For Your Viewing Pleasure...

This is a typical Kapooka slide. Isn't it fun?

Prayer

Wildcat and I have been praying for my college friend's baby since before he was born (lots of pregnancy complications). The baby went home this week. Wildcat and I both teared up a little with joy. It led to a good talk about the power of persistant prayer, and how God was good even though baby JP still needs an apnea monitor and feeding tube. I am so happy for Pam and her husband. If you would like to see their story, here is a link to their blog.

http://orthodoxcatholicfamily.blogspot.com/

Bad Day

for the mama. The kids were great. I am very proud of how tenderhearted and helpful Wildcat is becoming. Kapooka was so smiling and into snuggling today. Mama is on day 6 of a migraine. I am frustrated because I even went and got a shot yesterday.

We do have some cute video footage of Kapooka. It is my goal over the next week or two to figure out how to post that. Stay tuned!

A Great Summer Day

Today we met with some of Wildcat's school friends at a local park. This park is one of our favorites. It has a water tower painted like a balloon and is close to railroad tracks. They have a nice swing area (Kapooka hated swinging). They also have some awesome wooden play structures. Lots of things to climb and bounce. There are tunnels and multiple slides. There is a boat to pretend to sail. We all had a good time, but it was really hot. At one point the sun was shining, but it was sprinkling. One of our friends (a kiddo) said that it couldn't rain because the sun was out, so it must be the sun crying. We were running late, so I didn't grab any pictures.

Today, Kapooka also had her enrollment for a speech evaluation. It was just paperwork, but we should hear by Friday as to when the actual assessment should be.

Tomorrow is swimming lessons and a trip to the library.

Orthodontist

This is very similar to what Wildcat got installed in his mouth today at the orthodontist. It is a palatal expander. Basically it widens his mouth. We turn a key once a day for twelve days and it expands a bone in the roof of his mouth. The expansion doesn't hurt, but Wildcat is having a hard time talking. He got a milkshake right after the appointment. At supper, he wanted a sandwich, but just couldn't manage, so he tried mashed potatoes, but couldn't manage those either. He ended up eating chicken noodle soup through a straw. He was convinced that he would starve, but we assured him that he would adjust after a few days. Already by bedtime his speech was more clear, and he managed to eat an ice cream sandwich. I did feel sorry for the poor guy though.

Tonight he had swimming lessons, and did fine. However, for some reason when he floats on his back and kicks, he doesn't go anywhere. It was pretty funny to see him just kicking as hard as he could and staying in one place. He does just fine on his stomach, so I am not sure what the mechanism is that is failing. Hopefully we can get it figured out at the next lesson on Thursday.

Paul had his first day at the warehouse today. It was long, and mostly in the classroom, but he did get to drive a forklift. He was really excited about that. The company provides free gatorade (as well as coffee, and hot chocolate) from vending machines. When it is hot, bottles of water are brought to the line. Paul is already gathering many real world math problems to share with his students next year.

Mr. Toad

We have lots of toads around our house. The kids love to catch the toads and keep them for a little while and then let them go. This was one of the recent captures. I like having the toads because they eat mosquitos. However, mommy does not touch toads.

Tomorrow is Paul's first day at work. The rest of us are having a busy day too. We have a friend coming over to scrapbook and then we are going out to lunch. Wildcat has an orthodontist appointment, and he has a swimming lesson. Paul cooked up a bunch of ground beef, so we will make quick Quesadillas for supper. I love that man! He also manned the grill tonight and made some of the best burgers I've had in a long time.

I have been trying to find a doll made out of natural materials that looks somewhat realistic for Kapooka. All the ones I am finding are very expensive. I wish I could sew! I am just not crazy about a plastic doll for her because a lot of things still go in her mouth, and I don't like the things that are in plastic. Oh, well, I will keep looking.

Rainbows

Yesterday it rained. Actually it feels like it has rained for all of June (we are about 3 inches above average already). However, the sun came out after the rain, and there was a brilliant rainbow. These pictures don't do it justice, but it was really bright. It was a good time as a family to discuss God's promises. Included is a picture of Kapooka and Paul while we were rainbow watching.

(Pardon the power line...that was the brightest part of the rainbow)

Working Hard in the Summer Time

Skye sometimes trades her chore of washing dishes for mowing the lawn (Paul does 4 days of dishes for every mow). Paul does get help from Kapooka with the dishes. She likes to stand on her slide and blow the soap bubbles. She also helps unload the silverware from the dishwasher. Of course, she will unload whether it is clean or dirty!

Skye is working hard at her summer camp. This week has been especially challenging. Paul just got hired for a temporary warehouse job. It pays well, and still gives him 2 days off a week.

Jon is working hard at his chores and "homeschool" activities. He is also taking swimming lessons.

I am a mom...I think that defines hard work. We are still having a lot of fun together though.

Championship Pictures

I am so proud of Wildcat. He got several pulls, a point after, and a touchdown on Championship Day. Most of all he kept a great attitude and encouraged his teammates. He is so proud of his trophy. He shows it to anyone who comes to our house. Today a friend came over, and Wildcat waited outside in the rain to show the trophy first thing. I love that kid!

Summer Fun

Today was a free chicken sandwich at Arby's, so we went there for lunch. Next it was off to Chuck E. Cheese. We all had a good time. Paul and I had a basketball contest. Wildcat and I had several ski ball contests and played air hockey. Wildcat also played several other games. Kapooka loved riding the rides that would move. She especially like the one that took pictures.

We then went to the library. We all go points for summer reading. Wildcat turned in some points for prizes, and I got some more books.

Paul got a job that will actually give him Mondays and Tuesdays off. We are starting to comtemplate what we would like to do with all of our free time.

I still can't figure out how to get the championship pictures off of my camera, but I will try to get to that soon!

Monday Thoughts

Kapooka has a black eye from a fall over the weekend. She looks like she was in a bruising fight. Also, she tried a bite of a gherkin pickle today. Her mouth puckered. She shivered. She smiled and asked for more! She was pretty cute.

Wildcat went for his consult with an orthodontist today. Next week he gets an expander and braces on his front 4 teeth. This will last about a year. He will then need full braces again when all of his permanent teeth come in.