Friday was Nate’s last day of school and so we started singing Alice Cooper’s famous song, “School’s Out For Summer”.  Well, not really.  But this 80’s girl wanted to belt it out.  But with neither a karaoke machine in the house or nearby, I choose to restrain myself and spare people the “a cappella” version.

We celebrated like no other.  That would be:  running to the bank to deposit checks, stopping by Daddy’s work to receive praises from him on this big exciting Last Day of School, then going to Culver’s for lunch, and then Orange Leaf for dessert.

When we got home, the water guns were loaded and it was pure summer fun.  Not to be one to forget our new family pet…we didn’t leave out Maxim’s pet friend Legs.  Max found the toad again under our deck so, lucky for Legs…he got to swing with his buddy Maxim.

Just a swinging’…

Ready. Aim. Fire.

(Yes, to the left, that would be our lawn mower that wouldn’t start back up for me.  Mid-mowing-the-lawn.  I stop to go get juice boxes or fill water guns or some other Mom job.  Come back to mow.  And.  PUFF PUFF.  CHUG CHUG.  I try to start the darn thing and it smokes and chugs and would. not. start.  So…guess what I’ll be doing Monday morning?  Yes.  Mowing the mohawk that we have in our back yard.  Or the long strip of grass.  Whatever you want to call it.)

Saturday, we went to my parents to visit and finally had a chance to celebrate my mom’s birthday, which was about three weeks ago.  The boys were excited to spoil Grandma Melanie with her favorite…carrot cake and of course, some birthday gifts.  What’s in the bags?  Clue:  think of my Fun Friday Favorites.  Bath and Body soaps.  Some cash for her to spend when we’d later go birthday shopping.  And…yes, you guessed it.  Bug Soother.  Classy gift, I know.  But she’ll be thanking me later when she doesn’t have a single gnat bite on her.  And here you see my stepdad (Papa Joe) and my mom with Nate and Maxim as we get ready to sing “Happy Birthday” to her…

Happy Belated Birthday Mom!

After celebrating my mom’s birthday, we went into Oskaloosa to do a little birthday shopping while the boys hung out, took a drive, and watched t.v. due to the constant steady stream of rain.  As in, it rained all afternoon.  But Mom and I had fun shopping at Hunters and other cute shops in O’town.  I cannot wait to show you in my Fun Friday Favorites what she spent her birthday money on!!!!  But because I’m so nice, I’ll leave you in suspense.

When we got back to my parents, the boys shot the BB gun.  Nate got out his bow and I felt like I was watching the Hunger Games all over again.

Peeta Mellark of the Hunger Games

We went for a ride on the Gator and then, after grilling supper, the skies parted.  Literally.  So, we were able to go to the pond to fish.  And to our surprise, the fish were biting!

Daddy and Maxim

Look who caught the first fish!

Another fish!

And another fish!

Sunday, we went to church with my parents.  It was so good to be back at Union Mills.  So many good memories at that church, where I grew up.  It got me thinking about how blessed I am to have grown up in a church where everyone is family.  Everyone cares for everyone.  Where God’s Word is preached and where my faith seeds were planted.  I was feeling grateful and recalling so many good memories…Vacation Bible School with our church and the Lacey church (and the yummy no-bake cookies I’d eat at our snack time), Christmas programs where my friend, Ann, and I laughed through our duet instead of singing it, weddings, funerals…a lot of great memories.

After church, we went in to New Sharon, to Grandma Helen’s house.  We wanted to visit her and see how she was recovering from breaking her leg (about three weeks ago…this happened on my mom’s birthday).  Grandma is such a strong woman and being 92 years old, she isn’t letting a little broken leg break her spirits.  We ate lunch and I decided it would be a great time to Take A Trip and interview my Grandma…which you’ll hear all about tomorrow in my Tuesday post.

We drove back home in the afternoon and Sunday night, I took the boys to our church’s Vacation Bible School in the Fairfax Park.

A fun weekend and feeling blessed.  How did you spend your weekend?  I’d love for you to share…write a comment below about some of your blessings!  It’s always good to reflect on the big and little blessings that we’re given.