Community Service Projects

I am always looking for community service projects to do as a family, but it's hard to find one that are kid friendly.  For our VBS this year, they raised money for The Children's Hunger Fund.  Two Saturdays ago, we volunteered there with our church.  They had several stations there-box food, sort toys, cut wrapping paper for Christmas, and package beans, which we did.  The kids really enjoyed it and asked to go back again.  They send food all over the USA and other countries.  The food we packed that day was for Haiti.

After we filled the bag with beans, Tyler would seal them, then Molly would put a sticker on it with directions.

 

 

This past Saturday, we volunteered with my bible study group at an organization called Thrive.  They serve the homeless here in San Antonio.  Molly and I helped refill the pancake batter and syrup.  Tyler had a table that he took food and water or coffee to.
The kids prefer the Children's Hunger Fund, but still had a decent time at this one.  I like that we were serving our community.  It was outside and very hot.  They had people giving haircuts, so next time we go, Molly wants to take nail polish to give manicures.

Some of the ladies from my bible study group with their spouse or kids

 

 

 

Tyler and this boy were having fun bottle flipping. 

One person came with a little puppy that Molly just loved.

All in all they were two good opportunities for us to serve and teach the kids about helping others.

Summer Fun

We've just been hanging out this summer.  Two weeks ago, we had VBS, which was a lot of fun.  We've been to the pool and Aquatica weekly.  The kids play with friends most days and keep busy.  Molly just finished up a dance class that was the 4 Saturdays in June with her two neighbor friends.  Her and Kimmie also did a cooking class one day and really enjoyed that.  They made homemade pizza and ice cream-two of Molly's favorite foods.  Tyler got a basketball hoop and that's gotten a lot of use. 

 I have more pictures of Molly with her friends.  Tyler doesn't like pictures.

They made $12 from this Lemonade stand.  They've since had a least 3 more.

 

Painting nails. 

Tyler and the boys plays lots of basketball and have Nerf gun wars.  Our game room has been turned into a bunker.  

Scott and I have been able to go out two Saturdays in a row!  First, we went to dinner and to see comedian, Brian Regan at the Majestic Theater.  He was wonderful and so funny!

My best friend, Debbie was in Spain for 2 weeks.  She brought me this dress back.  I love it!

Last Thursday was Scott's 40th bday.  We celebrated as a family that evening.  He liked his putting mat we got him. He didn't want to be in any pictures either.  Friday he took off work and went golfing with two buddies of his. 

 

Saturday evening, we went out with two other couples to an escape room and then to dinner to celebrate.  The escape room was fun and we did escape with 10 minutes to spare.

 

Next week Tyler has Entomoly Camp Monday-Wednesday, Molly has a sleepover planned at a friends, and we have plans to go to our friends that moved out to the country on Friday. 

End of the school year

School is out!  The kids last day was last Thursday.  Here are pictures from their Field Day and End of the Year Awards.

Tyler and Kyle.  Normally Colby is in the picture, but he moved to the country and is home schooled now. 

Miss Lopez was Tyler's teacher in first grade too.  He was happy to have her again.

Tyler with some of his friends in his class

Molly with her two best friends at school, Gabby and Sophia

I told her it was field day, maybe she should wear shorts, but she said no, a skirt with a tank top

 

Molly and her teacher, Mrs. Farley.  Molly loved her!  She did lots of fun things with her class.

We have been busy since school has been out. Friday we went to Aquatica and Tyler had a sleepover at Kyle's; Saturday the pool; Sunday Molly had a lemonade stand; Monday we went to Aquatica again, and today we went to Altitude-a trampoline park.  

Chicago

When we went up to IL for my brother's wedding, we stayed in Chicago for two nights to do touristy things with the kids.  Normally, we fly into O'Hare then head right to my parents.  I've hardly been into Chicago and I thought it'd be fun as a family. We did have a little bit of fun, but also lots of complaining, some crying, a "hangry" kid, and tired of walking.  They didn't love the city like I do and was hoping they would.   Here are some pictures from the good times we had.

Wednesday when we flew it, it was raining, so we just hung out at the hotel and swam.  That evening, we met up with the Hales for pizza at Lou Malnati's.  It was delicious!

Molly's friend, Brilee

Thursday morning we headed to the Museum of Science & Industry.  We enjoyed it!  There was lots to look at and we did to tours-the U 505 submarine and a Coal Mine tour.  Both were great and educational.

 

Inside the U 505 sub.  It was very interesting and just neat.  This is the real German sub that shot down several Allied ships.  We finally captured it.  This is walking through it.

This is where the missiles were stored.  They even had people sleeping back there with it. 

This was down in the coal mine

After the museum, we had lunch at Epic Burger, then walked over to Millennium Park.  We walked down Michigan Ave. through the city...I loved it.  I thought the kids would think all the tall buildings were so cool, but they weren't too impressed.  Oh well.

The burger was Epic!

Michigan Ave.

 

 

After the "bean" we went into Millennium park and to the Maggie Daley playground.  The kids really liked it.  It was so cool to be in a park and be surrounded by the city too.  Then you could look over the left and see Lake Michigan. 

Next, we walked down Lake Shore Dr. to Navy Pier.  The kids stopped for ice cream there with Scott while I walked the Pier by myself.  If not by myself, one of my children would have been thrown into Lake Michigan.

The view of the city from Navy Pier

That was all for Thursday.  Friday morning we went on a tour of Wrigley Field.  It was pretty interesting and we were able to go places you normally are not allowed.

 

 

View from the press box

Scott walking through the press box

The guest team locker room

 

Sitting in the Cubs dugout

On Wrigley Field

Afterwards we bought a few things in the gift shop, then went to lunch and for dessert we went to Molly's Cupcakes.  

 

 

 From here we headed to Belvidere for Tom's wedding!