I've been SO bad about keeping up with my blogs. In an attempt to streamline and do a better job of preserving the kids' childhood (since I'm so far behind in scrapbooking), as well as capture their funny antics, I'm going to attempt to make my OTHER blog (The Adventures of Amara & Dominic) more of a "week in review" type thing, rather than random posts as they occur.

As for this blog... it may get more neglected. It will probably be more of just general thoughts. Inspirations from Bible Study. Observations about the world. Who knows. I started blogging to preserve the KIDS' events though, not my thoughts, so like I said -- this blog will probably get neglected. Who knows if I'll be able to stick to my own assigned schedule, but I'll try.

Here's the ONLY time I'll duplicate what's on my other blog on this one -- and a sneak peek of what you'll see if you go over there instead (which is fine).

Last week was a very eventful week. Busy and hectic, but all wonderful.

Mr. D turned three!

That was probably the biggest news. He was SO excited. His second birthday came and went with little fanfare or participation on his part. He really didn't care. But this year...wow, different story. He walked into his classroom and his friends and teacher shouted "Happy Birthday." He literally stopped in his tracks, put on a goofy face with his hands in his mouth, and was just beside himself. When we made it to the back of the classroom, one of his friends asked me, "Why is he squeaking?" His "squeaks" were actually little squeals of excitement that he just couldn't contain!

The night of Dominic's birthday, we had a team potluck picnic at a local park. He thought the event was just a continuation of his birthday celebration! We'll let him think that!

The following day we took off on a drive to Illinois for a family reunion (Jon's maternal Grandma's side of the family). It was a long drive, but such a wonderful trip. We are blessed with a really awesome family. Despite seeing them so infrequently, they're just so warm, welcoming, inviting -- terrific people to be around.

We got to sleep in a camper at Jon's Grandparent's house, because his brother's family was also there. The kids thought this was so much fun! They didn't realize we were actually outside -- they thought it was our own private house. The only problem was that the sun does shine brightly in the mornings -- right through the windows -- no matter how we tried to block it. The first morning, Dominic was so eager to get back inside and play with his cousins that at 5:30, he popped out of bed, excitement bubbling in his way-too-awake voice, and said, "It's shiny out! Let's go!" By the time Jon pulled himself out of bed to stop him, Dominic was out of the camper and standing at the door to the house ready to go inside!

We also went to visit Jon's uncle's shop. He owns a flowershop/greenhouse/gift store that just carries the neatest things. Jon's cousin, Carrie, was working the day we visited. Amara took to her instantly and decided to "help" Carrie water the flowers. When they were done, Amara came back to us while Carrie finished her work. I had to keep "looking" for Carrie, because Amara really wanted to spend more time with her -- but I made sure to look in places I knew Carrie wasn't, because she really did need to wrap things up for the day! :)

The reunion itself was at at State Park with a lot of room to run, a nice pavillion, and a lake. The sun was shiny and the breeze made it really comfortable. We had ladder golf, washer and bean bag toss games, footballs, and most importantly water balloons. If you ask the kids what they liked best of all, it would definitely be the water balloons! They'd never experienced them before, but they certainly figured them out quickly. Dominic thought it was hysterical to throw them at Daddy's feet and watch him hop out of the way. The adults enjoyed getting involved, too -- or getting hit by a wayward (or maybe not so wayward) balloon.

I think my favorite part of the weekend, other than reconnecting with family, is seeing how the kids reacted to it all. We don't live anywhere near family, and only get to see family a few times a year. Despite this, they always eagerly run in for hugs and play/act as if they just saw them yesterday. I know it tickled Great Grandma that the kids were so eager to hug her, despite the 365 days it had been since last time. But as I told her, it's not that the kids "know" them -- it's that they know what "family" means. And they know that family is important. They know that family means love and acceptance and safety. They, like us, wish that family was closer. But they're always going to make the most of it with every opportunity they have to be together.