Doctor Is In

Goofing off and acting out of frustration, Vanessa accidentally smacked Zane in the face with an umbrella tin. Fortunately the hit was beside his eye and not to his eye. And fortunately, the doctor was already in and was able to treat him quickly. She apologized first with a hug and a kiss. She was quick to share her bandage and placed it on Zane carefully.

(Teachable moment: Gooey and yucky bandages should not be shared but since this bandage was relatively clean, it was okay this time. The bandage was originally used to cover Vanessa's dried up blisters from climbing trees, ropes and monkey bars.)

Because Dr. Vanessa was quick to act, Zane didn't have time to realize what had hit him.

Water

An awesome thing about our camera is how it catches water. It will catch water spraying, reflecting, shooting, bubbling, lathering, spitting, dripping and splashing. We play a lot with water, in all different forms. But with this post it is interesting to take a closer look at how water moves in the path of least resistance and takes on the form in which it is held. 

 

(A fleeing burglar ran through here just moments before. We were ignorant as to why the copters and planes were canvassing.)

A Rhythm of Life

Life is often understanding weight, gravity and balance.  Finding a rhythm is principal for contentment. Zane is pretty content.

VBS

This is a big summer for Vanessa. She attended her first VBS, independently. She loved it big time. Each day she came home singing I've Got Something to Say, rocking her body to the words and giving her biggest rah behind their meaning. She memorized each verse on the full armor of God. We continued arts and crafts at home, almost creating a surplus for a full armory, deplenishing our aluminum foil, tape, glue, stickers, flannel, plastic bowls and cardboard garbage. When home, she retold each day's drama. She learned about the spiritual battle between dark and light. She told about games and friends, ones she saw and ones she made. She was charged to donate items and money to arm troops with God's Word. She didn't like the idea of sharing from her piggy bank, but she was willing to work to earn more money to donate. And she did.

(She found through recent chores at Grandma and Grandpa's that she likes to wash vehicles. There's another related post that might post one day.)

She walked in the gym for pickup on Friday with a boy on each arm (instead of holding onto the rope like she was supposed to) -- at that moment I realized she has entered a new stage. She was sad to hear that she couldn't go back until next year. Her time made me think of the importance of summer camps and VBSs from my childhood and how they helped to shape me. She asked about all the events that have to happen before she can go back -- her way of relating her understanding of time. She learned that she would get to revisit VBS on the following Sunday, although she didn't fully realize she would be performing in front of an audience. When Vanessa went on stage, she stood there, looking at those around and behind her. After watching the worship leaders, she got into it and forgot she was stage struck. :)

(A church member offers her amazing gift with Northwest Bible to create an amazing set throughout the church.)

So thankful for the time she had. So happy to see her heart on fire. Later, after church, Vanessa explained to me that she went on stage and sang her VBS songs. I replied that I knew and was there to see it. :)

Happy Birthday, Andrew!!

Formal Occasion

These cousins were perfectly proper for Tollie's special occasion. ;-) What a treat to share in his special time!

*We visited with Cousin William too.

Guiding Hand

. . . will go with me forever.

Conflicted

One moment she's Batgirl.The next moment she's checking the length of her hair, hoping for the length of Rapunzel's.

One thing is for sure -- if her hair were as long as Rapunzel's, she'd be able to climb it.

Tiny Dancer

It's the only thing he will sometimes let me video. :) He's been practicing spinning and jumping.

    

Playmates

These two make awesome playmates. Vanessa is beginning to understand her role with Zane and is becoming quite the caregiver.

 

(Grandma, Zane also loves Kneebouncers!)

Vanessa knows how to protect herself when Zane plays too rough.

 

And if Zane hurts Vanessa, physically or emotionally, he knows how to say sorry. Now if we can only convince Zane he doesn't need to create a reason to give us hugs and kisses . . . :)

Exuberant

She oozes confidence with self image.

 

I've heard it said that fathers often underestimate their importance in their daughters' lives. It's also been said the number one influence on a girl's self-esteem is affection from her dad.

 

Fortunately Vanessa had her daddy to help her through this scary situation. It was hard to go high off the ground and move up and down. It was scary to feel out of control. She didn't like the unfamiliar up-and-down feeling in her tummy.

 

However, confidence returned when Vanessa's daddy endured the tea cup ride with her -- it made her exuberantly happy. He even held down the contents of his tummy while she created extra spinning.

Chicken Salad, Collaboration & Where's Your Tongue

Like his sister, Zane sometimes eats on the run. It's one way I fill their bellies.

 

Together they create some pretty fine art. (Secret: I'm their number one buyer. ;-)

And even though his sister jokes with him about the names of body parts, the sounds animals make, etc., he still shows he knows.