Thankful Thursday

 1. We enjoyed part of the Magnamus Cirque show on Thursday afternoon. They advertised it as an event for children, but the ending was definitely not family friendly. Had I known we wouldn't have gone. It was free to the public (sponsored by Bucknell).

2. We had a safe trip to my parents' house on Thursday evening, and Nadia enjoyed opening the last of her birthday presents that night.

3. We had a fabulous day at Six Flags on Friday with my dad!

4. The kids enjoyed making Captain America's motorcycle at Lowe's on Saturday morning.

5. We had a safe trip back to PA on Friday afternoon, which was no small feat considering the torrential rain we drove through for hours. It was also a wonderful treat to have lunch with my friend, Laura, and her husband on the way home. She served us yummy chicken quesadillas and watermelon.

6. Nadia and Ian played with two neighbors for a few hours on Sunday afternoon. Jack just turned five last week, and Ellie is a few years older than Nadia. I think they'll be playing together more regularly. Yay!

7. I got my first smartphone yesterday! Here's to joining the rest of the world with texting and such. The first app I downloaded on my phone was the C25K app, and I used it this morning from 6:15-6:45. I had no trouble keeping up today with the pace, and it was nice when the little voice said that I was at the half-way point as then I knew when to turn around and start heading back home. I am aware of a few muscles right now that I'm not usually aware of, ha ha! Over the past two weeks I've lost four pounds. I am hoping to lose sixteen more over the next eight weeks. I am planning to do the C25K program every other day. I opted not to include a large hill in my route today, but as I get in better shape, I plan to include that hill.

8. Nadia has been enjoying her second week of tennis lessons. She missed two lessons this week due to Annie rehearsals, but she'll make those up in August.

9. Nadia has been loving the Annie rehearsals. She already told me she wants to do other productions with this group in the future. She had a five hour play date with the girl playing the part of Annie on Tuesday. The girls had a great time together.

10. All three kids make me smile so many times. With Oliver it's the way he pronounces a few things. Here are a few of my favorites: upside down is "upsee down", chocolate milk is "chockit milk," and bottom is "bobbin." I love it when Oliver asks me for a hug or a kiss. I am so grateful that all three of my kids are very affectionate as I know some kids aren't like that.

11. I called the cable company to see if we could bring our internet bill down, and it's going down $10 a month (back to what it was before the recent price increase).

12. Ian worked SO hard on completing the Kindergarten handwriting textbook this week. He learned how to write his numbers (1-10) and all his lowercase letters and reviewed how to write his uppercase letters. Of course he needs more practice, but boy that child can be extremely determined when Legos are involved!

13. I got a bike with a child carrier! Nadia is so pleased that we can ride bikes together now. Since Paul and I are the same height, he can also use the bike.

14. Paul's mom is finally getting her taste buds back after not being able to taste foods for about ten months!

15. We stopped at a great yard sale this morning. I bought Nadia quite a few outfits and dresses for the winter, and she spent $2 of her birthday money on a Tinkerbell toy.

16. It's so nice having Paul home during the summer. He spends most of the day in our bedroom on the computer, but he can come down for all three meals, which is wonderful! He has been working one day a week for his father (to finish a project he started last summer), and he does go in to Bucknell from time to time, but most days he's at home.

17. We enjoyed a program about military and police dogs at the library yesterday. The presenters had three dogs with them - a retired police dog from NC and two retired military dogs (one served in Iraq and the other in Afghanistan). Did you know all the branches of the military use dogs and they train the dogs using commands in either Dutch or German?

18. I've really been enjoying my 35mm lens lately that I received as a birthday present in April. My 50mm lens has been my most favorite for so long, and I didn't think I'd ever use another one as much as that one, but I've been getting a lot of use out of my 35mm one lately. Thanks, Mom and Dad! :)