The children and I are finishing up the Narnia stories.  You know, I read those books over and over as a child and never "got" the Christian references. Now I read them to my children and literally choke up with Lewisian pangs of joy from time to time.  My children don't understand why I weep at the illustrations of providence in A Horse and His Boy. They can't figure out why Reepicheep's pure passion for finding Aslan's country makes him one of my favorite characters.  They haven't the context to know why Eustace's transformation rends my own heart with gratitude.  Tomorrow night I'll be overcome with a joyful ache at the exhortation to come "further up and further in!" Tomorrow they may not understand why. Someday they will, and their innocent love of these wonderful stories and their simple love of the Lord will interact in a magical way...and they'll weep, and shout with joy, with me.

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I love potty training.

I love potty training.

I love potty training...

(repeating ad nauseum)

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Each summer, we enjoy a summer reading project.  It seems a little out of place, I suppose, as we school year round, and I think the intent of summer reading programs at the public libraries was to help prevent summer brain atrophy.  Call it a vestige of my youth if you will, but "summer" and "extra reading" are inseparable concepts for me.

Each summer we try something a little different.  When I had only one reader, I set a goal of a certain number of pages, and we kept track of his progress on a big chart in the dining room.  One summer we set a family goal of a certain number of books. 

This year I wanted to challenge my 3 readers.  It is a blessing to have voracious readers, but it carries with it the burden of keeping them well stocked with reading material while trying to keep that reading material confined to themes and issues appropriate to their ages.  A friend suggested a couple resources for me to help find books for the children: The Well Trained Mind (the reading lists), and this website.  I have copies of these lists and have assigned a point value to the books listed. Each child has a weekly goal of a certain number of points.  This should help us make better use of our public library, as we can bring the lists along.

This summer I also changed the reward format.  For the past few years, our family would enjoy a trip to an amusement park 3 hours away as our reward for meeting our goals. It has become such a fun family tradition that we are unwilling to allow its recurrence to depend upon our children's diligence!  So we're doing smaller, more frequent rewards this summer.  The first prizes will be awarded in a week to any children who meet their weekly goal for 2 weeks.  The prize?  A new book, of course!

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Old PVC pipe

New bathroom installation

Indoor rain shower

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Tomorrow is our last Sunday at the church we've attended for 4+ years, and in which Sean has been the Assistant Pastor for the last 2+.  He has accepted a call to solo pastor another local church, and we're thrilled at being a part of what the Lord is doing there.  It is a double blessing to be able to stay in our beloved home town...we know what a rare treat that is, but the Lord is GOOD!

Sean's "public" wardrobe is changing, as well...here's a sneak peek:

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I know, I know...it IS Spring.  And around here, a beautiful and pleasant one.  But I'm looking forward to NEXT Spring, because the boys and I planted 2 lilac bushes this afternoon. These are going to be monsters...the planting information said one may get to be 8 feet tall, and the other 10-12 feet tall.  Won't the smell be delicious?  The boys will be pleased, too, to see the fruits of their labors a year or so from now.

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I love where I live!

I love the way the air has been warming to the most comfortable temperature in the world.  I love how the air smells like green things growing. I love how the gentle breezes have brought me the smells of my neighbors' honeysuckles, catalpas, and lilacs.  I love that my geraniums are blooming. 

I also love that my hometown is celebrating it's annual festival.  It's a week-long event full of fun stuff. 

Last Friday we went to the kick-off parade, where my 2 year old daughter waved to everyone and everything that went by. 

Monday night we went to an Opera for children--a very clever educational program geared to entertain and give children an appreciation for opera.  All four of my pumpkins enjoyed it immensely!

Tomorrow I'm taking them to the local Art Museum (free admission during the festival!) which is putting on a sort of challenge/hunt that I'm sure we'll jump into with both feet. 

Friday the local arboretum has free admission, and is advertising activities for the children (potting plants, etc) as well as a delightful concert in the early evening. 

AND THEN...Saturday!  Saturday evening is the traditional concert with the local Orchestra playing "Pops" music. The first part of the concert varies every year, although you can be sure of having some sing-along segments, but the last 2 pieces are always my favorites.  The Stars and Stripes Forever, including a flying fingered piccolo, and the 1812 Overture, complete with cannons on the bridge and all the downtown church bells ringing at the appropriate times.  I've got goosebumps just thinking about it.  After the concert we get treated to a spectacular fireworks display.

Hubby and I have been to the Saturday portion of this festival every year we've been in Kansas since we were dating.  It's a family tradition, and everyone of the clan gathers and camps out for good seats (and a picnic) for the outdoor concert.  It's such a fun time of year.  I just love living here!

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(an idea stolen shamelessly from my friend Nicole and Charles Schultz's Happiness Is book )

...public libraries

...3/$1 children's books

...curriculum catalogs

...geraniums in bloom

...100 calorie snack packs

...wet toddler smoochies at 7am

...new pens

...rising bread dough

...email

...book recommendations from your best friend

...historical fiction chick flicks

...English Church Music

...clorox wipes

...Christian weddings

...newborn babies

...fresh sheets

...embroidered fabric

...text messaging

Any simple pleasures for you today?

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Of course my friends are real...real women, dear friends, sisters in the Lord.

I had a wonderful time at the wedding, and I looooooved getting to meet some dear ladies in real life.  Here's a picture of the lovely bride with one of her adoring public.

I have the nicest husband in the world to provide a way for me to go!

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