Best moment of summer

Before school started, we chatted about our favorite part of the summer. It was sort of a tough question--we had so much fun and truth be told, it was a lot smoother than last summer. Not that last summer was bad. Everything was just so much harder! This year, with everyone a year older, I could run occasional errands by myself and everyone pretty much had fun doing similar things. We didn't travel a lot, and the kids got along pretty well.

Still, I have a favorite moment, and we were lucky enough to capture it on video. We were sitting out by the lake around the campfire listening to Annie play her new ukulele...

Mario bro

Eddie is a little obsessed with Super Mario Bros. He plays it on Kevin's old-school Gameboy. He plays it on the Wii. He plays it on the iPad. When his screen time is up, he plays a game of his own invention called "Double Wii" or "Double Mario," where he runs around pretending to be Mario. We play "Bowser tag" after dinner.

Like his brother and sisters before him, Eddie loves to make up jokes that are so nonsensical, of course we laugh.

"Knock knock."
"Who's there?"
"Firepower."
"Firepower who?"
"Coin rush!"

"Knock knock."
"Who's there?"
"Mario."
"Mario who?"
"Mario fell in the lava pit!"

Kevin and I got in on it.

"Knock knock."
"Who's there?"
"Wario."
"Wario who?"
"Wario jokes so silly?"

"Knock knock."
"Who's there?"
"Yoshi."
"Yoshi who?"
"Yo--shi should tell more jokes!"

Nellie, age 11

What was your favorite memory from the last year?
Probably going to Great Wolf Lodge with the girl scout troop.

What is one way God's been working in your life this year?
Well when I found out we'd have to go to a new school I knew my friends would probably be really sad, but God helped me express it in a good way and not be too sad about going to a new school.

How do you feel about being eleven?  
I'm happy because it was my golden birthday this year and I had a lot of fun at my birthday party. Also I'm going into sixth grade this year and it's not middle school at Beagle, but it feels more, like, grown up. I'll bet there's more things that I'll be able to do, like if we go to an amusement park, because I'm taller and older.

What are you most looking forward to in the next year?
Going to Michigan Adventure at the end of the year! Being in the same class as Alayna, one of my friends from softball. I'm excited about being in Mrs. Stabley's class because she seems like a really nice person.

Who are your best friends?

Avery, Emma, and Leah. They're probably my main ones.

What kinds of things are you good at?

Swimming, playing softball [I'll add that she's good at pitching, though she's trying to be modest!], playing with my siblings. That's one of the things I really like to do. Not making them really mad like I used to.

What careers are you considering?
A lawyer, a movie writer, and a book author. A lawyer and a book writer go good together; at least that's what Aunt Emmy tells me.

Why are you interested in those things?
Well, for a lawyer it's mainly because there's a lot of helping people and I really want to make a mark on the world and help a lot of people. Also, there's a lot of excitement involved because there's so many possible things you could be encountered with. A movie and book writer because I like to imagine stories and things that could happen--or not happen, ever! But I really like to put those ideas in words and share them with people.

What’s your favorite song?   
That's a tough-y, because I like a lot of music. I really like Taylor Swift right now. Right now I'm not very into listening to songs, but I like rewriting songs in silly and fun ways. Like "Livin' on a Prairie" or a realistic version of "Party in the U.S.A." I like Reckless Love by Cory Asbury.

What's your favorite food?
Pesto pasta for a meal. Carrots and celery remains my favorite food!

Favorite movie?   
The live-action Beauty and the Beast.

Favorite book?   

That's tricky because I've read so many books lately. Probably the Harry Potter series, the Little House series...my favorite this summer was Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.

Favorite color?   
Blue. Especially dark blue.

Favorite place to be?

Anywhere where my friends are, especially because at my new school this year I won't be able to see them as much.

What are your favorite things to do?   
Play with my siblings, especially hide-and-seek because I'm older now and I can find good spots. Also I like to read, obviously. Swim at Aunt Pam's lake.

Is there anything else you want us to know about you as an 11-year-old?   
I really want to learn the guitalele better this year--I got one for my birthday--and I hope I do good at my new school and make new friends. I want to be able to encourage them if they have any troubles. I want to be a good example for them and my siblings.

Annie, age 9

What was your favorite memory from the last year?
Probably seeing my friends again when school started and learning ukulele in music class.

What is one way God's been working in your life this year?
Helping me realize that even though we're going to Beagle, He's helping us and teaching us. 

How do you feel about being nine?  
Older. And like an upside-down six-year-old.

What are you most looking forward to in the next year?
Maybe meeting new friends because we're going to Beagle, and seeing my old friends next year. Learning more things.

What new things or skills are you learning?
Diving without a mask, playing the ukulele, relearning piano. How to pitch and slide in softball.

Who are your best friends?
Probably--like from school--Lael, Bree, Kylie, and really everyone. And then my family.

What kinds of things are you good at?

I'm good at cursive and ukulele, math, reading, writing. I'm a good friend. Being me.

What careers are you considering?
Maybe a teacher, a movie maker, or a doctor.

Why are you interested in those things?
I like kids and--well, for the movie maker, because we've written lots of plays with Robynne and Leah and I feel like it would end up good!

What’s your favorite song?   
Lullabye-wise it's still Twinkle Twinkle Little Star. [What are some songs you like?] Mercy Me songs, Christian songs, rock-and-roll songs. Livin' on a Prayer.

What's your favorite food?
Cheese and brownies.

Favorite movie?   
Harry Potter, The Greatest Showman. If they made it, Harry Potter and The Greatest Showman mixed together.

Favorite book?   

A Wrinkle in Time or Babysitters' Club books or graphic novels in general.

Favorite color?   
Purple.

Favorite place to be?

I don't really have one! School or home.

What are your favorite things to do?
Read, play ukulele, spend time with my friends and family. I enjoy writing but sometimes I don't concentrate on it all the time. It might not seem like I like to write but I do.  

Is there anything else you want us to know about you as a nine-year-old?   

I liked being an eight-year-old because it was like a sideways infinity sign, so it was a long year. [Haha.] But I like being nine because I'm almost double-digits and that's nice to think about. I'm changing schools and going into fourth grade. Yay!

Sister, sister, sister

Today I realized Mary Cate was wearing the same outfit as Nellie wore on her trip to the zoo with Emily many years ago. Such cuties!

Since we are officially homeowners, Nellie moved into her own room and Mary moved in with Annie! I'll get better pictures of their matching comforters and general sweetness but Kevin captured this one tonight--Annie reading her old favorite to Mary. Be still my heart.