Whew!!

That's me taking a breath after what has been a very busy week! We are taking it easy today! Today is a HOT one! Thomas has gone to WaterWorks for the day with his friend David and his family, and then they will be checking out some great Christian bands tonight there at King's Fest. He will spend the night with David and go to church with his family tomorrow, and I'll pick him up after the littles and I go to church.

Thomas LOVED his Bible study on Monday evening. The guys had a good time reading and discussing Ephesians, then had a snack and headed out to the lighted basketball court for some drills and a scrimage. Thomas may have the opportunity to play in a late summer league, so he is excited for the extra practice time and coaching.

Tuesday I took the boys to King's Dominion mid-afternoon. We rode some rides and then met Norman in the parking lot picnic area for a dinner picnic before some more rides and the most amazing fireworks display I have ever seen! They were AWESOME!!! Thomas loved them, Benjamin liked the light part but not the noise - after about the first 4, he kept saying "Can we go home now?', although he didn't cry. He liked watching with me covering his ears. Max HATED the fireworks, poor baby! He laid on Norman and cried, though he would look up and check them out, until the noise started again! He moved over on me about 3/4 of the way through and I had a lapfull of two boys, each with one ear buried in my chest, and a hand over each of their other ears! We changed them and cleaned them up in the van and they were OUT on the way home!

Wednesday for the Fourth, we went to Meadow Farm. Thomas was volunteering and was asked to give part of the tour of the farmhouse upstairs! He did a GREAT job, telling almost 500 people part of the history of Mosby Shepard's farmhouse and family . I am so proud of the volunteer work Thomas does at Meadow Farm and we all enjoy spending time out there! The Fourth celebration was fun, with pony rides and a petting zoo for Max and Benjamin, a couple good bands providing live music, and a great picnic lunch, provided by Grandma! We were there from about noon til five and had fun. It was warm, but not unbearably so!

"No, I DON"T want to see the cute goat!""Stay here and keep me safe from the goat, Daddy!"
"Alright. I'll look at it, but I am NOT touching it!"
Benjamin loved the petting zoo! We didn't make it to the pool for Thursdays With Friends. I was too pooped fron the previous two days, and had to work at Applebee's that evening, so we ran a few errands and did some kicking around.

Yesterday I took the boys to WaterWorks, the full-sized water park within Kings Dominion. The place is HUGE - like 6-8 BIG water slides of varying levels of thrills, a Lazy River tube float trip. a BIG water tree house place with a giant bucket on top that pours water on those waiting eagerly below, 2 LARGE wave pools, and a cool place for the little ones called Lil Barefoot Beach. The little kids' pools are 3 interconnected pools, each between 1-8" deep, with a variety of water slide, sprays, houses and tunnels to climb in and fountain-like things to play in. The place was PACKED going in, but we found a good spot to settle in and I played with Benjamin and Max while Thomas checked out the 2 wave pools and a couple other rides. Benjamin and Max both enjoyed crawling around the pool on their hands, stretched out, while their legs float behind them! It was fun, but I was TIRED by the end of the day!!

Benjamin did NOT want his picture taken, and Max was busy watching Drop Zone!
Today I helped Thomas get ready for his day and evening away and am now just chilling! It's HOT out today and supposed to be for the next few. I will be running in and out at Applebee's tonight working CarSide To Go, and then papers in the morning before church, so I am relaxing today!! I think I've earned it!