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Today, whenever I would ask Emma “why” for anything: why was she blinking her eyes, why did she want the bathtub plug, why did she want to put her jammies on in Zach’s room; she would respond, “Because I’m pretty.” I guess we must have told her that too much… or maybe it’s just the pretty shoes. (She wears them to the mailbox, to play baseball…) I think we’ll be ok as long as she’s not still saying it in kindergarten!

Yes, it’s the “flying fortress” – Zach was sure of it all day as we waited for the public open house, and I told him I wasn’t sure… as usual, (especially about airplanes) he was right. It was a warm day and an hour long line, but Zach was determined (and patient) to wait it out to see the inside of the still-flying B-17 that visited the Rochester airport yesterday. I love history, especially WWII era, and so while Nate and Emma played, Zach and I waited and toured the inside of the plane. He was SO excited! He had worn his camo and his airplane shirt for the occasion, and I am sure was one of the most appreciative kids to visit that day! It was fun to see him so fascinated and to share that with him. And if he mentions where the bombadier sits, or tells you what kind of bombs are on board a B-17, watch out – he probably knows what he’s talking about.

I feel like sometimes Emma just gets dragged around to things for Zach, and even though she is usually having fun she isn’t the one who calls the shots. So tonight, I asked the kids if they wanted to go to the local all-comers track meet (where anyone old enough to walk can race in their age group and all the kids get a ribbon). We had gone before and Zach got a little nervous because in the crowds of people he couldn’t find me at the end of his race; so he said he’d rather go again next year. But Emma was so excited, and I thought it was high time we did something just for her. So off we went. She grinned the whole time getting ready for her race, and was just so cute running along with her little braids, happy as could be to be doing just what SHE wanted.

Nate got signed up for this mission when he sent Emma’s shoe flying over the fence into the neighbor’s backyard doing a “trick” with it on the swings… the kids thought it was so cool and so funny that they keep wanting me to re-enact the whole thing. Since the neighbors back there have dogs that terrify Emma, it reminded me a little of Sandlot… but Nate was successful enough with the rake that we didn’t have to get more creative! We love having Nate home.

After trying (mostly unsuccessfully) to keep Emma sitting down in her chair during meals, it seems Zach has finally found something that works. Inspired by Harry the Dirty Dog (a new book from the library), Zach would say to Emma, “Sit, doggy, sit. Good dog!” and pat her head and pretend to give her a treat. Maybe I will try it… it worked better than anything I’ve come up with so far!

Zach has been excited for weeks for the 4th of July. He loves talking about our country, and the military “who keeps our country safe!”, and was quite concerned we didn’t have a flag to display (we had to make a paper one). And I am a sucker for the fireworks! We went to our neighbors’ for dinner and did some fireworks with them in the cul-de-sac… the kids loved taking turns picking ones to light off (although as you can see, Emma was a little nervous when they were lit!) And then we braved the crowds to go to the Rochester fireworks… I think next year we may add some sparklers to the home display and call it good there! I am grateful beyond measure to live here in America and for all those who “keep our country safe.”

We went to the launch site of the Rochester hot air balloon race (an annual event) not quite knowing what to expect, and were quite suprised after sitting down at a fair distance from a big balloon to find other balloons setting up not 50 yards away. I guess with a small town there’s no police barricades like in the big city, huh? It was cool to see them all inflate and take off one by one (like the start of no other kind of race I know of!). Zach wanted me to take a picture of each balloon as it went up (my camera battery died soon after he decided this) because he didn’t want to forget what they looked like. And Emma, well, here she is putting dirt on her face, and when I asked her why, she said, “Because, I am dir-ty!” (which she was, from her ice cream…) I am sure we’ll be back for the experience again next year.

Nate had his vacation 2 weeks ago, and we made the trek to Utah in the car. We did it in one day on the way out… which was one long day, but only one day! We got to enjoy the beautiful mountains with the Woodwards, spend some time at Deer Valley with the Adams, and just bask in the blessing that is FAMILY. We did the drive home in 2 days, including multiple hours and multiple towns before a hotel with a vacancy in the middle of Nebraska, and the good little travelers in the photo who didn’t sleep the entire second day except for the last 15 minutes into Rochester. Even then, it was totally worth it.

… my venture into the 21st century! I have been enjoying similar sites of my friends’ and thought I’d give this a try. I am excited to share some of our day-to-day adventures with those of you who live so far away, and hopefully to chronicle the simple joys of our life. Wish me luck!