Fast Times in July

I think we've been busier this month has been than any July that I remember. We've been going so hard if it were cold I'd think Christmas was on us. I feel like I have lost a lot of stories I'd normally share by waiting so long to write, but there simply hasn't been time to sit down and write anything. Last night Vicki and I finally got a chance to have a real conversation for the first time in at least three weeks.

CENTRI-KID. When I last wrote I promised to tell of Vicki's, Jenna's, and Ben's experiences at Centri-Kid. These camps are held all over the country. Our campers returned to Georgetown College in Kentucky. They came home on Friday, July 9, and Nate and I got one exhausted family back when they arrived. I think Jenna wound up sleeping 14 hours. Ben started trying to make up for lost time with Nate on the Wii but within a couple of hours he had slipped off for an early bedtime.

I was eager to get Ben's impressions of camp since this was his first year to go, but being a typical boy he did not elaborate much. I do know he had a lot of fun. The kids get to choose from a variety of track times for their afternoon activities. Ben got to do outdoor sports which was right down his alley. On the other hand, one of Jenna's track times was Kitchen Chaos which was a good fit for her.

Vicki said it as a good week for all the kids. Her comment about Ben was that there was so much intensity and so much to do that by Thursday afternoon Ben chose to go back to his room for a nap during his free time. This is highly uncharacteristic of him.

A CHEF IN THE MAKING. She has been sharpening up her cooking skills this summer with cookies and cupcakes and has come up with some very tasty desserts. She says she wants to open a bakery when she grows up. Of course, things can change between now and then, but this is something she brings up with Vicki about every other day. One day this week they were out running errands. Jenna spotted an empty suite in the strip mall where they were and commented that it would be a great location for a bakery. Then she started wondering how much it would cost to rent the space, etc. and ended up a little frustrated because she's too young to drive and still has to go to school.

FUN IN THE HOT SUN. Most years it seems like they picked the hottest weekend of the year to have the Threshing Show. This year was no exception (well, Saturday morning was pleasant). Heat or no, it was a lot of fun. We went to the show Friday and Saturday of last weekend.

I've got to pass my compliments along to Charlie, Mary, Will, and Nate Bumpus. They worked very hard this past spring to give the steam engine a new coat of paint as well as do some other maintenance and it looked fantastic.

I think the highlight of the show for me these days is to go and visit cousins I don't normally see. I'm sure Jenna feels this way because she really enjoys hanging out with her cousin, Bonnie. She was even invited to spend the night with Bonnie and her family in their camper Friday night.

The boys hung out with me most of the time. We played on the inflatable toys, walked around looking at equipment, went shopping in the flea market, and ate more junk food than we should.

All the kids got to ride in the parade. Ben even brought his bike and rode behind the trailer his siblings and cousins were on.

HIGH SEAS EXPEDITION. We had Vacation Bible School this week. Vicki was hardly back from Centri-Kid when she had to turn her attention to her final preparations for VBS (she didn't even make it to the Threshing Show). This has made us feel like VBS has been going for two weeks.

I'll have to say that I think this is the best VBS Vicki has headed up. She has done an exceptional job seeing to all the details and making it a fun week for everyone. I have to smile every time I see her on stage in front of the kids. She never would have dreamed she could do this five years ago. I am very proud of her.

We didn't have an adult class this year so I found myself up in the sound booth every night, and Jenna volunteered to help with preschool this year rather than be a participant. This only serves to remind me how quickly she's growing up. It reminds me how important it is to treasure these days while I'm living them.

Joe