Things seem to be slowing down now, I hope!  I feel like 4th of July is kind of the halfway point for summer, and the first part of our summer has been super-busy.  I have been looking forward to the second half being much slower, and just being able to do whatever we want with no particular schedule.  So far, we've done a lot......

Relay for Life, including survivor brunch and lots of meetings leading up to it- check
Dance Recital- including picture day, regular rehearsal, dress rehearsal- check
Vacation Bible School- 5 nights with all three children-check
Fundraiser for my Uncle-check
Wedding- including two days to look at bridesmaid dresses,  two bridal showers, one bachelorette/lingerie shower, bridal portraits, rehearsal and rehearsal dinner, hair appointment, wedding, reception-check

Wheeeeww!!!  That's a lot of stuff!  A lot of it I did without all or some of the children-so I've been kind of sporadic around the house.  I am glad to have a chance to settle down and spend some time with them, doing some fun things.  We have a few things planned-

• a trip to the lake near our house to play in the sand/water
• a ride around town on the local bus- this is a kids' request by Emilynn & Cousin Hunter....they want to ride the bus!
• a tea party I hope-I want to let them have a "tea party" with their little Tupperware cups, pitchers, plates, etc. as they all love eating and drinking with them- yes, even the boys!  Just casual with Hunter one day I think...no dressing up or anything.
• possibly a $1 movie day or two......but this is a BIG maybe and would require help from my younger sisters
• a trip to see The Fresh Beat Band- they are going to be close to us....I can't remember when but I think they'd LOVE this.....they love the "Fesh Beats" as Carson calls them! 
• we are still considering going to see Thomas the Tank and Sir Tophamm Hat, they are going to be close sometime in the next few months....we canned the idea in June because we were so busy with Relay For Life. 
• a train ride-maybe...this may end up being Fall but it's something everyone wants to do. 
• lots and lots of pool time!  Carson is a little scared now- he let go of the ladder on the 4th of July and floated away....I screamed and scared him more than anything and he was wearing his life jacket....but still he was kind of bobbing....he held his breath though, but now says "I not want to swim in Amanda's pool".  Poor baby.  We'll work on it.  We decided against lesson this year, but will definitely do them next year. 
• pictures of all 3 kids together- doing this this week

That still sounds busy but it's all stuff for the kids' to beat the heat and have fun!  They have earned it because they have been so patient while we got so many things done. 

Nicole & Eric's wedding was Saturday, and I must say-I am exhausted from that!  :-)  Being a matron of honor is a lot of work-but very rewarding and Nicole would do anything for me, so I didn't mind.  It's fun to dress all up and I really do love weddings.  Emilynn & Carson had a ball dancing at the reception, Emilynn cried when we had to leave.  She said, "I want to go back in there."  :-(  She was doing things the big girls were doing- if they kicked their leg, she kicked her leg, if they spun around, she spun around.  She really thinks she's a great dancer!!!  :-)  I think she kind of is.  :-) 
It was funny when the D.J. announced they were cutting the cake-she shot like a rocket to the cake table on the other side of the place.  The wedding planner scooped her up till I got there.  She was right up in the thick of it.  The girl loves her sweets-what can I say?  I made her go through the receiving line and tell them each "congratulations" before getting her cake, just like everyone else.  She did really good-and her "congratulations" was quite the mouthful and so adorable!  Carson even came out of his shell and was out on the dance floor with some moves!  He is not a wild dancer, so everyone was talking about how good he was doing.  Most kids kind of jump around, not him!  He always runs back to me, just for reassurance I guess-gets a kiss or hug, then heads back.  He does that in lots of situations- I kind of eat it up-he's my Momma's boy.  Henry just kind of chilled during everything.  He was the only one of my children in the church during the wedding.  Well, the twins were in the church-but in the nursery.  He never made a peep!  

Well, it's a little late and I have a good book calling my name!  That is my indulgence for making it through the weekend!  My sister got me hooked on Nora Roberts' books, I will probably stay up WAY too late to finish it!!!!! 

I will have more in the days to come to catch up on everything!