Jericho

 We ended the summer quarter of Sunday school with one of my favorite lessons.  We built the Jericho wall . . .

 and knocked it down.  Twice.

40

Today is John's 40th birthday.  We began our birthday celebrations yesterday, though, when we had more time to really enjoy them.  

 We went to the Y pool Saturday morning.  John is taking advantage of adult swim time (when all the kids have to clear out of the pool while the lifeguards get a break).

 Mollie Grace and Annie baked a birthday cake.

 Ready to celebrate with steaks and twice baked potatoes, chocolate cake, and presents.

 Opening Ben's present.

 Ben designed a #40 John Elder Happy Birthday FedEx racecar.  He used whiteout to cover the original design and permanent markers to create the new paint scheme.

 Mollie Grace picked out a shirt for John.

 Annie chose this FedEx racecar.

Random pics

 Mollie Grace on her war horse Raspberry.

 Princess Annie.

 No idea what was happening here.  Maybe they just wanted me to take their picture.

 Sunday afternoon we went to the FedEx Family Picnic.  Mollie Grace was so excited about getting her face painted.

 Annie discovered glitter!

 Mollie Grace organized a tea party lunch for herself and Annie in the kitchen floor.

 Geometric mirror image bears during art at CC.

Annie and Sally watching Daniel Tiger.

First Day of School, etc

I don't appear in pictures very often but as we were leaving for a meeting last week Ben grabbed the camera and took a picture of me.

 Mollie Grace was looking cute that day.

 Pile in Annie's bed Sunday night.

 Went to the dentist on Monday.  Annie's second visit.  She didn't cry but she didn't lay down either.  Mollie Grace took this picture while she waited for her turn.  Ben was getting his teeth at the same time as Annie.

 Headed to school.  First day of CC.

 I'm Ben's tutor this year.

Mollie Grace's class is first and second graders.  She's not significantly younger than the others, just shorter.

Busy, Busy

 Who do you think dressed Annie after church on Sunday?

 Mollie Grace lost a tooth during church on Sunday morning.  During a prayer I glanced over at her (I know my eyes should have been shut) and noticed a tooth laying on her hymnal.  She didn't even realize it fell out.

 Like Ben, Mollie Grace didn't want the tooth fairy to take her tooth so John wrote a letter to the tooth fairy.  The tooth fairy left Mollie Grace $1 and her tooth.

 MawMaw, Emalee, and Rylee visited us for a few days.  We went to the zoo on Monday.

 Panda tree.

 Swimming at the Y on Tuesday afternoon.  I think someone jumped before I said "go."

 Take 2.

 Mollie Grace decided to play soccer this fall instead of take dance.  After her coach called to schedule practice she got really nervous about trying something new and cried (and cried and cried).  We went to Academy and bought pink socks, shoes, and a ball.  After that she was more excited.

 Ben had his first practice tonight as well.

 It was HOT at practice but Mollie Grace did great.  She listened to her coach, didn't complain about the heat, and learned how to trap the ball.  I was very proud of her.

Ben may learn Spanish by immersion while playing soccer this fall.  His coach and six out of 10 players are Hispanic.  Ben is in green with the ball.

Weeks?

There weren't many pics on my camera, but it's obviously been a while since I posted since there are pics from two weekends.

 End of CPK program.  Mollie Grace is near the middle to the left of the little girl with dark curly hair.  Ben is hidden somewhere in the back left corner.

 Building the tabernacle in Sunday School.  Always one of my favorite lessons.

 This is Annie Elizabeth Sally's Mommy Elder.  That's how she wants her name sung in "Lullaby" now.

 Saturday night was Member's Night at the zoo.  Members only were allowed in after normal hours.  Annie has been wanting John to go to the zoo with us so this was a good opportunity.  However, her favorite animal the panda was off exhibit and she was a little disappointed.

 The rides were free so we rode two different carousels, the tilt-a-whirl, and the train.  Selfie on the tilt-a-whirl before it started.

 Spinning.

 You can tell Ben is not nearly as dramatic as Mollie Grace.

 Finished the tabernacle the following Sunday.

Every Wednesday this summer we've gone to the Myskowski's house.  There is a women's Bible study and then we always stay to swim.