$5.50

For about a week now Carver and his dear pal Dylan have been planning a lemonade stand. I've mostly disregarded the talk because they are always full of ideas-rock bands, sleep overs, 'important meetings', song writing, experiments...the list goes on. So when the murmuring began about a lemonade stand I didn't give it much thought. Until this morning. Dylan's mom and I trade off Wednesdays and today was Carver's day to go over there. Well as I packed his lunch he reminded me that he needed a couple of packets of lemonade and some cups. I dutifully packed them and reminded him that I expected a good attitude even if Miss Trish deemed this a bad day for a lemonade stand. He agreed, but I could tell he was not interested in that scenario. Well, low and behold, we pulled up to get him this afternoon and there was the cutest lemonade stand you've ever seen. I wish so badly that my camera had been with me. A cute little white table with a red sign and bright red cups. They looked like something from a commercial. We all enjoyed a cup of delicious pink lemonade and when Trish helped them divide their earnings they each walked away with $5.50! I think that's pretty great being that their lemonade was only twenty five cents a cup, don't you? (Although I think the guy in the red convertible left them with a five dollar bill.)

Although they really have no value attached to money they were elated and so proud of their hard work (and they did work hard running back and forth to house for ice and water!). It was yet another moment of realizing that this little boy is growing up-but what joy it is. So...the next time you pass a lemonade stand-stop-it's the sweetest lemonade you'll ever find.

Soccer Saturday

After two years of soccer 'clinics' (drills and little scrimmages) Carver's moved up to the big kid league and played his first real game on Saturday. It's designed to be rather noncompetitive, but I would be remiss not to brag that he scored his teams first goal. Of course with a field of five and six year olds there is a lot of magnet ball, yet at the same time we were all impressed at how well they stuck with the game. It was another moment of 'wow, he's growing up.' While he ran his heart out our little monkey found a huge hill of red dirt and climbed, dug and slid-that is when she wasn't trying to run out onto the field to join the game.

Jameson, Carver, Caleb and Harrison

Friday and the Festival in the Park

All week long we've looked forward to the Festival in the Park, one of our favorite traditions. There are art vendors, kettle corn, hot dogs, funnel cakes, fruit stands, wooden toys-you name it, they have it. They also have lots of kids rides and needless to say that is the highlight for Carver and Springer. Last year the huge slide was too taunting for Carver to try solo. Not this year. He and his pal Zach headed up those stairs and never looked back. As I stood at the bottom it was such a surreal moment; my little boy is just that-a boy. Wow!

Springer and I enjoyed the carousel and she and her daddy enjoyed the roller coaster while Carver and Zach rode together. It was a wonderful way to spend a late summer afternoon.

I enjoyed taking a look back on our time at the festival last year; hope you do as well.

Little Springer last year-and Miss "I do it myself"today

This year : roller coasters and huge slides-without mama or daddy.

Saturday Adventure

Not ones to sit idly we decided to embark on an 'adventure' this morning. In Carver's world an adventure need not entail scaling grand mountains or sailing the oceans blue-an adventure is simply going somewhere you've never gone before. For us that meant taking a 30 minute trip to a shopping area and cool playground about which we'd heard. It did not disappoint. The kids played on the most ergonomically correct and interesting playground you could imagine. No swings or slides, but lots of places to climb and glide and twist and turn. A great place for imaginations and loads of energy. We all enjoyed the sunny (albeit still very warm) weather and then took lunch at Five Guys (yummy grilled cheeses and french fries. As a side note about the fries....when I told C where we were eating he said, "But Mom, we DO NOT need to eat all of those fries; they give you too many and they aren't good for you!" Proof that he's listened to something I've said at least!) Anyway, a fun time playing, good eats (even a few fries!) and a little shopping...a great adventure to be sure!

Round and round and round she goes

As he stood on the top I said, "Carver, you're King of the World!" 'No, mom.' was he reply. ' I don't want to hurt God's feelings.' Perhaps he's been listening to his daddy as well!

Stage Lights

On Sunday, Carver's nursery class moved up into children's church. No more nursery; he now stays with us until the sermon and is then dismissed to children's church. As part of this celebration the children who were moving out of nursery lead the congregation in the call to worship (Psalm 117). Carver practiced for weeks and was so excited about his chance to be on the 'stage'. Well, they did a great job and when they finished G invited them to stay on the stage with him as we sang the opening song. Carver was delighted! He sang (and danced) his heart out. At the last chorus I went up to lead them down and back to their parents. Most of the children happily ran off to meet their folks, but not Carver. He sobbed. Big tears. As he sobbed he repeated over and over (relatively quietly and thankfully the music was loud), "I don't want to come down, I wasn't done on the stage!" "Can I please go back next week without the other kids?" Over and over.... Needless to say he's got the bug.

Dreaming of Kate Spade? Manolo's? Keds?

Last night before bed, Springer insisted on putting on her red shoes-and keeping them on.

G suggested we not fight it and we both assumed she'd pull them off before drifting off to sleep. She, in fact, did not. This is how I found her around 11:00 last night. When I gently pulled them off she began to sob-still sound asleep. She could not bear to part with her shoes even in her dreams. I feel the girl's pain; she got it honest!

(as an aside let me say that I have never slept in my shoes-not even my favorites!)

Greek Festival

Yesterday afternoon we enjoyed the festivities at the annual Greek festival. It's such a fun place and Carver and Springer are at the perfect ages to enjoy it. We all took lots of rides, ate delicious food, listened to music and visited with passing friends. A wonderful evening out!

Carver enjoyed his first ride on a Ferris wheel (he's on the left);

although he complained that it wasn't fast enough!

Meeting a Greek soldier

Daddy and Springer get dizzy!

I had not planned to ride the slide, but when her time was up Miss Springer refused to come down. She just plopped herself down at the top and smiled. After pleading and sending Carver up for her it was the only thing left to do-so we both enjoyed the ride down.

A sweet ending to our evening:baklava sundaes. Unimaginably delicious!

Scrumptious! Springer and Carver are newly devoted fans.

First Day of School

Our new fall schedule began this morning and I must say it felt nice. I think Carver and Springer would agree that after a wonderfully fun, schedule-less summer it's time for a change of pace. Today also marked Springer's very first day of preschool. She's been so excited and carries her back pack (or pack-pack) around the house. (Thank you again, Uncle Micah and Aunt Tricia!) With backpacks full of lunches, changes of clothes and various other sundries the kids lined up outside for some milestone pictures.

She did great by the way. Her teachers said that she was the only one who never shed a tear! She seemed to thoroughly enjoy herself-as did Carver, but that was never a question. He is now the oldest in the school and I am sure he'll enjoy every minute of his new status!

All packed up and ready to go...

Springer enjoys walking down the side of the stairs just like the big kids!

She went right to the sand tray and seemed oblivious to the

crying that was going on around her.
The cowboys...Carver and Dylan-together again!