Wetlands Park

We took Chloe to the wetlands park for the first time. It would have been a very fun walk if the dog trail had shade. As it was it was much too hot to go for a long hike.

Despite the heat we did enjoy our time together. Chloe absolutely loves going for walks and when the weather cools down a bit we'll take her on more.

Marie-Anne

Farewell Service

Our farewell service was on August 31. Frank preached a wonderful message on waiting on God. Pastor Jones had us come to the front for the congregation to pray over us. Some of the ladies gave me flowers, a card, and a huge bar of chocolate. Afterwards we had a yummy potluck.

We are excited about starting a new church in Henderson. It will be amazing to see how God uses us in the lives of those around us. Please pray for us.

(I requested copies of pictures from someone who took some, but they never gave me any.)

Marie-Anne

Camping at Lake Mead

This was our second year to camp at Lake Mead. We just spent one night, but we packed a lot of memories into that short amount of time!

Setting up was a team building event and everyone played a vital role. Alex set up the smaller tent with minimal help.

We were startled by Sabrina's sudden scream and dash. She saw this red racer go into a hole at the base of a stump right beside our picnic table and fire ring. Scary. We didn't know what kind of snake it was or if it was dangerous. A very kind park volunteer answered our questions. After the wind storm the snake took off and we didn't see it again.

Frank and Alex braved the wind storm to add extra stakes to our tents and to tie them down. Alex is a man in training and he certainly acted like one.

During the wind storm we thought it was going to be a downpour, but thankfully it wasn't. We stayed in the tents and played games, acted silly, and played with the toys the kids brought.

Frank is our expert camp chef and we greatly appreciate his expertise.

We all played Frisbee. Sabrina has decided that Frisbee is her new favorite game. She was getting pretty good at close range and as long as we threw it slow. At one point Alex and I reached for the Frisbee at the same time and I caught his hand. At another point Sabrina got beamed in the face and now has another loose tooth.

Our camp site didn't have a climbing tree, but the kids found one they could use.

The next morning we went to the lake. While the kids were splashing about in the water I took a short walk along the shoreline.

A swimmer left his flip-flops near us to go swim, which gave me an idea for a practical joke. During my walk I saw lots of lone flip-flops, so we gathered them up and placed them near his. He did come back while we were still there, but between his exhaustion and his buddy who came up when he got out of the water, he didn't even notice!

When the kids got out of the water I grabbed a couple of bags that were provided for trash. We collected two bags. We were very careful about what we picked up, since we did not have gloves.

Back at our campsite we played games, Frisbee, and relaxed.

After packing up, we stopped at the visitor's center. The kids explored the hands-on aspects and we watched the movie.

Both kids participated in the Jr. Ranger Program. Sabrina was particularly proud of her badge and of being a Jr. Ranger. (She wore her badge for days.)

We took the short hike around the visitor's center. After that we headed home tired, but happy.

Marie-Anne

Maslow Park's Splashpad

One evening, we took the three kids to the splashpad. Needless to say they had a great time.

Marie-Anne

Pool Party

Our friends Andy and Val invited us over for dinner and to let the kids play in the pool. We had so much fun!

Marie-Anne

Neighborhood Friends

The kids have made friends in our neighborhood, which is good. However, these friends want to be at our house all day. They sometimes show up as Chrissy is being dropped off, and if I say the kids can't play now they repeatedly come back or hang around right outside our front door waiting. Sometimes I think it is really Chrissy they come to see and wonder if they'll continue to visit Alex once I'm no longer babysitting. We shall see.

One day I told them that they could come over at 4 to watch a movie. So they watched The Lost Medallion.

We are trying to find a balance with these kids because I want my children to have friends, but I don't want to become a free babysitting service to all our neighbors either. Sometimes we let them in to play, sometimes we send the kids out, and sometimes we say not today. What kind of boundaries would you make in a situation like this?

Marie-Anne

Ninja Turtle Story-time

I took the kids to story-time at Barnes and Noble. I didn't know it was a special Ninja Turtle Story-time! The kids all got Ninja Turtle masks. Alex was excited and actually participated.

In addition to story-time they had a karate master give the kids "Ninja Training" and they received certificates. Sabrina's job of the day, (she changes careers a lot) was ninja.

Alex wanted to go back for the special Ninja Turtles craft time, but we were invited for fellowship at our friends' home. We had a wonderful fellowship and the kids were excited that some of their friends from church were invited too. We had a great time there.

Marie-Anne

Sunday School

It's only a few weeks until our last service at our church. We will be starting a new church in September.

I will miss these kids.

Marie-Anne

Pinball Hall of Fame

Today was our first time visiting the Pinball Hall of Fame. It is a non-profit that donates all proceeds to the Salvation Army. Row after row of games. I gave each kid $5 in quarters and turned them loose. When they ran out I gave them another small handful.

 

Of course, Frank and I played a few games as well- I played Q-Bert! I haven't even thought of that game since I was a kid.

The kids had so much fun. I promised we'd go back sometime.

Sabrina discovered that the ball grab was a game she could win and one of the few games where she could get a prize. Between the three kids, mostly Sabrina, we ended up with 9 balls.

Marie-Anne

Frozen Story-time

We took Sabrina, (the other kids had to tag along) to a special Frozen story-time at Barnes and Noble. "I met Elsa and Anna! They're really real!" (I will never tell her that they bear a strong resemblance to the ladies who do story-time on Tuesdays.)

Its a good thing I had no clue there would be nearly that many people or I wouldn't have gone. There were so many people that they had to ask parents to let the kids get to the front. Once Sabrina squeezed through I couldn't even see her or anything else going on. I felt sorry for the kids who came late. Sabrina's excitement made up for the standing around for a long hour while they read a story, sang songs, colored, and stood in line for pictures.

Alex and Chrissy spent the time in the kids section looking at books. Frank ran some nearby errands and came back in time to stand in line with us.

Marie-Anne

Nature Center

The three kids and I visited the Nature Center, but no hike- it was far too hot to even consider doing that.

Even though the displays haven't changed, I still love this place!

Marie-Anne

Sandmiches

We had a potluck at church and Sabrina wanted to make "sandmiches" all by herself. I gave what assistance she would take, but those sandmiches were covered in globs of mayo. She was so proud of her sandmiches that she told EVERYBODY that she made them. I can't say if they were all eaten, but all were taken.

Marie-Anne

Chuck E Cheese

 

Frank and I took the three kids to Chuck E Cheese. I had bought the Chuck E Cheese string cheese to get the 100 tokens for $20 coupon.

We also cashed in some tickets Alex had been saving so the kids came out with a lot of loot- a giant lollipop, two bags of cotton candy and assorted toys.

Marie-Anne