Turn-off-your-screens week

May 4-10 was "National Turn-off-your-screens Week".  There was a flyer sent home from school, and I decided we were going to participate since a) the kids have gotten a little too obsessed with their allotted "screen time" lately and b) Austin was going to be gone for the week.  It went better than expected.  Emily was totally fine with since it was a "project" from school.  Lincoln had a little tougher time, but gave up after a couple days.  However, by Friday he was talking about having "National Turn-your-screens-back-on Week." ;o) 

During the week the TV stayed completely off, and I tried to minimize my screen time to bookwork and some checks of essential email/messages after the kids were in bed.  It was a pleasant week and a good reminder of how much simpler and less stressful life can be.  I did discover, however, that I rely on my "screen" a lot more these days from grocery lists to calendars to "to-do" lists to reminder alarms.  I only pulled out my phone a couple times to snap a few pictures.

Lincoln received a "May Day" gift of tulips from a preschool classmate.  We picked a spot to plant them.

We bought the party supplies for Lincoln's birthday with a "Phineas & Ferb/Agent P" theme.  Lincoln loves his new hat!

When the iPad isn't an option, we make up our own fun!  

We played a LOT of rounds of Monopoly, Jr.  Lincoln cleaned my clock this particular afternoon going 3-0.  One game I lost in record time by only making it around the board 1 1/2 times before going broke.  I had been procrastinating with cleaning the bathrooms all week, so I made a deal with Lincoln that after each game I'd clean one bathroom.  God has a sense of humor!

TriByKnight

Austin competed in his first ever triathlon at Wartburg.  The sprint distance includes a 300 yard swim, 15 mile bike ride and 5K run.  He felt good about his race and finished a respectable 36th overall with a total time of 1:23:43.6.  It was gorgeous weather and a nice set-up for spectators.  I'm guessing this won't be the last time we watch this race!

Lining up to start

Austin beginning his swim

Waiting during the bike ride

Running fast

Finish line!

Mime girl

Emily calls this her "mime outfit."

Preschool program

Lincoln had his preschool program tonight and did a fantastic job.  Below are pictures and the full video of the program.

Waiting for the program to begin

Ready to go!

Watching the year in pictures

Lincoln's art display

Mrs. Steege & Mrs. Maley

Best buddy--Owen

New for spring

Spring has been slow in coming (or almost non-existent).  Sometimes you just need a little something bright and new to lift the winter blues.  Hence, my new set of spring/summer dishes and some new kicks.

April 2014 videos

7 years + 6 months

Emily is officially 7 1/2!  This month she has really been into card games and tricks.  This is probably because she found a book from my childhood called 50 Card Games for Children.  She really wanted to show off some tricks when we hosted card club this month.  She even sneaks a deck of cards in her bed at night to work on or invent tricks.  It's not good when you strip beds to wash sheets and find all the face cards in her bedding.

Emily has also really been into Monopoly.   After months of begging, I finally sat down with her while at Village Creek Bible Camp to play a full-version game of Monopoly.  Unfortunately, the camp box was missing all the playing pieces and only had six $1 bills, so we used stones, bark and shared the money.  She got the hang of it pretty quickly.  So, of course, when we got home she insisted on opening the never-before-played full version we have at home.  After another round or two, I decided I would only play Monopoly, Jr., which has a guaranteed time limit of 30 minutes or less.  Luckily, Lincoln is usually up for a game with her.  She basically ends up playing for both of them, they compromise on who gets to buy Boardwalk, and Emily "wins" in the end.

Another thing that has Emily excited is a new subscription to Top Secret Adventure kits from Highlights.  She loves solving the puzzles and learning facts about different countries.

For Dad's Doughnut Day, Emily and her classmates each had to write a story about a dog.  This is Emily's woeful tale about our former dog, Cheney, when she just turned 3 years old.  I don't quite remember it the same. ;o)

 

Below is Emily's artwork from Art class in school.  It is based on the book Tar Beach by Faith Ringgold.  She is flying over the Mall of America.

Village Creek Bible Camp

Some friends invited Emily & I to join them for a Mother/Daughter weekend camp at Village Creek Bible Camp near Lansing, Iowa.  Emily had never been to a camp before, and I have only vague (not so positive) memories of summer church camp growing up, so it was a great opportunity to create new, positive memories together!  We both had a fantastic time.  Emily got to try out all kinds of new activities.  I was impressed and proud of her bravery and perseverance.  I enjoyed being unplugged (other than taking pictures) and having 48 hours of nothing but positive interactions together.  It was also fun to hang out with friends when we wanted to and be alone together when we needed to.  I highly recommend checking out any of Village Creek's family oriented camps.  Emily is already planning the next one!

We carpooled after school on Friday with two other moms and daughters.  We took a little side trip to Gunder, Iowa to experience a Gunderburger at The Irish Shanti.  I couldn't even finish a half-size one.  It is an experience.

It was almost dark by the time we arrived at the camp.  After checking in and getting our stuff settled, we attended the opening session and had snacks afterwards.  Then it was time to calm down three wound-up girls on bunk beds.  We were fortunate to be put in a bunkhouse room with just our friends and our own private bathroom.  The girls were all about the top bunks.  The moms were happy being on the bottom.  Emily was excited to journal all about her experience.

It was a late night, but it was a beautiful morning.  After a delicious breakfast and opening session, we were free to explore the grounds and participate in all the activities offered.  Here is our day in pictures...

First attempt at archery

Warriors

First horse ride

First horse ride in like 15 years.

Selfie by the creek

Bungee trampoline

On top of Pulpit Rock

It was quite the hike, and she had more energy than me!

Tree climbing--with some gutsy perseverance she made it up over 20 feet.

"I can't believe I just climbed that high!"

Kayaking on the lake

Beach watch

How far can you throw a rock?

That's a BIG chair!

Helping out with praise & worship

Camp friends

Whew!  Let's just say everyone fell asleep a lot sooner the second night!  It poured rain during the night and rained off and on the next morning.  It cleared up just long enough for Emily to be able to launch the model rocket we put together.  She was the only one who made one during the camp.

We arrived home Sunday afternoon tired but happy.  We're already looking forward to doing it again sometime!  Below is the video I made of our weekend.

Happy guy!

I bought the first watermelon of the season, and Lincoln was thrilled!

He also had fun cruisin' on his bike this afternoon.