A Couple of Fireballs

Sometimes getting our girls to get some fresh air in the outdoors can be a challenge. When we lived in Texas, we spent a lot of time indoors because it was so hot and humid, and it took some major coaxing to get the girls to just go outside once a day. They much preferred to curl up with a good book and never see the light of day.

Now that we live in an easier summer climate, we're trying to encourage them to get out more. So tonight we convinced Leah to go out and ride her bike. She has known how to ride for a while now, but she has had no confidence and just wouldn't even try to start without someone holding onto the back of her bike. With her dad's help tonight, she FINALLY got it and rode all over our cul-de-sac, running over Meg a couple times as she tried to come to a stop in our driveway. My favorite thing is what she said when she wanted to show me her new skill: "This is the last time I'm going to do it. My head is so hot it's going to explode into a fireball." Then she took off and fortunately her head stayed intact as she took her final spin around the neighborhood. That's our little fireball all right!

While Leah is more of an energetic fireball, Brita is a fireball thinker. A couple nights ago when she was having a meltdown after several nights of staying up way too late, she was complaining about life not being fair and she wanted to know "why isn't life ever unfair in my favor?" What a great question. I only wish I had an answer she wanted to hear.

This week we've been enjoying the pleasures of extended family. We attended two reunions this past weekend, one for Jared's family and one for mine, where we did some of the same activities. My brother and his family are in town from Belgium, my parents came up also, and with my sister living just a few minutes from us, my whole family has been able to be together. It's been busy, crazy and fun.

Building a fort to sleep in inside the basement pantry:

Riding horses at the family reunion:

Hiking Bridal Veil Falls (and finding a letterbox at the top):


Goofing off and tormenting each other as much as possible:


And the fun gets to continue for another week. How lucky are we?!