VBS Wrap-Up

Yup. I know VBS was over four days ago, but what can I say I'm a slacker. :D

So, how was VBS?!? I was asked this question a lot on Sunday and since I was running around like the headless chicken, I was unable to say more than. "Really great!" And because I find that unsatisfactory, I shall answer more thoroughly now.

We had a few more than 175 children and around 50 (give or take) volunteers, come and enjoy our High Seas Expetidition! Of those approx. 75 children and 25 adults were in my charge for the week. I can not begin to thank our volunteers enough. The words, thank you for sharing yourself with these children, seem so small compared to how I grateful I am. The children, oh the sweet sweet babies, were so excited to come to "school" every day and learn all about God's word, sing songs, eat yummy snacks, and play on the playground. So many happy smiling faces came through our doors each day, and it made my heart sing to see each and every one of them.

I told you guys about our mission project, well our little ones, both elementary aged and preschool, brought in over $460.00 for Heifer International. With this money we bought a water buffalo, a goat, a trio of rabbits, a flock of ducks, a flock of chicks and a flock of geese. The kids were really excited to know they would be helping children in other countries obtain the food they would need and grow up to be strong and healthy.

Now all that's left is to finish sorting out the supplies, and get everything stored away for next year, returned to those who donated large items, or send it on to another church in our area using the same theme.

Then we can start planning for next June. Yup, we start planning this soon. ;)

Can I ask you something?

As the time when I will be spending my days with my girls, keeping them entertained and myself sane, I have questions for you my readers. I'm hoping that I can get some great ideas from you guys, that I can use during our summer.


1.) What are you doing this summer?

2.) What are your favorite summer time activities?

3.) Are there things you do only in the summer, just like at Christmas or Easter?

4.) What is your favorite summer food?

5.)What color do you paint your nails (finger or toes) during the summer?

6.) What book are you reading right now?


~~~

I guess I should answer the questions too, huh? :)

1.) I'm just planning on hanging out with the girls. B starts middle school in the fall and I am fully aware of how little time she will be spending with us once that happens, so I'm looking forward to spending all the time I can with her.

2.) I love, love the free movies our local theaters offer every year. It's a great cheap way to get out of the house and maybe see something on the big screen that we missed when it was out the first time.

3.) The only thing I can think of for this is swimming...huh, kinda sad about that.

4.) Watermelon! I love summer fruits, especially fresh ripe watermelon.

5.) Usually something bright, like a light green, or purple. Right now, however they are the same royal purple as our VBS shirts.

6.) I'm reading "Try and Make Me!" By Ray Levy and Bill O'Hanlon.

Can -you- drive there?

This week is Vacation Bible School at my church. I mostly spend my time, as the preschool co-director, running about answering questions, fetching things, holding crying little ones, collecting paper work and anything else that needs doing. I love this and know I'm doing something important so that 70+ preschoolers can have a safe and happy experience learning about God.

Today on one of my collecting things errands, I was gathering the offering the children brought in. One savvy little girl asked. "Why are you taking our money?"

"Well," I said, "I'm gathering the offering so that it can be counted."

"Then what will you do with it?"

"Oh, it's very exciting. We are going to buy cows and those cows will go to families in Africa." Here I was thinking, yup that should explain enough to this four year old. She'll think that's cool and go on.. Oh no, not this youngster.

"Will we drive to Africa?"

Blink...blink... "Oh, well no. You see we give this money to a great organization called Heifer International." She gets a puzzled look on her face and opens her mouth. "Heifer means cow." The puzzlement leaves and I smiled. "And these great people, take this money, the money you brought, and they buy cows and give them to families in Africa, and those families use the cows to help run their farms."

"So, we don't get to go to Africa?"

"No, honey I'm sorry we don't."

"Oh, well, that's ok."

And she went back to her coloring. I was struck by this little girl's curiosity, and her willingness to go to Africa to give the families their cows. I'm sure she doesn't know where Africa is, but she was perfectly happy to pick out cows and drive them there.

I had explained this to the children yesterday, but I'm not sure it really sank in for her until today, but I'm glad I had that unique opportunity to once more share what the children are doing to help other boys and girls in our world.

Each year we have a mission project that we get the kids fired up for, sharing with them how much money they've brought in and what it will buy and what that means to the boys and girls we help.

So far our kids have purchased two flocks of chicks and half a goat. Our goal for the week is a Water Buffalo, mostly because we're sailing on a High Seas Adventure, and it's the only animal even remotely connected with water that Heifer International provides. That and Larry the Cucumber sings an awesome song about water buffalo...

Mommy Moment: 5th Grade "Graduation"

Today I had several of them. Well really they started last night, when I was lying in bed going over my schedule for the next day. It was then that it really hit me that we have two days of school left and that the little ceremony would be in the morning.

In my children's school they do not have graduations, as they feel the children do not graduate until the end of twelfth grade. So it is called a Learning Celebration. Whatever they want to call it, it is still that heart wrenching moment as a mom when you watch your child move through a milestone.

So, all through the slide show I held it together! Then they started calling names;


I started to get misty, but I held it together.


Then B's name was called!



I got a little misty again, and again held it together.


She recieved her certificate and stopped for a photo:




After the ceremony she recieved her "graduation" gift:




At this point I choked up, but kept the tears in check. (You can't see them, but there are earrings that match)

She's such a little lady! I am so very proud of my girl and I'm scared and worried for her. I know though that she is as prepared as she can be for this next stage of her life.

Now if we can just make sure she keeps her sense of modesty...


Then I went from this to buying teacher gifts and I lost it in the middle of the greeting card section at Family Christian Store.