Independence Day

Our Fourth of July...

We spent the eve of Independence Day partying with cousin Stephanie and her new fiance, Chris, while Grammy babysat. They spent the night at our home.

Here we are at Howl At the Moon in Kansas City's thrilling Power and Light District. Arrrrrooooooooooo!!! WILD TIMES!

Announcing the engagement.

We spent July 4 morning at Heartland Church, and on our way to Topeka (through Lawrence), brought the kids to see the church in which we were married, Corpus Christi. Mass had just let out.

Gryffy doesn't sit still for pictures.

Pew partners.

Gryffy thought the baptismal was the hot tub at the gym.

Lorelei sat down, pulled out the missal, and began singing--it was cute! She must have recognized the music notes from our piano and from violin lessons.

On our way to the family reunion in Topeka, we stopped by the house where my dad, Grandpa John, grew up.  The home sits directly across the street from the governor's mansion on a large property dotted with plants and flowers. I can still picture Grandma Helen taking me through Grandpa Buster's garden.

At the shelter house at Crestview Park.

I put an extra flourish in Lorelei's hair for the Fourth. Today we nicknamed our little starlet "Sparkles."

Our family matriarchs, Grammy Marilyn and her sister, Auntie Jean.

Gryffindor and Grammy--he was all smiles for the camera today!

Lady LaLa in the fashion show of old family clothes and bridesmaid dresses.

Look at those fabulous Luksa cousins, Lorelei and Lindsy.

Gryffy and Daddy--look at all those curls!

Merry-Go-Round Madness!

We hit Party on the Hill in Overland Park for fireworks this year and the kids saw a helicopter! They were so excited, which was a good thing... the fireworks weren't exactly a blast. It was storming, so there were lots of squibs. Still, we were happy they began the lights an hour early, and the kids loved the rain! When we got home, to make up for the spotty performance, we put on the Boston Pops and sang and danced to the music. I also set fire to a piece of raisin toast in the kitchen--our own special effects!

Overall, I feel very grateful for the freedoms we enjoy in America, and want to instill this gratitude in the hearts of my kids. God bless America, the country my ancestors entered on the Mayflower, fought for in the Revolution, and have risked their lives to preserve to our generation. Land of the free. Home of the brave.

Coming Clean--UPDATE

This is what our bedrooms look like all tidied up.  Yes, I've made our master bed every day this week, and given myself stickers.  Oh, the little things.

Since Lorelei got new electric green carpet from Grammy, Gryffin got a BIG big boy bed (and trundle).

I must proudly point out that Lorelei, this morning, made her bed without having been asked to. These Daddy Dollars work wonders! (She also replaced her toilet paper this morning when it ran out, and had to retrieve a new roll from our master bath--remarkable!)

Clifford

We love meeting Daddy for lunches at Crown Center! Today we stopped by to see Clifford, the Big Red Dog.

Clifford?  Gryffy wanted to see Curious George!

Lorelei arranging flowers at Emily Elizabeth's house.

The kids loved T-Bone's sand table.

Lorelei in Cleo's doghouse.

Gryffy trying to ride on Clifford's back like Emily Elizabeth.

One of our favorite lunch spots, Crayola Cafe.

Airing our dirty laundry

I know I don't keep a pristine house. This morning I took a camera through my house and took inventory of things EXACTLY as they were. And now I'm airing my dirty laundry...

First, stacks of clean laundry I still haven't put away... do you see that toy finger pointing at me in shame?

Our living room isn't so bad at first glance...

But look closer here. Shoes out of place, and more laundry to put away. It's been there for a week.

This is my clutter spot, the kitchen. At least there's vinegar water and paper towels on the countertops from cleaning the cabinets and floors yesterday. Still, I found a dirty dish from a midnight snack in the sink.

Clutter. Ugh. I don't even like to look at this.

More clutter.

Evidence of how I spent Gryffin's nap time yesterday... teaching Lorelei phonics, handwriting, how to read an analog clock, violin lessons, cutting, reading Tom Thumb and checking for comprehension.

(I just wanted you to see my cute clock of the kids here! And the letter "C" I drew on the clock--we use clock positions for handwriting in the Spalding Method. "Letter C: Start at 2, up and around the clock, touch the ground, stop at 4.")

Laminated handwriting paper, workbook (math), phonics cards, fairy tale book on the floor.

Dining room's a bit disheveled, but uncluttered.

The stairs are a pile zone...

Master bed's unmade--all decorative pillows and top spread on the floor. This is a habit I must work on--having a made bed does wonders for my sanity.

The cubbies in the guest room--looking pretty good.  Notice the shocking pink walls we painted this week, the new base trim, and the floors we laid?  Cue the oohs and ahhs.

Lorelei's room is mostly clean. Good job, Loli!

Gryffin's room. We just keep the pull-out bed pulled out... I wind up in it just about every night, getting Buddy back to sleep. Another habit to break.

The master bath. To my credit, I did clean the sinks and tub yesterday. The kids woke up before I got to the mirror and countertops--look at those streaks! As usual, I have a quote on my bathroom mirror. "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Hmmm... Perhaps this should say "all things, except cleaning house?"

I would like to point out that cute picnic basket on the bathtub--it contains teacups and saucers for our bathroom tea parties.

And finally, I think the fridge is a great summary of our home--cluttered, yet redeemable for teaching (see all those letters?), training (look at those Daddy dollars), uplifting (family art, pictures, newspaper clippings, the nametag I wore on Wheel of Fortune), and fun (zoo tickets, U2 tickets, New Theatre tickets, groupons, movie passes).

So now I've come clean. Our house is a mess. But guess how many minutes of tv my kids watched yesterday? Zero. And guess how much time I spent with them? Almost all day. Cleaning up while kids are growing is like shoveling snow while it's still snowing.

Today, I pledge to do a better job for my husband (who rarely complains, bless him) and kids (who love our messy home--it's clean enough to be healthy, and dirty enough to be happy). And for my own sanity, I will make my bed for the next 21 days, and hope it becomes a habit. I'm going to give myself stickers for it on my "sprouting good habits" beanstalk. I'll keep you posted...