Charleston and Ninja Ken

I'm so excited that my new little nephew, Joshua Michael Ellis was born on Wednesday, August 15th!  My sister is an amazing woman and went home with her perfect little boy 26 hours after giving birth!

B and I snuck down on Thursday to hang out for the weekend and help out/hold Joshua. 

I also grabbed my beautiful niece, Hannah and took she and B on a few adventures while I was down there.  Thanks, Dad for chaperoning!  I just love Charleston. 

And Italian Ice sold by street vendors at Battery Park when its 95 degrees.

The kids had blue raspberry.

B and Hannah have a few issues when trying to play together.  Both want control.  One likes Hero Factory and the other Barbie.  One is 100 mph constantly and the other is a little too sarcastic for his age. 

We had to find a common ground one afternoon so B brought me Ken and we made him a Ninja out of a trash bag, some masking tape and scissors.  Who's craft-challenged???  Go Ken, Hiyaaa!

I took the two older kids to the park on Saturday.  The park also had a sprinkler park, but we didn't bring swimsuits so we walked on by and played on the playground instead. 

It was HOT.  Like Charleston-in-the-summer hot.  After swinging and sliding for a while in that heat, the sprinkler park was looking really good.  The kids asked again, and since they had been so nice, and Hannah had an undershirt on, I folded. 

The kids chased each other and played nonstop for an hour in those sprinklers!  So much fun!

That also happened to be the afternoon they played the best together.  My answer to grouchy children who don't take naps is to get outside and run 'em!

Well, back to work this week.  I had so much fun with my little impromptu trip with B all by ourselves before school starts again.  I don't get a lot of one-on-one with him, so it was a really good time.

And I just love Charleston.  Have I mentioned that?

Bowling and Babies!

I just can't wait to meet my little nephew, Joshua!  He is making his entrance on Wed if not sooner!  I miss my parents but am so glad they are in SC with my little sister.  My niece Hannah will be such a great big sister.  I will hopefully get to visit soon and get my baby fix.  Especially a baby BOY fix!

Speaking of fun little boys, we took my two and friends who also have two little boys bowling on Saturday.  It was one of those impromptu not-really-planned events that worked out awesome.  I need more of those! 

The boys had their own lane and really had a blast.  The older two were pretty good too!

 

We grabbed lunch and went on home to put Ty down for a nap.  He was "not tired" and this is what happens when he is not tired.

  B helped Justin in the yard since he is earning money to buy a Nintendo DS since his parents don't think a 6 year old needs anything costing that much (mean ole parents), but agreed to allow him to get it if he earned the money for it himself.  We'll see how determined he will be.  I, for one, will be extremely impressed and proud of him if he works that long to earn that much cash.  My iPhone didn't cost that much.

Sunday were so tired from VBS week last week and all but B took a nap.  It was super nice.  Sundays should always be nap day.

Then off to borrow my parent's field for B to work on his bike-sans-training-wheels skills!  He did pretty well.  He very much likes the traumatic jump off the bike when it slows down and sometimes he is more excited for the jump than actually staying on the bike and peddling.  Well, its a work in progress.

Counting down for pictures of baby Joshua!

Vacation Bible School 2012!

This year at VBS we are learning about Paul and the Underground Church.  The best thing about this year is that all four little Estes's are together either learning or serving.  I love it!

Justin is an architect in ancient Rome and teaching the kids about aquaducts and buildings. 

I have the 2's again this year and just love hanging out and hugging on these sweet kids. 

Everyone is split up into Roman families and this year they mixed the kid's age groups, which is really neat.  They all wear different colored sashes to show which family they belong to. 

All except for my Ty.  He is calling one of his teachers "my friend" and said,

"Mommy, can you tell my fwend that I don't want to wear the shash?"

Its exhausting since we don't get the boys to bed until close to 10pm, but they are having so much fun.  It makes such a difference when the leaders are excited to be there.  The kids can feel it and they respond to it.  Thanking Jesus for sending the right workers!

The Director has such a heart for these kids and loves VBS so much.  I thank God for her willingness to serve him in this capacity and hope I can learn a thing or two about gratitude for service!

He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them.  And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.  Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.  And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.  Matthew 18:2-5

Favorite parts of VBS thus far (week is 1/2 over).

We were in Paul's prison cell with the 3 and 4 year olds and one of them asked a question.

"Paul, have you been in prison this whole time?"

Paul, "Yes, yes I have."

"Well, I saw you walking from your car into the building today."

Paul, "Well, even I get some yard time, work with me kids!"

We were in music class just singing away and one poor little thing had an accident.  I don't know what was so magical about the pee puddle, but the kids were just flocking to it before we could get to it with some Resolve!  The little ones were teetering around it almost falling and all of a sudden the other kids were being drawn to it as well!  One of the leaders had to go straddle the pee puddle to keep the kids out of it!  The magical, magnetic pee puddle!

We were in the "Paul room" listening to the actor talking about being persecuted for Christ and one of the 4 year olds kept raising his hand to say something.

"Yes, do you have a question?"

"We live in Virginia."

"Yes we do, thank you."

(Raising his hand again) "My Daddy works in Norvern Virginia sometimes."

"Thats nice, thank you very much."

Or the best one was when he asked if anyone had ever gotten made fun of for talking about Jesus and a little girl's hand shot up immediately.  When asked what happened to her she said, after a huge silence,

"Um, I don't know that one."

So funny!  I just love these kids!

I took my class out for a nature walk last night right as it was getting dark.  We smelled the flowers, talked about the beautiful colors and how God made it all.  Even if all they go home with this week is that God made them and God loves them always, thats enough for me!

Thank you, Jesus for giving us the opportunity to do something special for you this week!