It has been a very, very busy week.  We had vacation bible school every morning and then appointments/commitments in the afternoon.  I am tired!  I headed up games at VBS and it went very well.  We had about 50 kids each of the four days!  There was some excitement in that a fire broke out just north of the church.  Most of it was farm land, so fortunately they were able to save the one house that was threatened.  It only burned a couple of hundred acres.  It started when a combine hit a rock.  I did not know but all the dust and chaff it stirs up is like gun powder.  So, assuming when the combine hit the rock, there was a spark and everything went up quickly.  Fortunately the combine operator was not injured.

Here is a picture of the helicopter going to get water.

Benjamin had a great time at camp last week!  He came back with lots of stories!  I swear his voice is deeper.  As he was unpacking his bag he said 'I forgot my toothbrush'.  I just gave him a look and he said 'I tried to eat good smelling food'.  Yuck.  At least he showered more days than he did not!!

Recent pictures from our days.

Joseph and I played some games....

My favorite drink is by far water.  I have to be in a mood to drink anything else.  However, some days I just get to doing other things and forget to drink water.  So, I downloaded a water drinking app.  (I am shocked at what they make apps for ~ just about anything) This guy is my daily buddy....My phone chimes periodically to remind me.

We have found a group that gets together every Friday night for dinner and to hang.  The group fluctuates every week, but when every one is there (which has never happened) there is probably 25 school age kids, most of them seem to be boys!  Benjamin surprised me by digging into the Halloween dress up bucket and coming out to model for us.....

The cows have been hanging out really close most evenings.

For vacation bible school I requested water balloons.  Someone donated these.

I know it is the end of summer and probably hard to find in stores (at least up here) but they are awesome.  Basically you attach all the blue sticks and balloons (on left in picture) to the end of the water hose.  Then hold them inside a bucket and turn the water on.  In less then 60 seconds all the balloons have filled up, sealed themselves and dropped into the bucket.  A little spendy but a great gift (and time saver for parents) for any kid.  Speaking of gifts, I will throw my two cents out there, go for something consumable, meaning it won't be a toy that will forever be around the house.  Things that can be used up...membership to museum or local pool, movie theater gift card or maybe a cookie of the month club, where you give them a different type of a dozen cookies every month.  (This was meant for no one in particular :-), I just often have this conversation with parents that are overwhelmed with all the toys and gifts they receive from family/in laws.)  I also hear that there are biodegradable balloons that don't have to be picked up.