrived, it was pretty hot, and those "northerners" had a hard time handling it. It was supposed to be like that all week, but thankfully we caught a break on the weather and most days it was overcast and cooler. The first day, we went to the water park. Nathan was able to come with us, and we all had alot of fun. Conner really liked the water slides and wave pool. Mya started swimming underwater and went down the big water slide too (Aunt Shelly had to catch her at the bottom). The next day, we went to the zoo. Both my boys went with us! I know, I was surprised too. I said I'd take them anytime, but they said it was boring to go to the zoo with me! Mya did not like the crocodile swamp, but both kids loved the aquarium and the gorillas. Mya was tickled when one gorilla sat in a window near her and picked his nose! The following day we went shopping for a new WebKinz. Aunt Shell learned all about the WebKinz-have to get one of my own! We also went to a melodrama in the evening. A melodrama is a play that requires audience participation (which is what makes it so fun). We got a front row seat and a tub of popcorn and we were all set. When the hero comes on stage, you are supposed to cheer. When the heroine comes on stage, you are supposed to say, awwwwwwww. And when the villain comes on stage, you booooo and throw popcorn at him. That was the best part! Jim took the next day off work and took Conner fishing. Kim, Mya, and I went shopping and joined them later with a picnic. We arrived just in time to see Conner catch the biggest fish of the day. Mya caught two fish after lunch and then we went swimming. Friday, both my boys joined us for some putt putt golf and refreshing slushies at Sonic. It was great having little kids around again. I learned I've lost touch with that world and I have some work to do before I have them in my life again (grandkids). I also had a crash course in how exhausting it can be-I'm not as young as I used to be! All the more reason to take better care of myself. It was refreshing to have the laughter and silliness again-after the dourness and sarcasm of my teenagers. I'm so grateful they came out to visit. I got to know them better and we really created good memories that will be with all of us throughout our lives. I don't get company often, and this visit was special.

We have to begin getting ready for the fall. Nate starts school in a few weeks, and Noah will go to his new university in less than a month. Nate has a good friend from FL visiting right now, and after he leaves will start three Saturdays of driver's ed. We haven't done anything as a family this summer. Hope to do some fall camping at least. Jim still hasn't fixed the boat seat. Two summers almost have passed and we haven't taken it out. We purchased a new fridge. It should be coming this week. I'm excited to have decent storage space again. Stuff kept breaking on our old fridge and it cost enough to replace/fix that we decided to just get a new one. We got a side by side, with water and ice on the door. Jim is finally done with the outage, but they are so shorthanded at work that he has to go back on shift later this year. Our dog's health is declining and I believe it is getting close to the time where a decision needs to be made. Of course, my husband is going to try and put it off by living in denial. Can't think of much more for now-so ta ta.......