After the holiday weekend...

Good morning. It's the Monday after the fourth of July. Bob was lucky enough to have Friday and Saturday off making it a regular weekend for him. He did have to work Sunday, but managed to get a few errands done after work so it was a good day for him. The kids and I went to church after that we went to Burger King before hitting the grocery store. I thought I would try Fred Meyers. I had forgotten about the Playland there. I got there and only Max could go in. It was better than having all of them with me for this task. He played with another little boy in there he called "his friend" they both played camping. The gal running the playland said that the boys were letting their imaginations run wild. I am so glad that he could pick that right up, I know he will be happy in Preschool!

Friday the 4th was a very good day. There was no rushing out the door which is almost a daily occurance for us. We went to Vancouver for a picnic at Bob's grandma and grandpa Franklin's. The kids got to play squirtguns in the rain! It was muggy and it was water, they didn't complain. Their cousin Cora was there, they all get along so well. Cora had clothes for the girls, boy, my girls are going to be so fashionable! Cora had all these great clothes from the Children's Place, Gap and Old Navy! Places I just can't afford! All of them are in such great shape too! I don't think I will have to get much for school clothes hurray!

After the picnic Bob took me back to Longview so I could do my volunteer shift for the MOPS booth at the GO 4th Festival at the Lake. It was a fun experience, but a lot of work. This event is the biggest fundraiser for our group. So I helped with making snow cones, popcorn, fruit smoothies, helping clean and run the booth wherever I could. After my shift at 8pm Bob and the kids came to pick me up. Never coming to this festival before we decided to walk around the vendors booths before the firework show. Oh and I made the kids a snow cone before I left the booth. Their first one ever! Katelynn had lime, Ashley had bubblegum and Max had grape. Yummy! We bought them glow sticks from one of the vendors. They made light shows for Bob and I after we had found our spot on the grass. The firework show was a hit. Max kept saying WOW! after every single boom for about the first ten minutes of the show! He was so cute! We packed up and headed for home after that 2 of 3 were asleep before we got home.

Today is a clean the house day and tomorrow we will probably go to the library. Wednesday we will get together with Jen and her boys and head to the spray park. Thursday I will be getting the camper ready for our weekend trip to Long Beach! Bob is taking off Friday so we can spend some good times as a family together. Also Dad and Esther will be there too in one of the two rooms for rent. It is nice to have some of the grandparents there to share the fun.

I am going to end this post. I have some time before the kids wake this early morning. I am going to continue reading my book I am into. It's called Traveling Light by Max Lucado. It's about letting go extra baggage that we all carry with us on a daily basis (guilt, discontent, anxiety, grief and so on). Psalm 23 is used as a very good guide and he breaks it down one sentence at a time. I recommend this book to everyone. Who doesn't have extra luggage?